Perfectly Imperfect Together: Recent Episodes
Perfectly Imperfect Together
We are all imperfect. Let's start being more honest about it and encourage each other by being perfectly imperfect together.
In Ecclesiastes 6 & 7, Solomon further explores the meaning of life under the sun. He sees the futility of wealth without purpose. When we love the gift, but not the Giver - we are walking in idolatry. All our provisions come from God and when we steward every resource given with a desire to glorifying God through it and expanding His Kingdom - wealth finds its purpose. Solomon comes to the conclusion that anything under the sun is meaningless without THE Son. We may not always understand everything going on in our lives or around us, but we know who is on the Throne and if we are pursuing Jesus, heart and soul, we find fulfillment. Fulfillment in life comes through Jesus. We can and should walk in the confidence that God will use, qualify, and bring us into a place of fulfillment in Him. He is the One writing our story, it's up to us to humbly choose to say "Yes, Lord - I'm all in."
In Ecclesiastes 4 & 5, Solomon takes time to study and evaluate how people live and what they experience in the judicial system, their daily work, as well as in the Temple. He discovered that unless we are working for the Lord and have peace in and with Him, following His lead, His will and worshiping Him heart and soul, it is all futile and meaningless. Money will never satisfy. There will always be more to attain in this world, but just when you attain one thing, your eyes get set on something new. Money is here today and gone tomorrow. The Lord created us for eternity. This world is temporary, but eternity is forever. The only 100% secure investment is giving ourselves wholeheartedly to the Lord. It's in Jesus we find rest. It's in Jesus, we find peace. It's in His presence, we find true joy. Jesus meets our every need and fulfills our lives now and for all eternity.
(John 20:19-23; Luke 24:36-49)
When we entrust our lives to Jesus, He replaces our fears with faith. Jesus has overcome death and gives us His offer of eternal peace in and through Him. God gave us His exhale and Jesus give us His Life. Where fear paralyzes, the power and peace of Jesus gives us purpose.
In Ecclesiastes 3, Solomon evaluates time and seasons of life. Do you ever think to yourself, "If I can just get through this season of life, then it will be better?" Or maybe, I can't wait until I'm at that level." The thing is, there's always going to be another level and another season. God wants us to be present where He has placed us in the here and now. He wants us to experience Him fully now - on earth. He wants us to pursue Him, heart and soul. We walk through different seasons in life so God can grow us and polish us and prepare us for a glorious eternity with Him. If you repent and humbly submit your heart and life to Jesus, your citizenship is in heaven. This is all temporary and everything God gives us is meant to be stewarded well for His glory and His eternal Kingdom. We need to remain laser focused on Jesus, pursue His holiness, and continue falling more and more in love with Him in and through every season He brings us to. Today is a gift from God and He has purpose in it for His glory and your good. Give thanks to God in the middle of the mess and keep chasing Jesus with all your guts, no matter what.
In Ecclesiastes 2, Solomon continues evaluating life and the meaning of life. He experimented with one thing after the other applying the wisdom God had poured into him. In this chapter, he evaluates the pleasures of life as well as life's work. Solomon had anything he could ever want at his disposal. No matter how much entertainment, wine, or fleshly pleasures he indulged in - it all left him empty. He built great buildings, cities, vineyards, and orchards. He loved projects. But even in work, he found it all left him empty. He will come to the solid conclusion that the temporary pleasures of life will never fill your soul like the Lord does. No project on the face of the earth will bring satisfaction unless you are doing it for the Lord. Fullness of life comes when we are submitted to the Lord and enjoy His blessings knowing they are His. Satisfaction comes when we steward His blessings well for His glory and His eternal Kingdom. No matter what we do or say, if we are doing it for the Lord, He will bring fulness and satisfaction to our lives and souls. Pursue Jesus, seek to please Him, and trust Him to meet every need. Rejoice in the Giver, and humbly thank Him for His gifts.
In Ecclesiastes 1, Solomon explores life, and the meaning of life under the sun. If we don't go beyond the sun to the Son, life under the sun is futile. Jesus is the meaning of life and He is the One who gives us purpose and reason. He is the One who fills our lungs with the air we breath. He is the One who brings life to Life, while we are on earth as well as for all eternity. When you know Jesus personally, and live for Him faithfully, you will experience Him fully. All the wealth, possessions, fame, achievements, or wisdom in the world can't give us what Jesus can. Everything on earth will vanish like a vapor, but everything we invest into Jesus and His eternal Kingdom will remain for all eternity. We need to focus less on the things under the sun, and focus more on the Son, Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever and He is the One who brings life, love, peace, and joy. It's in His presence we experience the true fullness of life.
Proverbs 29, 30, & 31 wrap up the Book of Proverbs. God promises His Word is pure. He is a shield for those who take refuge in Him, for those who abide in Jesus. We can choose to hide yourself in Jesus and surrender to His will. We can depend on Him through every season and every aspect of life. We can let Him lead and guide us. I am not self-confident, I am God-confident. My confidence is absent without God. I am only confident in Him. I need Jesus. We all need Jesus. I'm eternally thankful for His strength, His wisdom, and His refuge. His grace and peace are greater than anything this world ever has or ever will offer. True wisdom comes from the Lord and He's the only One I truly trust, heart and soul and with every last exhale.
In Proverbs 26, 27, & 28, we learn the differences between living a foolish live verses living under the wise direction, counsel, and guidance of the Lord. Who we surround ourselves with through life matters because we start to become like the company we keep. We need to seek the Lord and His wisdom on who is to be allowed in our inner circles of life. People who pursue Jesus heart and soul belong in our inner circles. People who challenge and oppose God and His terms do not. Iron sharpens iron. We need to be humbly willing to receive correction and counsel from those inner circle people. We learn from each other, guide each other to Jesus, encourage each other, pray together, and worship together. Do life together as we run further and further into Jesus' mighty arms - together. This isn't a single person sprint, it's a group marathon - all for God's great glory.
(Luke 24:13-35) The Walk to Emmaus: A Journey of Hope.Jesus enters into our brokenness and disappointments by walking alongside us within our everyday lives. He is with us. He is present. At times our expectations of what we think should be blinds us to the full reality of who Jesus is, what He's doing within us and in our lives, and that He's truly with us through it all. Trust in Jesus. Don't give up. Don't lose hope. Cling to Jesus with all your guts and don't let go. Don't ever let go.
In Proverbs 23, 24, & 25, God pours out more truths for wise living while we are on this temporary earth. Follow His guide, His lead, and trust His wisdom, heart and soul. Honey often symbolizes the Word of God in Scriptures. Just as honey sooths, heals, nourishes, and protects our bodies, the Word of God does all that and more for our bodies, minds, and spirits. Honey is the only food that includes all the substances necessary to sustain life including enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and water. Jesus is I AM and is everything we need and everything we will ever look for. We need to turn to God and His Word as our source of relief, help, and sustenance through everything in every single day. Consume God's Word and let it transform your heart moment by moment. His Word will never fade away.
In Proverbs 20, 21, & 22, We learn to trust the Lord for literally everything. We need to take our hands off the wheel, stop trying to control the rudder of our lives, and pray. Prayer is the fuel for the jet engine of life. Seek the Lord. Listen to the Lord. Follow His instruction and direction. Let Him lead and guide and trust that He truly is moving in the wait. Don't stop praying. Trust His wisdom and power. Don't let the enemy discourage you. Keep praying for that miracle. Keep praying for that healing. Keep praying for that prodigal. Keep praying for that job. Just keep praying and trust the Lord is moving. Keep every part of your being laser focused on Jesus and let Him lead. Trust His faithfulness. Trust His goodness. Trust His never ending incomprehensible love. Anything is possible through God's hand. Humbly submit your life to Him and let Him line your will up to His and watch Him move the mountains.
In Proverbs 17, 18, & 19, we are reminded that isolation is not good. We are created by God for God and for community and relationship. Isolation leads to pursuing selfish desires, sin and ultimately destruction. We are told repeatedly to watch our words withing those relationships and communities. We all tend to have too many words and need to be intentional about following Jesus and the lead of the Holy Spirit in everything - especially our words. Words are to encourage and build up, not tear down. If it's not my story, I'm not sharing it and if it's not your story, I don't want to hear it. Gossip is sin and we need to be intentional about shutting it down. Unless you are encouraging someone, it doesn't need to be said. That's wisdom. Jesus never talked about anyone else. He talked about God. We need to live the Word every day of our lives and talk about God. We are commissioned to spread the Good News of Jesus, not lies and slander about other people.
In Proverbs 15 & 16, the emphasis is again on our words. Our words matter and how we say our words matters. Pride, arrogance, and harshness only stirs up more and more anger and division. A gentle, softer, kinder, loving word of encouragement turns away anger and division. How we respond to life matters. God knows how and why we are using our tongues and the heart and motives behind our words. Are we encouraging others to pursue Jesus and magnifying the love, kindness, mercy, grace, and forgiveness of Him? What is in our hearts is what comes out of our mouths. If we are fully surrendered to Jesus as Lord of all - including our tongues, then our words and actions will show it. When we pursue Jesus passionately and fall more and more in love with Him, it's His Spirit who speaks through you. We begin to reflect His glory to those around us and draw more and more to Jesus as we do.
In Proverbs 12, 13, & 14, we are shown the difference in life between being foolish or wise and wicked or loving. A lot of emphasis is put on the words we speak because it's of our hearts that words are spoken. If we squeeze toothpaste out of the tube, you cannot get it back in the tube. It's out for good. The same goes for our words. We need to be yielded to Jesus and let the Holy Spirit lead and move in every area of our lives, especially the words we speak. We need to be intentional to not speak sinfully, speak to encourage and edify - not tear down, speak with restraint and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, speak reverently and in faith knowing God is right here listening to every word spoken, speak prayerfully and in the humble fear and awe of God and who He is, speak with the love and kindness of the Lord. We need to be intentional with our words to bring love and not destruction to those around us.
(John 20:1-18)
Jesus shouted through the folded linen left in the empty tomb: "I'm coming back! I'm not finished!" John, Peter, and Mary got the message loud and clear and Jesus desperately hopes we do as well and that our hearts are humble and prepared for His return.
In Proverbs 10 & 11, we are taught the difference between the wise, the foolish and the lazy. We are shown what it is to be faithfully generous before the Lord rather than greedily wicked. Wise people listen to God's Word and pursue His holiness. Wise people spend intentional time with God letting His presence saturation your entire being. Wise people fear the Lord with reverent awe and worship of His glory and who He is. Wise people only allow others who are passionately pursuing Jesus and His holiness into their inner circles of life. Wise people run quickly away from temptations and sin. Wise people hold their tongues and let God rule and reign in every situation. Wise people encourage everyone around them to passionately pursue Jesus, heart and soul, with all their guts and every last exhale.
Proverbs 7, 8, & 9 offer us an invitation to join Wisdom, join Jesus, and eat with Him at His table. We have to choose to join Jesus at His table and consume His Word every single day. We need to be intentional and remain in continual prayer letting Him guide our steps every single day. If we miss a day with Jesus, we will get hungry and temptations for sin will rise up. It's just like missing a day of food - all the sudden those M&M's look like even better. They might even have a glow. When we spend time with Jesus and allow Him to fill us to overflowing every day, there's no room for sinful temptations and they don't even look appealing any longer. You fall more and more in love with Jesus and no longer want anything else. The table of Jesus leads to Life - now and for eternity. Sin's table leads to death, misery, and destruction - now and for eternity. The choice is ours to make every morning. Wisdom calls and invites us to the table of Jesus. It's up to us to choose to join Him.
In Proverbs 4, 5, & 6, we are shown there is great wisdom in running away from sin and temptations. Whether the temptations come from Satan, our own fleshly desires, or the world around us - we need to run away. Resisting temptation is a lot less difficult if the temptation is no where near us. Like Joseph, run away with all you've got. If you have repented from sin and submitted your heart and life to Jesus, His Holy Spirit resides in you. You have the power to say no to sin and temptations right in you. If we do fail and fall to sin, we are to repent quickly, get back up and keep running forward pursuing the holiness of Jesus with all our guts. Let God lead. Ask for His Wisdom. Follow His guidance. Jesus gave us the best example of how to live a humble life on earth passionately following God's will and lead. Pursue Jesus. He will lead you to an eternity with Him and nothing on earth will ever compare to that.
In Proverbs 2 & 3, the benefits of seeking the wisdom of the Lord in everything we do and say are revealed. Wisdom protects your path with the Lord. The only way to end up at the right destination is to choose the right road. Scripture continually encourages us to choose God's path and follow Him, heart and soul. We all have to pick a road in life and there is no "middle" road available. When you lean against a tree, you are trusting in the tree's ability and strength to hold you up. You believe the tree won't fall down. God is bigger and mightier than a tree. As long as you choose to lean on God and rely on His strength to keep you from falling over, you will stand firm in faith. God is with us and will strengthen us, hold us, and guide us on the right path straight to an eternity with Him. Lean on the Tree of Life given by Jesus - our Lord and Savior for all eternity. Rest in Him alone. He will hold you up and guide you home if you are willing to humbly let Him.
The nails did not keep Jesus on the cross. His passionate love for each and every one of us did. No one can force us to love Jesus. It's up to us to choose to pursue Him and His holiness every day He gives us. It's up to us to humbly submit our hearts, lives, and wills to Jesus with all our guts. It's up to us to put our trust in Him, heart and soul. Radical-sacrificial-risk-taking obedience to Jesus is driven by love.
In Proverbs 1, we are introduced to the Book of wisdom. The Book that God wrote through King Solomon, who was given great wisdom by God Himself. We are given comparisons between common, concrete images and life's most profound truths. Through God's Word, we learn the fundamentals of how to live out His Word in our everyday daily lives and follow His path and plan for our lives. Everyday we wake up and throughout our days, we have a choice to make. Are you going to follow God's way? Or the way of the world? Jesus is Wisdom and we need to intentionally choose Him every day and never stop depending on the Lord through everything the day ahead may bring. We are to fear God with respect and awe of who He is. True wisdom is using what God teaches you to live out God's plan for your life. We seek God, experience Him, and pursue the holiness of Jesus with all our guts and every breath our lungs offer.
In Psalm 148, 149, & 150, the emphasis of the psalmist is on praising and worshiping the Lord with everything in us - our entire being - heart and soul. All of creation praises the Lord and worships the Lord simply by doing what God commands. We are created in God's very image and yet we struggle the most with humbly submitting ourselves to the Lord and honoring and glorifying Him in all we do and say. All the earth praises the Lord and God calls us to praise Him too. The best remedy for a downward spirit is to crank up some worship music and sing out to God with all your guts. It works for me every time. No matter what, I will praise the Lord. Through any and every storm, I will praise the Lord. Because I choose to worship my God and Creator with everything I've got in me, and you can too. The Book of Psalm ends with "Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!" He is worthy, so make an intentional choice give Him all your praise today and every day that follows.
In Psalms 144, 145, 146, & 147, the psalmists encourage us to to praise the Lord and worship Him heart and soul. God is mighty and delivers us victoriously. He cares for us personally and graciously blesses us, even though we truly don't deserve it. No matter what is going on around us, we can choose to praise the Lord. He is all-wise, infinite, sovereign, holy, omniscient, faithful, unchanging, eternal, self-sufficient, self-existent, omnipresent, omnipotent, good, just, merciful, loving, holy, and transcendent. He is ALL - everything. And He loves you and me and wants to care for us. He wants us to know Him, experience Him, and passionately pursue Him throughout every day. We worship something or someone whether we realize it or not. It's up to us to choose to intentional worship the Lord with all our guts - heart and soul.
In Psalm 140, 141, 142, & 143, David brings every heart-cry, every emotion, every fear, every detail of every situation straight to the Throne of God. God wants to hear from us. He wants a real, true, honest, and sincere relationship with us. He knows us more intimately than we will every know anyone on earth and He wants us to know and experience Him as well. He is a good, loving Father and He wants us to go to Him for everything, not the world. Our prayers rise to the Throne of God like incense and are the very atmosphere of God. He hears every prayer. When we come honestly to the Father in open arms of surrender and open hearts of repentance, He answers. He will lead a heart that is willing to follow. God wants us to trust His faithful love, enjoy His presence, and experience His incomprehensible love. He wants us to seek His face like never before, let Him be our refuge, strength, and comfort and fall more and more in love as we do.
In Psalm 137, 138, & 139, the psalmists long for God and His presence and seek His face in every moment of the day. God loves us and hates sin because sin hurts us in every way. He is a loving Father who will discipline us and yell from the heavens to get our attention and turn our paths back to His. He has a perfect plan and purpose for each of our lives to carry His baton of glory forth in the time and space He has placed us in. He needs us passionately pursuing the holiness of Jesus with all our guts and sharing His glorious Light to the world around us in the spaces He's placed us. Short term pains lead to long term gains and it's all for God's great glory. We need to be praying continually and we need to be spending intentional time consuming His Word so we remain armed and ready for whatever He brings us to in the days He's given us. God knows us intimately and is with us constantly. He wants us to know Him, experience Him, and pursue Him deeply too. Our daily prayer should be to ask God to reveal anything in us is not to be there and humbly repent quickly. And as we do, we keep pursuing Him, follow His lead in every step and trust His path. He will lead us to everlasting glorious eternal Life in Him.
(Lue 22:39-71)Even while preparing for the biggest, most crushing sacrifice of the cosmos, Jesus cared for others and showed His love, compassion, and concern. Jesus wants to bring us to our best in Him while Satan wants to bring us to our worst by pushing us away from Him. It's up to us to choose to stand stubbornly firm in unwavering faith - clinging to Jesus with all our guts, heart and soul.
In Psalm 133, 134, 135, & 136, the psalmists encourage unity in praise and worship to the Lord. The Spirit of God joins us together and in love and unity, we glorify Jesus. We are to join together in love and unity and worship and praise our Almighty God. We come before Him humbly with thankful hearts for all He continually pours out for our lives. He is good and His faithful love endures forever. God's love is eternal and trustworthy. His Name endures forever. Every knee will bow before Jesus when He returns. He is Lord of all and He is Lord forever. He never sleeps and is always looking out for us. There is never an instant when someone isn't worshiping God. The heavens, the earth, and all creation shouts praise to God. He is very present and with us at all times. He is good and merciful. He pours out graciously for us day and night. He is our Shepherd and Redeemer. He is the only One who will bring us to victory. It's up to us to humbly repent and choose to follow His lead and Lordship in life.
In Psalms 129, 130, 131, & 132, the psalmists reflect on how to cope with things we go through in life, how to stand firm in faith through suffering and persecution, and how to worship and praise God - looking up - through every storm that comes. As they make their way to Jerusalem to join together in united worship and praise to the Lord, they sing. They sing songs of praise, songs of reflection, songs of encouragement, and songs of worship. They sing together, walk together, and encourage each other - together. How do we make it through the persecutions of life? We join together in unity, loving God heart and soul, and worship Him with everything we've God. We praise God in the storm - together. We pray, we stay in the Word, we fast, and we come together and worship Jesus. We line our wills up to God's will and encourage everyone around us to do the same. We have one common enemy and worship and serve one glorious and victorious God. We commit all we are, all we have, and all we do to Him joyously knowing He is worthy of all praise, glory, and honor. We humbly repent of anything revealed in us that needs to get gone and we run forward as the united force we are - the united force God created us to be, and we shake the gates of hell like never before. Jesus is returning sooner today than yesterday and there's no time like today to repent, submit your life to Jesus heart and soul, and run forward with His victorious army.
Psalms 124, 125, 126, 127, & 128 are Psalms of song and praise to the Lord as they ascend to Jerusalem and gather together to worship the Lord in love and unity. No matter what challenges we may face, we turn to the Lord and trust His mighty hand and His victorious deliverance. God wants to be invited into the battles we face in life. When we humble ourselves, repent, and let God in to lead and guide us - He shows up in big ways. There is joy that is found in the freedom God brings us to. While Satan tries to destroy us and bring us to our worst by separating us from faith in God, God wants to bring us to our very best in Him and experience His goodness. We choose the road we take. We can choose a heart of humble gratitude in every season and glorify God in how we live out every day. We can choose to humbly reflect a heart of gratitude and joyfully praise the Lord no matter what circumstances we may be facing. He is in it with us if we let Him be and He is the One who carries us to victory. Keep standing firm in faith, keep praying, keep hoping, keep trusting God in "no matter what", "even if" faith, and keep joyfully clinging to Jesus with all your guts and every last exhale - heart and soul.
In Psalm 120, 121, 122, & 123, the psalmists emphasize the necessity of prayer. God is our rescue, comfort, hope, and only He can bring peace. We turn to God in and through all because we trust God. No matter what may come, we endure with the strength of God knowing He is on the Throne and Jesus holds all victory. He is our Helper, Keeper, and Protector. He is our Shield and He is always watching and with us. As we repent of our "selves" and line our wills up to God's will, we fall more and more in love with Jesus. We become more and more like Jesus. There's no greater weapon against the enemy than millions of people who are repentant and humble before the Lord following the example Jesus gave us all as we continually pursue His holiness. We need to be wholehearted for God, foster a heart of praise and gratitude in and through all things, and have a heart of continual prayer before His Throne. We look by faith to God's Throne, trust His divine Hands, and let His mercy and grace saturate us entirely. No matter what, we can choose to look up to Him in faith and keep running forward in Him with all our guts - heart and soul.
Psalms 117, 118, and 119, include the shortest Psalm, the mid-point of the entire Bible, and the longest Psalm. The psalmist cries out for all the people of the earth to worship and praise the Lord, depend on His love and rest calmly in His faithfulness. As the middle verses of the Bible declare, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people." Give thanks and praise to the Lord through everything and glorify Him for His great victory. Trust in Him for every outcome to every circumstance we face. Delight in His Word. God's Word is power. Jesus is the Living Word of God and He is power. He gave us His Word to consume and live out in our daily lives. His Word cleanses us, makes us whole, shows us God's character, and salvation. His Word gives us hope, confidence in Him, and reverence for who He is. His Word is reliable, just, eternal, and righteous. His Word is the only true Truth there is. God's Word keeps us clean, gives us joy, guides us through this temporary life on earth, and establishes our values. It helps us to pray effectively and lines our wills up to His. It encourages us, strengthens us, and breathes new Life into us like nothing else can.
(John 13:1-15) Jesus knew the most important sacrifice - the event that is central to our entire eternity - was right around the corner. Yet, the most important thing for Him to do - right now - is bend down humbly in servanthood to wash the stinky, nasty feet of His disciples. Jesus is the One who washes feet because He is the only One who holds the power to clean us - from the inside out.
In Psalm 113, 114, 115, & 116, the psalms all begin with glorious praise and worship to the Lord rooted in extraordinary love for Him and who He is. His Name is to be praised and He is to receive all glory and honor with every last breath we have. Jesus came to set us free from sin and the bondages of sin. We can choose Life and freedom that is only found in and through Jesus and live our lives as though we truly believe He came to the earth, died for our sins, rose from that grave and truly has set us free. He heals and comforts the brokenhearted and always responds and answers the call of a repentant heart. He is for us, He is with us, He rules over us, and He goes before us. He is King of all kings and Lord of all and He rules and reigns and will for all eternity. He is the one and only true and living God who speaks to us, hears us, sees us, knows our voices, carries us, and walks with us through every moment of our days. We are precious in His sight and He deserves all of our praise and worship as we fall more and more in loved with our Lord and Savior every day that we have breath. He is merciful and gracious and His faithful love never ends.
In Psalm 109, 110, 111, & 112, David proclaims heartfelt praise and worship to God. He prays to God for his enemies and trusts that God will handle the situation. He trusts God and leaves the outcome to Him. He doesn't gossip about his enemies to others, he brings every thought, feeling, concern, and frustration to the Lord and simply trusts Him for every outcome. He gives us an example of how to live the Word of God out in our lives, how to praise God heart and soul, how to pray continually with God about absolutely everything, and how to love others - even our enemies - through the faithful never-ending love of God. When David faced opposition of any kind, he went to God for help, wisdom, comfort and direction. God gives us the peace, wisdom, strength, and humility to walk through whatever may come - including opposition. Jesus is our eternal King and Priest. He has all authority and intercedes for us at the Throne of God. He has us covered and we can trust Him and cling to Him with all our guts through everything.
In Psalms 106, 107, & 108, the psalmist is honest about the sins of their lives and pours everything out before the Lord in sincere and deep repentance. God always answers a broken repentant heart before Him. In joyous faith, he glorifies and honors God above all, trusting Him with everything heart and soul. He praises God in extreme gratitude for God's patience, mercy, grace, and faithful love. If we lose our way, our freedom, our health, our hope, or our home, we can and should cry out to the Lord and trust Him wholeheartedly with the outcome. He is the only One who can lead us to His path, break the chains and bondage of sins, restore our health, increase our faith, and bring us home to Him. He is faithful and secure. Praise, prayer, worship, and gratitude to the Lord is foundational to everything. He brings us to victory for all eternity if we are willing to trust Him wholeheartedly with all our guts and passionately follow Him with every last exhale. As the psalmist declares, let us praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for us.
In Psalm 103, 104 & 105, the promises and faithfulness of God are magnified. God forgives our sins, heals our diseases, redeems us from destruction, crowns us with lovingkindness and His tender mercies, satisfies every need, renews our spirit, makes His ways and actions known to us, pours out His mercy and grace, is patient and slow to anger, doesn't give us what we deserve due to our sin but instead removes our sins far away never to be seen when we repent and choose Jesus for Life, pours out His incomprehensible Fatherly love, and gives us His righteousness when we choose to submit to Him as King and Lord of all of our lives. His Throne is eternal. He remains on the Throne. He always has and always will. His glory shines through and over all. When you catch a glimpse of His great glory, it changes you - for the good - for eternity. Give thanks to Him, call on His Name, Honor Him, rejoice in Him. He is faithful, even when we are not, and His love never ends.
In Psalm 99, 100, 101, & 102, we are shown the sovereignty and royalty of our Almighty God. He is King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He rules and reigns. He always has and always will. When we choose Jesus, repent, and submit our lives into His faithful arms, we enter into rest in Him because we are no longer trying to war against Him. He is glorious, gracious, and just. We praise and worship Him joyfully in submission to who He is and honor Him in all we do. Jesus died and rose from the grave so we could have the option to choose to receive Life with Him for all eternity. That is a wonderful reason to give Him all glory and gratitude every day we have breath. His Kingdom is eternal and when we choose to passionately pursue Him and His holiness, we are adopted into His family for all eternity. We are His. We need to stand firm in unwavering faith as He does His work within us for our benefit and His glory. Passionately pursue Jesus, stand firm in Him, and cling to Him with all your guts every day - heart and soul.
Worship without the fear, reverence, and awe of God isn't really worship at all. We can't remove God or ignore sin in our worship. True worship includes fear and reverence for God, confession and repentance from sin, and faithful continual prayer and communion with God in our daily lives - not just on Sundays. It's talking with God about everything with the confident faith that He has the power to do anything.
In Psalm 96, 97, & 98, the emphasis of the psalmists is royalty - Jesus is the King of the earth. Jesus is our Salvation and our Life. He came and sacrificed His life on earth so we could receive His Life for eternity. That should be something we sing about and joyfully proclaim every day with every breath in us. We sing praise to Him, we worship Him, and we give Him all glory because He is so amazingly good and we love Him heart and soul. We rejoice because we know He is returning - sooner today than yesterday. We are to live every moment as though He may come in the next 10 seconds, because He may. He is worthy of all praise and honor and glory and He is coming! He is on the Throne and He is victorious over the enemy. Because we are His, we claim that victory in our lives and move forward faithfully confident in Him and who He is. He is our Savior and King. When He returns, He will put an end to the cruelty, the evil, and all the junk the current world holds. If we have made the decision to repent of our selfishness and submit our lives to Jesus, we are a part of His eternal Kingdom. If you haven't, there's no time like now. Joy to the World, He is coming! There's no time like "now" time to turn your life over to Him and pursue Jesus with all your guts - heart and soul.
Psalms 93, 94, & 95 reveal the Kingship and Authority of Jesus. He is Lord of all. He is King of all. He is God. He is all. He is holy and His love is holy. He will be returning to judge sin and evil and when He does, all sin will be judged. He desperately wants every last person to choose to abide in Him and be free from sin and the judgment of death that comes with it. When we abide in Him, it's like an unborn baby abiding in the mother's womb. That baby goes where she goes, that baby is nourished, protected, cared for, and loved deeply by the mother. Jesus wants us to abide in Him and not cut the cord and go our own way and then wonder why things are harder than ever in our lives. He wants to care for us, help us with the hard things, strengthen us. He loves us more than we can comprehend. If we choose to abide in Him, we are protected from all judgment of sin because it's already been judged. He loves us so much, He took it all for us so we could choose to abide in Him forever instead. He deserves all the joyful praises and all the humble worship we have in us. We need to cling to Jesus with all our guts - stay corded to Him - and let Him carry us.
In Psalm 90, 91, & 92, we see purpose in our lives in and through God. God has a purpose and a plan for our lives if we are willing to trust His lead and walk into it. We are travelers on this very temporary earth and if we have put our faith in Jesus and entrusted our lives to Him, God is our Home. He is our Dwelling Place, our Rescue, our Refuge, our Protection, and our Stability. He will pour out the comfort, strength, and encouragement we need for every day if we are willing to repent from our selfishness and seek Him heart and soul. God is bigger than any sin and Jesus died for it all so we can choose to repent and passionately pursue His holiness falling more and more in love with Him every day. When we overcome what life throws at us, we thrive in Christ. Worship Him wholeheartedly, overcome, and run to the victory Jesus died for us to claim.
In Psalm 86, 87, 88, & 89, each of the writers are experiencing the various highs and lows of life. Much like we all do which is why the Psalms are so real and relatable. What we continually see in these chapters is the persistence of prayer. They each pray - a lot. They talk to God honestly, openly, and intimately. God wants a real and honest and personal relationship with all of us. Some people get by with putting on a fake mask at church on Sunday's, but God will never settle for that. He wants you - all of you - wholeheartedly trusting and believing Him. He wants you to believe His love, believe His comfort, believe His kindness, believe His goodness, and believe His redemption plan and the sacrifice Jesus came and made for us. Believe we are righteous in Him and have the power of the Holy Spirit in us to pursue His holiness. He wants us to believe He is returning sooner than later and His Kingdom is eternal. He wants us to let Him be Lord of all of our lives knowing He has good things planned for us now on earth as well as for eternity - even if it doesn't "feel" like it at the moment. We keep on praying, keep on believing, and keep clinging to Jesus with all our guts and every last exhale - heart and soul.
In Psalm 82, 83, 84, & 85, the psalmists cry out for evil and wickedness to be resolved. They long for the Lord and to bask in His presence night and day. That should be the desire of each of our hearts. God wants us to know Him, experience Him, delight in Him, and fall more and more in love with Him every day. He hears our prayers and He wants us to listen for His voice as well. He speaks to us through prayer, through His Word, through His Holy Spirit, through the Jesus loving people He's placed in our inner circles of life, through worship, and even through our circumstances. He is speaking, but we need to be listening. Revival begins with repentance and gratitude. Revival is a renewed conviction of sin and repentance, followed by an intense desire to live in obedience to God - to give up your own will to God in deep humility. It's realizing that God has given you something and you are not doing anything with it. It is living again and falling in love with the Gospel - with Jesus - more and more. It's passionately pursuing Him with everything in you, all your guts - heart and soul.
(Acts 28)
Too many of us walk around with snakes hanging from our hands. We need to shake off the snakes, let them burn in the fires of hell where they came from, and passionately pursue Jesus with all our guts.
Jesus is most glorified when you are fully, wholeheartedly satisfied in and through Him. The most important thing in our alabaster jars is us. Jesus wants us to pour out all we have and all we are for Him because we love Him. He wants us to trust Him wholeheartedly with every outcome. No matter how big you think God is, He's even bigger.
In Psalm 79, 80, & 81, we see the Asaph crying out to God for mercy. God's people were rescued from slavery, protected and cared for through their wilderness journey, and received an inheritance that was grown by God. They rebelled against God and worshiped everything else instead of God. Their time to repent and turn ran out and God sent judgment and correction. Asaph pleads for God's help and his heart of despair is turned to worship and praise for who God is - even while experiencing punishment in exile. He turns to God and prays for revival. He asks God to save and revive them once again as His. As he praises and worships God in the storm, his lamenting is turned to dancing. He prays for revival and asks God to let it begin with himself. He repents, humbles himself before God, and worships Him heart and soul. That's how revival begins - with each one of us.
In Psalm 76, 77, & 78, we read about connecting with God emotionally as Asaph pours his heart out sincerely to God, giving God every emotion. God wants us to know Him. He is present and wants us to enjoy His presence. He wants us to experience Him. He wants us to trust Him and let Him revive us. He wants us to love Him in reverent respect and honor for who He is. He wants us to fear Him knowing He is God - the God of the cosmos and holds all power and authority. He wants us to obey Him out of passionate love for Him. He wants us to pursue Him and pursue a deeper, intimate, and sincere relationship with Him. If we do, our lives will reflect Him and His character because we are His and we belong to Him. God will turn our despair into joyous deliverance if we are willing to humble our lives and hearts to Him and let Him move in them. He wants us to keep our eyes and hearts laser focused on Him and trust Him wholeheartedly with all our guts.
In Psalm 73, 74, & 75, Asaph brings all of his questions to God and trusts God will answer. God does answer. Asaph received his answers as he worshiped and praised the Lord. It was through worship that he received a deeper understanding of God and who God is. He was struggling with the wicked, prideful, arrogant people appearing as though they have no burdens, no troubles, and keep getting richer. He brought everything to God and understands now that God is good, kind, and loving. He understands that God's love is holy love and wickedness, sin, and evil will face judgment and punishment from God. Our holy, perfect God cannot allow sin to go unpunished. Jesus came to earth and died, carrying our sins to the cross with Him. He rose from that grave because death cannot hold life down. If we choose Jesus, repent, and submit to Him for our lives out of passionate love for Him and who He is, our sins have already been judged. We receive His righteousness instead. It's up to us to choose humble repentance and receive His holiness. It's up to us to pursue Jesus, worship Him, praise Him, and passionately live for Him with every exhale He gives us.
In Psalm 70, 71, & 72, the Psalmists affirm that the Lord is our only Rescue, our only Hope, and our only Refuge. Even in the midst of despair and tragedy, they choose to praise the Lord more and more and we can to. We can stand firm and glorify the Lord no matter what knowing He is on the throne and He is faithful. He restores life - for eternity - if we choose to let Him be Lord of all of our lives. Jesus came and ransomed us if we choose to accept His payment. He's given us the check, it's up to us to choose to cash it in and trust Him for Life. Jesus is returning and when He does, every knee will bow before Him. His glory fills the earth and He wants us to experience Him wholeheartedly and passionately pursue Him with all of our guts. If we pursue Him, we will find Him. He wants us to. He's just waiting for us to choose to run to Him and let Him hold us through the storms of life. Let Him comfort our fears. And let Him redeem all that the enemy has stolen.
In Psalm 68 & 69, David cries out to God and both despair and worship exalting God's great power and the salvation that only comes in and through God. These Psalms point us directly to Jesus. Through the life-saving power of Jesus, the enemy is defeated. We can rejoice and remain unshakably anchored to Jesus. He carries us through anything and everything this temporary world will bring, He's the only One who can. These Psalms show the incredible picture of how God has moved in the past, how He is moving right now, and how He is going to move in the days to come. Jesus is returning for us, marching before us in every battle, and dwelling right with us in every step we take if we choose to trust Him wholeheartedly with every part of our hearts and lives. He suffered and died on the cross, rose from the grave, and is returning. We can stand firm, cling to Him with all our guts, and remain unshakable because God is on the Throne and His eternal love plan of redemption is coming forth.
John 11:1-44 - Lazarus - Come Out!Jesus is always with us and loves us incomprehensibly through everything we face. When life doesn't make sense, don't look around - look up! Faith in Jesus means believing what is beyond reason to believe from a human perspective. We look up in God perspective instead. Believing in the miracle working power of Jesus leads to seeing the miracle working power of Jesus in our lives.
Psalm 65, 66, & 67 focus on praising the Lord for His amazing blessings and gracious dealings with His children. We are to give God all the glory and live our lives passionately pursuing Him, intentionally worshiping Him, and glorifying Him in all we do and say. We confess our sins and humbly repent when we fall into sin and get back up and praise the Lord in gratitude for His saving mercy. We trust Him through every storm knowing we are victorious in and through Him. We are not defeated, Satan is and we need to live each day like we actually believe that. God is on the Throne. He is the provider of all we need and holds all power and authority. No matter how we "feel", we need to intentionally choose to worship God with extended hands, boasting only in the Lord. We praise Him with our entire being heart and soul, and expect His victory to come because it will - He is the Victorious One. We humble ourselves, bowing before Him because He is our Sovereign King. We sing and shout praise because we know we are His and will be for all eternity. We sit in His presence and be still knowing He is our Shield and Protector. He sees from the top down and knows what tomorrow holds. There's no One better to trust than our Almighty Lord and Savior. No one else is worthy.
In Psalm 62, 63, & 64, David is again facing real life-threatening challenges. He was the lineage that our Messiah would come from and Satan made every attempt possible to take David out. God wins. God is the victory holder. His plan is faithful and He holds all power. In every challenge David faced, he trusted God. He rested in God - even while fleeing for his life from place to place through the wilderness. His refuge and trust was wholly and completely in the Lord. He spent intentional time with God, prayed constantly, and enjoyed basking in God's presence every day. The world around him, Satan, and his own flesh were against him, but his focus remained on God and God alone. He couldn't be shaken because the foundation of his entire being was on God and God held him securely. It was through the discipline of David's life of intentionally seeking God and building a true, deep, sincere relationship with Him that David saw victory. His only desire was God and worshiping and praising Him no matter what the world around him looked like. As we fall more and more in love with God, and worship Him heart and soul, we find satisfaction in Him through everything we face. Our only desire is God and, therefore, we can no longer be shaken by anything.
In Psalm 59, 60, & 61, David's enemies are closing in and the nation is vulnerable as well. He sees everything going on around him, but still chooses to look up faithfully to God - the One on the Throne. He trusts God's provision, strength, delivering hand, shield of protection, comfort, mercy, and unfailing love. He sings praises and worships God in gratitude for the victory - even when the victory hasn't come quite yet. He knows God is faithful and stands firm in his faith in God. He gives everything in him to God - heart and soul - and pours his guts out to the Lord. Then he faithfully worships and praises God trusting Him with the outcome. His confidence is in the Lord and he lives every moment of his life to glorify His great Name. He was a real life human being just like all of us, facing real life battles. He left us an amazing example of how to live our lives in Jesus and how to walk in active faith with every exhale.
In Psalm 56, 57, & 58, David once again shows us the importance of giving God our fears and God then turning those fears into increased faith. God heard every prayer, every plea and every one of his tears. He hears ours as well and wants us to let Him comfort, strengthen, and heal our broken spirits. David's greatest desire was to glorify God so he brought absolutely everything to God. God wants us to talk with Him openly and honestly about everything - all day, every day. He wants a true and real relationship with us. David depended on God's grace to carry him through every struggle and every circumstance because he knew he could trust God wholeheartedly. David turned caves into sanctuaries giving worship and praise to God through every turn. He determined within himself to praise and worship God in the storm and took refuge in God's presence. Worship breaks down walls within us and around us. David repeatedly brought his concerns and feelings to God and then spoke the truth of God and His Word over himself. David was led by truth and worshiped out of devoted love to the Lord. We can make the same choices in our own lives today. We can choose to worship the Lord in the storms, stand firm in faith, be patient and trust, hope, and wait on the Lord in anticipation because we know He is the only One who holds the victory.
In Psalm 52-55, David is facing some real, life-threatening, and heartbreaking struggles and circumstances. He is feeling betrayed and surrounded by evil. He really wanted to just fly away and get away from it all. Have you ever been there? I for sure have. Instead of running, David turned to the Lord. He examined his feelings honestly and openly. He felt them. And then he gave them all to the Lord just as honestly and openly. God gives us our emotions so we can give them back to Him. God turns our fears into faith, our despair into hope, and our confusion into clarity. David wasn't in denial of anything going on around him. He just chose to look at it all through the lens of God's eye, gave everything over to God, and wholeheartedly trusted God with the outcome. David prayed all day long. He had a relationship with God. God wants that for each and every one of us. He wants us to talk to Him and listen to Him. He wants a relationship. He loves us beyond comprehension and wants us to fall more and more in love with Him every day of our lives as well.
In Revelation 2 & 3, Jesus calls us to repent of sins, our lost love for Him, apathy, and indifference. He pleads with us to cling to Him, remain faithful, and persevere. There's no time like "now" time to answer His knock, join the victorious, and respond to His call.
In Psalm 49, 50, & 51 - 3 Psalmists speak into eternity, values, repentance, gratitude, and God's cleansing and healing hand. We can choose to store up riches in this temporary life and get caught up in pride, glamour, and sin, or we can choose to live for Jesus and receive a glorious eternity with Him. Our bank accounts and material collections will not come with us when we die. Only God's Word and the people we share His Word with, who choose to submit their lives to Him, will come with us. We can choose to praise God in gratitude for the provisions He pours out and live passionately pursuing Him and His goodness. Or we can live for this temporary world and die with it. We can choose to entrust our lives wholeheartedly to God's unfailing love and compassion. We can ask Him to reveal anything in us not of Him and repent quickly. We can trust in His faithfulness and unfailing love and keep running forward with Him, in Him, and through Him. He has already forgiven us, it's up to us to choose to repent and receive it.
In Psalm 46, 47, & 48, the descendants of Korah write a song of encouragement and worship to the Lord. They emphasize the presence of God. When we trust God wholeheartedly it makes all the difference when walking through the changes, struggles and difficulties of life. God is our strength. God pours out rivers of Joy and He is our God and will be glorified today and for eternity. There are times when He tells us to "get moving" and times when He tells us to "be still". When He says be still, it most literally means "take your hands off and relax". Trust God in the wait. God is our amazingly awesome King. He is triumphant and victorious. He is the Lord of Heaven's Armies and He loves us beyond comprehension. The day will come when He will be honored by every nation and throughout the world. The nations may be in chaos today, but God is our God forever and ever and He will guide us if we choose to submit our wills to His, take our hands off, and let Him lead. He is returning sooner today and yesterday and He holds us in His hearts and hands.
Mark 5:21-43
Desperate confident faith in Jesus changes everything. Trusting in the world leads to fear. Trusting in Jesus leads to faith. Anyone who laughs at your faith in Jesus doesn't belong in your inner circle of life and needs to be kicked out. Jesus is Life and death cannot hold Life down. Jesus is the only One who can conquer death. He offers Life with Him for all eternity to anyone who chooses to submit their lives to Him in desperate confident faith. He stops for you.
In Psalm 43, 44, & 45, the descendants of Korah express their praise and worship of the Lord as the sweet sunrise reminds them of God's Light and Truth. God's goodness and mercy follow us all of our days and His Light and Truth lead us. They faced a huge defeat and cry out to God honestly and openly giving every emotion to God and trusting Him with the outcome. Even in this storm of defeat, they stand firm in faith, trust God and His faithful love, and praise the Lord. They trust God through every circumstance and struggle no matter what the world around them looks like and we can to. Why? Because God is still on the Throne and we can trust Him. He has not moved. He is returning and He has us if we are willing to entrust our lives to Him. Jesus is the Victorious Warrior and He is returning. He is our Righteous King and reigns now and forever. What doesn't make sense to us never catches Him off guard. We are called to repent, trust Him wholeheartedly and let Him lead. He's been in every tomorrow and He knows what He's doing. He's the only One who truly does.
In Psalm 40, 41, & 42, David sings of God's great rescue and redemption and points us directly to Jesus and His saving mercy and grace. He trusts in God and His great saving power. He trusts in God's unfailing love and faithfulness. He knows "the Lord is Great" and shouts it out passionately for all to hear. He praises God in gratitude - even in the midst of the storm. More than anything else, David wanted to please and glorify God and bask in His sweet presence. He confessed his sins openly, repented, and sought after the face of the Lord. His focus through everything was on God and that makes all the difference.
In Psalm 38 & 39, David repents brokenheartedly before the Lord. He was honest with himself and God and laid it all before Him. He was really sick and walking through some huge struggles and sufferings. He even admits the writhing pain before God. When we face struggles and pains in life, we can focus on ourselves and experience sin's painfulness, we can focus on others and experience sin's loneliness, or we can focus on the Lord and experience sin's forgiveness. David chose to remain silent to those around him and trust God and God alone through his circumstances. He prayed honestly and openly and constantly and trusted God with the outcome. He was repentant and confident in God's mercy and mighty. We are not strangers to God. He knows us. He hears our prayers, our cries, and holds our tears. He wants us to know Him too - more than anything. Our lives on earth are like a breath, but eternity is forever. The choices we make here, and how we response to our circumstances makes all the difference for all eternity.
Jesus loves us no matter what and always will - forever! The world around us tries to tell us lies about who we are and Whose we are. It's more important than ever to know what God says about who we are. He's the One who created us so He is the only One who should be allowed to define us.
In Psalm 36 & 37, David ponders God's world, praises God's character, and prays for God's protection and justice. He worshiped God and took personal responsibility for obedience to God. He focused his attention and energy to God's great glory, His faithfulness, His love, His mercy, and His grace. He worshiped and served God in the confidence of who God is. Rather than worrying and fretting over his circumstances, he trusted God. He trusted God's perfect timing, pursued God's holiness, and delighted in God's presence. God watches over everything and loves us more than we can comprehend. He knows our circumstances and what we need. God continually prepares us for more, for His great glory and our good too. We have to be willing to be still and trust Him faithfully in the wait.
In Psalm 34 & 35, David knows the Lord redeems those who serve Him wholeheartedly. He knows the Lord answers our prayers, provides all that we need, and delivers us from evil. He knows the Lord protects us from danger and turns our fears into faith. He cries out to God and praises Him with reverent fear and awe of who God is and God answers. God is our Creator and He cares for us. He redeems us. We belong to Him. He loves us. He wants us to trust Him and His will, pray and stay in communication with Him, and line our will up to His. We are only saved by the loving grace of our Father and that in itself should cause us to get up and praise Him, rejoice in Him, and trust in Him with all our bones, all our breath, and all our guts. By consuming the Word of God, we get to know the God of the Word and we fall more and more in love with Him and depend on Him through everything. There's nothing He wants more for our lives while we are on earth.
In Psalm 31, 32, & 33, David is in deep distress and deep grief. He is being ridiculed and the enemy is pursuing him on every side. He feels forgotten and attacked. In spite of all this, in spite of all the circumstances surrounding him, he chose to look up. He chose to trust in the Lord. He chose to praise the Lord in the storm. He chose to glorify God regardless of every circumstance. He chose to trust the strong arm and faithful love of our life-saving Redeemer. He lifted his fears to God and stood in faith that God is mighty and He is moving. He continually expressed his faith, hope and love for the Lord above all else. He lived his life out of his passionate love of God and who God is. He knew God had forgiven him when we humbled himself and repented and he responded in worship and praise to God as God healed and restored his soul. The only proper response to the gracious forgiveness of our loving Savior is praise and worship.
In Psalm 28, 29, & 30, David expresses praise to God in gratitude and thanksgiving. In spite of the evil all around him, he chooses to worship and praise God and trusts His goodness, His mercy, and His strength. He expresses the glory of God and magnifies God's great Name. He humbly came to God with a heart of repentance realizing life is not about him, but about how he can glory God in this life. He trusted in God's comfort and strength for whatever he faced ahead and worshiped God through it all. He held a heart of gratitude for the grace, mercy, and joy that God supernaturally poured into his days. He caught a glimpse of God's great glory and it transformed him. He turned a pity party into a praise party and as a result he ended up singing with the choirs of heaven and praised God for His eternal glory.
God is everything. Everything we've ever needed, do need now, or will need is given by God. He created us for Him, to be sustained through Him - to bring His glory to the earth. God created us to show what He can do with less when less is wholeheartedly dependent on Him than with more when more is in rebellion against Him. This is God's world, designed God's way, for God's glory and yes - for our good too.
Forgiveness is God's greatest gift because it meets our greatest need. Our faith can impact a person's eternal destiny if we are willing to put our faith into action. We don't just know Jesus saved our lives, we are called to live as if Jesus saved our lives. (Mark 2:1-12)
In Psalm 25, 26, & 27, David was walking through a really difficult time in life. He had enemies chasing him trying to take his life. In spite of his circumstances, God was still his focus. He wasn't perfect or sinless, but he was repentant and humble and chose to seek God's face. The one thing he asked of God above all else was to live in the House of the Lord all his days. He was single minded and laser focused on God. He trusted God's goodness, mercy, grace, kindness, forgiveness, and victory. He trusted God with all his emotions and with all the events he went through in his days. The circumstances around him may have appeared bleak, but he intentionally chose to look up and pleaded for the "one thing" that is most important of all - to bask in God's presence all the days of his life. This should be our primary desire every single day on earth as well. The things of this world will pass, but eternity is forever.
In Psalm 23 & 24, David attributes the Lord to be the Great Shepherd who cares for His sheep and prepares them for ministry as well as the Chief Shepherd who is returning for His sheep. Jesus cares for us and He is returning in all His glory. We are to worship Him wholeheartedly as we live the lives He has given in gratitude and to glorify Him. This is God's World and He created us and placed us in His perfect time and place on His earth. He is the King of Glory and He loves us beyond comprehension. He loves us so much, Jesus came to earth and died a crushing death so we could have the option to live eternally with Him. He cares about every detail of us and wants us to trust Him with it all. When we repent and turn to Jesus for life, we are children of the Most High, Living God and we can stand confidently firm in the victory of our Savior no matter what circumstances we are walking through. Our Great Chief Shepherd is with us and He is returning for His sheep.
In Psalm 20, 21, & 22, David cries out to God praying for victory in the battle ahead. He confidently prays to the Lord knowing it is God who fights every battle and boasts in God and God alone giving Him all the glory. He then praises God for the victory and exalts the Lord for all He has brought them through. Then he beautifully takes us straight to the cross as he cries out again to God. He prophetically speaks of our amazingly Good Shepperd, our Messiah, who came to earth humbly sacrificing Himself for all of us to be free from the curse of sin. The death of Jesus, out of His incomprehensible love for each and every one of us, gives us the greatest victory of all. He beautifully proclaims the day "the whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to Him". And "all the families of the nations will bow down before Him". He is worthy. He is true. He is alive. He is our King and Lord - for all eternity.
In Psalm 18 & 19, David raises praises of thanksgiving to the Lord for His mighty victory and stands in awe of God and His great glory. When you catch a glimpse of God and who He is, it changes you. When the Word of God moves from your hand and head to your heart, it changes you. He delivers when we call on Him, He rewards when we humbly repent from our selfishness and offer Him our lives in obedience to His will, and He equips us for all He brings us to and will see us through. God is glorified when we worship Him with our lives with all our guts. Jesus is our Redeemer. He is our Rock. He paid the price to set us free for eternity and also keeps us safe. Jesus is everything. He is the Alpha and Omega and He is our humble Savior and eternal King. He holds all power and His Word has all power. He has the victory and in and through Him and Him alone, we walk in His victory - today and for all eternity.
In Psalm 15, 16, & 17, David outlines the patterns of the Lord passionately and sincerely and how living blamelessly, pursuing God's holiness, living the Word of God from our hearts no matter the cost, not speaking ill of others or telling lies, reverently fearing and standing in awe of God, not taking advantage of others for selfish gains or bribes will result in living a righteous life in the honor and glory of the Lord. When Jesus is the foundation of our very soul, we cannot be shook and will stand firm and finish well - all for God's great glory. David gave us a great example of how to seek God's presence constantly, obey God, and trust God wholeheartedly. God was God over all of his life. He let God examine him and reveal anything needing repentance of and repented quickly. He trusted God for His protection and His rescue. He loved God - heart and soul - with all his guts. We can all make the choice to follow David's great example and let Jesus move in and through our lives as we fall more and more passionately in love with Him.
In Psalm 11, 12, 13, & 14, David sees a lot of evil going on around him and is being attacked at every side. The pressures of life were real and evident. Through every storm, he was honest with God and in constant communication with Him. He brought every emotion to the Lord and trusted Him with the circumstances around him as well as with the outcome. He chose to view the situations he faced through the lens of God and His truth. He trusted God's unfailing love. He trusted God's faithfulness. He trusted God's goodness. He trusted God's sovereignty. He trusted God's wisdom. He trusted God's promises. He trusted God's Word. He trusted God, and God held him through it all.
In Psalm 8, 9, & 10, David beautifully writes of the awe and wonder of our Almighty God who created everything we see. God in His greatness chooses to use us in our weakness to reveal His glorious greatness on earth. It strikes David with humble reverent awe of God that He is so big and mighty yet loves each of us so incomprehensibly much and it should us as well. He further calls out to God as His refuge and strength as he faces enemies and battles ahead. He knows God will not fail and stands firm in faith in Him no matter what circumstances he faces. The world is full of evil and struggles and it's just really hard sometimes, but in it and through it, we can choose to stand firm trusting in the faithfulness of the never-ending love of our Lord and Savior. He will not fail. He never has and He never will.
In Psalm 6 & 7, David cries out honestly and sincerely to the Lord. David experiences his emotions and brings every single one to the Lord. He trusts God wholeheartedly and knows He is trustworthy and faithful. He brings every pain to God and every joy as well. He talks with God all day every day humbly and submissively. He doesn't try to take matters of his enemies into his own hands. Instead, he trusts God to handle it. God's love is a holy love. He is perfect, pure, righteous, and just. God gave His own Son to die for the sins of the world upholding His own holy law and at the same time, offering us His loving mercy and compassionate grace. It's up to us to choose to repent from our selfish selves and receive His offer, to receive Him - heart and soul.
In Psalm 3, 4, & 5, David cries out honestly before God. He is wholeheartedly devoted to God, glorifies God in all things, and trusts God's character. He admits his struggles and troubles honestly, trusts in God completely, and knows God is on the throne and will handle everything perfectly. No matter what circumstances he faces or how bad they look, He trusts God through it all. He was in constant communication and prayer with God. He loved God with all His guts and passionately pursued Him above all. God doesn't want a bunch of people pretending to love Him, He wants our hearts honestly, sincerely, humbly and wholeheartedly devoted to Him in deepest awe of who He is. He wants us to look to Him and trust Him no matter what we face. In all we do and say, we praise the Lord, worship Him, trust Him, and seek Him more and more. As we do, we fall more and more in love with Him and there's nothing He wants more. As David says so beautifully, "But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread Your protection over them, that all who love Your Name may be filled with joy. For You bless the godly, O Lord; You surround them with Your shield of love."
It was an uncounted young boy who held the 2 fish and 5 loaves that provided the materials needed for the miracle that fed roughly 20,000 people. The miracle came forth with the breaking of the bread. Jesus broke Himself as the perfect and final Miracle for each of us. Jesus never asks us to look for what we don't have or compare ourselves to others. He's put all we need in our hands to live our lives passionately for Him, falling more and more in love with Him as we do.
In Psalm 1 & 2, we see a contrast of choosing Jesus vs rebelling against Him and the results that come because of both choices. Those that delight in the Lord and His Word - loving and pursuing Him heart and soul- are blessed. Those who refuse are condemned to the chains of sin and death. "For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction." God pleads with us to "serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling" before Him, and to "submit to God's Royal Son." Joy awaits for "all who take refuge in Him!"
In Esther 9 & 10, a vast number of Haman's followers rise up and try to take out the Jewish nation. But God. God give them victory. Because of the 2nd decree, they were able to defend themselves and God moved mightily in their defense. God's plan will come forth. God brought forth His Son, Jesus did come to earth, and through this nation, we all have the opportunity to hear, see, and learn about the one and only true and living God. Our Father and Creator who loves us so much that He sent Jesus to take the curse of sin and death so we could have the option to repent, turn, away from sin and receive His life-saving redemption instead. When we choose Jesus, God sees His Son's holiness when He looks at us. Because of Jesus, we get to run into the presence of God every second of our days and never leave His presence. There's nothing better and no place I'd rather be.
In Esther 8, the first decree could not be changed or taken away, but a 2nd decree was issued overturning the first. Just like sin hanging over humanity today, the 1st decree issued declared that we are destined to condemnation and death. The 2nd decree issued points us to the saving mercy and grace of Jesus. Only by responding to Jesus can the first decree be overturned. The 2nd decree cries out the amazingly great news that Jesus came to earth and died on the Cross to save us from death for eternity. If we choose to repent and turn to Jesus for life, we are no longer victims to the chains and oppression of sin, we are victors through the life-saving Blood of Jesus. We no longer have to get stuck or caught up in the jaws of sin. We can run victoriously to our Lord and Savior. The One who holds the keys holds out His arms waiting for each of us to run to Him.
In Esther 7, the masks fall. Haman, in his pride, thinks he is invincible. He quickly learns he is not. The king learns his wife is Jewish, Haman is actually the enemy, and he inadvertently allowed a decree that would end his wife's life as well as the life of the man who had previously saved his own life. Haman ends up dying on the gallows he intended to use to kill Mordecai out of pure hatred. Rather than killing the man he set in his heart to hate, he ended up killed. The seeds we sow in life will come back to us. We are called and commissioned to sow seeds of Life only found through Jesus, not of hatred and evil. No seed sown for Jesus will ever go unnoticed by our eternal Savior.
In Esther 6, the king can't sleep and asked for his history to be read. The event of Mordecai saving his life is read and it is brought to his attention Mordecai was never honored or rewarded for saving the king's life. Haman comes along and is asked what a proper honor would be for someone who pleases the king. In his pride, Haman thinks he's talking about him so he spills out this elaborate day of over the top honor publicly throughout the kingdom in front of everyone. Rather than killing Mordecai that day, he ends up walking the streets telling everyone to give him honor and respect. He is humiliated and through it all, God tries to warn him to turn - but he instead continues on in his evil ways. God is patient and God wants everyone to turn from sin and evil and choose to submit to Him for life for eternity. He is patient and gracious, but He will never force us to choose Him. It's a choice we each have to come to on our own and it's the only choice in life that matters for all eternity.
Jesus' very first miracle took place at a wedding. Jesus is returning and it will be the biggest celebration of all time as He returns for His Capital "C" Church Bride. It's "now" time to drink from the very best - Jesus. The things of the world will never compare to what Jesus will bring us to - for all eternity. (John 2:1-12)
In Esther 5, after 3 full days of fasting and praying as a nation, Esther moves forward into action. She risks everything and stood in the courtyard before the king. He invites her in and she arranges for a back to back banquet with her, the king, and Haman. In doing so, God is setting up the perfect timing, the perfect place, in the perfect way, and with the perfect audience that He needs for His plan to save the nation to unfold. Haman was controlled by false confidence, pride, and evil and it would soon bring him to his end. Sin will always lead to death. Repentance leads to life. Jesus will always forgive a repentant and broken spirit as we turn from all else and submit our hearts and lives to Him.
In Esther 4, Mordecai takes action. The entire nation is about to be killed due to the death decree issued. Esther has no clue any of this is happening. He succeeds in getting her attention and gets a message to her. He reminds her that her life is not safe just because of where she lives. She needs to be all in for God because God placed her in this position for this exact moment. Revival breaks out and the nation begins fasting and praying. This is life and death. Esther is all in. She decides to choose God wholeheartedly. She is willing to let go of everything to follow God's plan and do His will - her crown, her kingdom, and even her life. She lines her will up to God's will and gives God her passionate "Yes, Lord" - "I am all yours." Lives are at stake today as well. We need to make the same choice. Are we all in - wholehearted - heart and soul? There's no time to waste. We are all commissioned to spread the eternal life-saving message of Jesus. We are all commissioned to be "all in" for God with all our guts and every last exhale.
In Esther 3, we see that Haman - who is completely evil - is given authority in the kingdom that he doesn't deserve. He uses that authority to try to wipe out the entire Jewish nation. He lies to the king and ends up getting a decree of death approved for all the Jews in the kingdom and it would all happen in 1 day just short of a year away. God has everything in place He needs to save the nation to continue His plan to bring forth our Messiah, Jesus. Sin entered the world and the decree for eternal death was written. God had a plan ready and His plan still continues today. He gave us Jesus to come to earth and kill death so we can have the opportunity to receive His eternal life and resurrection instead if we are willing to say "yes" and submit our lives - heart and soul - passionately to Him. Just like in Esther, the first decree was issued, but there was a 2nd decree sure to come.
In Esther 2, God is getting everyone set in the exact positions He needs them to be in for His perfect plan to unfold to save the Jewish nation from extermination. God's sovereign hand is at work behind all the elements unfolding. Esther is crowned as queen, Mordecai is placed in an official role at the king's gate, and a plan to assassinate the king is revealed to the king by Mordecai - which was recorded in detail in the book of the king's history. God has a plan for salvation for all of us and it will be brought forth through this nation. Nothing can stop God's plans or promises. He is faithful no matter what the circumstances around us look like.
John 3:16 tells us if you believe in Jesus, you will be saved for all eternity. James 2:19 tells us even the demons believe. The original Greek words used for believe are different in these two passages. So what does it look like to have the kind of belief that saves you for all eternity? Let's take a look....
In Esther 1, God sets everything into place for His mighty and sovereign plan to save the Jewish nation. The king is filled with pride and wealth and likes to show off his great wealth with banquets in the kingdom thus feeding his pride even further. He is having a merry old time enjoying all the food and drink at the banquet and gets too full of himself by asking his queen to come stand before all the drunken men so they can see how gorgeous she is. She rightfully refuses which ends up getting her banished as queen and removed from the kingdom. Through everyday eating and drinking, the stage is now set for God to bring in Esther who has no idea God is preparing her to save an entire nation. Everything we do every day is to be for God's great glory and honor. You never know just what He may be preparing you for.
Matthew 21:33-46
God chose Israel and Jesus came and flipped the tables making it possible for each and every one of us to choose Him. God made a way for us to be united with Him. Jesus' death paid for our sins and His resurrection proved death has been defeated. He desperately wants each of us to turn from our "selves" and choose Him - the Cornerstone - and live with Him, in Him, and through Him for all eternity. The choice is ours and the time to choose is now.
In Nehemiah 13, Nehemiah had returned to his duties as the king's cupbearer and after about a year, went back to check on the people in Jerusalem. He found the enemy was living in the Temple of God, they had compromised with the enemy and stopped worshiping God. They stopped taking care of God's Temple, they stopped honoring the Sabbath, and they gave the enemy a wide open door to the city. Compromise gives the enemy the crack he needs to enter our Temples. When we choose to submit our lives to Jesus, we become His Temple. The Holy Spirit resides in us. We can't compromise with the devil because if we do, he'll gain the ground he wants to invade our Temples. We have the power of the Holy Spirit to give us the strength we need to resist temptations and fleshly selfish desires that oppose God's will for our lives. Nehemiah knew he was God's child, he depended on continual prayer, he knew the Word of God and lived it out in his daily life, he humbly submitted His will to God's authority, he could discern the enemy's tactics because he knew the Word of God, and his primary desire in life was to glorify God and God alone. He gave us an amazing example for life. It's up to us to choose to follow.
In Nehemiah 12, the wall is finished and complete so the people dedicate God's wall to Him. They joyously gather in praise and worship to God. The enemy said the wall wouldn't hold a fox, but now the people of the nation stand on the wall singing praise and worship to God so exuberantly that it can be heard from afar. They give God all the glory for the completed project and in doing so, offer witness of God's power and the reality of faith in Him.
In Nehemiah 10 & 11, revival has broken out in the nation. The Word is being read for hours as people stand with wide open hearts hearing and pouring through every Word. Hours of repentance and worship follow the reading of God's Word. It doesn't end there. The people don't just say "Amen", shut the door, and go on with their lives. They are wholeheartedly All In! They make a written vow to obey God. They vow to live out God's Word that is now being written in their hearts. When we catch a glimpse of God's great glory and really hear His Word with open hearts - allowing it in - God moves. The passionate love for God and desire for more of Him and less of ourselves changes our lives forever. God's love for each of us is greater than we can humanly comprehend. His desire above all else is that we know Him, experience Him, and most importantly - fall head over heels in love with Him, heart and soul.
In Nehemiah 9, revival continues to pour out through the nation as people stand before God's Word for hours and then repent and worship Him for several more hours. A passionate love of God and an outpouring of acknowledgement of His goodness, His greatness, His love, His mercy, His faithfulness, His power, and His devotion and care for His children is evident in the written prayer of His people. The Word of God will change our lives as you start to see - even just a glimpse - of Who God is and His great glory, if we are willing to allow it in to be a part of our lives. God is looking for the faithful remnant who realize how big God is, how great He is, how good He is, and that His grace is present in our lives so we can glorify Him through our lives. He's looking for those willing to lay themselves down and "stand up and praise the Lord your God, for He lives from everlasting to everlasting!"
The Pharisee vs the Tax Collector. Things are not always as they seem or as society tends to believe. Jesus is concerned about our hearts, not our social status.
In Nehemiah 7 & 8, the walls are now built and the gates are restored, but Nehemiah's work had only just begun. A city isn't walls, gates, and houses - a city is people. The people existed for the walls in the first step of the mission, now the walls must exist for the people. It was time to organize the community. At the Water Gate, Nehemiah calls on Ezra to read the Word of God. The Word is like water for washing our souls and drinking of the Holy Spirit. The Word is put first in the life of the city. They hear the Word, understand the Word, and obey the Word. They respond to the Word by living out the Word. They excitedly stood for roughly 6 hours a day for 7 days in a row to hear the Word of God. That's passion, that's desire, and that's what it looks like to pursue God heart and soul.
In Nehemiah 6, Nehemiah continues to face opposition from the enemy as the enemy tries to personally attack and discredit him. Nehemiah doesn't waiver from the mission God placed before Him. He remains mission minded. Every attack that comes is given to God in prayer and brought to the Word of God. Nehemiah knows the Word, so He knows when false prophets or deceit is trying to whittle its way in. He didn't fall for it. He lived the Word out in his daily life, He prayed continuously, and He stayed on task with God's mission and glorified God in all he did and said. He didn't waiver. He stood firm. He gave us an amazing example to follow for how to live life for God's glory glory and finish well in His eternal mission.
Our prayers are a sweet aroma to our Father. They fill the golden bowls and join in the 100s of millions of the heavens in worship to God. They rise to Him and encompass His glorious presence right at His Throne. Don't. Stop. Praying.
In Nehemiah 5, the people of Jerusalem bring Nehemiah a serious issue that has been going on in their nation. There was a great famine in the land and people were forced to sell their property, homes, and even their children to survive. Their fellow brothers and sisters in the nation who were wealthy were using the crisis to exploit their brothers and sisters by charging impossible interest to anything that was loaned. Righteous anger bubbled up within Nehemiah and He brought it straight to the Lord for counsel and direction and to ensure he didn't react in rage rather than in the wisdom of God. He called out the issue directly and appealed to their love and based his appeal solely on the Word of God. He reminded the nation of their purpose and mission and who God determined they were to be. He not only spoke the words, but he faithfully lived out his own words and his life, character, and integrity was a living example of the Word of God. He lived the Word. He didn't just talk the talk, he walked the walk. God calls us to be a Light for Him to the people around us and to do so, we need to seek Him, know Him, know His Word, and live it out in our daily lives.
In Nehemiah 4, the enemy steps in to try to stop God's plan - God's mission. He has since day 1 and he will not quit. When God is moving and you are stepping faithfully forward in Him, expect opposition - be ready for it. Just as Nehemiah and the builders never took their clothes off and never took their swords off, we too are to keep the Armor of God on at all times. Nehemiah didn't argue, rebuke, or even answer the opposition that came. He didn't give it any of his time or energy. He simply prayed. Every time. He prayed. He was in constant prayer with the Lord and knew the Lord was the fighting the battle. The battle belonged to God and he faithfully trusted God in the battle and did not waiver in his faith, his work, his leadership, or the mission God placed on his heart to complete. He prayed and got back to work and prayed some more. The enemy wants to distract and derail us. We have to make an intentionally decision to say no, not today. Pray and trust God is handling it and faithfully stay on mission for God and His great glory.
When our Father sees us coming home to Him, He rejoices, He runs to greet us - He celebrates us, heart and soul. He is overwhelmed with love and compassion for each and every one of us. Nothing under the cosmos is too big for Him to forgive. It's already been forgiven - all of it. He's just waiting for us to realize His massive love and kindness and come home. He's arms are wide open waiting to embrace every last one of us.
In Nehemiah 3, the mission is moving. God's people are working and the wall is being built and the gates repaired. It was all done for God's great glory. Everyone had a different part and piece in the project and everyone did their part. The gates being repaired are all noted, beginning and ending with the Sheep Gate. Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and everything begins and ends with Him. He is the beginning and the end. The Valley Gate is mentioned, then the Dung Gate, and the Fountain Gate. Spiritually speaking, we move from humbly submitting to God repentance at the Valley Gate, we are sanctified and cleansed as the dung in our lives is removed at the Dung Gate, and we are filled with the Spirit of God at the Fountain Gate. Just like the repairing of the wall and gates, it could not have been accomplished by one person. It took a team, it whole lot of people all choosing to be "all in" for the mission. The mission of spreading the Gospel to the nations is for all of us. God wants His Kingdom full and that means we need to be all in. We need to be intentional and work together to finish the work - all for the great glory of God.
In Nehemiah 2, we see that one person can make a big difference in this world and communities if we are willing to know God and really trust Him, His Word, and His lead. Faith makes all the difference in our world to the glory of God. Nehemiah had the faith to wait on God and His perfect timing before moving into the mission God was stirring in his heart. When the opportunity came, he had the faith to ask. He was constantly in prayer with God - communing with Him - and God gave Him direction and favor at God's perfect timing. The king gave him everything he asked for and more. He gave him the authority he needed for the mission, the materials needed, as well as the protection needed. Nehemiah had the faith to confidently challenge others to join in the mission by focusing on the glory and greatness of God. No matter how bad the situation looked around him, he only saw it through the lens of God's greatness and power. He knew God, trusted, and obeyed God wholeheartedly and had the confident faith to go when God said go.
In Nehemiah 1, Nehemiah picks up where Ezra left off. They are buddies in the mission of Jerusalem's restoration. He cared enough to ask how God's remnant are doing and found heard the dreaded report that all was not well. They were suffering greatly. He cared enough to mourn this news deeply and cries out to God in fasting and prayer for God's people - because he cared. God put him in this place and position for just this time to help His nation. He gives God every yes and responds to God's call with "Yes, Lord, here I am - send me" Sin is sin, but I really believe one of the worst sins is indifference and not caring for others. Our hearts are to break for the things that break Gods. There are wars everywhere. People are dying. People are starving. People are being held captive. People are homeless. People are being sold for despicable things. Many of these people are children. We need to care. We need to help people any way we can. We need to get on our face before God and repent of the sin of indifference in our nation and rise up and say "Yes, Lord, send me." It's never too late to care, but it's always too soon to quit.
In Ezra 9 & 10, Ezra learns the devastating news that the remnant who returned to Jerusalem have intermarried with the pagan nations around them which would allow false god and false idol worship to seep in. It would also mean the priesthood of the nation was no longer pure. The news of this great sin devastated Ezra. Sin should devastate us. Nothing good comes from sin. Ezra cries out to God in repentant despair. Others see his sincere repentant heart and begin to join him. Conviction should produce repentance and true repentance produces change. The nation did change. They bolted into action and cleansed their homes of the sin. Sin is sin and we all have sin we need to repent of and turn from. We need God's mercy. We need the power of the Holy Spirit active and moving in our lives to convict us of any unaware sins and give us the power to resist temptations. When the nation humbled themselves and cried out to God, God heard their prayers and healed their land. When we humble ourselves sincerely and cry out to God, He hears and He always responds to a repentant heart. He will cleanse us and make us whole in Him.
In Ezra 7 & 8, Ezra arrives to Jerusalem with the hand of God on him as well as the mission God put before him. God even stirred the kings heart to send a letter with Ezra giving him permission to move forth in the mission and provided all that was needed in materials and workers to ensure the mission is completed. Ezra was humble, obedient and faithfully lived out the Word of God in his life. His main desire above all else was to glorify God in all he does. God honored that faithfulness with more than Ezra could have ever imagined. God brings us through everything He brings us to if we are willing to humbly trust Him, glorify Him, and follow Him in and through every step.
Every person is created by God and God has a purpose and plan for every person He gives life to. When we see people how God sees them, loved and cherished and created by Him, we can also see the love they deserve. Regardless of any of our differences, every person belongs to God and deserves mercy, grace, and love.
In Ezra 5 & 6, the enemy had temporarily halted God's plan and God's will for the rebuilding and restoration of His Temple - for worship to be restored. But God. In these chapters we witness God's strength, God's promise keeping power, and God's superiority. God wins - every time. We can see any and every circumstance we walk through in the view of God's might and His faithfulness. He will bring us through anything and everything He brings us to. Not only was a decree issued to allow them to rebuild the Temple, they were given all they needed for the process as well as protection. God pours out when we are faithful to Him in all we do and seek to honor and glorify His great Name out of pure, honest, and sincere devoted love to Him. He isn't only our Promise Keeper, He's our Provider, and our Protection through the journey. He will lead us to more, if we are willing to faithfully trust Him wholeheartedly through it all.
In Ezra 3 & 4, in spite of the fear of the people who had settled in Jerusalem while the nation was in exile, they move forward in sacrifice and worship of God together - unified. They joyfully praise God, His goodness, and His faithful love. They do not let fears quench their faith and worship of God. With great opportunity for the Lord to advance comes opposition from the enemy. The enemy tries to creep in as they proceed with the building of the Temple, but they do not buy it and the attack fails. Since deceit didn't work, he tries again - but this time he devours. A letter is sent to the current king of what Jerusalem is doing and the building is halted. The nation is faced with a pause. But, the Lord is not done and His plan, His promises, and His eternal redeeming love for all of us will continue. The temporary pause that is faced is nothing for the strong arm of our mighty God. The enemy is defeated and his time is running short and God will continue to have the victory. We can stand in faith knowing our Father is a Promise Keeper, He is faithful, He is true, His is moving, and He is mighty. Every Word He has declared will come to passed, He is not finished - it's just a matter of time.
In Ezra 1 & 2, Israelites had been captive in exile for 70 years and the time had come for them to be released by Cyrus. It was prophesied that it would be Cyrus that would be the king to release them 200 years before Cyrus was even born. God keeps every promise. He is faithful. God knows our names and He has plans and purposes for our lives. It's up to us to trust Him and humble ourselves to His will and follow His lead in our lives. We can trust Him and His Word wholeheartedly. He is the Alpha and Omega and He will finish the work He has started in us if we are willing to let Him. He knows us and wants us to know Him, trust Him, and experience Him like never before. He wants us to pursue Him with all our guts and be amazed, standing ever and always in awe of Him and who He is. He is an amazingly good Father.
In 2 Chronicles 35 & 36, the chronicler walks us through the end of Josiah's reign as he brought worship and revival back to the land because he chose to seek the Lord and lead the nation under the authority of God. After his passing, 4 kings ruled and brought the nation further and further into sin and ultimately led them straight into exile. God sent warning after warning, but they refused to listen and heed the Words of God that were sent. They stubbornly refused God's Word and chose to do as they pleased instead and it led them into 70 years of captivity. The record ends on a note of hope as the release of the remnant who choose to stand firm in faith in God is noted. They will return to Jerusalem to rebuild God's Temple and restore worship once again. Our lives only rise as high as our worship to God. If we choose to glorify God through the lives He's given us, He will honor our faithfulness and pour out His goodness. He knows it will all be used for His great glory so He joyfully pours out more - all for the spread of His Gospel and the expansion of His eternal Kingdom. If we stay on mission for Him with all our guts, He will blow our minds and hearts out of the waters.
In 2 Chronicles 34, Josiah takes over as king at the age of 8 years old. He seeks after God and desires the Lord and His ways by 16 and shortly after, he works to restore the Temple of God so the Lord can be worshipped appropriately in the land. In the restoration process, the Word of God is found in the Temple and Josiah is repentant and heartbroken at how far the nation had fallen from God and His ways. He cleanses the land, rids the land of false idols and false gods and revival breaks out. The nation is once again turning to God in sincere worship - heart and soul. The Word of God is alive and powerful. The Word of God changes lives and communities. The Word of God leads us and guides us to all the goodness God wants to pour out in our lives, if we are willing to follow - heart and soul - with all our guts.
God has gloriously amazing blessings He wants to pour into our lives as we await Jesus' mighty return to be used for His glory and His great Name. He doesn't want us to settle for less in the wait. He wants us to be all in and not distracted by all the little cows of life.
In 2 Chronicles 33, Hezekiah's son, Manasseh, takes over as king. Despite the miracles he witnessed from God during his father's reign, he chose to oppose God and worship false idols and false gods. He corrupted the worship of the Lord in the land. God sent judgment of discipline his way and humbled him greatly. God broke his pride and brought him to his knees. He cried out to God in sincere repentance and God forgave him and set him free from captivity. He proved his heart change by cleansing the nation of all false idols and false gods and restoring worship to the one and only true and living God. His life changed, his heart changed, and his actions proved it. Faith is active. How we live and the words we speak echo the status of our hearts. If we have devoted hearts after the Lord, our words and actions will prove it.
2 Chronicles 32, after revival had broke out in the land, the enemy came to try to halt it. We can always expect an attack from the enemy when there is revival in our lives. We need to be armed in prayer and in God's Word and ready for battle continuously. We never take the armor of God off. Hezekiah used great wisdom in preparations for the coming attack, but ultimately trusted in God for the victory. He told the nation to be strong and courageous and not be afraid or discouraged. The Lord God is on our side to help us and fight our battles for us! The truth of God and His Word is always the greatest encouragement. The enemy uses fear and deceit to try to take us down, but when we bring our fears to the Lord, He turns our fears to increased faith in Him. We can stand firm and know God is on our side, God fights our battles and we can trust Him with the victory. The nation cried out in prayer to the Lord and the Lord took out the enemy while they slept. God is that good. He has us every time - we can to choose to trust Him in the battles and let Him increase our faith in the process.
Jesus came to earth and poured Himself out on the cross for each of us. He did it all just hoping we'd choose Him for life for eternity with Him. That's passionate love. He desires we know Him and experience Him personally. To do that, we need to allow space in our days and moments for Him. That's how roots grow - that's how our relationship grows - moment by moment in the presence of Jesus.
In 2 Chronicles 30 & 31, Hezekiah restores God's calendar - God's heartbeat - to the land. Worship is restored and revival continues. He sends messengers out to invite all the tribes to return to the Lord and return to worship of the Lord. Some laughed, but the messengers didn't stop the mission. They kept running with the message - the invitation - to turn from sin and humbly turn to God instead. Some accepted the invite and joined, uniting in the worship celebration - in one heart - and even more revival continued. When they returned home, they lived like people who had met the Lord. We are the messengers today. People may laugh or reject the message, but we must keep getting the invitation out. Jesus died for everyone hoping we'd repent and faithfully trust Him with our lives. He doesn't want to lose a soul, the message must continue. If we believe the Word, we are to live out the Word in our lives in wholehearted devotion to our Lord, our Savior. He is worthy of all our hearts and lives. He is worthy of our wholehearted praise.
In 2 Chronicles 29, Hezekiah takes over as king. He has a heart that is wholly and completely devoted to the Lord. He's all in. He gets rid of all the dead useless idols and restores the Temples, cleanses the nation, and brings back worship. In choosing to intentionally be all in for God, he changed the atmosphere of the entire nation. One person made a choice and the ripple affect spread to the people throughout the land. One person humbled themself before God and gave God every "yes" under the sun, and it affected a multitude. God honors our faithfulness. God wants to do a work in and through our lives, He's just waiting for us to sincerely say "Yes, Lord - let's go. I'm all in." The moment we do, it makes the difference of a lifetime for us as well as those around us.
In 2 Chronicles 27 & 28, Uzziah's son Jotham becomes the next king. He learned from his father's mistakes and followed the ways of the Lord. His son Ahaz, however, took over after him and there are few men in the Bible mentioned who were as strongly against God as Ahaz was. The nation deteriorated greatly under his leadership. Through all of the struggles and wars the nation faced, he still stubbornly refused to turn to the Lord. The state of faith for the nation was as bad as it could get. But - his son would turn it all around by choosing God. We can choose God and humbly submit to Him and trust Him to our core and watch what He does through our lives. He wants a sincere and honest relationship with us. He wants us to trust Him - trust His love - trust His faithfulness. He desires us to know Him and it takes one person making that choice to change things in our families and communities - for the better. God's glory is brighter than any evil and His will is coming forth - we can trust Him with all our guts.
In 2 Chronicles 26, we see king Uzziah and how he was a great king for the nation when he honored and served the Lord in all his ways. He started out great. He let pride and arrogance creep in and puff up his ego as his fame spread throughout the lands. He tried to act as both priest and king and only Jesus holds that role. 80 brave priests stand up to him as he tries to enter the Tabernacle and refuse his entry. Rather than repent and turn back to God and God's ways, he tries to fight past them. It was courageous of these men to stand up to such a well known and powerful king, but they did not budge. They refused to compromise with God. They stood firm in faith no matter what. God intervened and struck him with leprosy so his son had to take over and lead the kingdom in his place since he would not be in quarantine. God was gracious in this because the law demanded that those who intruded the temple were to be put to death, but he instead gives Uzziah a time out - but it's a time out that would last the rest of his life on earth. He had a great beginning, but wasn't watching and paying attention and let pride creep in. We are told throughout Scripture to watch and beware. Ask God to search us and repent of anything revealed that needs to go. He is forgiving and merciful and has already forgiven it. We just need to choose to turn.
In 2 Chronicles 25, after Joash led the kingdom into great revival by faithfully trusting God heart and soul, his son Amaziah is the next king to rule. Amaziah started out good, but faltered. He knew God's law and started out following His ways, but wasn't wholeheartedly devoted to God heart and soul and it showed in his leadership of the kingdom and led to a decline in the nation's revival. Pride crept in and he waivered in his faith. He trusted in alliances rather than God for victories, he trusted in military numbers rather than God, and he ultimately trusted his own will rather than following God's. He started to worship false and fake gods and ended up facing the consequences of his choices to walk away from the Lord. A truly humble person pursuing God heart and soul sees things as God sees them. Pride, however, blinds the mind, distorts the vision, and puffs up the selfish ego. If we are willing to humbly submit our lives and hearts wholeheartedly to God - heart and soul, He will honor our faithfulness to Him. We can trust His goodness. We can trust His love. We can trust His mighty hand. He is a good-good Father and He won't let us go if we are willing to trust in Him with all our guts.
In 2 Chronicles 23 & 24, one man was brave enough to stand in faith against the evil that had infiltrated the kingdom for the last 6 years. The 7th year arrived and God moved. A descendant of David was back ruling the kingdom again. God's Temple was restored, worship was restored, and people had the opportunity to experience God and His presence again. All because one man was brave enough to step up and stand faithfully in the truth of God's Word. Revival broke out in the nation. People joyfully praised God and gave generously for His Kingdom to be restored. Being all in for Jesus and joyfully, faithfully, and radically chasing Him with all your guts is contagious. Radical, sincere, honest faith is contagious. God honors our faithfulness. Other people see our faithfulness. One person choosing to humble themselves and choose God in every part of their lives can make all the difference. Revival starts with us.
Zacchaeus was a notorious sinner, but he was desperate to meet Jesus. He sought after Jesus and therefore experienced a personal encounter with Him. He was desperate for Jesus. We need to be desperate for Jesus. Desperate to know Him. Desperate to hear Him. Desperate to experience Him. Jesus wants to be included in all of our moments. He wants us to know Him personally and intimately - just like He knows each and every one of us.
In 2 Chronicles 21 & 22, Jehoram takes over as king when his father dies. Through his wife, Satan breathes evil into the kingdom of Judah. Revival had broke out and Satan was not happy about it and tries to halt the lineage of David and the coming Messiah through this line. When he dies, his son takes over as king and is ruled by his mother - the same woman who continues breathing evil into the nation. He only lasts a year and there's no king so she just takes over the kingdom herself. She even kills all the potential kings - including her own grandchildren - to make sure it happens. There was one baby her sister bravely hid away though. Hope was still present - revival was only an infant away. When Jesus died and was buried, hope was lost. The people didn't realize He was still present. He was hidden away, but He was there - very much alive. He rose again just as God promised He would so that we can put our faith and trust in Him and share in eternal Life with Him forever. God wasn't nervous on either occasion. He knows all and His will comes forth in spite of anything we think or do. He is not only the maker of promises, He's the keeper of promises. No matter how evil the world around us may seem at times, we can trust faithfully in our Lord - our Savior. He has been in each of our tomorrows and we can choose to continually stand firm in Him faithfully no matter what. He will never fail us.
In 2 Chronicles 19 & 20, we learn that even in the hardest times through life, if we are open to trusting God, seeking Him passionately, hearing Him, and obeying His lead, He will get us through whatever we face. It doesn't promise it will be easy, but He will carry us through. It's a whole lot easier with Him carrying us than trying to go without Him. When we face struggles and challenges in life, our first emotion is usually fear. If we are willing to bring that fear straight to God and trust Him in and through whatever we face, God will transform that fear into increased faith. If submit to the fears, those fears will overshadow our faith and potentially knock us down. Trusting God with all our guts, even when we don't know what we are supposed to do, is radical - committed faith. When we know God is fighting for us, and stand confidently in that promise, the fears are taken over by faith. When we walk in fear, nothing changes but if we walk in faith, God shows up. Every time. We can trust God - He's faithful to His children and will be for all eternity.
In 2 Chronicles 17 & 18. Asa's son, Jehoshaphat, takes over as king of Judah. He followed the ways of David and lead the kingdom under God's authority and will. He took the Word of God to the towns and made sure the people of Judah had access to the Word. A revelation of God broke out as a result and it spread. Spending time with the Lord and in His Word impacts our lives as well as the lives of those around us. Revival starts with us. Jehoshaphat joins the king of Israel, Ahab, in a battle and Ahab has 400 prophets at his fingertips who are trained to tell him what he wants to hear. Jehoshaphat doesn't settle for that. He asks for 1 more who will speak the truth of God. Jehoshaphat would not settle for less, he was totally devoted to God. The true Word God spoke came to pass, just as Jehoshaphat knew it would. God's Word never fails.
In 2 Chronicles 15 & 16, king Asa receives a prophetic word from the Lord and responds by doing exactly what God wanted him to do. He seeks God. He cleanses the land of any and all false idols and false gods. He restored worship to the one and only true and living God. Because he intentionally sought God heart and soul, revival spread through the nation. One man is obedient, humble, and passionate about pursuing God and revival breaks out. Revival begins with us. When we passionately desire to experience God and want nothing else but God in our lives, other people will want that too. When we let God's Light shine through our lives, people will give glory to God. People were attracted to Asa because God was working in his life. When we choose to humbly submit our lives wholeheartedly and passionately to the Lord, others will be pointed to and drawn to Him too. As we walk in the Light of Christ, we begin to have fellowship with others and see true unity. As it says in Chapter 16:9a, "The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."
In 2 Chronicles 13 & 14, we see what happens when you choose to trust God. Abijah trusted God faithfully and God honored his faithfulness and gave him victory in the battle. Asa was king for 41 years and for 10 of those years there was total peace in the land because Asa chose to trust God completely - heart and soul - and followed His ways. Under Asa's rule, the nation faced an intense battle and were outnumbered greatly, but Asa remained un-shook. He stood firm in faith in God. He went into battle expecting God to help in the battle and God did indeed bring the victory. Asa testified to the nation that no mortal could stand against God. He declared His confidence in God's supremacy and asked God to help them in their weakness - emphasizing their reliance was totally on Him. If we put our faith and trust in God, He fights for us. Life isn't always easy, but it's a whole lot easier when God is in every step of the battles we face. It's a whole lot easier when we choose to trust His love, trust His might, and trust His goodness. When we choose Jesus for life, He is our advocate. He is our refuge. He is our strength and He will never leave us. Through Jesus, the battle has already be won and we can walk in His victory. We can choose to be un-shook and not waiver in our faith no matter what our circumstances look like. We can choose to stand firm and say, even if everything around me looks sideways and upside down, I will choose to look up and serve the Lord almighty because I know He has me, He holds me, and He will carry me through it all and straight to Him.
In 2 Chronicles 11 & 12, Rehoboam walks away from God so God lets him have is way and the whole nation crumbles. Nothing in the entire cosmos can or ever will separate us from God's love, but sin will separate us from His presence. Sin is harmful to us in every way. It is harmful to our soul, spirit, body, and to those around us. Jesus came to earth and gave us the remedy we need for sin - Himself. There is no sin too big that He cannot and will not forgive. He's already forgiven it, we just need to choose to repent, humble ourselves honestly, sincerely, and wholeheartedly before Him, and accept His eternal forgiveness. He died for the sins of the whole world. Nothing is too big for God and nothing surprises God. Through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection from the grave, we can receive life eternally with Him. We just need to be honest and take responsibility for our sins before God. Bring them to the Light of God so the devil can't torment you in the dark any longer. Confess and repent. Turn from it and run to God. Whatever it is. We need to continually ask God to search our hearts, souls, and minds for anything not of Him or His will and repent quickly once revealed. Then we thank Him for His revelation, cleansing, and forgiveness and keep passionately running forward in Him and all that He wants to pour through your life for His glory and His eternal Kingdom.
In 2 Chronicles 9 & 10, we see a huge contrast in what it looks like to follow and honor God in your life versus what it looks like to follow the advice of the foolish. The Queen of Sheba paid a visit to Solomon before the kingdom was passed on to his son Rehoboam. She was blown away by all that God had blessed Solomon with - both in wisdom and the material blessings. Rehoboam, however, allowed greed and pride to influence his actions and he ended up causing a complete division of the nation. Following God's direction and remaining faithful to His lead in every step leads to Him honoring our faithfulness. He wants His Kingdom full so He wants to pour out provisions to make it happen. He wants to use us for His glory, His story, and His eternal Kingdom expansion. Rather than trusting and seeking God, Rehoboam trusting a group of young guys that gave him really bad advice. We need to know God's Word, God's direction, and God's voice. To do that, we need to be spending intentional time with God. We need to make sure our inner circles of people include those who love God passionately and pursue His holiness with all their guts. We can trust God and He will give us the discernment we need if we are humbly willing to ask Him and faithfully trust His lead in and through all we face. He's the only One who has been in all of our tomorrow's and we can trust Him with every exhale.
In 2 Chronicles 7 & 8, the nation again unites in one voice and dedicates the Temple of God. God's presence fills the Temple and they worship Him with song and voice, crying out "He is good! His faithful love endures forever!" This remains true today as well and will for all eternity. He is good - and His faithful love never ends and is bigger than we can humanly comprehend. The keys to revival are laid out as the Lord visits Solomon. He tells Solomon His people need to humble themselves before the Lord, pray and intercede continually, seek the face of God, and turn from sin, evil and wickedness - repent. This applies today as well. Revival starts with us. As we choose to humble ourselves, pray, seek God, and repent - revival begins - and it spreads. We just have to be willing to be honest with God and ourselves and get on our faces before God. He is good and His faithful love will never end.
In 2 Chronicles 5 & 6, Solomon completes the building of the Temple of the Lord. His father, David, dreamt of this day and now Solomon has completed his father's dream. This had to have been an emotional moment for Solomon as the Temple is complete and dedicated wholly to the Lord. God is worshiped sincerely and wholeheartedly as the nation joins together in one voice - in unison - to praise the Lord. God's presence fills the Temple and they worship Him together as they experience God and His almighty glory. We worship one God, praise one Savior, and fight one enemy - together. When we truly link up - arm to arm and heart to heart - and drop all divisions of differences of opinion, God's glory shines brighter and stronger through us. Jesus said the world will know us by our love and unity. We are to unite as we love God passionately, and pursue His holiness, His great glory - together - in one voice, exalting our amazing glorious Savior for all the world to see and know He is the only way.
in 2 Chronicles 3 & 4, Solomon faithfully and obediently gets to work in carrying out God's will and plan for the Temple. He intricately and beautifully walks us through every detail of the Temple and every details shouts God's great glory. God is not looking for our perfection, He's looking for our devotion to Him as we faithfully continue to fall forward in pursuit of His holiness. He's looking for faith in action as we live out His Word through our everyday lives glorifying Him with every exhale. He honors our faithfulness to Him and pours out more blessings and provisions as we commit to continue to steward every last one for His glory and His eternal Kingdom expansion. The Temple was beautiful, but no outsider could go in and see it. Only the priests and Levites were allowed in. Then Jesus died on the cross tearing the veil from top to bottom so we can all choose to run into His presence. He opened the Holy of Holies for us all to choose to enter. He wants us all to know Him, experience Him, and enjoy Him now. He wants us to see and experience a glimpse of heaven on earth while we await His glorious return.
In 2 Chronicles 1 & 2, Solomon has taken over as king and is ready to get started on the mission of building God's' Temple to glorify and honor God. God asks Solomon what he wants and Solomon responds by saying he wants wisdom to govern God's people well for God. God honors Solomon's faithfulness to Him by pouring out wisdom as well as wealth. When we are faithful to God and His mission with everything in us - heart and soul - God pours out more than we could ask or dream of. Solomon knows that God cannot be contained and doesn't reside in buildings, but wants to build this Temple to glorify Him and provide a place of worship for God's people. Solomon has all he needs and is moving forward to build the 1st of the Temples spoken of in Scripture. The last is yet to come.
In 1 Chronicles 29, David hands the kingdom over to his son, Solomon. David delighted in God first and foremost and worshiped wholeheartedly out of his devotion to God. He ends his reign as king by giving God glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving. He not only left Solomon with a blessing of encouragement, all the materials needed to build the Temple of God for God's glory, as well as the hands and manpower needed to build it - he also left real life examples of how to worship God with all your guts. He put God before all else and God honored his faithfulness greatly.
In 1 Chronicles 27 & 28, the kingdom is organized and all the plans, materials, and people are ready to be passed on from David to Solomon. David stands to address the nation and make sure everyone knew and understood his heart and that it was after glorifying God and carrying forth God's will and God's alone. He made sure God got all the glory in every detail. Solomon was chosen by God to be the king who would follow David and Solomon was chosen by God as the one who would build the 1st Temple. David was given all the plans, materials, and hands that were needed to build it, but it was Solomon who was called to carry out the vision from there. David gives his son everything needed to carry forth God's plan, including beautiful fatherly encouragement. He encourages Solomon to know God personally and intimately first and foremost. To worship Him sincerely with his whole heart, soul, and mind. To seek the Lord above all and if he does, he will find the Lord. He reminds him to always take God seriously because He is God. He tells him to remain strong and courageous and to do the work God set out for him to do. He encourages him to not be afraid or discouraged in the labors for God because God is and will be with him in and through every step. His plans will come forth and be finished - completely and correctly - because He is God. This encouragement beautifully applies to all of our lives today as well as we continue to passionately pursue God and all He has laid out for each of our lives.
In 1 Chronicles 25 & 26, the duties for the musicians and gatekeepers are outlined. All roles and duties are given by God and all gifts and talents He pours out are meant to glorify Him and His eternal Kingdom. In David's reign, music was brought into worship of our Lord. David was a gifted musician and he invented instruments to be used to glorify and worship God. Through these men gifted in music came the book of Psalm. The gatekeepers were vital to the needs of God's community and God gave them gifts and talents to be used to direct His people directly to Him. Obed-edom had the Ark of the Covenant and God's presence in his home for 3 months. Being in the presence of God brought great blessing to his family. When we make intentional time with God, use the lives He's given us to glorify Him, and honor Him in all we do and say, He will honor our faithfulness to Him. His presence in our lives brings blessings to be used to further His glory and His Kingdom even more. He wants us to know Him and experience Him personally and intimately now and for all eternity.
In 1 Chronicles 23 & 24, the division, organization and duties of the Levites and priests were delegated. David knew the ministers of the Temple had to be organized and prepared according to God's direction. He left nothing to chance and made sure everything was addressed. He wanted to ensure all would be done for God orderly and seamlessly. David wasn't after an office or position merely being filled. He wanted to ensure every position filled was done so to serve the Lord and God's people passionately and sincerely. He was ensuring the blueprint for God's ultimate plan is clear and completely understood for the glory of God and God alone. Today we are part of God's plan. He has a role and a purpose and a mission for each of our lives to be used for His glory and the expansion of His eternal Kingdom. We are the living stones of the Holy Spirit. David committed the plan for the Temple to the Lord and today, we can choose to commit our lives - our plans - to the Lord and let His plan unfold in and through our lives. Just as each servant was important to the Temple, each servant of God is just as important today. God wants His Kingdom full and that means we need to be all in. We need to lay our "selves" down and stay on mission for Jesus. It's the only mission that truly matters.
In 1 Chronicles 22, we see, once again, David's heart for the Lord and giving Him all glory and honor. David desired a Temple for God, but God's desire was not for David to build it. Through the Lord's direction and in faithful confidence in God, David was able to give Solomon everything that would be needed to complete a Temple to point people to worship, glorify, and honor God in every way. In faith, David encouraged Solomon and made sure he understood the Temple was to be built to honor and glorify God and God alone. He reminded Solomon of God's faithfulness and that this was His will and He was able to hand over to Solomon every last detail that would be needed to build God's Temple. David was not perfect by any means, but He was repentant and humble. Even in handing off the details for his dream of God's Temple, his only concern was that the name of the Lord be glorified.
In 1 Chronicles 21, a sin of David's that is not talked about so much is revealed. Sure, David sinned - he sinned hugely. Most people know he committed adultery and even murder as a result of the adultery. (sin leads to more sin) But no one talks about the sin of the census. The sin of pride creeping in and taking the place of glorifying God and God alone. He ordered a census to be taken of the land so he could see how large the nation God placed in his hands had become. He seemed to have forgotten this was God's nation and he was called to rule under God's authority and the nation grew and enjoyed blessings only because of God. The great thing about our amazing Lord is that He will never let His children sin successfully. The great thing we see in David is that when he did realize he was stuck in sin, he was always really quick to sincerely, genuinely and wholeheartedly fall on his face before God in true repentance. David knew God and His mercies. David loved God and had a heart after God. David was a shepherd to God's people and genuinely cared for them out of his love for God. We will all face times and moments when we radically mess up. But when we come to God with a sincere heart of repentance, God will respond even more radically. His love and mercy is bigger than our sin. Because of what Jesus did on the cross for us, we can choose to entrust our lives to Him, repent, and know we've already been forgiven when we do. We can choose to continue to chase after God and pursue His holiness with all our guts. It is finished. For eternity.
In 1 Chronicles 19 & 20, David tries to show kindness to a known enemy nation with his peacemaking heart, but his kindness is returned with war. The war the enemy started ended up costing a lot of lives. Joab urged the army of God to be strong and trust the Lord. Their plan was to divide and conquer but come to each other's aid and support if it was needed. We are to do the same in the body of Christ. We are one army united in a front against the same enemy. We each have battles we face and we need to encourage each other and be humble enough to receive encouragement as well. We are to be united as one body which means we don't battle alone. We are a team under God. We are on the victorious team and we need to stand with each other without waiving until the final victory is declared. No matter what we face around us, we need to continue to trust in God through it without wavering. God is faithful and His promises are true and eternal. He's got us and in Him, we will see the final and eternal victory through Jesus - our Lord and Savior for all eternity.
In 1 Chronicles 17 & 18, David seeks out Nathan the prophet to consult him regarding building a Temple for the Lord. Nathan responds quickly with a Yeah, sure! God is clearly with you, do what you want. BUT, that was not God's plan or will. God corrected Nathan that evening and Nathan was humble enough to both receive the correction needed from God as well as correct the information that David really needed to hear for God's plans for the current time and space as well as for His eternal Kingdom. This is the kind of leadership God wants to see and the kind of leadership people want to be led by. We need to be quick to listen with our two ears and slow to speak with our one mouth. We need to stop, pray about things, and seek the face of God routinely. We need to be humble, repentant, and open to correction. God doesn't belong in a box. He is not shut in the churches, buildings, or conferences. He is with us ALWAYS and we are meant to be in constant continuous prayer and communication with Him as He leads and guides our steps, and most importantly our words, for His grand plan of His eternal Kingdom. God is with us everywhere we go. We need to respect, honor, and reflect Him wherever we are, in whatever we are doing, and in everything we say. He is Lord of all.
In 1 Chronicles 16, David bursts into a song of praise to God for all of His wonderfulness. He praises, worships, and gives great thanks to God for who He is, all He's done, and all He continues to do. He gives God thanks for His never-ending love, strength, and saving mercy and grace. He danced before God freely, sincerely, passionately, and whole-heartedly. David was willing to dance. He didn't sit in a window trying to judgingly control the environment from afar. He dived into God deep. He sought the face of God. He wanted to know God and chose to seek God and God met Him. He experienced God. God wants us to seek Him. He knows each and every one of us. He created us and He desperately wants us to know Him too. He wants us to experience Him fully and intimately. He wants us to dance - freely - in Him through all our days.
In 1 Chronicles 15, David still desires to move the Ark of the Covenant back into Jerusalem, but this time, he desires to do it precisely and exactly how God directs it to be done. He meticulously follows God's instructions and does exactly as the Scriptures declared for the task before them. This time, they get it right and respect the holiness of God. In the process, they worship Him and celebrate joyfully before Him as they experience His presence. God wants us to know Him personally and intimately, worship Him sincerely and honestly, and experience Him fully and wholly. He doesn't want a religious routine, He wants our hearts. He wants a sincere relationship with us, not a religion. He wants us to be free to dance in and with Him in all of our days. He wants us to enjoy His presence in all we do in and out of our routine and non-routine moments alike. No matter where we are or what we are doing, we should never allow anything to get in the way of our dance with God.
In 1 Chronicles 13 & 14, we see David clearly has a heart after God and brings the nation into a place of revival before the Lord. He wants to bring the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem and restore proper worship of God to the nation. He has the right intentions and the right motives and even wisely seeks counsel. David wanted to lead his people to draw close to God and experience His love, forgiveness, and provision personally. Big problems rose up when they failed to heed God's direction on who should be moving the ark and how it should be done. He had the right intentions, but took God's instructions lightly rather than reverently and a man lost his life as a result. This awoke a greater seriousness and reverence towards God and who He is in David. We should never take for granted who God is or His sovereignty. His presence is a blessing in our lives and we should greatly fear anything that could sneak in and try to separate us from His amazing presence. We should seek to honor and glorify Him in all we do and say and let Him lead and guide us through every step of life.
In 1 Chronicles 12, the nation of Israel rises up in support and encouragement of David as their king. David is surrounded with a huge loyal army. They see David's faithfulness and that God's hand is on His life and they like what they see. They join God's team and God's anointed king. God's perfect timing has arrived and the army is prepared for battle. They were a mass unified army for God's purpose and plan through David. Today, if you are a Christ follower, we too are called and commissioned to be part of God's united army fighting the spiritual battle with the one same enemy - Satan - and reach more Christ followers to make His Kingdom full and His current army even bigger. We need to keep our battle armor on and strong by meditating, consuming, and living out the Word of God in our daily lives. We need to stay in continual prayer and intercession with our amazing Lord and Savior. He fights the battles and He has all power. We can trust Him as we continue. We need to continue to support and encourage each other in the battles. Like Jesus said in John 17, the world will know us by our love and unity. We love God and we love each other with all our guts as, together, we unify and join in the battle against Satan and all his evil minions. He's already been defeated and it's only a matter of time before he is bound once and for all.
In 1 Chronicles 11, David is anointed as the king of all of Israel. Like a great leader of God, David was willing to faithfully jump in and do whatever it takes to be victorious and God's anointing and favor were on David's life. David didn't take the easy way out, He followed God's way - even if it was difficult. He faithfully trusted God and gained victories because of His faithful trust in God. The people of Israel saw His courageous faith and David won their favor because of it. To be a mighty man or woman of God, we need to be wholly and faithfully committed to God, even through physical exhaustion, or any negative opinions around us. It means you have a commitment to God that is so strong, you're faithfully take the initiative - even if what lies ahead is really really hard. God is the God of impossible and He holds all. He will carry us through what He brings us to. We can trust Him. He's been in all our tomorrows and sees from the top down. He's got us. God's plan and call to spread the Good News to the nations and make His Kingdom full is all that matters. We need to stay laser focused on Him and keep running where He leads with all our guts.
In 1 Chronicles 10, the account of Saul's death is detailed. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin and the 1st king of Israel. Saul died because he was not faithful to the Lord. After his death, the nation was turned over to David, from the tribe of Judah, who was a man after God's heart. When Saul's mighty warriors realized Saul's death, they fasted. They fasted as they mourned the death of their king and awaited their new king. I was convicted and repented while studying this for not applying this discipline enough in my own life. In Matthew 6:16, Jesus gave directions for "when" we fast implying that we will fast. We fast to prepare for ministries God gives us to do, to seek God's wisdom, to show grief like these men did, to seek deliverance and protection from God, to repent from sin, to gain victory in battles, and to worship our almighty God because He deserves our sincere "all in" worship. The enemy tries to stop us from fasting because he knows it's powerful. He tries to instill fear, plays on ignorance, and sometimes it has nothing to do with the enemy and it's just because of our own rebellion that we don't fast. Fasting restores us to our first love of Jesus and humbles us before Him. It energizes God's Word in our hearts, and brings personal internal revival. If we aren't willing to seek internal revival, how can we expect national revival? Revival starts with us - one at a time - and then it spreads. Our King is coming and I want to be implementing fasting with my praying as we wait in anticipation knowing He is coming sooner today than He was yesterday.
In 1 Chronicles 9, an account is given to those who would be returning from exile to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and restore worship to God. The faithful remnant are counted. Among the first counted are the priests, Levites, and Temple servants. Judah ended up in exile because they rebelled against God so as they return to start over as a faithful nation, restoring the Temple and the worship of God is vital. It was important to have the Temple restored so people could be led, directed, and pointed to God. God gives each of us gifts and talents that He gave us for the specific use to glorify Him and point people to Jesus. There is a bigger picture in life - God's plan. God desires His Kingdom full and not to lose a single soul. We are to all embrace what God has poured into our lives and use it all for His Kingdom and His glory. We are called and commissioned to love God and love people by working together in unity for the advancement of His mighty eternal Kingdom.
In 1 Chronicles 8, we travel through the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin - again. Why? Because when Israel split, some of the tribe went north and some when south and there's something God wants us to see in this. After exile, there was a part of the Benjamin tribe that stayed loyal to Judah and stood firm in their faith in God and they were counted among the returning faithful remnant. The tribe of Benjamin had a long history of contention and struggles within the tribe - just as we have the constant contention and struggle between the spirit and the flesh. The Benjaminites struggled with who they were, but those who remained with Judah saw the hope of the future in Christ. Just because we come from an unstable families doesn't mean that's who we are. You are who God says you are and if you choose to repent from selfishness and choose Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are a child of God. You are victorious through Him. God has plans and purposes to be fulfilled through our lives and gave us amazing talents and gifts to be used to fulfill them glorifying God and His Kingdom. When you choose to submit your life to Christ, your identity is now in Christ and He has declared some pretty incredible things about who you are.
In 1 Chronicles 7, the Chronicler takes us through the genealogy of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. After exile from Babylon, the Israelites would still face battles and wars so God provided warriors within the clans. Both men and women are highlighted in these Scriptures and God has plans and wants to use all of us for His story and His glory. The focal point of this chapter is the fact that we will face battles and when you know a battle is coming, you prepare warriors. Our own opinions or preferences don't matter. All that matters is that we realize we are to join together in the love and unity of Christ because we all share the same enemy. The principalities of Satan are trying to defeat us and the only way we will be victorious over him is by coming together, united, against our common enemy. Jesus said the world would know us by our love for God and our unity together in John 17. We need to surround ourselves with prayer warriors, people who love the Word of God, and people who chase after God with all their guts.
In 1 Chronicles 6, the Chronicler takes us through the genealogy of the Levites. The tribe of Levi points us directly to Christ. To fulfill their assigned duties, they were spread throughout the land. They were to work to point people to the holiness of God, make sure God's law was still present and obeyed throughout all the areas and tribes, and teach the people of God about God. They modeled devotion to God for the whole community with their lives as their lives were wholly devoted to God and His plan and mission. The worship of God and pointing to all that God is was and still is the most important and central to all of life. Some of the priests worked in the Temple, some were priests, some were musicians, and some taught throughout the land. All were necessary elements for God's great plan to continue and they are still today. God's plans don't change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Just like the Levites, we should be focused on pointing people to the glory of God and who He is in and through all we do every day. We are the hands, the feet, and the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ and we are commissioned to spread His Good News of redemption and freedom only found in and through Him to the ends of the earth. It starts right in our own communities. It starts in our daily lives - minute by minute - as we seek to glorify Him with all of our guts in all the moments - with every exhale.
In 1 Chronicles 5, we continue walking through the lineage that continues to point us to the loving, compassionate kindness of God and His mighty plan of redemption for all of us. Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh settled east of the Jordan River. Reuben fell into sin and lost his right to the firstborn birthright but God did not change His mind or plan for Reuben. He faced earthly consequences for his sin but he repented and still chose to trust in God. God's promise and blessing for his life remained and in his repentance, God was able to pour out those promised blessings. We sin. We blow it. But we repent, get back up, and keep running faithfully with God. Don't get stuck there. God has one big plan with many players. God always rewards faithfulness. God's love never ends for any one of us and even if we mess up from time to time, He will honor those who consistently follow Him - even if we do blow it and find ourselves, yet again, smack in the face of repentance. The important thing is to repent. God honors integrity. Even if we blow it, we don't walk away from God. We get back up and keep going. He doesn't want to lose a single soul and if we are going to spread the Good News of the saving power of Christ, we need to keep moving forward for His glory and His Kingdom.
In 1 Chronicles 4, the Chronicler leads us through the detailed lineage of Judah and Simeon. The land of Simeon was right smack in the center of Judah's territory - the the donut hole of Judah. These people, places, and territories ushered in King David as well as our eternal King of kings and Lord of lords as the living links leading to our Messiah continue. In the midst of these lineage recordings, we come to a beautiful prayer of Jabez - who's name literally means pain. Jabez called out to God in faith for God to bless him. He asked God for more - to experience more of God. He asked God to experience more of His presence. He also asked for God's protection. He asked for God's presence, provision, and care for the purpose of spreading God's glory and His kingdom. His motive and heart was for God and His glory and God honored His faithfulness. We need to come to God with this same childlike faith and trust Him and His perfect timing. He will always honor our faithfulness if our hearts and motives are directed to glorify Him and His Kingdom.
In 1 Chronicles 3, we walk through the descendants of David. David is the official line of our Messiah. In spite of all the messes, disobedience, brokenness, sin, and rebellion, God's plan stood and His plan continues to stand. David may have messed up and faced many earthly consequences for his choices, but God's plan for his life did not change. In the face of sin, he was repentant to God. He was broken before God. He was humble before God. That's all God asks. He just wants our hearts and humility as we honestly stand before Him and cry out to Him. He honors our repentant humility every time and He will honor our faithfulness. If we blow it, He does not change His mind about us. His plan stands - for all eternity. Our Savior stands - for all eternity. We can repentantly choose Christ for our lives - and live in His Kingdom - for all eternity.
In 1 Chronicles 2, the chronicler takes us further through the lineage and genealogy of Christ. This chapter transitions from the descendants of Abraham to the descendants of Jacob who fathered the nation of Israel. Key people who continued the Seed of Christ forward are listed as well as core groups of people and individuals who played important parts in pointing people to our Messiah. The lineage of Jesus didn't just include His lineage, it includes the people who played important roles in God's mighty overall plan which is still continuing today. Parents, sisters, scribes, craftsman, and more are all listed in detail. Never take for granted the gifts, talents, and roles God has put us in. His plan is still coming forth and He knows what He's doing. We continue to trust in Him, remain dedicated to the eternal mission of spreading His Gospel, and passionately serve the Lord in all we do and say. Day in and day out, we are each called and commissioned to point people to Jesus using the gifts and talents that God gave us to do it for His eternal Kingdom and the glory of our almighty Father.
In 1 Chronicles 1, we start walking through the lineage that began with God, who created Adam, and will lead us straight to our Messiah - Jesus. The word "son" means "to build" and the ancient Hebrews considered their children the "builders" of future generations and every generation built upon each other and points us to the Son of David - Yeshua - our eternal live giving Messiah. God is the one and only true and living God. He brings unity, restoration, and His divine purpose of redemption came forth through Jesus. He is the God of miracles and restoration. Jesus humbly came to earth and took on humanity, but did so completely sinless because He was also fully God. If we choose Jesus as Lord and Savior over our lives, our identity is in Him. We are called to pursue His holiness as we cling to Him with all our guts. Because of Jesus, we can repent and receive the forgiveness He offers each of us through the blood He shed on the cross for the sins of the world. He rose from death because death cannot hold life down and when we choose Jesus for our lives, we get to live with Him for eternity. We become a child of the Most High God and have a new identity only found in and through Him.
In Malachi 4, God again gives His Word of the coming day of Jesus' return. Judgment will fall and those who choose Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives will receive blessings and those who refuse Him will receive judgment. Jesus paid a high price on the cross and took our sins with Him when He did. He was judged for our sins. He poured out His life-blood so we could receive His righteousness instead of judgment for our sins. He died and rose again so we can experience Life for all eternity with Him if we choose Him for life. Jesus is returning. We don't know when but either way, we will one day meet Him and give an account for our lives. If we put our faith in Jesus and cling to Him with all our guts, there is no sin to be judged because - it is finished. Restoration is coming and the earth cries out for it along with all of us. There will be peace, joy, and healing throughout the land as evil will be bound and done away with. There will be no more curse of sin because sin will be gone. We will be able to run through the fields leaping with joy because the Sun of Righteousness will come with healing in His wings. It will be a day for great celebration if you choose Jesus and cling to Him with all your guts.
In Malachi 3, God sends a message through Malachi of the coming of John the Baptist as well as our Messiah. He also speaks of Jesus' return and the coming day of judgment that will come with His almighty return. Jesus came to earth and died for each of our sins - the sins of the world - just hoping we'd choose to put our faith in Him and receive eternal life instead of judgment for sins. God is both just and the justifier. He is just in that sin and evil will be judged and He is the Justifier to all those who trust in Jesus as their sins have been atoned for, forgiven and completely cleansed and wiped away. We are not here to indulge in selfish pleasures. We are here to point people to the kindness, mercy, and grace found in Jesus if we are willing to humbly repent of our selfishness and let Him lead and guide our lives. Everything we have on earth is not ours, it's from God, and we are to steward all He has poured out for us for His Kingdom, His glory, and spreading His message of redemption. When Jesus returns, the faithful remnant who stand firm in Christ, stand in awe of God and who He is, and worship Him as Lord Almighty are seen and known by God. They will be spared when judgment falls. Pursuing God, His holiness, and sharing His forgiving mercy with all those around us isn't a waste of time - it's an investment into eternity.
Jesus broke the loaves into pieces - then the miracle broke out. The miracle was in the broken pieces. God will use our broken pieces for His glory. Our testimony for God is in the broken pieces.
In Malachi 2, God reprimands the priests who were supposed to be leading and directing God's people to Him. Instead, they are dishonoring God and His holy Name. They were taking for granted the high calling God had put on their lives and working to please themselves instead of God. In doing so, they were also misleading and misguiding God's people into sin and unholiness before God. Just as God said if you aren't going to worship Him out of sincere heart before, He now says if you aren't going to serve out of a pure heart for God why should you be in office? Leadership is called to speak the truth of God's Word, obey God's ways and pursue His holiness in their everyday routine lives, fellowship with God continuously, passionately seek to point others to Christ, and just as passionately spread God's Word across the nations. Our lives are to revolve around God and follow His lead and guidance as we passionately pursue Him and His holiness and radiate His amazing glory to those around us through our daily lives.
In Malachi 1, Malachi is given a message by God for His people regarding their sinful impure hearts. God's people were not loving God. As God's children, we are to love God with all our guts and love the people around us out of that love for God. God pours out grace in our lives and wants us to pursue holiness and glorify Him with all our lives. We are not perfect, we are humble and repentant and chase God with all we got because we love Him more than anything or anyone around us. God's people were not honoring God's name or worshiping God with their hearts. They were faking it but were not making it. In these verses, God says if we are going to fake it, just shut the Temple doors. God doesn't want our fakeness. He wants our sincere heartfelt honesty in our worship of Him. He carries us through the hard times and rejoices with us in the victories. He wipes our tears and celebrates in our joys. He wants us to know and experience Him in our daily lives. He wants our sincere, honest worship. He wants us to deepen our relationship with Him as we grow more and more in love with Him through all our moments in life and glorify Him through it all to those around us.
In Zechariah 13 & 14, Zechariah receives a vision of the coming millennium period when Jesus returns for us. There will be cleansing, healing, and restoration for God's people and God's earth. There will be peace and joy and no evil, idols, or sin. Jesus will rule and judge and we will be cleansed as Jesus makes the world right again under His sovereign order. He will reign universally over the whole world. He will be the only God worshiped and His name will be the only name honored. The land will be healed and we will no longer have any dangers or any evil around us. We will be restored as Lord will be Lord over all and over everyone who remains for His coming Kingdom. It will be a time of peace and blessing from God but also the judgment of disobedience and sin. Every single aspect of our lives will be Holy To The Lord. It will be a glorious day and Jesus will light the whole world because He is the one and only true eternal Light and Life. If we choose to trust in Jesus for our lives, we will be a part of His eternal glorious Kingdom.
In Zechariah 12, God brings us to the glorious day of His return. Jesus is returning. It is promised repeatedly throughout Scripture. The world around us may be rough and some days might be really hard to get through, but we stand firm on God and His mighty power knowing He is holding us under His wings of protection. We know He has us and will hold us through whatever we face until we rejoice and celebrate in His eternal Kingdom. Revival is now. We don't only pray for revival, we are revival. It starts with us. If there's anything holding us back or making us feel "stuck" we need to confess it, repent, and thank God for His incredible mercy and forgiveness. Move faithfully forward in Him and His plans as He continually refines and sanctifies us every day. Share your testimonies with each other and encourage others to be bold and brave and bring anything they are struggling with to light as well. We don't need to be shy about sins in our lives, we need to bring them to light so they can be dealt with, removed, and no longer able to grip us and hold us back from what God wants to do through us. Jesus is returning, we don't have time to hide. We need revival like never before - it all starts with us - one by one. And one by one it spreads throughout the entire world.
In Zechariah 10 & 11, God promises the evil leaders who are leading His children astray will be punished. Jesus is our foundation for all and we need to faithfully stand firm in Him without wavering no matter what the circumstances around us look like. He carries all our burdens. He is our battle bow. And He is and always will be victorious. He never loses a battle. The moment we humbly repent of ourselves and faithfully turn to Him, we are children of the Most High eternal and victorious Lord. When Jesus came to earth the first time, He was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver and crucified. He rose from the grave the 3rd day so we could choose to trust Him with our lives and live eternally with Him in His Kingdom. He is returning, but this time He'll be returning on a white horse for the whole world to see followed by the armies of heaven. He is our Victorious Warrior for all time and if we choose Jesus, we are on the winning side - for all eternity. His glorious Kingdom is coming.
In Zechariah 9, God gives an oracle of judgment that will be coming to the nations who oppose God and His children. He follows with a message of our Savior coming to earth and dying for each and every one of us on the cross just hoping that we will repent from sin and choose Him as our Lord and Savior. He pours out His mercy and grace in His first visit to earth. He also speaks of Jesus' 2nd coming when He will return on a white horse and lead all the armies of heaven with Him. Jesus' Words carry authority and His Word will go forth disarming all sin and evil around the world. Every weapon will be destroyed. Zechariah then speaks of a celebration feast as our Messiah gathers all His sheep (us) to join Him in His eternal Kingdom. He describes us as precious stones that sparkle in His land like jewels in a crown. God loves us so much. We are His special treasure and He desperately wants us to choose Him as Lord of our lives and sparkle with Him for eternity.
In Zechariah 8, hope that is only found through Christ and knowing He is returning and His Kingdom on earth will be established blossoms. We don't live on God's explanations. He owes us none. We live on God's promises. Through the promise of Jesus' return, hope is poured out to the Israelites as well as to us today. Life on earth is not easy, but when we choose Jesus as Lord over our lives, He is with us and we know this is temporary and a glorious eternity awaits. As we mature in Christ, He is able to trust us with more. He honors our faithfulness. He has a perfect plan. He offers us - every single person - redemption, righteousness, hope, and eternity with Him. It's up to us to choose it.
In Zechariah 7, the work of rebuilding the Temple has been moving forward steadily and God gives Zechariah a message in response to God's people asking a question. Should they should continue the fasting they had added into their calendars that commemorated the burning of the Temple? God responds asking a question back - what is the heart behind the fast? God doesn't want our ceremonies or sacrifices if we are just going through the motions. He wants us to have a sincere, personal, and intimate relationship with Him that comes from heart. To fast because of a tragedy that occurred in Jerusalem and not repent of the sin that caused the tragedy is pointless. God is the only One who knows are hearts which is why He's the only One to judge. God is to be the center of our lives and the reason behind all we do and say. Worshiping and serving God isn't supposed to be a mere part of our lives, it is supposed to be the very heart of our lives. We are to be anchored to God with all our guts.
In Zechariah 6, God brings a vision of 4 chariots with red, white, black, and dappled gray horses who are now acting on God's direction rather than just reporting to God. The presence of chariots suggests battle and implies judgment. Red symbolizes war. Black symbolizes famine. White symbolizes death and the dappled gray likely symbolizes plagues. During the tribulation, there will be wars, famines, plagues, and death as judgment falls for the sins of the nations. God also brings a message of the crowning of Joshua symbolizing our eternal King-Priest - Jesus. God assures us He will cleans the land and protect us. The evil of the nations will be judged but God's children will be delivered. Jesus is returning and will bring perfect peace to earth when He does. It's only through Jesus the altar and the throne are united. He is our perfect High Priest and King of kings for all eternity. We can trust Him with our lives because He is the only sure thing in all the cosmos.
In Zechariah 5, God gives Zechariah two visions. The first vision is of a flying scroll representing the 10 Commandments. The law was never given to save people, it was given to reveal our desperate need for our Savior - Jesus. The 2nd vision is of a woman in a basket representing the wickedness of commercialism and material wealth. Money has become a god around the world and, like a god, money is trusted by people to give them help, solve their problems, provide happiness, and empower them to accomplish goals set in life. The world will crush you, devastate you, and let you down, but God never fails us. Everything on earth will fade and decay, but God is eternal. When we trust God above all, He brings eternal blessings. Money is not God. It's only in God we will find true help, the wisdom and resources needed to overcome problems, true joy and happiness that can only come from Him, and the ability to succeed in goals set out by Him for our lives which brings true accomplishment. This world is extremely temporary but God is eternal and He desires each and every one of us to trust in Him for all eternity with all our guts.
In Zechariah 4, God gives Zechariah a vision of a lampstand with two olive trees on each side. The olive trees would fill a bowl with oil that would be piped by 49 pipes to keep each of the golden lamps full and burning. We are to remain plugged into Jesus and keep the oil of the Holy Spirit full and burning in our lives by spending time with God in prayer and in His Word. When our lamps are full, we can radiate His amazing powerful life-changing glory to those around us. We are called to extend God's Light to those around us and keep each other encouraged and enflamed for Christ in the process. Only work done through the power of the Spirit will glorify God and endure the coming fires of His judgment. God is glorified in the small things and uses them to accomplish His mighty plan and will. "It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies." We have an amazingly great God who empowers and blesses servants who are wholly dedicated to Him. He cleanses us and empowers us so we need to trust Him and do His work for His plan and His glory. Lord Jesus, may your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen
In Zechariah 3, Satan tries to bring accusations to God about Joshua, the high priest who would serve God in the Temple upon rebuilding. God is the Judge, Satan is the accuser, and Jesus is our Defense attorney and Advocate. Satan pointed out the sins of Joshua and therefore Israel and insisted they should be punished. He's not wrong. We should all be punished for our sins. He forgot one important fact in the case though. The grace of God. Jesus is our eternal High Priest and He is at the throne of God interceding for us and giving us the grace we need for life and service for and to God while we are here on earth. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior - our Advocate, we cannot be condemned for sins because Jesus has already paid the price for all of them with His death. We are forgiven, cleansed, healed, redeemed, and stand righteously before God. God is just and would not condemn someone for sins that have already been been dealt with. Jesus came to earth, died on our crosses for our sins, and rose from that grave all so we could be forgiven if we chose Him. He did it desperately hoping we would. He is returning and when He does, sin that has not already been dealt with will be. Sin will be judged and bound in a day. The sin and evil of the world will be replaced with peace, prosperity, joy, security, and restoration. It will be a glorious Day of the Lord.
In Zechariah 2, God brings a message of the coming glory of God that will fill the earth when Jesus returns. God's desires has always been that we would know Him, experience Him, and dwell with Him. He sent Jesus to shed His Life-Blood on the cross so we could be restored for eternity with Him. He wants that relationship to start now, today, while on earth. He wants sincere hearts pursuing Him in and through all we do. He wants us to radiate Him to others through our lives so they to can know Him, experience Him, and dwell with Him. Jesus is returning and judgment on nations will fall. Those who refuse God, refuse to repent, and refuse to turn from sin and choose God will experience the wrath of His fire. If we choose Jesus, the fire will only refine us as we enter into His glory for eternity. The glorious newly restored city is referred to as "Jehovah Shammah" in Ezekiel which means "the Lord is there". Many of us who choose Jesus now will be joined with Israel in the eternal coming glorious Kingdom of God. Our Messiah will be there right with us and we will experience Him like never before and our eternal Prince of Peace will reign in all His glory.
In Zechariah 1, God brings a message through Zechariah calling for His people to repent and turn from sin to God. God cares for His people and He doesn't want to see us suffer the consequences of sin. He wants us to prosper in His will and His plan for our lives for the glory of His eternal Kingdom. He wants us to know Him and experience Him while we are on earth. He wants us to enjoy a sincere and personal relationship with Him. Jesus is interceded for each of us at the throne of God. He doesn't want to lose a soul and wants each of us to choose life with Him for eternity AND experience His glory in our lives while we "wait" for eternity to come. Jesus is returning and if we know Him as our Lord and Savior, it'll just keep getting better - now and for all eternity.
In Haggai 2, God reminds His people they can be strong and rest assured knowing God is with them and His Temple being rebuilt is His plan and He will see them through it. They can depend on God, He always provides all that is needed for His plans. God is unchanging and desires to dwell with us above all else. He wants our hearts and a sincere and intimate relationship with Him. When we choose Jesus for our lives, we belong to a Kingdom that cannot and will not ever be shaken. He will bring peace and prosperity for eternity with His coming Kingdom. When we proclaim God's Word in the power of the Spirit, things begin to happen. Faith sees the invisible, chooses the imperishable, and does the impossible.
In Haggai 1, God gives Haggai a Word for His people of encouragement. God sent Cyrus to release His people from exile so they could return to Jerusalem and rebuild God's Temple. Instead of rebuilding, they made excuses, avoided the topic, and decided they weren't sure it was "time" for that. They had plenty of time to rebuild their own homes but God's house laid in ruins. Hearing God's Word encouraged their hearts and they became enthusiastic to begin rebuilding His Temple. They turned their excuses into confessions and obedience and got to work. God's Word moves. God's Word is mighty. God's Word makes all the difference. We need to be spending intentional time with God in His Word and share it with people around us. His Word is infections, encouraging, enthusiastic and life changing. We must hear it, believe it, and act on it no matter what is going on around us. God is with us - always. We can faithfully trust in Him.
In Zephaniah 3, God sends a message of hope letting us know we can be patient and rest assured that evil will be taken care of. This is all temporary. Jesus is returning and He will bind sin and remove all pride and arrogance. He doesn't want to lose a single soul and if we choose Jesus, we will be safe in His arms when judgment falls. Our sins have already been judged by Jesus. With His great love, He calms all our fears and rejoices over us with joyful songs. In the "wait", we are called and commissioned to spread the Good News of Jesus to the people around us because God wants everyone to choose Him for their lives and be safe for eternity. We are to bring heaven to earth by our living the Word out through our daily lives, pray and intercede for the lost. Don't fall for the enemies temptations to live divided and be destroyed. Jesus said the world will know us by our love and unity. Opinions don't matter, clothes don't matter, how much money is in the bank doesn't matter - all that matters is that people see, hear, and know Jesus. It's a matter of life and death.
In Zephaniah 2, God gives Zephaniah a message of coming judgment for all the nations. He opens by pleading with all the people to repent and turn to God. If we do, we will be "protected by the Lord's anger on that day of destruction." God's promises are different because God is pure and perfect and holy. If God makes a promise, it doesn't fade. It is eternal. God's promises are faithful and true and always come forth. God's promises will all be fulfilled in His perfect time and He promised Jesus will return and when He does, judgment will come. The choices we make now determine the outcome for us when He returns. We will either experience His wrath or His refinement with His consuming fire. We will face destruction or be protected and held safe in His arms. He sent Jesus to die on the cross for us so we could freely choose Him for our lives. If we choose Him, our sins have already been judged. We are righteous, whole, cleansed and ready for His mighty return.
In Zephaniah 1, God shows Zephaniah judgment was coming on Judah because they refuse to turn from sin to God. They refuse to listen to God's Words of warning and repent. God tells Zephaniah a great flood of fire is coming and those who refuse God will feel the flames. Judah would be taken out by Babylon and in the coming Day of the Lord, God will bring judgment for us as well. If we choose Jesus, our sin has already been forgiven and judged. There will be nothing to judge because, in Jesus, we have no sin if we repent and submit our lives to Him. He also speaks of a great battle coming. When God's judgment falls and the final battle takes place, it will be far greater than the battle brought forth with the Babylonians. If we choose Jesus and cling to Him with all our guts - heart and soul - we are held safe as the faithful remnant. We will be kept in His arms because our names are written in His book as eternal citizens of His Kingdom. We are a part of God's family the moment we choose to cling to Jesus with all our guts.
In Habakkuk 3, Habakkuk has heard God's Word, seen a glimpse of God's glory, and responds in earnest prayer, praise, and worship to the Lord. His circumstances haven't changed, but he has. Getting a glimpse of the glory of God will do that. He was now walking by faith in our amazingly faithful God rather than by sight. He knows God has a plan and wants God's will to come forth. God is in complete control. He is the Living God who makes dead idols look ridiculous. When Habakkuk looked within, he saw himself trembling in fear. When he looked around, he saw everything falling apart. When he looked up, he saw God and all his fears vanished. To walk by faith means we have laser focus on the greatness and glory of God. God doesn't always change our circumstances, but He can change us to meet the circumstances. We can stand firm in faith and praise God knowing He has us now and forever. No matter what I face, I will choose to praise the Lord and rejoice in Him.
In Habakkuk 2, Habakkuk's experience with God has turned him from a worrier to a watchman. He experiences and gets a fresh view of God's glory and who God is. God shares of the coming time when Jesus returns and sin and evil is replaced completely with God and His glory as His glory will fill the earth. God tells us if it seems slow in coming, wait patiently because it is coming and will not be delayed. God has perfect timing and we can faithfully trust in Him, His will and His timing. He knows what He's doing, He is God. Our job is to chase after God and cling to Him with all our guts as we point as many people as we can to Jesus while we are patiently walking through "the wait."
In Habakkuk 1, God gives a message Habakkuk was not expecting after he cries out to God to do something about the violent, horrible, dangerous wickedness that is growing more and more evil around him. Habakkuk was hoping God would poor out revival and restoration, but as God was continually warning His people over and over again - judgment was coming. The Babylonians were coming. God was sending prophet after prophet with His Word and cry for His people to repent and turn to Him but they continually refused. Habakkuk is reminded God is not indifferent to sin and sin would be dealt with. He is reminded God is eternal and knows the end from the beginning. He knows what He's doing and is unchanging. God reveals to Habakkuk exactly what he needs, a fresh view of the glory of God. God is merciful and patient, and He is also just. He doesn't want to lose a soul and will do all He can to try get our attention and wake us up before it's too late and judgment falls.
In Micah 7, Micah mourns the loss of the people who are refusing to repent and turn to God. What breaks the heart of God should break our hearts and people refusing God and living in eternal judgment should break our hearts. God doesn't want to lose a single soul - but it's our choice. The better we know the character of God, the more we trust Him for the future. The better we know His promises and covenants, the more peace we have in our hearts when things around us fall apart. When we know God and fully trust Him with all our guts, we have hope. No matter how dark and chaotic things look around us in life, or how confusing or frightening our circumstances may be, the character of God and who He is remains the same and we can totally trust Him with all of it.
In Micah 6, God gives Micah another message of warning to tell His people. They were bringing their sacrifices to God, which were supposed to have been to atone for their sins, but they had no intention of turning from their sins. God called them out on what was really a matter of their hearts. Their sacrifices and religious actions were a routine but not sincere at all. Their hearts were far from the routine. True faith comes from a heart that's been broken in repentance and realizes that no amount of good works can atone for sin. Only Jesus can. When we finally see ourselves how God sees us, as broken sinners who desperately need Jesus, then we can finally become what He wants us to become.
In Micah 5, God gives a message through Micah that includes the current situation of upcoming takeover by the Babylonians as well as the coming of our Lord and Savior to earth, as well as His mighty return when He removes all evil and wickedness. Jesus stepped out of eternity and into human history when He came to earth fully God and fully human so He could die on our crosses and pour out His God-blood for all of us to have the option to receive forgiveness and freedom from sin for all eternity. Jesus is returning and if we choose Him, we are a part of His family and His eternal Kingdom. We don't know the day, hour, or year but until then, we are to cling to God with all our guts and live each moment like He's returning in that very moment. Stand firm in faith, cling to God, and do not waiver - He is coming.
In Micah 4, God gives Micah a glimpse into the coming promised Kingdom of God when Jesus returns and will rule and reign. He will gather the faithful remnant - those who stand firm in Christ and refuse to waiver. We will lead, guide, and teach us all and we will all worship Him. The whole earth. There will be no more war and everyone will live in peace and the prosperity of Jesus - our Lord and King - for all eternity.
In Micah 3, God brings a word through Micah directed toward the leaders of the nation. God repeatedly brings Word of warning through the prophets He's sending and instead of listening and heeding the voice of God, they turn a deaf ear and continue to build their pride, wealth, and riches at the expense of people's lives. All of creation responds when God speaks, except the humans made in the very image of God. The day of judgment will come whether we are ready or not and whether we think it will or not. Jesus is returning. It's a promise from God and all of His promises are true and eternal. If we trust our lives to Jesus, we are free from sin. He took our sin onto Himself, carried it straight to the cross, and sacrificed Himself on our cross atoning for all of it. He took our place on the cross and we in turn get to stand before God as righteous, pure, and holy as Jesus if we choose Him as Lord of our lives. He loves us that passionately much. He couldn't bear to lose a soul, so He came to offer us a rescue boat. He is our Rescuer, Redeemer, and Restorer. He makes us whole. Only through Jesus can we be whole. In Him we have perfect peace - for all eternity.
In Micah 1 & 2, Micah brings a message from God of coming judgment and lets them know exactly why judgment was coming. Pride, arrogance, idolizing wealth and materialism, oppressing and taking advantage of people. They were chasing sin and opposing God. They were after the "good life" rather than the humble life. They didn't believe judgment and laughed it off - until judgment arrived at their doorpost. Micah also speaks forward of coming hope, restoration, and the gathering of the faithful remnant who refuse to waiver and cling to God. The glorious day of the return of Jesus - our Deliverer is coming.
In Nahum 2 & 3, God tells Nineveh how they will fall and why they are falling. The vast city would be overtaken by the Babylonians in 612 BC and completely wiped out in 609 BC in the battle of Haran. Their pride, arrogance, and wealth would all be destroyed. They were a nation after ruthless bloodshed, idolatry, pride, and self-confidence. They were overconfident and believed they were at the top and untouchable. They refused to repent and turn to God like the generations before. God will deal with sin and wickedness. Previously, they repented and turned to God so God poured out mercy and peace. This time they rebelled and refused God and faced God's judgment. God does not change, man does. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and if we choose Jesus, we have an eternity with Him. We have the peace and joy only found in Jesus for all eternity.
In Nahum 1, approximately 100 years later, Nineveh has turned back to their evil, prideful ways and God sends another warning of coming judgment. This time, this generation doesn't listen or repent and judgment will fall in 612 BC when Babylon takes over Assyria. God will not share His people with false gods and false idols any more than a husband would share his wife with his neighbor. God should always be first and our primary focus in all we do, say, and think in our lives. We are His and our lives should reflect Him in all we do. God will deal with sin and judgment will fall. If we choose Jesus, we are redeemed, cleansed, healed, and made righteous before God. We are free and our sins have already been judged. God is an overwhelming flood. If we choose Jesus, we receive His overwhelming flood of mercy and grace. If we don't, we'll receive His overwhelming flood of judgment. Jesus has completely defeated sin, death, and Satan and if we choose Him, we are free to enjoy the blessings of God's saving grace for all eternity.
In Jonah 4, instead of praising God and rejoicing in the salvation of an entire nation, Jonah, in his arrogant, judgmental pride, goes to the east side of the city to sulk and pout. The heart of every problem is a problem of the heart and God is doing a work in Jonah's heart. Through the help of a green, leafy plant, God reminds Jonah what it feels like to be lost, hopeless, and miserable. The Ninevites, the plant, the worm, and the wind have all obeyed God but Jonah still refuses to humble himself and repent. Instead of questioning God's mercy, he needed to learn God's heart of compassion and God's desperate desire to chase after every lost soul. Jonah wanted mercy for himself, but not for others. Nineveh didn't have God's Word so God provided someone with His Word, and they in turn responded. God answers Jonah with questions. "Is it right for you to be angry about this?" "Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?" In the book of Jonah, God has the first Word as He tells Jonah to "Get up and go" and He has the final Word in His final question to Jonah, "Shouldn't I feel sorry for such a great city?" God asks us the same questions today. Are we willing to get up and go? To reach the lost any way we can with the tools God has provided us? The choice is ours. We are given blessings by God and He desires we steward all His blessings to reach more and more people for Him. He doesn't want to lose a single soul.
In Jonah 3, God redirects Jonah back to His call and mission. Jesus is the only One in Scripture who didn't need a 2nd chance and that's because He's our Messiah. God is the God of 2nd chances. He hadn't changed His mind or given up on Jonah. Through this mission in Nineveh, He was also doing a work in Jonah. Nineveh was going to either be terminated or transformed and it all hinged on them hearing the Word of God. Jonah brought the message from God to Nineveh and they responded in repentance as even the king declared that everyone must cry out earnestly to God as they know God's mercy is their only hope. Because they repented, God relented. A great revival broke out all because a man did what God told him to do. The Word of God spreads and takes center stage. The power of God moves in His Word.
In Jonah 2, Jonah cries out to God in a prayer of desperation. Forgetting he is a sinner, he's pridefully and arrogantly judging an entire nation and doesn't want them to hear the message God has for them. We aren't called to judge, that's God's lane. He's the only One who can see the human heart. God has no favorites and wants everyone to hear the Good News of His Mercy and Grace and wants everyone to choose the Life found in Him and Him alone. It's not up to us to decide, God wants everyone to hear about Jesus and hopefully choose Jesus for their lives. God sent Jesus to die on the cross for everyone. We are all sinners. We are all lost without Jesus. We all need Jesus.
In Jonah 1, God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh to plead with the people there to repent and turn to God. Nineveh was in Assyria and Assyria was a nation known for their evil brutality and opposition of Israel. Jonah had a bad attitude toward God's will and His Word as he rejects it and turns away thinking he can "take it or leave it". Jonah needed Nineveh as much as Nineveh needed Jonah. He also had a bad attitude toward the Gentile nation he was being sent to. Instead of wanting to help them find God, he wanted abandon them to death for eternity. He didn't just hate their sins, he also hated the sinners. God never allows His children to sin successfully. God prepared a great fish to swallow him and protected his life for three days and nights while He brought him to the nation he is called to go to.
In Obadiah, God gives a message of warning of coming judgment to the nation of Edom. Edom was violent sinful nation. They were prideful and opposed God and His people. They trusted in themselves, their alliances, and their wealth - but not God. Without God, alliances, wealth and our selfish ambitions mean nothing. Their wisdom would become confusion and their armies would be destroyed. God promised to deliver His people, completely take out sin and the enemy, and establish restoration, redemption, healing, and restoration with His coming eternal Kingdom. The faithful remnant that chooses God to be Lord over their lives through the saving grace of Jesus will be held safe. His Kingdom will come. His will is going to be done. If we choose Him, we are a part of His eternity.
In Amos 9, God gives Amos three warnings of coming judgment followed by a final encouraging promise of mercy, restoration, and regathering. God warned that a strike was coming to the land. People repeatedly refused to repent and turn to God and instead chased after false idols and false gods that did them no good. The time had come for judgment to fall and Assyria did attack. Instead of repent, His people tried to run and hide. God sees all. Sin will be dealt with and all of our choices have consequences. What those consequences are depends on who we serve and entrust our lives to. We are always worshiping something. Who we are worshiping makes all the difference. There is a faithful remnant that continues to stand firm in faith and not waiver. That faithful remnant would be held safe in the mighty hand of God. God promises restoration is coming. Jesus is returning. The security, prosperity, and peace of God will fill the earth.
In Amos 8, God gives Amos a vision of ripe fruit. God had been calling out, crying out, and shouting out to His people by sending prophet after prophet. He is patient and desperately wants every soul to answer His call. Unfortunately for Israel, they refused and even told God's prophets to "Go Away". They were stubborn, prideful, and in love with their sinful lives. They exploited and oppressed their neighbors and stole what little the poor had left for their own selfish gain. God said enough and judgment was falling. Like a basket of ripe fruit, they were ripe and ready to be judged for their choices, their actions, and their refusal to submit to God. We have a choice to choose Jesus and be seen as pure and righteous when we stand before God. He already faced the judgment of God for our sins and if we believe in Him, put our faith in Him, and apply His life-saving Blood to our lives, we will enjoy the abundance of God for all eternity.
In Amos 7, Amos receives visions from God of coming plagues of judgment in response to His people choosing to worship sin, evil, and false gods. God is holy and pure and perfect and cannot let sin go unpunished. In His mercy and grace, He sent us Jesus so we can have the option to apply the blood Jesus shed for each of us to our lives and be seen as holy and righteous before our Lord. Amos pleaded and interceded for the lost. We should be praying and interceding for revival and for hearts to turn to God continually. When we repent of sin, receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior and submit to God's divine and perfect powerful authority, our lives change. We look and act different out of our love for God and our desire to honor Him in all we do. Our hearts are circumcised and grafted into the heart of Jesus - our Deliverer - our Savior. Sin is sin and we all have sin we need to repent of and give to Jesus who already died for all of it. We aren't perfect, but we are forgiven, cleansed, and changed into a whole new life - a new person - all because of God's overwhelming love for each and every one of us.
In Amos 6, God brings warning to the indifferent, selfish people who choose comfort and gluttony over God. They live for selfish pleasures rather than the glory of God. God's people had become self-confident, falsely confident, and arrogant. God knows our hearts and sees what and who we love. Complacency is motivated by pride and based on lies. It leads to trusting everything and everyone else but God. God wants to pour out blessings in our lives so they can be used for His glory and the expansion of His Kingdom. Everything we have is from God and He should get credit for it all, and we should steward it all for His Kingdom's glory. True humility is thinking nothing of ourselves and everything about God. Our lives are to be about God and how we can better show the people around us who God is, how great His love is, and ultimately draw people to Him.
In Amos 5, God brings forth a call for repentance. If they refused to repent and turn from sin and false idols, judgment was coming and their sin would be dealt with. God cries out for us to seek Him, seek Life only found in Him. If we refuse, God will let us have our sin and our sin will lead to death and destruction. God leads to Life for all eternity. He desires each and every person to choose Him, to apply the blood of Jesus to our lives, and to live out a life here on earth in active faith founded in the victory of our Lord and Savior. Seek God with all our guts and run away from sin with that same passion. If we mis-step and fall into sin, we are quick to repent and get up to keep running. We don't get stuck there, we run forward with God and keep falling more and more in love with Him. We don't go home with blessings in our baggage. We leave the baggage behind and run faithfully forward in Christ. Love God with everything we got and love the people around us with the love of God.
In Amos 4, God cries out to His children regarding their worship of materialism, luxury, and gluttony. They offer God fake lip service in their ritualistic ceremonies, but their hearts are from from God. They steal and oppress the poor and needy while they bask in the fine luxuries of life and pour out more wine. They refuse to repent and turn back to God in spite of continuous warning. He pours out blessings in our lives so we can faithfully steward them for His glory, not to selfishly indulge and forget all about Him. God is holy and pure and the only judge because He is the only One who can see the heart. He knows our hearts and He knows when worship is sincere or merely a routine lip-service.
In Amos 2 & 3, God gives warning through Amos to Moab and then to Judah and Israel as well. God called again and again for people of all nations to repent and turn to Him. He gives us a lifeboat, but it's up to us to choose to step in. Instead of hearing, listening, and heeding God's call, they refuse. They love their sin and false idol worship more and continually rebel and turn away from God. They were exploiting the poor and killing the innocent. There is no awe of God, no fear of God, and no repentance. God sent us Jesus. He is our lifeboat. We can choose to turn away from evil and sin and jump into His boat and let Him lead us safely and securely for all eternity. We can choose to live in God's love, wisdom, and Spirit and live different and set apart from the sinful world around us. His great mercy and grace should humble us so much that all we want is to worship and serve Him with all our hearts as we continually fall more and more in love with our Lord and Savior - our Messiah.
In Amos 1, God sends another prophet to warn His people of what was coming if they refused to repent and turn to God. His opening warnings are for the surrounding nations who continually oppress, murder, and enslave the people around them - including God's children. Everyone would be accountable for their own sins and had the option to repent and turn to God. God sees and hears and knows all. Sin will be accounted for. If we choose to repent and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are free from sin and bound no longer. We are held safely in our Father's arms. We are soul-safe for all eternity.
In Joel 3, we get a preview of the ultimate coming "Day of the Lord". In the end of the end of the last day, it says in Scripture love will grow cold and apathy will rise both towards love for God and the people He created. It tells us times will get harder before they get better. Scriptures also tell us we do not live in a spirit of fear but out of the victory of our Lord and Savior. Thought times will get harder, God promises those who stand firm in faith and who refuse to waiver, that He will be our refuge. We can hide under His mighty wing and will be held by His strong arms through anything that comes. Jesus is returning and when He does, evil will be destroyed with just the mere breath of Jesus and he will be destroyed by the splendor of His return. Jesus' breath and presence alone will bind the enemy. He will usher in His eternal Kingdom and if we choose Jesus for our lives, we are a part of His family and His Kingdom and His glory - for all eternity.
In Joel 2, Joel moves forward to the coming judgment of the Assyrian army that would invade Israel and Judah and would completely destroy Israel. He cries out to God's people to repent and turn to Him. To return to God. He reminds us God is merciful, compassionate, slow to anger, and filled with unfailing love. He desperately wants every person to call on the name of the Lord, repent, and humble our hearts before Him so we can receive His eternal forgiveness. He doesn't want to lose a single person and everyone who calls on Him with a sincere heart will receive His saving mercy and our lives will be changed for all eternity.
In Joel 1, a plague of locusts devastates the land. 4 stages of locusts come in each taking what the previous left behind until nothing is left. Rather than humbling themselves and repenting before God, His people merely grieve over their desperate situation. God wants us to grieve over our sins, repent, humble ourselves before Him, and trust Him with each and every one of our minutes while on earth. Joel means "the Lord is God" and the God is Lord and He can handle our circumstances. He's been in our tomorrows and we can trust Him through everything and anything we face. He pours out blessings in our lives and we shouldn't take a single one for granted. He is God and He should be first and foremost above anything and everything. Above all, He wants a sincere, honest, and intimate relationship with us.
In Hosea 12-14, God's people continually chase the wind of sin and false idols rather than the eternal security found in God. When judgment falls and time has run out, their false idols can do nothing for them. People beg for God's help in distress but then in their prosperity, they become proud and turn away from God forgetting all about Him. God pleads for people to turn to Him before it's too late. Revive means to bring new life and God desperately wants to pour out forgiveness, mercy, healing, and graceful new lives for all of us. Sin leads to death and Jesus leads to Life for all eternity. We can't clean up without Jesus. We can choose to reject God's love, He leaves it up to us to choose Him. He will love us unconditionally but will grieve over losing us. Salvation only comes by faith in Jesus through humbling ourselves and turning to Christ. He will revive our lives for all eternity if we let Him. God answers our prayers and cares for us. He is "like a tree that is always green" and if we let Him lead our lives, all our fruit will come from Him and it will be very very good - the very best.
In Hosea 10 & 11, God shows His overwhelming love, grace, and mercy for His people. Though judgment falls, those who stand firm and refuse to waiver in faith in God and God alone will be gathered again. When we want nothing but the gifts and refuse the giver and take God for granted, we are choosing to pay the price for our sins ourselves. When we choose to humble ourselves before our Lord and Savior, repent, and turn to Him with all our guts, we are forgiven by the blood of Jesus because He already paid the heavy price for our sins. Jesus is returning and when He does, we will face judgment or His loving gathering depending on the choices we make in our lives today.
In Hosea 8 & 9, God reminds His people that we reap what we sow. His children continually chase the wind and seek after vanity, false idols, sin, and wickedness. Therefore, they would reap the whirlwind. They keep flailing around looking for their next fix, their prosperity, their next alliance, their next gold statue - instead of seeking and humbling themselves before God. He is the only One who can forgive us, cleanse us, restore us, and redeem us. He is all that matters but the more prosperous they became, the more they turned from God. Their carefree days of doing whatever they please are coming to an end as the Assyrian army invades the land bringing forth the harvest of their whirlwind.
In Hosea 6 & 7, God's people cry out to God for help but are not crying out with broken hearts or surrendered wills. They want happiness, but not holiness. They want their circumstances to change but not their character. They treat God like a lifeguard who should rescue them from danger when they call but never deliver them from their sins. They still love their sin more than God and shed tears of remorse over their suffering rather than repentance over their sin. They want God to act on their terms rather than Gods. His gracious hand must permeate our entire being so our hearts, minds, and souls are all devoted to Him. Instead of flailing around like doves, His desire is that we grow into eagles and soar with Him.
In Hosea 4 & 5, we see that sin not only breaks God's heart, it offends His holiness. Until people truly experience the guilt of conviction, they can't fully enjoy the amazing glory of being made new by the blood and sacrifice of our Lord and Savior. It's a heart change. Passion for God instead of passion for this temporary world full of sin and false idols. When you obey God's Word, you walk in the light and don't stumble, but when you reject the Word, you walk in darkness and can't find your way. When we choose sin, God will withdraw and let us sit in our sin and face the consequences in hopes that we will realize sin only brings death and destruction. He desires every person to repent and humbly turn to Him for healing, cleansing, restoration, and redemption. He desires to make each of us whole, but it's up to us to choose His holiness.
In Hosea 2 & 3, Hosea doesn't minimize the holiness of God. God is love and light and in Him there can be no darkness. God is a holy love. When we choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are choosing to submit our lives to Him. We should look different and set apart from the evil world we temporarily reside in. We should not love this world or conform to it. Instead we choose to resist temptation and run from sin. We live differently. If we choose sin instead, God will let us have our sin and we will face the consequences of our sin on our own for eternity. God doesn't want anyone to perish and desperately desires everyone to choose the life of eternity only found in Jesus. His love for us is unconditional but it's up to us to choose His love.
In Hosea 1, Hosea brings forth an "action sermon" of God's unconditional unfailing love. God's people were choosing false idols and sin over God and His unfailing goodness. We face temptation of idols every day in our lives and we can choose to stand firm and worship God and God alone. Hosea and his wife give birth to 3 children whose names mean "God Scatters", "no compassion or pity", and "not My people". God pulls away and lets His children have the sin they are fervently choosing over Him for a time and a season. God's love for us is completely unconditional. Nothing we do can ever separate us from His love. The enjoyment of His love is, however, dependent on our faith and obedience to Him. When His people repent and sincerely turn to Him, their names will change to "God sows", "My people", and "My loved one". God redeems, restores, and cleanses but it's up to us to choose His cleansing, redemption, and restoration for our lives. Then we will fully enjoy His love for all eternity.
In Lamentations 4 & 5, Jeremiah compares the previous Jerusalem to Jerusalem now. He sees the consequence of choosing sin over God firsthand and it breaks his heart. The masterpiece had forgotten the Master and tossed Him aside and now they are just left in pieces. He cries out in prayer to God as he and the faithful remnant that remain cling to our unchanging God who is still on the throne. God delights in His children and longs to forgive us and bless us. It's up to us to cry out to him and repent. Once we do, we have a whole new beginning and a whole new life in Him. It's still not super easy because this is earth, not heaven, but it is a life better than we could ever imagine.
In Lamentations 3, Jeremiah shifts as he calls to his mind the faithfulness, mercy, kindness, restoration, and healing hand of the Lord. This gives him hope. Hope is always found in the Lord. Instead of focusing on circumstances or misery, we can focus on God and His faithful strength and might. No matter what happens around us, God is still on the throne and His kindness, mercy, and grace follow us wherever we go. God reigns. Our circumstances and feelings change constantly, but God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We can keep our eyes, hearts, and minds set on our faithful God knowing He has us and will carry us through whatever we face.
In Lamentations 2, all the blessings that were poured out from God, taken for granted, and now removed are lamented. The spiritual leaders gave people false messages that were not the Word of God and the people believed it. Jeremiah gave the true Word of God and warning to turn from sin and evil and back to God. He was rejected and persecuted along with God's Word of warning and the truth of what was coming. God promises forgiveness and restoration if we are willing to repent and turn to Him. He did then and He does today. We can always trust His promises. In this lament, he cries out to God's people to "Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him in prayer". God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We can always trust God.
In Lamentations 1, Jeremiah cries out to God. His heart is broken for God's people. What breaks the heart of God should break our hearts too and when God's people choose sin over Him, it breaks His heart greatly. God continually cried out for people to turn from sin and rebellion, repent, and turn to Him but they refused and judgment fell. Sin promises freedom but only brings bondage. God does not want us in bondage. He has a plan for each of our lives and desperately wants us to choose Him and His plan. Satan is out to steal, kill, and destroy while God wants to give us life for all eternity.
In Jeremiah 51 & 52, God continues His message for coming judgment on Babylon. Babylon is full of pride and against God and they refuse to repent and turn to God so judgment would fall. Anyone who put their hope in Babylon would be greatly disappointed. It's the same for our world today. Our hope is only to be in our Lord and Savior and He is returning. His Kingdom will reign but the world we know today will pass away. When we put our hope, trust, and faith in our Messiah, we are safe in His arms and are a part of His eternal Kingdom. God has total victory and if we choose Him, we walk in and from His victory all of our days - now and forever.
In Jeremiah 50, God gives Jeremiah a message for judgment against Babylon. Through this chapter, God takes us through two horizons. The current time and place of Jeremiah as well as the coming time of the return of Jesus. Babylon is a nation full of sin and God is dealing with them but Babylon is also a symbol of rebellion against God - the anti-God world system. God will have victory over both as judgment falls. God is everything but idols are nothing but temporary material. When we choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we choose His victory as well and can choose to walk in His victory all the days of our lives - both here on earth and forever in eternity with Him.
In Jeremiah 49, Jeremiah receives messages judgment for the surrounding nations of Ammon, Edom, Damscus, Kedar and Hazor, and Elam. They were all prideful and arrogant nations guilty of great sin including oppression of their people, murder of innocent as well as their very own children, pride, self-confidence, worship of false gods and idols as well as so much more. God gave them time to repent but they refused so judgment fell. When judgment fell, there was nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. God gives us time to repent and turn to him, but when time runs out - we are left with no excuse.
In Jeremiah 48, God speaks of coming judgment to the nation of Moab. Moab trusts in their false god, their wealth, their comfort, and their self-sufficiency to protect them. Their false gods cannot and does not save them when judgment falls. Only the blood of Jesus and submitting our lives to Him will save us from judgement. God weeps at the judgment that falls because the people facing judgment choose to pridefully love and trust in themselves and their false idols instead of God. God does not want to lose a single soul. He loves all of us immeasurably and desperately desires each of us to choose Him. When judgment falls, our material gains, riches, 401 K's, vehicles, mansions, and entertainment will not save us. Only the blood of Jesus has the power to save. All of our trust and faith should be in Jesus and Jesus alone.
In Jeremiah 46 & 47, God gives a message of coming judgment for Egypt and Philistia. Egypt who thought they were so big and mighty was overtaken by Babylon. They refused to turn from sin, evil, and wickedness and paid for that sin when judgment fell. They were ready to fight and confident in victory until the battle began. God showed up and took evil out. God said exactly what would happen and it happened. God's Word stands no matter what. God offers us an opportunity to repent and turn to Him. It's up to us to choose the road we journey down. When the road ends, the destination is determined by that choice.
In Jeremiah 43 - 45, God's children refuse to listen to His Word and call Jeremiah a liar. Everything Jeremiah has told them would come to pass has happened yet they still choose to stubbornly refuse to listen. God is trying to protect His people by calling out to them to turn from false idols and false gods and repent. Turn to God and be saved. Judgment is about to fall on Egypt as God is about to deal with the sins of Egypt. God's people are determined to go to Egypt despite the continuous warnings. God is trying to keep them safe, but they keep refusing God and running to the fire. God will cry out and give warning to all, but it's up to use to choose to run into His arms of safety for all eternity.
In Jeremiah 41 & 42, the governor assigned over the remnant of the land of Jerusalem is murdered and the new leader wants to take them all to Egypt. They ask Jeremiah to pray for God's will and direction and claim they will do whatever God says. God says to stay away from Egypt and promises to protect them and keep them safe if they do. They didn't truly want God's direction though. They wanted God's stamp of approval on their own choices for their lives. Their motives for the prayer were impure. If they would have submitted to God's will, they would have been spared. Judgment was about to fall on Egypt and God was trying to keep them safe. Instead of trusting God's will, they go their own way and will have to face the consequences of that choice.
In Jeremiah 39 & 40, the fall of Jerusalem comes just as God said it would. It wasn't a one day fight. It was a process that happened over time until the city and the Temple was completely taken over by the Babylonians. After warning after warning to turn and repent, all that God said would happen through Jeremiah comes forth because they refuse to turn from sin to God. Jeremiah is shown grace, mercy, and protection just as God promised him. God is faithful to His Word and honors faithfulness in His children.
In Jeremiah 37 & 38, Zedekiah calls for Jeremiah 4 different times and all 4 times Jeremiah gives the same Word from God without wavering. Zedekiah feared people more than God and refuses to listen out of fear of what people may do to him. God gave Zedekiah one last chance to repent and turn to Him but he still refuses and makes excuses. As a result the whole city as well as the Temple is taken over and completely destroyed.
In Jeremiah 35 & 36, God tells Jeremiah to give an example of what obedience looks like. A family who strictly obeys a family tradition will not budge from it out of respect for their family. God's children, however, are warned over and over again to repent and turn to God but they stubbornly refuse. People who want nothing to do with God are loyal to traditions which are temporary. If Christ followers but the kind of discipline and commitment to their spiritual walk that athletes do, our nation would see revival like never before. God brings forth and declares His Word and His plan. It is eternal and cannot be halted or destroyed. We can choose to heed's God's voice or ignore it and go our own way. The eternal consequences of which we choose will follow.
In Jeremiah 33 & 34, Jeremiah is given another message of hope with the coming peace and prosperity of the nation. The message speaks hope for those in exile with Babylon and also to all of us in the hope and promise of our coming Messiah. He speaks of healing, restoration, peace, prosperity, cleansing, forgiveness, joy, glory, and total honor, gratitude, and awe of God across all the nations on earth. This has not happened yet so we know it is coming! Warning after warning is given of the coming wrath and judgment, but for those who stand firm in faith and cling to God with all their guts, the glory of God is coming right around the corner.
In Jeremiah 32, God gives Jeremiah an action sermon. He is told to put his money where his mouth is and buy a piece of the land all who stand firm in faith would be returning to. He is in prison when his cousin visits him and he buys the land investing in the promised future of God. People can imprison God's workers, but they cannot stop God's Word or His will. Faith is obeying in spite of consequence. God is greater and mightier than any one of our earthly problems or circumstances. Nothing is too hard for God. The greater we see God in our lives, the smaller our problems become.
In Jeremiah 31, God gives a message of hope for the exiles. A message of complete and total restoration that is still coming to this day. A day is coming when the faithful remnant will be gathered and Jerusalem will be restored. It will be a day of rejoicing, comfort, peace, unity, and happiness. All people will embrace Jesus. His covenant is written on our hearts, not on stone tablets. It's personal. Jerusalem will be called the "Holy City" and it will truly be holy because Jesus will reign in all His glory.
In Jeremiah 30, God gives Jeremiah a message for God's people who are now in exile. He brings a message of hope, redemption, and restoration. He is not only speaking of the redemption from the current exile of Israel, but also the coming our our Messiah. He says there's going to be times coming that are so hard, it's as if men are trying to give birth. But hold tightly to God, stand firm in faith, and refuse to be shook by the world around us because glory is coming. Jesus is returning. God's people will be gathered from all the nations and will have a life of peace, quiet, healing, and restoration. No one will be able to terrorize us any longer. We will be with Jesus and He will reign as our King and our Priest.
In Jeremiah 28 & 29, Jeremiah is given a Word from God regarding the false prophets telling lies in the name of God who did not send them. They will be judged for their actions against God. Jeremiah writes a letter of hope to the exiles who are now in Babylon. He encourages them to pray for the enemy, stand firm in faith, and trust God. We are called to do the exact same in our lives today.
In Jeremiah 26 & 27, the Temple priests, prophets, and people sentence Jeremiah to death because he keeps warning them of the coming judgment. The false prophets are telling them want they want to hear but Jeremiah is telling them what they need to hear. Jeremiah speaks for himself in the hearing and makes sure they understand he'd rather die being faithful to God than to be unfaithful and live. He was sent by God and was trying to rescue them from judgment if they'd just repent. If they killed him, they would be shedding innocent blood and they'd make their impending judgment even worse. They determine he gets to live and God gives another message telling them if they submit to God's plan, God will keep them safe and they will live.
In Jeremiah 25, God gives Jeremiah 2 messages. One for the Jewish nation of Judah and the other for the Gentiles. He lets the Jewish nation know they will be in for 70 years of exile as God is allowing Babylonia to take them captive. If they submit to God's will and choose God and God alone, they will be rescued and set free from captivity and Jerusalem will be restored. If not, they will face the wrath of judgment. The Gentiles nations will be judged at the end of the 70 years as well if they don't choose to repent and turn to God. He speaks into the 2nd coming of Jesus when we will all face judgment based on our choices. We can choose to jump into the lifesaving boat found in the arms of God through Jesus, or pay for our sins ourselves. Judgment is coming and how judgment looks for each of us is based in what we choose right now.
In Jeremiah 23 & 24, God gives warning to the false prophets proclaiming their own ideas and false confidence as though they were words from God. God will hold them accountable for their sins and for leading His children astray. God shows Jeremiah two baskets of figs. One basket has really good figs while the other has totally rotten disgusting figs. The good figs represent those who have submitted and will be held safe in exile under God. They will be gathered together and return to Jerusalem. Restoration is coming. The bad figs who refuse to repent and turn to God in submission will be discarded. If we choose to follow ourselves and our own desires, we will be held accountable for our sins ourselves as well. If we choose Jesus and a glorious eternity with Him, He has already paid the price for our sins and we are free.
In Jeremiah 22, God gives Jeremiah a message for the kings of Judah. The last 4 kings who reigned before the Babylonian exile were wicked, evil rulers. Jeremiah spoke the truth of their fate and exactly what God told him to say. These 4 kings robbed, exploited, and oppressed the poor, the widows, and the orphans. They murdered innocent people. They worshipped material possessions, false idols, and false gods. They could have repented, turned from evil, and chose God and their coming judgment would have been avoided. They refused and judgment fell. God cries out to each of us to choose Him, repent, and let Him lead and guide our lives into a glorious eternity with Him.
In Jeremiah 20 & 21, the people of God are so disturbed by the truth of the Word of God that they whip Jeremiah and lock him in stocks. Jeremiah is able to speak to the angry mob boldly and confidently through the power and might of God. When alone with God, he is honest with God about his feelings and how hard the mission is. God never promised an easy mission but that He would be with Jeremiah every second of every step. God appreciates our honesty. The tables turn and as God's words of warning start to come true, the people of Jerusalem flock to Jeremiah asking for help. Just like the days of Noah, the people laughed and mocked until the rain came. We are more shocked by the justice of God than His forgiving mercies and blessings. He lets them know those who surrender will be saved. We get the same choice today. Surrender and let Jesus in and you will be saved.
In Jeremiah 18 & 19, God gives an illustration of the potter and the clay. If the clay is soft and willing, God has the power to re-create it. God wants to re-create every heart anew in Him. The choice is ours to let Him mold our hearts. Clay is not beautiful until the hands, thoughts, and plans of the Potter form it. The Potter creates the masterpiece. We have to choose to submit and let Him. If the masterpiece doesn't submit and serve the Master, all that's left is pieces. God can soften hardened hearts, but also knows when a hard heart will no longer allow softening. He desperately wants to pull everyone out of the muddy paths and onto His highway. He is just waiting for us to reach our hand to Him to do so.
In Jeremiah 16 & 17, Judgment for sin and refusal to repent is coming. God's children continually choose everything and anything except God so God will step back and let them have all they are choosing. He will remove His protection and judgment will fall. He still gives hope in the midst of His warnings and assures us there will be people who do choose God. They will be a part of the restoration as they stand firm in faith in God and God alone. They refuse to waiver or be shook and God will honor their faithfulness.
In Jeremiah 14 & 15, a famine has spread over the land due to the continual blatant sin. God's people are in a covenant relationship with God and God is faithful and true to His Word. They chose sin, so they would face the wrath of God and experience the punishment of sin in their lives. God gave them tons of time and warnings to turn to repent and turn back to Him but their time is quickly running out. They are sad they are suffering, but are not repenting. There's a whole lot of complaining, but no heart change. Because they refuse God, God will let them have their sin and the consequences that go with it which includes disease, war, starvation, and exile. Jeremiah's heart breaks for what breaks God's heart and he weeps over Jerusalem and their continual choice to choose sin over God.
In Jeremiah 12 & 13, Jeremiah is growing weary and discouraged. He begins to lose focus on the mission of God. God set Jeremiah apart, not aside. God sets our lives up for impact for His Kingdom if we choose to follow Him. He desperately wants us to be a part of His story. God restores. Jeremiah needed to be strengthened and braced for what was to come, not pampered. God does just that. God doesn't want us to pause in the presence of puddles. We worship a God who splits seas and takes down giants. We can boldly, faithfully, and confidently keep walking forward in faith. God is with us through every second and we can trust Him. He is God.
In Jeremiah 10 & 11, God gives Jeremiah another warning to God's people to turn and repent from their idolatry, worship of false gods and man-made material things, and their wickedness. Everything on earth is temporary and will not last other than the Word of God and the people we take with us our eternal home by spreading that Word to others. God is better than anything around us. There is no comparison. God desperately wants to pour out blessings, abundance, and a life of fullness only found in Him. It doesn't mean it will be an easy life, it means He's with us in it and helps carry the load. The Israelites had a choice to choose God and receive the blessing of possessing and enjoying the promised land or turn from and reject God resulting in curses and destruction. We have the same choice today. We can choose God and receive eternal life or reject God and face eternal destruction.
In Jeremiah 8 & 9, God gives Jeremiah a message to warn the false prophets who are lying to God's people giving them confidence they are "fine" because they are in Jerusalem. Judgment was coming for sin and justice would be pouring out. They had the Scriptures but were not practicing the Scriptures or walking them out in their lives. It's about our hearts, not what we were on Sunday or how many small groups we attend. Jeremiah mourns over the sin and wickedness around him and we should too. What breaks God's heart should break ours. God delights in those who pursue a relationship with Him with all our guts. He desires all of us to chase Him. He desires all of us to receive His outpouring of blessings. It's up to us to choose. It's a matter of the heart.
In Jeremiah 7, God has Jeremiah speak out a huge warning cry in the Temple. The very place the people of Judah think they are safe. He speaks against the false worship, false prophets, false gods and the false confidence in the Temple. The Temple is a place to worship God, bring sacrifices, and be made holy. Instead, the people were making the Temple unholy by bringing in idols and worshipping false gods. Jerusalem was no longer holy, it had been defiled by sin and wickedness. God doesn't want their meaningless sacrifices and heartless rituals. He wants relationship. He wants a heart that's truly after God and God alone. Rituals and routines mean nothing if it's not coming from a heart after God. God desires us to be in relation with Him, not in ritual with Him.
In Jeremiah 6, God gives one more warning of coming judgment. He calls for repentance and a final chance to turn for sin, evil, and wickedness to God. The false confidence they hold thinking they are safe because they are in Jerusalem is about to face the harsh truth of the reality of God's judgment. God is patient and merciful but leaves it up to us to choose Him and chase after Him with all our guts. If we choose sin instead, He will let us have our sin and when judgment falls, it will be too late. God is holy and pure and just and cannot allow blatant sin to go unpunished or He would no longer be holy, pure, and just. We can choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior and be seen as righteous before God. The blood Jesus spilled on the cross and His resurrection cleanses us from our sins, makes us right with God, and assures us of an eternity in His Kingdom. We can choose Jesus and stand firm in faith. We can choose to be a part of the faithful remnant that does not waiver.
In Jeremiah 5, God searches for even one honest and just person, but all have refused to repent. The people had become ungrateful, evil, wicked, and unfaithful to God. They had turned their backs on God and God was about to let them have the evil they desired and chased after so much. Judgment is coming. They were given warning after warning but rejected every Word of warning from God. They were told judgment was coming but they truly didn't care and remained stubbornly rebellious. God cries out "Why don't you tremble in My presence? I, the Lord, define the ocean's sandy shoreline as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross. The waves may toss and roar, but they can never pass the boundaries I set." Rather than living in awe of God and who He is, the refuse and turn away. God ends the chapter with a very question: "But what will you do when the end comes?"
In Jeremiah 3 & 4, God shows Jeremiah the coming destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon. God pleas and cries out for His people to repent and turn to Him. They refuse and continue to chase after idols and worship false gods instead. Assyria had already conquered northern Israel and Judah still doesn't repent. They have false confidence that they are "safe" because they are in Jerusalem and the Temple is there. God looks at our hearts, not where we live or the religious actions we carry out. God desperately wants each of us to choose Him and pursue Him. He desperately wants us to experience His eternal Kingdom instead of eternal judgment but the choice is ours to make.
In Jeremiah 2, God has Jeremiah shout His warnings to His children. He reminds them of all He has done and poured out in blessings in their lives and they still reject Him and turn to worship false idols and false gods. He reminds them God gave them a pure river of Living Waters to drink from but instead they choose the polluted waters of the Nile and Euphrates. When we choose sin and false idols instead of God and His will, "the heavens are shocked" and "shrink back in horror and dismay." The false idols cannot save us, but God can. Jesus specializes in hopeless cases and desperately wants everyone to turn and choose life found only in Him.
In Jeremiah 1, God calls and equips Jeremiah for an extremely difficult mission of warning Israel of coming destruction. He doubts his ability to carry this out, but God gives him the assurance he needs and equips him with God's power and protection. He becomes a radically faithful prophet for God even in the midst of physical dangers and a wickedly evil nation. He trusts God. God will watch over His Word and fulfill it and will protect Jeremiah. Jeremiah chooses the cross over conforming to the crowd and faithfully walks forward with God.
In Ezekiel 46 - 48, God shows Ezekiel the river that will flow right from the Temple and bring healing, restoration and even life to the Dead Sea. The boundaries of the land promised to Israel are outlined as they are finally able to both receive and enjoy the land promised to them by God. God is faithful and His promises do come true. Jesus was rejected when He came to earth the first time, but the 2nd time He comes the reality of truth will be known to all. Even in the midst of chaos when the world around us makes no sense and evil seems to be everywhere, God is still on the throne. If we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our future is safe and secure in in Him. This is all temporary and God will wrap His almighty strong arms around us and carry us through it all until we are safely home with Him where we belong.
In Ezekiel 44 & 45, God shows Ezekiel the distribution of tasks and land among and around the amazing new Temple. God says to store up treasures in heaven. Heaven is our eternal home and when we pursue God with all our guts, everything in us, we can't help but reflect His love and character to those around us. We bring glory to God through our lives and thus expand God's Kingdom as people around us want what we have and choose Jesus too. These things all build our future home. We don't work for salvation. We are saved by faith and faith alone in and through Jesus. Because of our exploding love for Jesus, we want to serve Him and His Kingdom and share His love with those around us.
In Ezekiel 43, God shows Ezekiel that the glory of the Lord will return. He will appear from the east. Jesus will return and the glory of God will be present in this new millennial Temple. Ezekiel again responds by falling face down. The glory of God is so magnificent. The only proper response is humble worship. The law of the Temple is "absolute holiness!". The entire mountain top will be holy. God is holy, holy, holy and His Temple will be as well. There's a lot going on right now in our world and a lot to come. Se can stand firm in faith and trust God through every moment. We know God is here as well as there, we know God will provide, we know God heals, we know God is our peace, we know God is our righteousness, we know God is present, we know God is our banner, and we know God is our shepherd and is returning. No matter what we don't know, we can stand firm on what we do know and continually trust in Him.
In Ezekiel 41 & 42, God continues to show Ezekiel more details about the coming Millennial Temple. This Temple will be like no other. God's Kingdom is like no other. It will be glorious and majestic and amazing and something we cannot even comprehend this side of heaven. God was giving future hope of coming restoration and glory to His people who were currently in exile. In doing so, He also gives us hope of coming restoration and glory as we live as foreigners in a sinful, wicked world.
In Ezekiel 40, God gives Ezekiel a very detailed descripting of a coming Temple. This Temple is like no other. It gives hope of restoration to the exiles and hope for us that there is resolution coming. This Temple will have no ark, no altar of incense, no lampstand, no table of bread, no veil, and no high priest. None of that will be necessary because we'll be with Jesus. He is our eternal High Priest. Evil and wickedness will be dealt with and we'll get to dine with Jesus for eternity.
In Ezekiel 39, God shows Ezekiel how the enemy is completely wiped out and Israel is restored along with all of God's faithful remnants. It will be done. God's glory and greatness will be revealed to all the nations. All will know God is the Sovereign Lord - the One and only true God. God will bring full restoration and celebration forth for His children.
In Ezekiel 38, God tells Ezekiel to let the enemy know God is on it. The enemy may come in and attack Israel for a time, but God would have the victory and victory is coming in a way that ALL the nations would know God is God. He is Who He says He is. We need to join and pray. The prayers of the righteous break the chains of the enemy. We need to pray for ALL the people suffering, being tortured, and treated utterly horrible. There are no words, but there is God. All people are created in His image and He desperately wants everyone to choose Him. To choose salvation. It is our choice and the time is coming for judgment. It's a day closer than it was yesterday. We desperately need to pray in the wait. Pray for salvation to pour out, pray for peace to flow down from the heavens, pray for hatred and division to end. Prayer breaks chains, so let's break them.
In Ezekiel 37, God gives Ezekiel a message to speak to a vast number of bones in a valley. He asks Ezekiel, "Can these bones become living again?" Yes, yes they can. Only God can bring forth life and by the breath of our Almighty God, they come alive. Ezekiel is speaking to Israel after Jerusalem had been destroyed and giving them a promise of hope, restoration, and a future. He even shows them a future where Jesus would reign as King for all eternity and there will be a covenant of peace that can only come from God - future of complete restoration and unity - under God. When we choose Jesus, God gives us His life. His Holy Spirit and He fans the flames within us to desire Him more, to worship Him more, and to encounter Him more. He increases our faith. If there is a loved one who seems "dead" in God, pray, trust God, pray some more. As we intercede in expectant faith, watch God move - watch Him breath life in ways we'd never expect. He is mighty. He is faithful. He breaths life and loves to perform miracle after miracle. He receives all the glory and honor. He is the One and only Life-giver.
In Ezekiel 35 & 36, God gives details and warning that Edom will be dealt with. Evil, wickedness, and hatred will be dealt with. Judgment belongs to God and God alone. He can and will handle it. The land everyone is fighting over belongs to God. It is His land. This is His earth. We are to be good stewards of the land He entrusts us with. God takes it serious when people come against and torture His people and He will handle it. He calls and cries out for us all to repent and choose Jesus. He sent Jesus to die for us and pay the price for our sins so we can be set free from the bondage of sin and receive His righteousness and restoration for all eternity. He is bringing restoration. He is bringing redemption. He is returning and judgment will come with Him. Sin will be dealt with once and for all and all will be restored in Him. Everyone in the universe will know and realize the great name of God, who He is, and that He alone is the Lord Almighty. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess it. What happens after that is determined by our decisions here today.
In Ezekiel 34, God give Ezekiel a message for the leaders. Sin and wickedness will be accounted for and justice is God's. Justice is coming. Stand firm in faith. Jesus is returning and restoration is coming. There's a promise of hope, a promise of redemption, a promise of our Savior. Our Messiah. Jesus. We can choose Jesus and the Life found only in and through Jesus and rest in the arms of God for all eternity in His covenant of peace. Jehovah Shammah - the Lord is there. He is present and we can cling to Him with all our guts.
In Ezekiel 33, we see all the things Ezekiel has warned God's people are happening. God's Word is true. It's not our responsibility to try to prove God wrong, that will fail every time. It's our responsibility to admit we are wrong, repent, and turn away from sin. Sin and wickedness will be dealt with, but we have an opportunity to choose to repent before the time runs out. True repentance is a turning from sin to God. It involves your mind, heart, and will. You change your mind leading to a change in your entire life. God cries out through Ezekiel for all to turn and repent. He takes no pleasure in losing a single person and he desperately longs for all to turn and repent and choose Life found only through Jesus. The leaders of God's people listened to Ezekiel but they didn't hear Ezekiel. They chose to treat him like entertainment rather than the prophet of God he was. They made a choice. We have a choice today too. We can choose to listen and hear God's voice or refuse Him. God cries out for each of us to choose Him, but it is our choice to make.
In Ezekiel 31 & 32, God gives Ezekiel a comparison between Assyria and Egypt. Assyria was a great nation because God made them great. They did not honor God and were proud, arrogant and wicked. God humbled them through the Babylonian army who conquered Assyria. If the Babylonian army can conquer Assyria, it can conquer Egypt as well who is just as prideful, arrogant, and wicked. God humbles the proud and after His judgment falls, peace comes. Jesus is returning with Jesus judgment is coming. The proud will be humbled and sin will be dealt with once and for all. If we choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are safe in His arms and will not be considered an "outcast" by God. Instead we are His sons and daughters and will be welcomed home with great celebration.
In Ezekiel 30, God reveals the destruction of Egypt to Ezekiel during the same timeframe in which it is happening. Ezekiel has no idea. The Babylonian army comes in and destroys Egypt in 605 BC and the Egyptians had twice the army. God's will prevails regardless of our army size. Egypt was a prideful, evil nation against God and was hurting God's people so they were held accountable for those choices by God. He speaks of the "day of the Lord" which speaks to the current situation for Egypt as well as the coming judgment day of Jesus when He returns. He says it will be a day of God's judgment for sin, a day of darkness, a day of doom for nations who have joined to war against and oppose God, a day of desolation, a day when idols and immorality are abundant and will be destroyed by God, and a day when the power of the enemy will be completely broken. God wins. Evil has already been defeated and will be taken out completely on the great day of the Lord. By the mercy and grace of God, those who choose Jesus will be gathered and held safe in the arms of God for all eternity. His desire is that we all choose Him, but He leaves it up to us.
In Ezekiel 29, God gives an oracle of warning to Ezekiel for Egypt. The Nile River was essential to their lives and they had made it like a god. Israel relied on Egypt instead of God for protection. God's people should have turned to God for protection, not Egypt, but Egypt should have also kept their word. Egypt was completely destroyed by the Babylonian army. God's desire is that everyone on earth knows that He alone is God. We don't seem to give God our attention with all the blessings He pours out, but His judgments seem to get our attention rather quickly. God again speaks of hope in the faithful remnant. Those who choose God and are held safe with Him for all eternity. We can choose to be that faithful remnant and put our trust completely in God, not in the things or people around us.
In Ezekiel 28, God brings forth a message for the King of Tyre. He has been operating out of evil, wickedness, idolatry, pride, and arrogance. God doesn't put up with that and judgment is coming. The king of Tyre thinks he is a god, but he will find out quickly he is a mere man. When we fall into comparison, desire for materialism, wealth, and pride we are dancing with the devil. God shows Ezekiel how pride caused Satan to fall from the heavens. Pride comes before the fall. God created us all good but good has potential for evil, otherwise it would just "be". It is important to choose Jesus every moment of every day, be quick to repent when we blow it, and chase after God with everything we got. When we put God first in all we do, God will honor that. We may blow it from time to time, but God knows our hearts. He knows our intentions. He knows true and genuine faith.
In Ezekiel 27, God gives Ezekiel a funeral song - a song of coming destruction - for the nation of Tyre. Tyre was an extremely successful merchant nation and was the center of trade and prosperity for several nations around them. Tyre was admired and focused entirely on pride and wealth. God was not a part of the nation at all. Very quickly that pride is humbled and admiration turns to desolation as the Babylonian army comes and takes over the nation. No matter how rich and beautiful a nation or individual is, when God moves to humble the proud, nothing can stop His mighty hand. God blesses us and our lives when we remain humble before Him. When we give glory, praise, and honor to all that God pours out in our lives, He will honor that in us. Everything we have in life is from God, it is all God's to be used to expand His Kingdom. How we steward the resources He pours out for us makes all the difference in every way.
In Ezekiel 25 & 26, God warns of coming judgment to the surrounding nations of Israel. The nations persecuting Israel will feel the hand of God as they face the punishment of their wickedness. They worship false idols, false gods, materialism, wealth, and are full of pride. On top of all that, they persecute God's people. God's not okay with any of that. God shows us all who He is if we pay attention. He is God. He is love, and He is just. We can choose Jesus and receive the outpouring of His love and forgiveness and when judgment comes, we will be seen as righteous before God. Our sins are already dealt with and gone when we choose Jesus. Out of His great love for us, He shed His blood for us. We are free to be fully loved, fully forgiven, and fully redeemed. It's up to us to make the eternal choice.
In Ezekiel 24, God gives Ezekiel a message to give one last warning of the coming destruction of Jerusalem. The people who have not yet been taken into exile are living in false confidence that they are safe and "better" than the others who had already been taken. God turns that around quite fast. He lets them know total destruction is coming because of their evil wickedness. Ezekiel has been a faithful, radical prophet and servant for God so he could declare God's Word. They just refuse to listen. Jesus is returning and judgment is coming. It's up to us to choose to listen and hear His Words.
In Ezekiel 23, God warns of coming destruction for Jerusalem and explains why this judgment is coming and why it is just. Judah forgot God. They compromised. They lusted after false gods and nations around them. They treated people with all out injustice and depended on nations around them for help instead of God. They fell in to complete unbelief. They worshipped idols and killed innocent people - even their own children. God said enough. It was time for judgment. Rather than turning to God in repentance, they turn more and more to the culture and practices of the world around them. They would be punished for their sins such as spiritual, political, and social adultery and for shedding innocent blood. They made a choice and would now face the consequences of the choice they've made. We have a choice today as well. We can choose Jesus. We can choose Life for all eternity. We can choose forgiveness and freedom from sin. One way or another sin will be accounted for, it's up to us to choose how it will be - through us ourselves, or through Jesus.
In Ezekiel 22, God has Ezekiel deliver a message against Jerusalem to the leaders- princes, priests, prophets - as well as the people of the land. Judgment is here. God is going to destroy His city and the Temple. His people continue to choose and love sin and refuse to turn back to God, even as He waited and warned again and again so patiently - time has run out. Idolatry, injustice, and abuse of power is everywhere. They have forgotten and disregarded God and have become their own selfish gods instead. Everything they've gained through abuse and wickedness is about to come to an end as judgment arrives. God seeks out an intercessor to stand in the gap for the sinful but finds not a one. He extends His own arm and sends Jesus to intercede. He does it Himself. He offers us salvation. The only answer to our sin problem and the consequences of sin is Yahweh. Jesus. He sent us the Answer. He Himself became the Answer. We just have to choose Him and be saved for eternity.
In Ezekiel 21, God tells Ezekiel to warn again of coming judgment. God's chosen people refuse to turn from their sin. They refuse to turn to God and stop worshiping false idols. God warns that time is running out. God's people are blatantly choosing sin and loving sin instead of God. God is going to let them have the sin they are choosing and let them experience it to the fullest. God will not force us to choose Him. He calls out to us. He cries out to us. He pursues us. But He will not force us. The choice is ours to make. Warning after warning is ignored. God's cries or pursuit are ignored. We can choose Jesus every day for our own lives. God does not want to lose a single soul. The decision is ours.
In Ezekiel 19 & 20, God again gives repeated warning. To say they were warned plenty before judgment arrived would be an understatement. He tells them judgment is coming. Sin will have to be paid for and God's wrath against sin and evil will come. Those who choose God. Those who repent and turn from sin and evil. Those who choose Jesus as their Lord and Savior. God will save. God's faithful remnant stood firm and out of that remnant came our Lord and Savior Jesus. Our Messiah. Soon, our Lord and Savior - our Messiah - Jesus, is coming again. The faithful remnant who still stands firm on God's Word and the blood of Jesus will be seen as righteous and will enter into His Kingdom for all eternity.
In Ezekiel 17 & 18, God shifts from national punishment to individual sin. We choose our lives. We can't control what our parents or grandparents do, but we can control our responses to it and our choices and decisions for our own lives. We can break the sin cycle. We can learn new things, make better choices, and become who we want to be. We can choose Jesus and be set free from sin for all eternity. God looks at our hearts and sees who we are. We cannot get to heaven based on our parents faith. We have to choose Jesus for ourselves. It's not based on being baptized at 3 months old. It's choosing Jesus as your life, believing God, and knowing that He's with you and has you for all eternity if you do. God cries out to His people and warns that we will all be judged. He pursues us and desires above all else that we repent and turn from our sins to Jesus so they don't destroy us. He does not want a single soul to die. He repeated cries out to everyone to "turn back and live".
In Ezekiel 15 & 16, God compares Israel to a useless vine, a prostitute and an adulterous wife. After repeated warning, they refuse to repent and turn to God. They refuse to lay down their idols and stop worshipping false gods. They are even sacrificing their own children to these gods. God reminds His people of how much He loves us, adorns us, delights in us, wants to hold us, comfort us and protect us. He gives us free will and free choice and desires us to choose Him more than anything; however, it is ultimately our choice. As it was Israel's choice. He warns again of the coming judgment, final exile, and destruction of Jerusalem. He concludes with a promise of restoration and hope. An eternal covenant would be coming. God hasn't forgotten or changed His mind about His people and He never will. God gives us atonement, forgiveness, and freedom from our sins if we choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior. If we choose Christ, we never have to worry about God's judgment or wrath. The eternal robe of the blood of Jesus is wrapped around us for all eternity because He is that passionate about us and loves us that much.
In Ezekiel 14, God has Ezekiel call out the leaders of Israel who are prophesying falsely, worshipping false idols, and embracing things that cause them to fall into sin. They are trying to "fake it till they make it", but you cannot fake it with God. You won't make it. God sees the heart. He's after our hearts. We need to be living how we talk each day. There's no time to "play" church. Anything we do for our own glory, instead of God's is an idol and needs to be checked at the cross. He reminds us that we cannot try to save anyone else by our own righteousness. Even Noah, Daniel, and Job couldn't have done that. Every person is responsible for their own choices, their own hearts, and their own repentance and sincere choosing of Jesus in their lives.
In Ezekiel 13, God gives warning to false prophets and people to mislead God's people into thinking they are "fine" and that nothing will happen in their lifetime anyways so they may as well keep worshipping false idols, keep drinking, and keep trucking along as they are. God reminds them of Who He Is. He again lets them know judgment is coming and sin and evil will be dealt with. False prophets will be dealt with. People who try to ensnare the souls of God's people with deviation and magic will be dealt with. God takes our souls serious and He desperately desires every soul to believe in Jesus and return home with Him. Jesus is returning. The whole world will know God is Sovereign and He is Lord. We get to choose whether will be on His side or not.
In Ezekiel 12, God has Ezekiel actually act out the vision God gives him. It is the vision of the exile of the remaining Israelites and the destruction of Jerusalem. Ezekiel is radically obedient and does everything God asks. There are times obedience may be at the cost of yourself, your life, or your belongings so someone else will understand the Word of the Lord. We are called to radical obedience. They dismiss all the warnings and illustrations and don't believe any of it will happen in their lifetime. They have false confidence in thinking it won't happen. God says, "no more delays." It did happen and there were no more delays. Time was up. Jesus, is also coming again and it will happen. There are scoffers today just as 2 Peter 3:3-4 says but God says in Ezekiel, "If I say it, it will happen." He calls us to be ready, the time is coming.
In Ezekiel 11, Israel's leaders are met with judgment. They tell people not to worry, that they are "safe" inside the city. Even after warning and warning from God through Ezekiel. God calls them out and says no, you are not safe. They have not repented and turned back to God. They don't believe any of this will happen in their lifetime. There is a faithful remnant who stands firm and will not be shook by the world around them. They are safe. They may be scattered for now, but God will gather them back. They have singleness of heart and a new Spirit within them. They love God so much, they cannot help but obey Him. They are indeed safe in His arms no matter what the world around may look like. We can choose to be that faithful remnant. We can choose life, love, forgiveness, and eternity with our faithful God.
In Ezekiel 10, God's glory leaves the Temple. His people have brought sin and false idols into the Temple. They are putting themselves and all their "things", and false gods above and before God. And they've brought that into the very place God resides so that He can be near and dwell with His people. God cannot reside where sin resides. Sin cannot reside where God resides. He gave His people tons of warnings and pleadings to repent and turn back to God, but they refuse. They love their sin more than God. God gives us choices. He desperately wants to reside with us in all our moments of all our days, but it's up to us to choose Him in our lives daily. Judgment is now coming and God's glory and presence has left. There will be a faithful remnant that stands firm and clings to God with all they've got and God is with them, keeping them safe through it all.
In Ezekiel 8 & 9, Ezekiel again sees Jesus and the glory of God. God shows him the evil going on inside the Temple. The very place God was residing with His people, the very place God's people were to worship Him - the One and only true God - this very place was riddled with false idols and pagan worship. The leaders even turned their back to the sanctuary and worshipped the sun instead. They have been given warning after warning and God says enough - the time has come. He removes His presence from the Temple which is now filled with detestable sin and God's judgment comes forth. A faithful, repentant remnant who cries out to God and mourns the sin around them are saved. He places His mark of salvation on them and they are not touched. Jesus is returning and sin will be dealt with. Judgment is coming. If we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we too are marked. We are marked with the blood of Jesus and safe for all eternity.
In Ezekiel 6 & 7, God warns of the coming judgment. They are currently in Babylonian exile and he says to get comfortable because it will be a while since they refuse to repent and turn from false idols and sin in their lives. He is going to wipe out all the idols and all the people will know God is the one true God. There will be a faithful remnant that repents and mourns for the sins of the people. There will be no where to turn to escape the judgment of God, but the faithful remnant will be saved. They will remain secure in the folds of His inner robe, safe in His arms for all eternity.
In Ezekiel 4 & 5, Ezekiel is called to bring a visual demonstration of what is coming for God's people because they refuse to repent and turn to God rather than their false idols and selfish indulgences. God gives a warning that 1/3 of His people will die in a fire, famine, and disease. One third will die by the sword of the Babylonians. And 1/3 will be scattered. Out of the scattered, a few will stand faithful to God and not be shook from submissive obedience and trust in God and God alone no matter what they face on earth. The faithful remnant will be tucked into the inner garments of the robe of God and He will keep them safe. We too can choose to stand firm and not be shaken by the world or the evil around us. We can choose to submit, repent, and remain faithful to God no matter what. We can choose to be held tight and close as God keeps us safe in the inner folds of His robe for all eternity.
In Ezekiel 2 & 3, Ezekiel receives a divine assignment from God. He experienced God's presence and now it's time for the calling. He is told he is to bring God's message regardless if they listen. God knows they are stubborn and rebellious, but still wants them to have an opportunity to hear the truth and repent. If they chose to listen and repent, they could have escaped exile sooner but they refused God as well as His blessings. If he brings the message and they refuse to listen, it's on them. If Ezekiel does not obey and bring forth the message, then it's on Ezekiel. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and experience the glory of God as we spend time with Him and His Word, allowing Him to transform us, we are commissioned to spread His Gospel - His Word - His message to those around us. It's up to everyone to choose God and God wants everyone to have the opportunity to do so. We can either be the missionary or the mission. We can be an obedient servant of God or a rebellious person who never wants to hear the truth. The choice is always ours.
In Ezekiel 1, Ezekiel is a priest and prophet who has been in Babylonian exile with his fellow Israelites about 5 years when he receives the vision and call of God on his life to be God's messenger for His people. God gives him a vision of His glory and it shows up in a flashing of light. He sees 4 magnificent living beings who quickly carry out all that God commands. They are covered with eyes and have wheels of judgment. They sound like waves crashing against the shore or the shouting of a mighty army when they fly. He sees Jesus on a throne who was like gleaming amber, flickering like fire, from the waist up. From His waist down, He looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor. All around Him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. He responds to God's glory by falling face down on the ground. Ezekiel is being called by God and is seeing God's glory firsthand. He is called to release God's Word no matter how hard it is. We are called and commissioned to spread God's Word as well and submissively fall down to Him - giving Him all our worship and praise as we wait for His return. It is the only response to His amazing glory and the only thing that truly matters.
In Isaiah 65 & 66, God says He has been ready to respond but no one was asking for help and ready to be found but no one was looking for Him. He is crying out "Here I am, Here I am" just waiting for each and every one of us to seek Him and ask Him into all the moments of our lives. He opens His arms to us in our rebellion and He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us when we were rebellious enemies of God. He loves each of us that much. He makes Himself available to us, we just have to choose to look up and see Him, hear Him, and submissively listen to Him. No matter what, He says to not let anything shake us from our faith in Him. We can choose to stand firm in our faith and not be shaken by anything in this very temporary world. Eternity is coming no matter what and Hell is very real. A new heaven and new earth will be restored and everyone will see God's presence and power. The wrath of God and judgment is coming. The faithful remnant will experience the amazing glory and goodness of God and those who rebel and refuse to turn to God in repentance will experience His wrath. God is a consuming fire. We can choose to be on the side that experiences His wrath or the side that worships Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. We can choose Jesus. We can choose life. We can choose forgiveness, mercy, grace, restoration, righteousness, and glory. God is right here with His arms open, saying "I am here, I am here!"
In Isaiah 63 & 64, God tells us He is coming to save us. He is the only One who has the power to save. His love is unfailing and eternal. Jesus did come and He came to save us all from our selves - from our sins. He died and rose from the grave so we could choose Him as our Lord and Savior and receive His gift of salvation for all eternity. Death cannot hold life down and Jesus is life. He sent us an option for rescue. He sent us an option to be forgiven, redeemed, and restored to righteousness for all eternity. He wants to carry us through the valleys and struggles of life. Life is hard, but it's even harder without Jesus. He is coming again. He is returning and when He does, He will burst form the heavens, the mountains will quake, and the nations will tremble.
In Isaiah 62, we see the certainty of God and His desire for all nations - every person - to see and experience God's righteousness and glory. He wants every one of us to repent, accept Jesus as our Lord, experience freedom from the bondage and consequences of sin. He tells us to not stop praying for each other until every last one of us has "salvation that blazes like a burning torch." Every person who turns to Christ is no longer seen as forsaken or desolate. God rejoices over each and every one of us when we choose Him over the sin and evil of the world we currently reside in. We are in exile. We can choose to be a part of the faithful remnant that stands firm in our faith no matter what. He commissions us to spread the Good News and prepare the highway for His return. Praise the Lord we have freedom, peace, love, and joy like we've never experienced. We just have to passionately cling to Him with all we got through the exile.
In Isaiah 60 & 60, God tells us yes, we are sinful - very sinful, but God. God has us covered. God sent us Jesus. If we choose to submit ourselves and let God pick us up, and cling to Him like our life depends on it - because it does - a day is coming when our eyes will shine and our hearts will thrill with joy. We will experience God's mercy and grace, His peace and righteousness, and His amazing glory like nothing we could imagine. There is a day coming when there will be no more war, no more violence, no more sadness, no more darkness, and no more sin. At the right time, God will make it happen and Jesus will return. Jesus came and died on the cross for us. He is our Salvation and set's us free from sin and eternal death and torment. Our part in it is to repent, submit our lives to Him, and let Him heal, restore, cleans, redeem and bless us in ways we never thought possible. We simply choose life - He does all the rest. Jesus came to reconcile all of us back to God if we'll so choose it. He desperately wants to dress each of us with His clothing of Salvation, His robe of Righteousness, and overwhelm us with joy in Him.
In Isaiah 58 & 59, God lets us know what He thinks of false worship and pretend fasting. God looks at the motivation behind our actions. He looks at our hearts. He wants real and true worship just because we love Him. He is God. He deserves our worship. He is seeking submissive salvation, true hearts after God who reflect His character, His values, His heart, and His desires. We need to always be ready to worship in ways we aren't used to and be ready for more because God continually wants to pour out and show us more of Him. He reminds us He is strong enough to save us and hears our calls. Sin and evil may be piling up around us, but we can choose Jesus. We can choose His righteousness, His salvation, and His passion. He is returning and His vengeance and judgment are coming. When we submissively accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He will never leave us and we will be safe in His righteousness. His Word is true and eternal and His promises never fail. When we choose Jesus' team, we are safe for all eternity and get to experience life to the fullest on earth and forever after.
In Isaiah 56 & 57, God's people are encouraged to get ready, watch, prepare, and worship in anticipation of Jesus. Jesus came, died, and rose again to free all of us from sin and condemnation. Condemnation and judgment is coming but if we choose to accept Jesus and His gift of salvation and let Him be Lord over our lives, we are free from it all. We are safe in the strong and mighty hands of God. God says in these verses that yes, Israel are his first chosen people, but all people - everyone - is included in this offer of salvation. A third Temple will be built and "it will be called a house of prayer for all nations." Jesus wants everyone to know how much He loves us. Every single one. Every nation. Every person. All. He will "restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts." God sent a rescue mission - He sent us Jesus. Jesus is returning and all those who love Him with all their hearts, souls, and minds will receive abundant peace for all eternity.
In Isaiah 54 & 55, God gives an offer of freedom from sin, shame, and disgrace. how we respond is up to us. He desires for every last one to choose life, choose love, and choose eternity with Him. But it is still up to us. He gives an invitation to "come" with our ears wide open and pleads with us to listen so we find everlasting life and unfailing love. He asks us to "seek" Him while there's still time. Jesus came to earth and died so we could have freedom from sin and sin's consequences and He's coming again. God forgives generously. He's just waiting for each and every one of us to answer His invitation and call to come and seek Him for all eternity.
In Isaiah 52 & 53, God lets His people know freedom will come. Hope will come. Deliverance will come. Jesus does come. Jesus was crushed and took all our sin - all our stuff - so we could have life and live in eternity with Him. He died so we could be free from our past sins and run in freedom with God for all of our days. He says "rise from the dust" - don't stay there - get up and be free. He says "put on your beautiful clothes" - don't keep the tattered and worn out clothes on from exile. Put on your new clothes that God gives and be prepared for a new season, a new life, and a new freedom - celebrate! God redeemed us from our sins through Jesus free of charge. We do nothing to deserve it because He loves us that much. God desperately desires us to set ourselves aside and awaken from our sins and drunkenness. He says that is not you anymore. He says we are to cloth ourselves in His strength, His honor, and His dignity. He was crushed so we could be free and He tells us to wake up, walk in His freedom and tell everyone around you they can be free too. He ways to wake up and prepare the way, be ready, because He is returning.
In Isaiah 50 & 51, God shows how the promise of hope will be fulfilled. It is fulfilled on the cross. It is fulfilled when our Messiah didn't turn away from His call and purpose. It is fulfilled when our amazing God offered His back to those who beat Him and His cheeks to those who pulled out His beard. It is fulfilled when He set His face like a stone and determined that no matter what God's will is coming forth. And it did. And He did. And it still is. And He's returning. He asks the question - Who will you serve and fear? Will you serve yourself and fear feeble humans? Or will you serve the almighty, eternally invincible comforting and powerful one and only God and fear anything that may potentially separate you from Him. We need to make this choice each morning and every day so we can stand firm in our faith and not waiver for a single second of our lives.
In Isaiah 49, God's faithful Servant, our Messiah - is spoken of through Isaiah. Emmanuel, God with us, is fulfilled through Jesus. He is our hope, our redeemer, our salvation, and our restoration. He is everything. God is with us every moment of every day of our lives when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. He gives us the Holy Spirit and never leaves us. He cannot forget us because God says so. God says our name is written on the palm of His hands. Judgment is coming and sin and evil will be dealt with, but when we choose Jesus, we are held save in God's hands for all eternity. He fights for us, comforts us, pours out His grace and mercy and His love never fails.
In Isaiah 47 & 48, Isaiah prophesies about the fall of Babylon. They refuse to turn from trusting in false idols, false gods, magic, and astrology so they will endure God's judgment and wrath. Those who repent and turn to Jesus will be free from the captivity of sin and seen as righteous before God but those who do not and refuse to turn from wickedness will have no peace. God does not share his glory with false gods or idols. He expresses His love for Cyrus and the call on his life before he was even born. Cyrus is the one He calls and raises up to set Israel free and put an end to Babylon's empire. Cyrus was not from Israel or Jewish. He was a Persian. God loves all people. Everyone is included. More than anything, God desires all His people to turn from wickedness and sin and experience His love and life to the fullest in relationship with Him. Every single one.
In Isaiah 45 & 46, God speaks of reformation and restoration after exile and speaks of Cyrus by name as the one who will free His people from exile. God has a plan - even if things aren't fully in place yet - and He will bring it forth. He knows all our tomorrows and wants us to trust Him with our lives. He wants relationship with us and wants us to know He is God. He is in control. We can trust Him. He does not change His mind about who we are and who He made us to be and what He wants to do through our lives if we'll choose to allow Him. We don't command God, He commands all. We don't carry God, He carries His people. He is God. He calls us to pay attention, let Him lead, and trust Him.
In Isaiah 44, God calls out the ignorance and foolishness of worshiping false gods and idols in our lives. God reminds us of who He is, that He created us, cares for us, and will be there with us through every step of everything we face, and that He is the only Rock - He is our Rock. We don't have to be afraid because God has us. He is our Redeemer. He speaks about a shepherd He will send to help the Israelites out of exile - a shepherd named Cyrus. Cyrus won't be born for almost 200 years but God knows His name and the plans He has for his life. He does show up and does exactly what God said He would do. He issued a decree to allow the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuilt it. If God says He has a plan, He means it and He'll do it. His Word is breathed out by Him for us and it is credible. Even if things aren't in place yet, God has a plan. We can trust Him. He created each of us and He has a plan for each of our lives as well. We are called to submit to Him, let Him lead us in His will, and let Him blow our minds and hearts out of the waters with what He does in our lives. God is amazing and wonderful and He desperately loves us for all eternity.
In Isaiah 43, Assyria passed through but Babylon is still coming. God reminds His people to remain faithful and trust Him when they face anything - deep waters, rivers of difficulty, fires of oppression. He lets us know that if we remain and abide in Him with all our hearts, we will not be consumed or burned up. He will take care of us and help carry us through the storms. He is our Savior, Redeemer, Restorer, and we are precious to Him. He loves us and will never leave us. He is God. He is Everything. We can trust Him with our lives and souls for all eternity. He holds us strongly in His mighty hands and will not let go. When we trust in Jesus, He will blot out our sins forever and will never think of them again. When we repent of our sins, we are forgiven from them for all eternity so leave any and all baggage at the cross. It isn't ours any longer. We are free.
In Isaiah 42, God tells Isaiah to tell His people that a Savior is coming. The coming of Jesus - our Messiah - is prophesied years before He comes and everything prophesied comes forth in the exact detail that God says it will through Isaiah. God will never stop pursuing us and will never give up on us. God laid the foundation and set everything up and it all points to Jesus. He gave us a Rescuer because He couldn't bear to watch us die in our sins. Jesus is God's glory, God's Light, and God's plan to save us all from ourselves. Punishment and judgment are coming but if we choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we will be set free. Jesus intercedes, fights for us, and will deliver us. He faced all the thorns of our sins and gained the crown. He places us in a place we can never fully imagine. He's not done with Israel and He's not done with us. Because of Jesus we are righteous before God and we can trust Him with all of our days.
In Isaiah 41, God speaks through Isaiah assuring His children, His faithful remnant, that He will help them through the exile. He will rescue His children. He challenges the false idols that His children choose to chase after as they double down on idol production in preparation for what's coming rather than looking to God for strength and protection. The world can only provide what it knows and if it doesn't know God, it's completely useless. God knows the future and loves us beyond comprehension. Idols in our lives do not. Idols are worthless while God is victorious. We can trust God with everything we've got and lean on Him through every turbulent valley. He is the First and the Last and He is God.
In Isaiah 40, Isaiah brings a message from God of hope. The Babylonian exile is still about 100 years out and he speaks as though they have already been rescued, set free, restored, and redeemed. He gives a hope of a coming New Jerusalem. He foresees John the Baptist coming to prepare the way for our Messiah. He gives the key to hope which is trusting in the One and only God who carries us through the valleys and exiles and brings us to redemption and restoration. God wants to deliver His people. He sent us Jesus. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are free from sin and bondage. We have been rescued, set free, restored, and redeemed for all eternity. The key once you trust God is to continue to trust God. We can rely on Him for strength to get through the valleys, to continue to run for Him and not get weary, and to walk each step for His glory and not grow faint. Jesus is coming back and we can radically prepare the way for His return.
In Isaiah 38 - 39, Hezekiah becomes terminally ill and he cries out to God and prays for mercy. God hears his prayer and saw his tears and answered him with 15 more years. Prayer works y'all! Hezekiah praises God and gives Him all the glory and honor in a heartfelt poem of praise. He is so excited, he ends up showing the Babylonians the back door to Jerusalem and everything Jerusalem has stored up, including their weapons. He got caught up in the moment of feeling free and safe and lost his head a bit. We are left with a warning that Babylon was coming as repentance still has not come from God's people. If we invite the enemy in, the enemy will march over us and steal, kill, and destroy. It's what he does. If we repent and cry out to God, He listens. He hears our cries and sees our tears. He moves and He acts on our behalf. He fights our battles, adds to our lives, and carries through anything and everything for all eternity.
In Isaiah 36 & 37, Hezekiah is faced with national threats and in response he humbly goes to God and cries out for help. God hears his cry and steps in by taking out the attacking Assyrians. God shows what happens when His people trust in Him. When we feel surrounded we can choose to stand firm in faith, seek God, cry out to Him and trust that He is moving on our behalf. God intervenes. He is God and has us covered.
In Isaiah 34 & 35, Isaiah once again ties what they are facing soon with the coming Assyrian and Babylonian battles but he also speaks of the coming worldwide judgment that involved all the nations - the whole universe. The day is coming when God is going to deal with and destroy sin and evil head-on. God brings justice and it is deserved as people continually turn their backs on God. The land will become empty and desolate and we will walk through some very difficult times ahead. It will not be easy. God warns us to be ready and to encourage each other to stand firm in faith and trust in God. Deliverance is coming. Redemption is coming. Restoration is coming. Barrenness and desolation will turn to fruitfulness and fullness. He says to continue to endure - don't let go. We can faithfully keep looking to God because we know He has our backs. His promises are true and eternal.
In Isaiah 31-33, Isaiah concludes his oracles and warnings of coming woe for not repenting and turning from sin to God and for not faithfully trusting in God. God calls for His people to pay attention to Him and stop being complacent. He calls for obedient faith. He gives hope that the day will come when evil is done and over as His faithful remnant stand firm in confident and expectant prayer. God reiterates His authority and makes it clear that He will be exalted and everyone on earth will know who God is. God lets His people know He will provide for us and He longs for us to live righteously. He will protect us and carry us through the valleys we face. Jesus is coming again and He will be victorious and bring eternal peace and restoration when He does. We are called to faithfully stand firm while we wait and spread the amazing news of His salvation, glory, and awe to everyone around us as we do.
In Isaiah 29 & 30, Isaiah brings another warning of what's to come for Jerusalem and Judah. He once again so eloquently ties in the now of his time with the not yet. Jerusalem doesn't repent after Assyria comes through and continues to rely on false alliances with Egypt and things they make on their own rather than God. They continue to revel in their sin rather than repent. He speaks of the tribulations times and the final battle and victory. He speaks of peace, joy, and the awe of God returning for His children. Everything they thought was protected by their own accord is brought down. Restlessness and fear can so easily creep in and cause us to take matters into our own hands rather than faithfully waiting and trusting in God, His strength, and His plan. At the sound of our cries, God answers and He promises a day is coming very soon when we'll never cry again.
In Isaiah 27 & 28, further hope is given. Sin will be destroyed. Evil will be dealt with. God is all about 2nd chances and gives an "out" for those opposed to God. He says it's not too late to turn to Him and accept the saving grace Jesus offers. Jesus is returning and when He does, He will deal with evil and gather His people to Him. When? Yes. Isaiah again speaks of woe - this time to Samaria. Rather than putting hope and trust in political alliances that will fall, we need to keep our hope set on God. Rather than putting hope into the things we gather up around us to feel "safe", we need to keep our hope and trust set on God. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are His and we can stand firm in faith and know that He has us. When we face suffering and valleys, we can confidently lean on God and say - He's got me.
In Isaiah 25 & 26, judgment comes and those who stand firm in their faith in God give thanks and praise to Him for it. God will bring humility to the proud. Ruthless evil may not believe God or acknowledge Him but the day is coming when God will be feared. God will provide refuge and strength to His faithful remnant and though it will not be easy, His strength will carry us through as we passionately cling to Him with all we got. His remnant that stands firm in faith through the end will be greeted with the most glorious celebration party of all time. We wait and trust in Him in expectant faith. We endure and hold tight knowing He's with us in every moment. We live each day like He's coming today because it really could be any time and we are warned again and again to watch and be ready. So we faithfully watch as we sing out in praise to God through all the highs and lows. We are faithfully standing without wavering. We are ready.
In Isaiah 23 & 24, we have the final oracle of judgment to the nation of Tyre which ends the national oracles. Then we see prophesy of coming worldwide judgment as well as hope once again - deliverance. In the midst of worldwide desolation, a remnant will remain strong and will sing praises to God through it all. They will stand firm in faith and give glory to God in praise. The whole earth will shake and there will be no where to flee, but God will win the final battle and will reign for all eternity. Jesus, our Life - our Light, will rule over the cosmos and those who choose Him, will live forever with Him and all His glory. God wins and we are His children, safe in His arms, if we choose Him.
In Isaiah 20-22, Isaiah brought forth God's messages naked and barefoot for three years because God wanted to prove a point. Isaiah, being the radical - fully transformed and sold out to God - prophet that he is, did exactly what God wanted and the point was made. The oracles of judgment are still being spoken to the surrounding nations and this time, it's Jerusalem's turn. Isaiah is heartbroken and weeps. Sin and rejection of God should bring us to tears. He sees the spiritual demise of the situation and it breaks his heart. What breaks the heart of Jesus should break our hearts too. Instead of repenting, they are partying. Instead of trusting in God, they are putting their trust in what they build and store up themselves. They have a "live for today and let tomorrow bring what it will" mentality. That should break our hearts today too. This still happens. God foreshadows hope through Isaiah once again through a key to the house of David. Jesus is the key. He is central to it all. Jesus holds the most incredible key of all time and all we have to do is repent and turn to Him to receive it.
In Isaiah 18 & 19, the oracles of judgment are spoken regarding Ethiopia and Egypt. God is cleaning up the evil and judgment will come for how they have treated His children. He once again gracefully ties the now into the not yet. We are told a time is coming when there will be peace, unity, and worship throughout the earth. A Kingdom is coming like no other. Sin and evil will not be present. There will be no more alienation or separation. God will reign and Jesus is our eternal King. Once again in the midst of warning and coming judgment, we have promises of hope. We can stand firm in faith and cling to God through the hard times and He will carry us through. He'll carry us to blessings for all eternity.
In Isaiah 15-17, the oracles of judgment are spoken regarding Moab, Damascus, and northern Israel. God tells Moab that all their prosperity will be stripped away as well as a whole lot of hardship for a season. He again gives that glimmer of coming hope. It will not be forever. There is a Savior coming. He will rule with mercy and truth. In the judgment against Damascus and Israel, Isaiah lets them know not much will remain. Only a small remnant. He answers the question of why - because they have turned from the God who can save them. They have forgotten the Rock who can hide them. We once again are shown the glimmer of hope. There will be a few who stand firm in the faith. They will look to their Creator. They will turn their eyes to the Holy One. They will be saved and out of that remnant, our Messiah - Jesus will come. He will save us once and for all if we choose Him. God saw the horrors of where His children were headed and said - no, let it be Me. He has the power to do just that and actually did it - He let it be Him. He sent Jesus to die so we can choose life. We can stay eternally safe and be a part of the remnant if we choose to stand firm in faith. Jesus is returning. Look up and don't let go - cling to God with everything in us.
In Isaiah 12-14, there is a song of praise in response to a message of hope. Oracles of judgment start being spoken against the nations who strike against Israel. Isaiah once again speaks into the now and the not yet. The Babylonians may strike, but it won't last forever. God's hand will move and Babylon will be taken down. Jesus will return and there will be final victory and Satan will be taken down. Satan was prideful and wanted to be like God. He wanted to ascend to the heavens and be set up on a throne. He wanted to sit on the mount of gods. He wanted to be like God - the Most High. God answers by casting him down to the lowest of lows where maggots and worms never die. God wins and while we are on earth, we get to choose who we will worship for all eternity. We get to choose between eternal life and eternal destruction. Satan works really hard to try to get people to turn away from God. There is a fight constantly going on for souls and God desperately calls and cries out to each of us to choose Him. He doesn't want to lose a single soul. Satan tries to say "I will" but God answers with "I AM".
In Isaiah 10 & 11, Isaiah continues to prophesy of coming judgment and exile for God's children as they have turned from Him and refuse to repent. Sin has to be accounted for and time has run out. In the midst of the chaos, God again brings words of hope. Even when situations look bad, there's hope. God does not forget His people. Out of the remnant who remain strong and stand firm in faith, our Messiah comes. God is not done with His people. God is involved and has us. Even in the midst of chaos. We can trust Him and stand firm. We can be the remnant. God is making a way through our faithfulness and we can respond daily with - Yes! Sign me up! Jesus is returning and I want to be a part of the remnant!
In Isaiah 9, Isaiah lets God's children know there is hope. Our Messiah will come. Jesus will bring us forgiveness, redemption, restoration, and hope for a brighter future. Isaiah continually speaks into the current time and current situation as well as forward into the 1st coming of Jesus and into His second coming. He speaks to the now, what's to come and what's still coming all at once. He encourages God's children to hold on to that hope while in exile. He lets us know there will be peace, a supernatural spiritual wisdom and a light like no other. We can trust God. He is an amazing Father and the source of true life for all eternity.
In Isaiah 7 & 8, God reminds His people to trust in Him. Even though battles come, God is bigger. God is mightier. God is able. God is with us. He reminds us God cannot make us stand firm. Unless our faith is firm, we will stumble. He promises us our Messiah. Jesus comes and saves us all forever if we choose Him. He will not force our faith. We have a choice and can choose to trust in Him. He desires our hearts more than anything. He desires to connect with us. We are wanted and loved by the Most High God of the cosmos. No matter what our current situation is or looks like, we can trust Him. If we choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He is with us and we can trust that He's got us - through it all. No matter what we face, we can answer with two simple words....But God.
In Isaiah 6, Isaiah God brings Isaiah into His presence and almighty glory. The experience of God's presence changes him and transforms him. He knows he is sinful and his sinful nature is revealed and brought to light in God's presence. Jesus forgives him for his sins, removes his guilt, and cleanses him. He responds with confidence and urgency in his desire to carry out God's will and call for his life. He's willing and wants nothing more than to give up everything to walk out the call of God on his life. When the presence of God arrives in our lives, our desires shift. We desire more and more of God and less and less of ourselves. Our hearts change. We are transformed for God and all His glory.
In Isaiah 4 & 5, Isaiah is speaking into southern Israel as they face the captivity of Babylon. God wanted them to be sweet grapes but they chose to live differently than God instructed and therefore became bitter grapes. They chose to covet. They chose drunkenness. They chose carelessness. They chose deception. They chose injustice. They chose pride. They chose to disregard God and His presence in their lives. They face the consequences of these choices as God prunes the bitter grapes away. A remnant of sweet grapes will remain and through that remnant, our Messiah will come forth. We again see hope, restoration, and redemption. We are promised not only our Messiah, who has already come, but also complete restoration of a new heaven and new earth when Jesus returns yet again. We can choose Jesus. We can choose to live the lives of sweet grapes. We can choose to let God prune any bitter grapes from our lives and let Him be God of our lives. His ways and plans are always better.
In Isaiah 2 & 3, a glimmer of hope is seen in the vision of the coming millennial blessing. A vision of redemption and restoration. Before that restoration, there will be judgment. Sin has to be accounted for. We have a choice to accept the sacrifice of death Jesus gave for each of us to be counted as righteous before God, or pay for the sins of our lives with our own death and punishment. We all have sins in our lives that need repentance and Isaiah offers a warning and call to do so. Pride will be humbled and God will be exalted. A warning to look at beauty from the heart and not the outward appearance. God cares about what's in our hearts - not the brand of shoes we wear. God searches our hearts, not our wardrobes or jewelry.
In Isaiah 1, there's a court case in session and it's God vs His children. His children are guilty. God addresses a major issue in Israel through Isaiah. A sin issue. An issue of not taking God serious or knowing God and who He is. He speaks of the hypocrisy of His children doing weekly rituals with no heart. God isn't after a show. He's after our hearts. He is looking for open, honest, and sincere hearts. He's not looking for perfection, just sincerity. He refines us, cleanses us, redeems us, and makes us righteous if we let Him. When we choose Jesus, we are made new and free. We get His Spirit living right in us every day to continue refining, strengthening, and making us whole. We can run from sin and carry His love to everyone around us. Through Jesus, we have the strength to run for Him each and every moment of each and every day with all our heart and guts.
In 2 Samuel 24, David is tempted and once again falls into sin by taking a census. This census wasn't ordered by God, it was a David thing. We aren't told why, but for whatever reason, he wants to know how many people are in Israel now. God doesn't need our human strength or numbers to win battles. Our legacy is built on God and God alone. God writes His story through us and has all the power to carry out His will in our lives. We can trust Him, rely on Him, and give Him all the glory. We are a part of God's story. It's all about God's legacy, not ours. Humbly running after God with all we got is what our part of His story should always reflect. All that matters is what God does through His anointing that He supplies and us humbly walking in obedience to Him through it. David quickly repents of his sin but still has to face the consequences of his disobedience. Jesus redeems the whole situation and once again brings His glory through the messy realities of David's life - just like He does with each of us. When we choose to spend time with God and in His Word, we will be drawn to a stable life of worship. We all need Jesus. God will do for us whatever we allow. He's looking for an open heart. Once our heart is open to God and we run to Jesus in repentance, He shows up with an eraser bigger than we can ever imagine. It is finished.
In 2 Samuel 23, we see David's last recorded words. He honors God and gives God all the glory for all the victories in and through his life. He was overlooked by his earthly father but he was anointed and put in place by God. God anoints who He chooses. God raised him up to royalty yet he remained humble and repentant before God. He had a vast crew of mighty men with him in the battles. He was not alone. We are never alone. God has a master plan and will bring it forth, even through all the messes we make along the way. God equips people to bring forth His plan of establishing His eternal Kingdom. Jesus is the eternal King and when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we are a part of royalty. God is revealed on earth through us. We are His heirs and we are family in His Kingdom. We are His plan for His story and the expansion of His eternal Kingdom. We are His plan "A".
In 2 Samuel 22, David sings a song of praise to God. He recounts all the ways God has been faithful to David despite his sin choices along the way. He praises God for His deliverance, cleansing, steadfast unfailing love, and victories. He gives all glory to God for everything God has brought him through - both the good and the bad. He sees himself in Christ - guiltless, innocent, cleansed, blameless, and righteous. He has a repentant heart and desires to chase after God with all he is, has, and does. This allows him to see himself in the true light of God. When we repent, turn from sin, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are made new. We are made whole. We are redeemed. We are cleansed. God sees us as blameless, guiltless, shameless, righteous, and innocent. We should never look back. We should always keep our outlook on life and on ourselves based on our up-look. We look up. We look to Jesus. We trust Him because He is our rock and our salvation - for all eternity.
In 2 Samuel 21, David has been dealing with a famine for 3 years. He calls out to God for direction and God gives the wisdom needed to stop the famine. They had endured this suffering for 3 years. When we face suffering, we can rely on God. We can seek His wisdom and guidance, we can rely wholly on God, and we can depend on His righteousness and let Him refine us through it. David also recounts battles they had faced with giants. David did not battle alone. He had mighty men fighting alongside him. We are built for community and are called to rally around and for each other. We do not fight alone. We have God and a whole army of God's people we can choose to surround ourselves with. God will overcome the famines in our lives. We can always trust Him and rally with our God-given family until the famine ends. God has the victory, we can rest in Him.
In 2 Samuel 20, Sheba tries to start a revolt against David so he can take over as king. He thinks he can do it better. David jumps on the situation and gets it handled but only by the working, moving, miraculous hand of God. A woman in the town they are about to attack in an attempt to stop this wanna-be king approaches Joab and he listens to her. She brings great wisdom and some level of resolution is achieved because of it. The wanna-be king loses his head, but a city and tons of other people are saved. We need to always remember we cannot run our lives better than God can. If we try to be wanna-be kings of our lives, we are really trying to take Jesus' place. We will end up destroyed. We can trust Jesus and His Kingship over our lives. His ways, plans, and purposes in our lives are greater than we can ever imagine. His wisdom, love, and guidance will lead us through every step if we choose to let Him be our King.
In 2 Samuel 19, Joab shakes David out of his misery and into his role and calling as king. He is a king who is mourning his son's death but also a king who just won a victory in a battle. He had to set himself aside to properly handle his troops. He gets over his feelings and failures and steps up and out into his calling as king. We all need people we trust in our inner circle who will call us out when we need to be realigned into what we should be doing for God, His Kingdom, and His glory. As David starts his return to Jerusalem, everyone comes back and wants to help him along the way. Shimei who previously threw stones and cursed David, shows true repentance and David shows him mercy and forgiveness in response. David gets the big picture. Even if we have sinned really really bad, Jesus will mercifully forgive us if we truly repent. No sin is too big for God. He sent His Son to die for all of it. It is finished completely. All of it. We just have to make the choice to choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We can repent and be fully forgiven. The choice is always ours. He's waiting for us with open arms.
n 2 Samuel 18, the hair that Absalom loved and idolized so much became his end. He got stuck in a tree by his hair during battle and thus lost the battle. God gives us victory and when we trust and submit to God, we have His victory. When we concede to idols in our lives, they lead to our destruction. Two runners compete to bring David the news because they both believe it will be received as good news. One takes a direct route and one takes an indirect route. When David receives the news, he deeply mourns the loss of his son. His son was trying to kill him and take over his throne, but he still loved his son wholeheartedly and mourned his loss greatly. He wished he could have died in his son's place. God loves us unconditionally. He will never stop loving us no matter what we do. He sent Jesus, His one and only Son, to die in our place. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have a direct route we can run straight to our Father. We can come to God in all of our moments - He desperately wants us to. God doesn't want to lose a single child. We can rejoice every day of our lives because when we accept Jesus, the news that we have to share is really truly Good News.
In 2 Samuel 17, Absalom receives advice from two separate men. One of the men is loyal to David but Absalom is so self focused, he cannot see that. He takes the counsel from David's friend. David is warned by his friends and all of his men make it to safety with him. None of them desert David along the way. They arrive at their destination of safety and are warmly greeted with friends, food for nourishment and replenishment, and rest. These friends were all people that David had previously shown kindness to. If we sow kindness into people around us, it will come back around - at just the perfect time. These men had a long hard journey through the wilderness and were met with much needed replenishment and rest. We need to make sure we are surrounded with people in our inner circles who see our needs in and out of our wildernesses - even before they are needs. We need to make sure the people in our inner circles chase after God with all their hearts so the wisdom and counsel they offer line up with God and His Word, His heart, and His direction. We need to know our Father's voice for ourselves and those around us.
In 2 Samuel 16, David blindly believes lies thrown at him. Then Shimei comes along and starts cursing David and his men, calling David names, and throwing stones at them. David's nephew wants to end him but David does not let him. David is humble and trusts God. He knows his identity is in God, not the words or stones this man is throwing. We need to always be alert. Be aware of what we are listening to and make sure it stands up to the truth of God and His Word. Resist anything that does not. We need to know the Father's voice by spending intentional time with Him so we don't fall into the trap of believing any lie from the enemy. We need to walk confidently in Christ and in who we are in Him. Even if stones are thrown, we can choose not to throw stones back. We can choose to speak truth under the loving humility of God and trust in Him completely. He is with us through it all.
In 2 Samuel 15, Absalom sows seeds of distrust among some of the Israelite people towards David. He conspires against David. David mourned him for 3 years and now he is manipulating things to declare himself king. Repentance and reconciliation have not taken place between him and God or him and David and the family starts fighting against each other. David is forced to flee once again from someone's pursuit, but this time it's his own son. David is broken and yet he trusts God, humbles himself before God, and follows God's lead in this. In our brokenness, we can trust God. We can lean on God. We can get our strength to keep going from God. We can rest in God. We can cry in the arms of God. He knows us. He loves us. And He has us.
In 2 Samuel 14, Joab arranges a plot to get David to allow his son Absalom to return. He had mourned the loss of his son for 3 years and Joab sets the wheels in motion for reconciliation. He has a woman from Tekoa tell a bold and wise story that gets David's attention David knows it's Joab's doing and concedes to letting Absalom come home but true reconciliation does not happen. Absalom has not repented. He lives by his own moral code and wants what he wants and goes to any means to get it. Reconciliation cannot happen without repentance. When we repent of our sins and turn to Jesus, we are immediately reconciled to God. God's desire above all else is for us to be reunited and reconciled fully to Him.
In 2 Samuel 13, David's sin of adultery and murder is amplified through two of his sons. The sins we meddle with, allow, and accept in our lives are often embraced fully and often in excess by our children. Our actions always speak lower than our words. If we address sin, apologize, repent and turn to God for forgiveness and redemption from those sins - those actions are also seen and embraced. We have choices in our lives and our choices affect our loved ones. Amnon listens to the very bad counsel of his cousin Jonadab and chaos begins to unravel in David's dynasty. We need to know who to surround ourselves with and let into our inner circles - especially when seeking advice and direction. Regardless of the unraveling chaos around David, God is on the throne. God will bring forth His mission of forgiveness, redemption, and the saving grace we all desperately need in our lives. He does it all through Jesus. Jesus conquered sin and death and offers forgiveness and restoration to each of us. We all have choices and we can choose the miraculous, life-saving freedom found in Jesus.
In 2 Samuel 12, God sends Nathan to call David out on his sin. David felt the heaviness and weight of the guilt of his sin before God called him out on it. He was miserable. He immediately responds in repentance. He doesn't respond with a lie, avoidance, blame shifting, attacking, or avoiding. He immediately says, yeah, I totally sinned against God and I'm so sorry! The very next statement is "the Lord has forgiven you". David wasn't perfect, he was human. He was also quick to repent and desperately wanted God above all. God forgives faster than we can blink when we repent. Repentance is met with forgiveness and redemption. David still had to face the earthly consequences of his sin choices just like we do today. We need to always keep our guard up because no one is immune to sin. Our flesh is weak. We can strengthen ourselves by intentionally spending time with God and in His Word. We can cultivate commitment to God. We can make sure we have people surrounding us that we trust who we can call on to hold us accountable. We need to anticipate temptations and be ready to fight with all we got. The great news is that when we accept Jesus as our Savior, His power resides in us so we got quite a LOT - we have our almighty Victor right here with us. God gave us all so we could inherit it all if we choose Him over this temporary world.
In 2 Samuel 10 & 11, in the midst of a season of war, David is not at the battle lines as he should be. He is lying idle in his home and is faced with temptation of yet another beautiful woman. He sees something he likes, gets information about her, and has her brought over. Bathsheba is the wife of Uriah who is actually out in the battle where he's supposed to be. She becomes pregnant and in his sin, David falls into even more sin as he tries to cover it all up. Sin can't be covered up or watered down. Sin is sin and leads to more sin. In David's attempts to cover up his sin, he goes from being an adulterer to an adulterer and a murderer. The Bible is honest. It doesn't hide our ugly stuff and we shouldn't try to either. Sin always catches up to us and it will for David as well. God is not pleased with what David does here and David will have to face earthly consequences for these choices. David was a sinner but he was also a man after God's heart and will repent. God gives us redemption at repentance. Repentance is the only way to be free from sin. Jesus died on the cross so we could be free and cleansed from sin. David didn't have the strength of the Holy Spirit in him like we do today when we accept Jesus as our Savior. We have the power to run far from temptation. The strength of temptation is dependent on our relationship with God and our heart. The more time we spend with God and in His Word, the less tempting temptations will seem.
In 2 Samuel 8 & 9, David is victorious because God is bringing him victory. He is succeeding as king and letting God speak into his life. In the middle of his success, he is still showing humility to God and kindness and compassion to those around him. Mephibosheth was crippled due to a fall and lived in Lo-debar which means no pasture, no money, no idea - nothing. In fact, part of Mephibosheth's very name means shame. David calls out for him and brings him to his home. He invites him to dine at his table like one of his own sons. He is adopted into David's family and given love, compassion, grace, mercy, value, family, friendship, and identity. He is now one of the kings own sons. He went from nothing to everything. The fall of man brought sin into our lives causing us too to be broken and deformed. God calls for us. He pursues us. Jesus intercedes for us. He gives us an offer to accept Jesus as our Savior to redeem us, cleanse us, heal us, and make us whole before God. He invites us to be an heir of the Most High God - our King of all kings. He invites us to dine at His table for all eternity. He invites us not based on anything we do, where we are from, or who we are. He invites us to know Whose we are, where we are from, and what He's done. He gave us everything and already did it all when He sent us Jesus - our Rescuer. It's simply up to us to accept His gracious gift and join Him as His amazing table.
In 2 Samuel 7, David has ideas but God stops it and says hold on - I'm up to something greater here. He spills out the Davidic Covenant promising that a king from David's lineage would reign on the throne as king for all eternity. That King does come forth in Jesus. He is our King for all eternity. This is an unconditional covenant and no matter what happens, God will and does bring it forth. God knows we desperately need a Savior and He sends us our Savior and King who gives us freedom and victory over sin and death and eternal life if we simply choose Him as our King. David responds by sitting with God and praying. We should be so quick to sit with God and share those intimate moments in our days with Him. David pours out his gratitude to God. God is not done with His people. He has plans that are greater than we could ever fathom. We can trust Him, rest in Him, and have faith that no matter what things look like around us, He has us in His strong and mighty arms. He loves us unconditionally for all eternity and that will never ever change no matter what.
As we patiently anticipate the glorious return of Jesus and continue to run the race God has placed on our lives, we should always remember to face the Son throughout every minute of our days. In every single thing we do, let Him warm our faces with His Almighty glory, awe, and power so we can continually spread His amazingly Good News of Salvation, freedom, and victory which can only be found in Him. He is Faithful and True. Just like the sunflower looks to the sun, follows it in every moment and anticipates the sun’s return, - look to Jesus, follow Him - cling to Him in every single moment, joyfully, patiently, and eagerly anticipate His return.
In 2 Samuel 6, David wants to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. He has a heart after God's presence and wants God's Ark near as well. The problem rises when he goes about it the wrong way and doesn't follow God's instruction and how to move the Ark as well as who should move the Ark. Disobedience is sin and sin leads to death and a man does die due to this disobedience. God desperately wants to bless us. He is God and is not to be fooled with, used, or mocked. Our best next step is always submission and obedience to God. The Ark was to be carried on the shoulders of the Levites. Just like the Ark was to rest on the Levites shoulders, God's presence is to rest on us in our lives and we can in turn rest in Him. God's presence is in us when we choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior. His presence elevates us forward and into God's plan for our lives. God wants us to enjoy His presence in our lives. He wants us to recklessly abandon anything and anyone around us and worship with all our hearts unashamed and fully abandoned. More than anything, God wants to forgive us, pour His blessings out on us, lead us, guide us, commune with us, and have a raw and real relationship with us in every moment of our lives.
In 2 Samuel 4 & 5, Saul's 4th son is murdered in his sleep. The murderers try to justify their actions and believe they are doing right in their hearts. Sin can never be justified and is never right. David responds in truth and justice to this murder and is taking his position as king. He is publicly anointed as king of all Israel. They didn't recognize him as their true king until they were all out of options. David's first victory under God's authority is to deal with a city that should have been dealt with when they first entered the land God promised them. David gives God all the glory and honor for the victory. Too often, we cry out to God in repentance when we are out of all other options rather than daily throughout all the moments of our lives. Sin should always be called out and dealt with immediately. Sin will corrupt the heart and lead to death. Sin will be judged and dealt with. It will not be hidden or ignored. Jesus died on the cross to conquer sin and death for all eternity. He is our King for all eternity. Death cannot hold life down. We have the victory. We have Jesus. We can stand in the faith and certainty that we are forgiven and righteous before God because Jesus died for our freedom and righteousness. We do have to repent and submit ourselves and our lives to Christ as our Lord and Savior first. The choice is ours.
In 2 Samuel 3, some of the cracks in David's character are shown and we see yet another murder happen out of selfish ambition, selfish motive, and selfish revenge when Joab murders Abner. David once again mourns the loss of innocent life.The Bible is very honest about its people. It is very honest about the fact that we all face temptation and sin and desperately need a Savior. We desperately need Jesus in each of our lives. We live a fallen, broken, sinful world and will face temptations. If we give in to temptations, we end up in sin. Sin always leads to death. When we choose to accept Jesus as the Lord and Savior of our life, we are given the Holy Spirit who then resides in us and gives us the power to run from temptation and resist sin. We don't have to choose sin. We can choose Jesus. We can choose life. We are given encouragement in the fact that God's mission moves through our messes and makes them beautiful when we repent and turn to Him. We are given a warning to not ignore any cracks that may show up in us and grow to our detriment. We should be quick to ask God to show us any ugliness in ourselves that needs to be dealt with and be quick to deal with it. We live in a world with real issues that God is working to redeem. God works in our messes and makes our messes His mission. God works in our weaknesses and make them His glory. God transforms, restores, redeems, and makes us new in Him. He is an amazing miracle working Father.
In 2 Samuel 2, David is partially anointed publicly as king over Judah. David continues to reflect God's character in his humility, kindness, and peace for those around him. He is still staying God centered and even asks when it's time to go and where to go and listens when God answers. A civil war breaks out between Judah and the rest of Israel due to a barbaric sporting event that goes quite badly. It was not even a close battle, but Abner calls for a cease fire and reminds them they are all Israelite brothers and there has been enough battling and bloodshed. The enemy is constantly trying to cause division and keep us from God and spreading His Word. We need to stay aware and be ready to call cease fires whenever necessary. We can choose God and His character. We can choose love, forgiveness, peace, joy, and humility. We continually have the rams horn ready to blow whenever necessary.
In 2 Samuel 1, David hears the news that both Saul and Jonathan had died in the battle between the Philistines and Israelites. David is deeply moved to mourning - not just for the loss of his best friend but for the national tragedy of losing their king. He composes a personal, poetic, and emotionally charged funeral song. His integrity, character, and fierce loyalty shine through. He is humble under God and keeps his focus on God through it all. God appointed Saul as the 1st king of Israel and David shows a deep respect in that regardless of the fact that Saul spent a great deal of time and energy trying to kill David. Still, David never slanders Saul and in fact calls him the Lord's anointed one repeatedly throughout the Scriptures. He shows the true love of Jesus - even for his enemies. As Christ followers, we should resemble Christ in all we do. We should look different, act different, and speak different. Our character and integrity should directly reflect that of Christ's in all of the moments of our days.
In 1 Samuel 31, the attack from the Philistines breaks out on Israel and Saul and three of his sons are killed. Saul's story sets us up for the reign of David as the lives of David and Saul have been compared so far. It also shows us humanity. Saul chooses to reign as king in his own ways instead of with a repentant heart under submission to God and God's authority. Saul sees the results if evil to the full extent as he faces death. We are all imperfect and face sin in our lives and we all desperately need Jesus. We need to always take God seriously. He is God. He is self-sufficient and truly wants us in His story, but He does not need us. He pursues us out of His vast love for us. We need to always be mindful of who we are listening to and who we are fearing. It's not about you and me, it's about our role in God's story and under His direction and our part in His great story. It's about finding our lane in submission to God and filling it while bringing all glory and honor to God and God alone.
In 1 Samuel 29 & 30, David wakes up expecting to be going to war with the Philistines who are going to attack the Israelites. We don't know what David was thinking or what his plan was, but we know he trusts God and His will and plan. David quickly learns that the plan is not for him to participate in that war. He is told he is going to have to go back to his city and sit this one out. When they get back, they find their city has been plundered and their wives, children, and belongings are all missing. You can respond to hopelessness and hardship in bitterness and hatred or by seeking God and trusting His guidance. Both will strengthen you but in opposite ways. David turns to God and is strengthened. God leads them to their wives and children and all is restored. They lost nothing. God gets all the glory and honor and victoriously restores all. Jesus died on the cross so we could be fully and victoriously restored. When we are hopeless, we can choose to turn to Jesus and He will give us strength and lead us to restoration. God gives us the victory for all eternity when we choose Jesus for our lives.
In 1 Samuel 28, David is told by the Philistine king that he will be expected to help in an upcoming war with Israel. David is anointed and appointed to be the king of Israel and now is told he is expected to help wipe them out. Saul sees the vast Philistine army and panic sets in. God will not answer him or give any direction. God is silent. Saul has disobeyed and not humbled himself before God repeatedly. God is not a genie and faith is not magic. God is all powerful and all authoritative and we do things out of love for God, not out of what we'll get for it from God. In Saul's panic, he seeks out a medium to find Samuel who is dead and get instruction from him. Not only is consorting with the dead specifically forbidden by God, Saul himself has outlawed it. He is breaking both God's law and his own in this. Samuel tells Saul the very same thing he told him when we was alive - David will be king. He also adds, by the way, you are consorting in sin and you too are about to die. Sin = death. God can use anything and He steps in and uses this situation of evil for His purpose and glory. God can do that. He is God. We need to always seek our wisdom and direction from God and His Word, not the world. We need to be quick to repent if we fail and run from temptation with all our guts. God will pour out His forgiveness when we repent and He will show us His amazing forgiveness, grace, mercy, love, kindness, and goodness. He is an amazingly good Father.
In 1 Samuel 26 & 27, David and his nephew march into a camp of 3000 of Saul's men who are on a mission to find David and kill him but yet are fast asleep. David takes Saul's sword and jug of water and then yells from the top of a hill to awaken them. He calls out Abner, the commander of the army and rebukes him for not watching out for the king of Israel. He shows him he has the sword and water and points out that absolutely no one was watching out for the king. Saul again apologizes but isn't truly repentant. He's sorry he looked like a fool in front of everyone, he's sorry he hasn't caught David or killed him yet, but he's not truly sorry for trying to kill David. David knows this and decides to hide out in the Philistine's land for 1 year and 4 months. He is very much liked by the king there and is given a city to stay in while he's there. David knows God is faithful and true. David knows he can trust God. David knows God's timing will come forth and that one day he will be king but he knows today is not that day. He waits on God and His perfect timing. We can trust God. We can stand firm that God is faithful. We can believe God's promises in our lives because God keeps His promises. Every single one.
In 1 Samuel 25, Samuel passes and all of Israel gathers for his funeral. David then goes to Carmel and comes across Nabal who owes him a favor so David asks for just that. Rather than answering in hospitality, he is a fool (just as his name means) and responds by rejecting David and insulting him in his arrogance, selfishness, and entitlement. David responds in retaliation rather than seeking God's will and resting in God. Abigail, Nabal's wife rises and quickly intercedes by speaking truth and life and God's Word and will into his life. She refocuses his attention back to God and God's will. She brings God's wisdom and encouragement back into the forefront of his mind and he responds in great gratitude. David chooses to listen and Abigail is able to prevent the death of many people and also prevents David from behaving like Saul. Jesus was rejected by many but never retaliated. He kept His focus on God and God's will in His life. We need to be keep our eyes and ears open to Abigails in our lives and choose to be quick to listen when we hear them. God will move His will forth and we can trust and rest in Him no matter what we face. God is faithful.
In 1 Samuel 23 & 24, Saul is still laser focused on finding and killing David and is not doing his job as king. The town of Keilah is being attacked so David steps in and defends them even while running for his life. He shows compassion to people around him no matter the circumstances he's facing. God's favor is working through David's life. He is humble and seeks the direction and guidance of God before making any decisions. David is tempted to kill Saul when he is hiding in a cave and Saul comes into that very cave to relieve himself. He cuts a piece of Saul's robe and is immediately convicted. Rather than murdering Saul, he seeks reconciliation and shows him respect, honor, and mercy. Saul is temporarily moved emotionally in this moment, but is not brought to true repentance. David is anointed as king but his time for kingship has not yet come. He could have killed Saul but instead showed him respect for his current position and leadership. Our lives as Christ followers should look different. Our character and integrity should reflect Christ's and we should remain humble rather than grumble.
In 1 Samuel 21 & 22, David is on the run from Saul who has a mission set to kill him. David meets with Ahimelech and is starving. Ahimelech only has the Bread of the Presence. He goes ahead and gives him that bread so he can be nourished for his journey ahead. This bread was meant for the priests. Human need overtakes the law and mercy and compassion are shown. Religious ritual is not meant to be placed above human need, mercy, and compassion for humanity. We are called to love like Jesus and show His kindness to everyone around us. David continues on and 400 men, including all of his family, find him and flock to him. He takes in all the outcasts, just like Jesus. Saul is angry, paranoid, and arrogant and has 85 priests and their families murdered. One got away. God made sure one got away because He has a plan brewing for David. A new wine skin is coming. David takes responsibility for the situation - something Saul has never done. He takes the one priest in with him and promises him protection. God is moving David into the perfectly right time and place to take his place as king. Jesus too is awaiting the right and perfect time to return and defeat the enemy once and for all. It's coming - it's only a matter of time.
In 1 Samuel 19 & 20, Saul's wrath towards David festers and he is out to kill David. David has been acting on faith in God and has been doing great things for God and the people favor him. Saul is envious and as a result angry and murderous. David and Jonathan have formed a covenant friendship under the witness of God and Jonathan helps David flee. As he flees, God is providing for him and getting him to the right place at the right time. God has perfect timing every time. Jonathan devoutly serves David and honors him. David points to Jesus. We are like Jonathan and should always seek to serve and follow Jesus without wavering no matter what we face around us. Jonathan and David say goodbye to each other in a tearful embrace but David is going in the peace of God and they both know that. When we depend on the peace of Christ, anything is possible. The peace and love of God is key for getting through these days in this very temporary world we are in. We can depend on God, His peace and love never fail and never will.
In 1 Samuel 18, Jonathan and David develop a bond under God and are fast friends. Jonathan, as Saul's son, should have been the rightful heir as the next king but he renounces that honor and recognizes it belongs to David. David has already been anointed by God as the next king and Jonathan sees that in David and joins forces with him. David moves from taking care of sheep to taking care of people. God's anointing is on David so success follows in all he does and the people see that and start to flock to him. Saul becomes very angry and envious of this and sets his sights on terminating David. God gives David a shield of favor and when he is given one of Saul's daughters as a bride, God even doubles the bridal price for him. Even though Saul is living as David's enemy, David continues to serve and fight for him. David walks in faith and the anointing of God screams out "I got this" wherever he goes. Faith allows us to be lesser for God's glory and greatness. No matter what we face, if we have faith and fully submit ourselves and trust in God, we can stand confident in the fact that "God has this."
In 1 Samuel 17, a Philistine giant is taunting the Israelites. Rather than standing on the power and might of God, they freeze up in fear and just stare at the enemy for 40 days and 40 nights. When we buy into the enemies lies, we no longer engage in battle. We are on the front lines and need to be prepared for battle daily and stand firm on the Word and power of our almighty God. The enemy will mock us and taunt us and try to feed us lies. It's vital to shut off the worldly noises and listen to God. The enemy has been defeated and we can stand firmly and confidently on the truth of God and His Word and His victory. David steps in and stands on the authority of God and who He is. He enters the battle with confidence. When he does, his brother questions his heart and motive. David knows his heart and motive and doesn't let it get to him. When we stand up and into our calling, opposition will rise and try to discourage us. Focus on God and who He says you are and keep moving. We are to use the talents and gifts God has instilled in us to enter the battle and win lives for Christ. God empowers faithful servants. The odds don't matter. God does. God raises up those who are committed to God's glory and honor. It's time to shut the enemy up, turn the lies away, and enter the battle. The eternity of many lives around us are at stake.
In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel is mourning the loss of Saul. When someone turns from God and refuses God, it should cause us to mourn. Life is eternal and the choices we make this side of heaven will affect our eternity. We can choose Christ and encourage everyone around us to do the same. God desperately wants every single person to choose Him and live in eternity with Him. His love for every one of us is beyond human comprehension. More than anything else, He wants our hearts to chase God and all His goodness and mercy. Samuel goes to Jesse's house and God calls David. The youngest and smallest but the one who truly has the purest heart and has integrity and character that chases God passionately. He is called by Saul to play the harp for him and he humbly serves. God has already anointed him but David chooses humility and service. God is working to set him into his position in God's perfect timing and in the meantime, David keeps loving God and serving others.
1 Samuel 15, God gives Saul a clear direction and Saul disobeys and only does part of what God asks. He makes excuses as to why he did what he did rather than running straight to repentance. He cared more about his image and pleasing people than what God wanted or God's rejection. He feared people more than God Himself. He's addicted to his image rather than God's image. We will make mistakes along the journey, but we can choose to be quick to repent and keep clinging to God with all our hearts. God's hold on us is way stronger than our hold on Him and He will never let us go. Our failures do not signal God's defeat. God wants us in His story. He wants us to reflect His image and character in our lives. Above all else, He wants our hearts and an intimate and real relationship with us.
In 1 Samuel 14, the Israelite army is fearful and in hiding while they wait. They are surrounded by the vast Philistine army. Jonathan has an idea and tells his armor bearer, let's go. He adds "perhaps the Lord will help us". He doesn't know what is going to happen but chooses to stand in faith in what he knows God can do. He knows the power of God and trusts in Him. Jonathan and his armor bearer go up to one of the Philistine outposts. They are given victory over the outpost and God goes even further and sends an earthquake. God is really great at showing us His amazing glory and saving us from impossible looking situations. The deserters and chickens see the glory and strength of God moving and come out of hiding. Saul makes a really horrible oath during the battle telling the army to not eat until he has full revenge on his enemies. He's more concerned about himself and his image than following the direction of God. His army becomes weak and faint. It is so vital that we feast on the sweet honey of God's Word so we remain nourished and strong and can keep on doing the things God asks us to do. Jonathan eats the honeycomb God provided and is energized. In trying to save face and his image, Saul is set on killing his own son for breaking his crazy oath. The people rise up and save Jonathan from his own father. Saul could avoided so much if he would have obeyed God and His direction. His pride got in the way of his obedience. What matters is not whether or not we've obeyed God in the past, but whether we are willing to submit and obey God now and in the future days. Man's plans will wear us out and leave us depleted. God's plans will energize us. While man's plans bring bondage, God's plans bring freedom.
In 1 Samuel 13, Jonathan defeats a bunch of their Philistine enemies which makes them angry and they raise a vast army to come against them. Saul's men become terrified and run into hiding rather than praying and trusting in God. Saul makes an impulsive sacrifice rather than waiting on Samuel which is against the proper order and direction of God. Saul acted on his feelings rather than on faith in God and God's perfect timing. Samuel arrives on scene right as he finishes the sacrifice and tells Saul that his reign would now end as king. God was raising a new king (David) who was a man after God's heart rather than a man after the people's hearts. David made plenty of mistakes but was always repentant and chased after God with all he had. Failure doesn't have to be the last word. Failure doesn't guarantee more failure. Just as success doesn't guarantee more success. Having a humble, repentant heart that chases and clings to God changes everything. God's plan will come forth and we can trust Him with everything in us.
In 1 Samuel 11 & 12, one month after Saul is recognized as king of Israel, he's out plowing fields. He hasn't truly stepped forward. Jabesh-gilead was a part of the nation and they were in a state of separation. The Ammonites rise up against them and they request peace for 7 days as they cry out to Israel for help. They don't know if they will get help, but brotherhood rises up in God's people, righteous anger rises up in Saul, and they join forces to rescue their brothers. We should never leave our brothers or sisters alone to face sin. We should be quick to rise up in unity despite any differences and fight sin together. God calls us to be united and fight together. We are an army - together. After the victory and reunion, Saul is officially recognized as king and steps into his role. Samuel gives one final farewell warning reminding them of all God has done in their lives and that this kingship was not God's plan because God was their King. They are convicted and repent and cry out for forgiveness. God hears and Samuel lets them know God is with them and as long as they cling to God moving forward, God will still bless them. We are not perfect, we are forgiven. We may fall, but as long as we repent when we do and keep striving after God, He will work around our imperfections. God is all powerful and His will is going to come forth. He loves us desperately and simply wants us to continually be a part of His story. He desires us to be a part of His plans. Choosing God is the one thing that will make God happier than anything else we do throughout life.
In 1 Samuel 9 & 10, Saul is looking for donkeys but finds his calling and God's will for his life. Samuel anoints Saul privately first, then gives him the confirmation he needs so he'll know this call is from God. The confirmation points to exactly what happens when we choose to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. What was lost is now found, a hunger will be fed, you will desire to praise and worship to God, and the Holy Spirit will empower you making you into a different person. There will be a change of heart. After this confirmation, Saul is indeed empowered by the Holy Spirit and people notice the change in him. A public coronation follows along with getting Saul the support he will need. He will not be walking in this alone. God's design is never for us to be alone in anything. He then faces some opposition from some of the people. When we step up and move forward in what God has for us, we can expect to face opposition. The great thing is we won't be facing it alone. We have both God and a whole team surrounding us to make it through whatever lies ahead.
In 1 Samuel 7 & 8, revival falls on the nation of Israel. They join together, hunger for God, and humble themselves before God. They repent and turn from sin and pour their hearts back to God. The Philistines attack and they cry out to God and God answers. God doesn't depend on us, we depend on Him. He is not a genie or something to be used when we think of it - He is God. Just that quickly, they forget who He is and decide they want a different king that is not God. They want to suddenly look like the nations and people around them instead of the heirs of the Almighty King they are. This was not God's plan, this was their choice. God's plans are good and He intends good things for us if we are willing to trust in Him and wait. He wants us to let Him be our King. He doesn't run the world like we do or think we should. He is Sovereign and has better plans than we know if we are willing to trust in His goodness and wait on Him and His perfect timing. He gives us fair warning if we are not in His will, but will let us go if we deny Him and insist on our own way. God uses tests in life that we choose or may face to strengthen us but He also accommodates our weaknesses. God's will is supreme and it will be brought forth. Rather than being driven by insecurity and fear that God cannot be trusted to secure our good, fear of missing out, impatience, and our emotions, feelings or gut reactions - we can choose to trust the goodness of God. We can choose to crucify our natural, sinful desires and wait on God. We can choose to let God be our King in every moment of our days and watch as His goodness and mercy pour out.
In 1 Samuel 5 & 6, the Philistines have the Ark of the Covenant and think that their false pagan god defeated God. They place the Ark right next the the statue of their god, Dagon. They look the next day and find Dagon face down in front of the Ark. They put it back up and again the following day it is face down in front of the Ark and this time its arms and legs are broken off. They are struck with a plague of tumors and rats and start playing who gets it next within the Philistine cities before finally realizing it has to be sent back. God is sovereign, mighty, powerful and perfectly capable of protecting his own reputation. He doesn't need us, He wants us. It's us who need Him oh so desperately. The Ark gets sent back to Israel in a very odd way that proves it was for sure God making it all come together. A pagan nation is led to fear, honor, and apologize to God. They truly recognize just who God is. Way too often Christ followers fail to recognize the sovereignty, power, majesty, holiness, glory, and awe of exactly who God is. When Jesus returns, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess and every nation - pagan or not, will know exactly who God is.
In 1 Samuel 3 & 4, God calls out to Samuel. Once Samuel realizes it is God speaking, he answers "Speak, your servant listening." God gives Samuel the very same message the man of God gave Eli in the previous chapter. God is sending the same message through a different messenger. God is validating the ministry and call on Samuel's life. He tells Eli the message from God which is a warning of what is to come due to the choices he and his sons made in the priesthood. The Philistines come i and attack the Israelites and kill 4,000 men. In response, the Israelites bring the Ark of the Covenant into battle with them. They had misplaced faith. Instead of calling out to God Himself, they are putting their trust in the object. They lose the battle and the Ark is captured. How often do we rely on the objects of God instead of God Himself? Going to church on Sundays, helping with Sunday school - whatever it is we are "doing" is not true faith. Faith is obedient relationship and submission to God Himself. We do all those other things out of our love for God and His Kingdom and mission. It doesn't work in reverse. Eli and his daughter-in-law hear the news of the Ark being captured and fall to their deaths. It was more than they could handle. If God's glory is not present, it should shake us - right to our knees.
In 1 Samuel 1 & 2, we find a man after God in the midst of all the evil during the time of Judges. Elkanah had two wives, he wasn't perfect - but he was seeking after God. His wife Peninnah would bully and taunt Hannah because she had children and Hannah did not. Hannah fervently cries out to God promising God that if He blesses her with a child, she will give him back to God. God hears her prayer and blesses her with a child. Samuel is born and Hannah rejoices. She honors her vow to God and Eli the priest receives the child. Eli had two horribly wicked sons who were stealing from God and standing in the way of God's people being allowed to properly worship and sacrifice to God. A warning is issued by God that judgment would fall for this. They are abusing their voices as priests and they would be held accountable for that. They fail to change, but God promises another judge would be raised. Samuel is residing alongside the priest and learning all the holy ways of God. Even further, she sees a Priest who will rise and be like no other - a Priest who will reign over kings forever. Jesus does come for us and He does reign for all eternity in all the glory, honor, and majesty He deserves. He died so we could have life. He paid the final sacrifice for all eternity so we can forever passionately worship Him.
A message of encouragement to rise up and go. Life's circumstances are real and very difficult. We face many challenges this side of heaven. We are not called to face them alone and never should. We have Jesus in us if we accept Him as our Savior and that means we have all of His resources. He can give us the strength to rise up and keep going even when we feel like we just can't. God is always with us and we are never alone in or through any of it. He also calls us to have community and find our people so we can support and encourage each other through all of life's ups and downs. We all need a rope with someone holding on to the other end at times and we must be willing to lay down our pride and take the rope at times. We also should be willing to hold the rope for those around us. Pray, encourage, provide for needs, help in any way that seems fit through the storm. We are a village. It's time we answer the nudges of God on our hearts, give Him all our "yeses", and let Him move mightily through us. It's time, more than ever to get up and go.
In Ruth 4, Boaz goes to meet with the nameless potential family redeemer who has a right to redeem Ruth before Boaz. He risks the girl to follow God's ways. He's not willing to budge when it comes to his character with God - not even for a girl he's swooning over. He meets with this nameless man and the man says - no thanks - and passes on the offer. Boaz gets the girl! God's will is coming forth and this family is being redeemed wholly. They are married and given a huge blessing over their lives. They have a son named Obed. Obed had Jesse and Jesse had David. There were 10 generations from Perez to David and God moved mightily through them as He brought forth His plan to save us eternally. His plan leads us to Jesus. Jesus is our Boaz, our Redeemer - and our Redeemer lives. God provided for both food and family for Ruth and Naomi and He's the only One who can. He sees our deepest needs. He sees us. He will provide. Who we are and how we live affects those around us. We can choose to live in a way that redeems others around us like Boaz - like Jesus. We can also choose to walk away like the nameless guy and ignore the people's needs around us. We are called to spread the Gospel of Jesus and love like He does. I dare say if more people would choose to live their lives as a reflection of Jesus and in obedience to His command to love God and love people above all else, it might just change humanity.
In Ruth 3, Naomi plays matchmaker and devises a detailed plan for Ruth to marry Boaz and allow him to be their family redeemer. Ruth is all in and she takes a bath, puts on perfume, dresses in her nicest clothes and goes to the threshing floor. Jesus is our Redeemer. When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives, He cleanses us of all sin and impurity. Then we are supposed to anoint ourselves in the fragrance of Christ allowing His love, integrity, and character to emit to others through our lives. We are to dress ourselves in the clothes and robe of the righteousness of Jesus making sure what people see in us is fueled by the passions of Jesus. It doesn't mean we are perfect, we are not perfect - we are redeemed. That brings me to the 4th point, we are to go to the threshing floor. We are to separate anything in us that might not be what God wants in our lives and remove them. God will reveal those things so we need to be quick to allow Him to remove them. Ruth defines to Boaz exactly why she is there - for his redemption. He tells her there is one other who could redeem her. He follows God's guide to perfection and has to check with him first. He knows he may lose the girl if it's God's will but it is up to God. His humility, character, and integrity shine through this chapter so vividly. He sends Ruth back with 6 scoops of Barley because he says she is not to go back to Naomi empty-handed. Naomi started out in this story in pain while suffering the loss in her family. She proclaims her emptiness before God. God will not leave His children empty. He redeems, restores, rescues, provides and leaves us with His abundance.
In Ruth 2, Ruth goes out to glean the edges of the field and she found herself right smack in Boaz's field. This is also right smack where God intended her to be. She works hard gleaning the edges of the harvest and Boaz takes notice. He inquires of her. He sees her character, integrity, honor, and humility and is drawn to her - even in her sweaty, dirty, messy state. He gives shows her kindness, comfort, provision, protection, and community. She appropriately responds in gratitude. This should always be our response to God. Boaz prays a public blessing over her and gives her so much that she ends up with a whole lot of extra. This generosity changes Naomi's heart from bitterness to blessing. God is moving in their lives. Even when Ruth and Boaz have their first lunch date, he gives her bread and wine. When we choose Jesus and accept His bread and wine and choose to take refuge under the wings of God, He will bless us. He will pour out provisions, comfort, protection, kindness, unconditional love - even in our messiest moments, protection and yes, even community. He gives us all we need if we trust in Him. Things won't always seem or appear pretty and perfect around us. That is not the world or reality we currently reside in. Ruth and Boaz were living in the time of the Judges - it was not a pretty time. In spite of the world around them, God provided. God provides the same today. He is never-changing. We can trust in Him. He loves us beyond comprehension and always will. Nothing will ever change the love God has for each and every one of us.
In Ruth 1, Naomi and her family move to Moab due to a severe famine in the land. They settle there until Naomi's husband and two sons pass away. Naomi is hurt and mourning her husband and sons. They decide to return to Judah since the famine has since subsided. Naomi's two Moabite daughter-in-laws head back with her. The Moabite women were not looked on favorably by the Israelites. They were considered as outcasts. Naomi tells them to go back to their own homes since she has nothing left for them. Orpah does go back but Ruth refuses to leave Naomi's side. At the end of the chapter, Naomi is open and honest about the state of heart heart, emptiness, and pain. Hope is still glimmering through. Naomi is not truly alone, Ruth is with her and God has an upcoming provision, rescue, and redemption planned. They don't see it just yet, but they arrive "at the beginning of the barley harvest." It's not just the beginning of a harvest, it's the beginning of the rest of their lives. It's the beginning of their blessing, their healing, their redemption, their joy - their everything. It all starts in Bethlehem which is where it all starts for each of us as well. Everything starts with Jesus.
In Judges 21, the Israelites have remorse for the Benjaminites and are concerned about losing an entire tribe due to the destruction that erupted from all the sin that has encompassed their nation. There are 600 Benjaminites left and their loophole of a solution is to kidnap women and give them to the men that are left so the tribe can repopulate. God's will is for His people to love Him and love people. Sin has taken root and they are definitely not doing either. The events in the final chapters of Judges are horrific and show just how bad things can get if we let sin corrupt our lives. The book ends with an entire nation doing whatever seems right in their own eyes rather than God's. It shows how desperately we need a King, a Judge, a Redeemer, a Rescuer, a Savior - how desperately we need Jesus. It shows how bad life can get without Him. God gives us Jesus. He knows what we need and He redeems - even this. Paul is from the tribe of Benjamin. God restores when we repent and turn to Him. We can choose God over sin. We have the power that raised our Redeemer from the grave in us when we accept Him and can therefore run from sin with all our guts. We can choose to fight. We are fighting an already defeated enemy. God wins.
In Judges 19 & 20, Israel reaches the bottom of their sin spiral. They have been living life doing whatever they please and what is good in their own eyes instead of God's. They see the earthly consequences of those choices spring forth and how bad things have gotten. A civil war breaks out and many of the tribes unite, tap out, and submit to God to fight this evil. God answers their cry. God always responds to repentance. They end up destroying themselves and each other in this war which is the same thing sin does to our own lives. We will have earthly consequences we will face for our choices. The Israelites become so broken, they return to God again. You can always turn back to God and He will respond. We can choose to put on the coat of Jesus and His righteousness every day and live our lives in God rather than ourselves and our sins. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we get the Holy Spirit and He gives us the power to walk with God. This is a daily war while we are on earth. We have to intentionally choose to walk in God rather than in ourselves. We can do it. We have the same power that raised Christ from death living right here in us. when we choose Him. We can trust Him and He desperately wants us to lean in and on Him in every single thing we do.
In Judges 17 & 18, we no longer have any judges or kings leading anyone. People are doing what they see as right in their own eyes rather than checking with God on what He wants them to be doing. We often find ourselves doing the same thing. We tend to want to ask God to bless our moves through life rather than asking Him what those moves should be. We fail God time and time again. The Good News is that our faith in Jesus outweighs our failures and we can run to the cross and repent once again. With the Holy Spirit in our lives, we can't be fully comfortable or happy with sin present. Micah believed in God, but didn't live like it. He tried to redefine God according to his preferences. Jesus is who He is and doesn't change. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God cannot be stolen or taken from you if you choose Jesus as your Savior. He is eternal and promises us eternity. He is faithful, true, and trustworthy and that will never change.
In Judges 16, we have Samson's final chapter. He falls in love with a prostitute named Delilah who tricks him into telling her what keeps him so strong. It is truly the Lord who keeps Samson strong. God set Samson aside as a Nazirite which is a 3-part covenant to be set apart for God by following God's direction in 3 lifestyle choices. He was not to drink, he was not to be near death, and he was not to cut his hair. So far he had only kept one of the vows - his hair had not yet been cut. God was still working through Samson's life in spite of himself and his sin choices. He tells Delilah that his hair must never be cut so she has his hair cut when he's sleeping. He is separated from God in this final action of full disobedience. He was prideful and sure he could not be taken down. Sin took him down. Sin separates us from fellowship with God - however, though sin hinders, faith restores. Samson was a man of faith not perfection. God still loved him. God's love for us never ends and can never be diminished. It is never to late to cry out to God and that is what Samson did. He humbled himself before God and cried out in faith. God answered. He was able to conquer more Philistines in his death than in his life. We are our own worst enemy more often than not. We need a greater Savior. God knew that and answered with Jesus. He is our ultimate, perfect Savior and sacrificed Himself for us conquering every sin under the sun once and for all.
In Judges 14 & 15, Samson's rebellion shows through. He touches death and has a seven day wedding celebration while preparing to marry a woman from the very nation he was called to conquer. He even eats honey from the dead carcass of the lion he killed. But God. God still uses him. God is still moving through him to bring forth His will. Selfishness and sin hurts us, not God. God uses Samson to overtake the Philistines regardless of Samson and whether he's perfectly right with God at the moment. God never leaves him or stops loving him. In one instance, Samson is tied up and the Spirit of God comes upon him and he's able to break the ties like they are nothing. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and amazing Savior, we are given the Holy Spirit and we get the Holy Spirit with us every moment of our days. We have that strength in us. We can choose to run far from sin with everything in us. We can choose to fight. Just like the choice is ours to choose Jesus and his gift of Salvation, we have a choice to fight sin. It can be exhausting, but God promises to give us everything we need. He will give us supernatural strength when needed, He will give us communities of people to encourage and help us along, and He will give us forgiveness if we stumble and fall into sin. He is an amazingly good Father and will never let us go or stop loving us.
In Judges 12 & 13, Ephraim rises up against Jephthah because they want a part in the glory for the victory against the Ammonites. They wanted to take credit but didn't want to do the work when the war started. Jephthah does the right thing and gives all the glory and credit to God. Eventually, Jesus visits the would-be parents of Samson. They are told Samson would be set apart as a hardcore servant of God - a Nazirite. He must never go near wine or anything that is used to make it, must not cut his hair, and must not go near death. He is a picture of what God would do when he sent Jesus - our perfectly dedicated and set apart servant. Samson's name means bright light but, unlike Jesus, he was actually the worst - a hot mess. (Much like each of us) He was double-minded, unstable, a strong warrior but weak before women, and empowered by God but gave in to sins of the flesh. He was called to declare war on the Philistines but tried to marry one. He fought for the Lord by day but fell into sin and disobedience by night. His names means sun or bright light, but he was blinded by the darkness of the enemy. Samson's parents ask Jesus His name, and He responds with "Why do you ask my name?....It is too wonderful for you to understand." Where Samson fails, God comes through. It's a picture of pure grace and redemption. A picture of why we desperately need Jesus. His is Yeshua, our Messiah, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Rescuer. He is love. He is literally everything.
In Judges 10 & 11, the downward spiral of the Israelites continues. They completely turn away from God. The Philistines oppress them and again they cry out to God. Their misery grieves God but it isn't until they fully repent and submit to God that He comes to their rescue. God moves mightily in a repentant heart. He raises up Jephthah, another unlikely hero and son of a prostitute. God does not care about our pasts. He redeems our lives and uses our lives for His glory if we submit to Him. Forgiveness of our past, present and futures should affect our lives and future actions. The people God chooses to use and move through are not perfect, they are willing. God gave us the One true and final Judge in Jesus. He is our ultimate Redeemer and Rescuer. He is our Savior and we can trust in His grace and mercy. He is perfectly faithful every time.
In Judges 8 & 9, God gives Gideon victory over the Midianites. In that feat of great strength and success, it causes him to forget and slowly slip from God and His direction. He stops praying and seeking God's plan, he becomes resentful towards others, he becomes concerned about material things and worries about his reputation rather than what God thinks of him. He starts veering off God's path to do whatever he wants which includes compromising with sin. He builds a gold ephod and the Israelites quickly forget about God and instead worship the ephod and the false gods. Compromise leads us further into sin and further from God. Abimelech rises up and takes over. The Israelites start fighting and killing each other which shows their true problem lies within themselves. It's a heart issue. The fruit of their choices come forth. Sin is its own curse. Jesus is the opposite of Abimelech. He is our true King, Redeemer, and Rescuer. He rescues people rather than killing them and took our millstones unto Himself. He was crushed by our sins so we could have a true choice of freedom. He died so we could live. The choice is ours to make.
In Judges 7, God works through Gideon and 300 men to win the battle against the Midianites. God reduced the number of fighting men to a mere 300 so no one could boast that the battle was won by anyone other than God Himself. When we get ourselves out of the way, God can finally move in and through our lives. God equips those He appoints with exactly what they need. He doesn't call the brave, He makes brave the called. He works through us when we make ourselves available and yield to Him. Nothing is done in our own ability or strength. It is only done in our availability and willingness to let God move. He patiently handles us when our faith wavers and works to increase our faith. He brings us to humility, dependence, and obedience so He can properly receive all glory and shine through our lives. Success means joining Jesus wherever He is. When we bring nothing but faith and trust in Jesus, He brings it all. Jesus + nothing = everything.
In Judges 6, God raises up the next unlikely hero to save His people from their enemies. He chooses Gideon - a scaredy-cat. He is so fearful that he asks God to prove that God will be with him and give them victory 3 times in one chapter. He even tells God that he is the least of his whole family and even they aren't all that great. In spite of all this, God calls him a "Mighty hero". God calls us and sees as as who He made us to be, not what we are not or were before. He knows our personal best and what it is and will be. He gives us that credit in advance. He tells Gideon to go with what we has and assures him that God would be with him the whole time. We have everything we need within us already to do exactly what God has called us to do. God will be with us every step of the way. We can trust Him, have faith in Him, and go where He sends us. When we walk in to whatever He sends us to do, we should be walking in like God sent us there - because He did.
In Judges 4 & 5, a woman is judge over Israel. She is a prophet of God. She gives word to go and fight the evil king Jabin who was oppressing them ruthlessly during this time. Deborah and Barak went and fought and Jael finished the battle. What a team of girl power under God! Deb never once wavered. She faithfully trusted God and God gave them the victory over their enemies. She brought encouragement to the team. We need to stop seeing things we are not and believe in a God who is. We need to encourage each other and call each other up - not out. Our words can build someone up or tear someone out and we should be cautious of that at all times. We need to tune out the negative voices and chatter around us and hear what God says. Satan knows our names but calls us by our sins. God knows our sins but calls us by our names. God wants to use us for His purpose, we just have to trust Him and Who He is. They rise up in faith and because of God, they win. They in turn give God all the glory and praise with a beautiful duet thanking and praising God. The duet concludes with "But may those who love you rise like the sun in all its power!" It's always time to rise and obey God and what He is calling us to.
In Judges 2 & 3, we see the sin cycle quite clearly. The Israelites refuse to turn from their sins and stubborn ways. They end up falling under evil and corrupt rulers and then cry out to God for rescue. God will always respond to cries of salvation. He wants us to choose Him and be in a relationship with Him. He loves us so much and only wants our hearts. After God's people cry out to Him, God sends a rescuer who provides freedom from their oppression. This repeats again and again, but God always answers their cries for salvation - every time. God loves us so much and gives us opportunity after opportunity to cry out to Him for rescue. He sent His Son, Jesus, to be our ultimate and final Rescuer. We can cry out to Jesus and He will save us. He will redeem us. He will make us righteous before God and cleans us completely for all eternity.
In Judges 1, we have the beginning of 300 years of chaos due to disobedience. There is a sin cycle of false idols and disobedience, judgement being brought forth, a deliverer being sent to save them, and God's people then repenting and turning back to Him. Then, they do it all again. This is the exact same thing we do in our lives today. We are human. We fall short. We make mistakes. It all proves how much we desperately need Jesus. Instead of extinguishing and getting rid of all the sin in the land like God told them to, they let some of it stay. We do that too. We repent but refuse to fully let go of the sin and toy around with it a bit. Then we end up tripping up again only to have God save us and forgive us yet again through Jesus. God never gets tired of us and loves us beyond comprehension and is quick to forgive us again and again. He is fully of compassion and mercy if we are willing to cry out to Him to receive it. Above all else, He pursues our hearts.
In Joshua 23 & 24, God's people are reminded to cling to God and God alone and turn away from the wickedness of the world. God reminds His people of everything He has brought them through and has done for them. None of their past sins or mistakes are mentioned. Not one. It is not about what we do or don't do. It is ALL about what God does. God brings us where we are. We are all sinners and will fall short from time to time. God gave us Jesus. We can choose Jesus and He will cleanse us. God calls us to remember where we've been, where we are, and what God is doing through our lives. We all have a choice to make daily to choose to follow the world or to follow God. We are serving someone in all we do, it's up to us to decide who we will serve today. If we choose Jesus, we are forgiven when we repent and our lives become a living witness to those around us. We can rest in the safe arms of God. We are never as lost as we think we might be when Jesus is on our team. We simply have to choose Him.
In Joshua 21 & 22, the Levites are given their cities and pastures within the tribes of Israel. The Levites are missionaries and God is their portion but they still get a place to live within the cities they are working. God takes care of His people. This completed the final distribution of all the land and cities and God's promise is officially completed and fulfilled. God is always faithful to every one of His promises and He always will be. An issue of gossip and assumptions arises and the tribes that are headed back to their homes on the east side of the Jordan are accused of building an altar for sacrifice. They were prepared to go to war but instead chose to talk with them first. Thank goodness! Upon discussing the issue, they realize the truth of what was going on and that God's commands were indeed not being broken. They were building a memorial, NOT an altar for sacrifice. Their hearts were right with God all along and they were thinking ahead for future generations. We should never assume or gossip about others. It does nothing but stir up wars and division which is the exact opposite of God's character.
In Joshua 19 & 20, the land division is completed as God's promise to give His people this land is brought to fulfillment. God honors His promises. The tribe of Simeon is given land out of Judah's portion. This is a perfect picture of how we should live our lives. We should quickly give anyone anything needed out of our extras. All we have is from God and is truly His so we should eagerly and joyfully give our extras among our church families and communities. This is a clear example of how we should be living. The tribe of Dan had to fight to keep the land they were given. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and serve Him with all our hearts, our salvation is secure. Our land is ours. That doesn't mean we won't have to fight to keep sin and temptation out of our land. We have the power of the Holy Spirit in us to run from sin and temptations and run straight to Jesus with all we have. Jesus is our refuge, our strength, and our hope. We are safe in His mighty arms and He promises He will never leave us - not for a single step.
In Joshua 16 - 18, the land God promised the Israelites continues to be divided among the remaining nations. God's fulfillment of His part in the covenant is coming to fulfillment. One of the tribes started complaining about not yet receiving their land. Joshua basically told them to stop complaining, get up, and go get God's promise for their lives. Faith is active. Blessings come through our active obedience to God and His direction. It takes work. Blessings aren't just going to be poured out while we sit lazily and wait. There's always something on our end of God's promise that He asks us to do. Something that shows we love Him, trust Him, and will obey His direction. Joshua tells them it's time to get out and start their lives. It's time to take possession of what God has given you - what God has promised. Get up and go get it. Perhaps there is also a blessing waiting for us. Perhaps there's something right around the corner that God is just waiting on us to get up and go get. Perhaps it's time to set aside anything holding us back and run after what God has for us with all our guts. Perhaps it is time.
In Joshua 14 & 15, the Promised Land continues to be divided as God's promise to His people is coming to fulfillment. Caleb was promised the land he stood on when he went to go scope out the land originally because he faithfully trusted God wholeheartedly. He is 85 years old but still wants adventure and to go out and help take his land himself. He trusted God and stood firm on God's faithfulness to take down the giants ahead of them and bring forth His promises. No giant is too big in our lives for God to handle. When things are looking impossible, keep praying, keep believing, and keep standing on God's Word because when impossible strikes - God, in all His amazing glory, makes it possible. Do not give up. Don't ever give up. God is our mighty, faithful, powerful, loving, merciful, gracious, trustworthy, amazing Father and He can do anything and everything.
In Joshua 11 - 13, God defeats the enemy nations, drives them out of the land promised to His people, and settles them into the land He promised His people. These chapters have a lot of names that are hard to pronounce but they are a direct fulfillment of God's promises for His people. He promised them the land and He gave them the land. Israel is very large now and it all started with one man (Abraham) and one promise. In order to fully participate in this covenant with God, the Israelites will will need to listen and obey God and God alone. Every land allotment is demonstrating God's faithfulness to His promise, His covenant, and His people. Joshua is getting a bit old and there's still a lot to do. God says He'll just take care of the remaining battles. Moses represents the law and the law can only get us so far. Joshua represents Jesus and Jesus is the only one who can bring us into God's promises for our lives. There is no successor. There are still battles to fight, but God's got them. Once we accept Jesus as our Savior, God's got us. It is finished.
We are going to face storms in this earthly life. The great news is we have Jesus and we don't have to and shouldn't try to face them alone. We can trust God and His timing, power, and peace. We can eagerly choose to invite and keep Jesus in our boat through every day, hour, and moment we live through. God promises to always be with us through every thing - all the good and all the bad things. We can trust Him and know that we are not alone in absolutely anything.
In Joshua 9 & 10, the Israelite leaders fail to consult God on an important decision and end up making a treaty with the Gibeonites. Because they made an oath under God, they had to honor the oath and the newly formed treaty. God reminds His people to not be afraid and continues to fight their battles and defeat their enemies. God sent hail and even held the sun and the moon still in the sky until their enemies were defeated. They claimed victory over the southern regions but only by the almighty hand of God. God gave the inhabitants 100's of years to turn to Him and repent, but they refused. God was going to be inhabiting this land with His people and His holiness cannot dwell with unholiness. Like Rahab, they had a choice. They could choose God's team or the enemy's. It's the very same choice we have today.
In Acts 7, Stephen - filled with the Holy Spirit - addresses the Jewish leaders that do not believe Jesus is the Messiah. He boldly speaks of the glory of God with grace and power. He gazed at the heavens and saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God's right hand. This is the only place in Scripture I've found where it says Jesus was standing rather than sitting in His place of honor. Scripture doesn't say why He is standing. It could be that He's applauding Stephen for standing up for God and God's truth. It could be that He is angry at the people hurting God's child and is ready to pour out wrath. We don't know. Regardless, I so desperately pray my life is cause for Jesus to stand. I want to do everything and anything God brings me to - willingly and joyfully. That's my heart's cry. Anything God - He gets every yes. The Jewish leaders didn't like what they heard so they ultimately stoned Stephen bringing him to his earthly death. Right before he passed to eternity with Jesus, he pleads with God to have mercy on the very people who were killing him - just like our Savior - Jesus - did on the cross. His heart is reflecting God's heart in every way. We need to remember that Jesus died for our enemies too and be praying for them and for God's mercy to pour out on them. Jesus died so we could all have an opportunity to choose Him and have eternal life. Every single one of us are so loved beyond comprehension. God is just waiting, hand held out, for each and every one of us to grab on and rise up to our place in His Kingdom.
In Joshua 7 & 8, the Israelites lost their first battle and 36 men. God promised them this land, but they had sin in the camp. We cannot be victorious in God and entertain sin at the same time. God gives us victory over our enemy, but we first have to turn, repent, and let Jesus cleanse us and purify us. Sin is not an individual affair - it affects families, friends, and even nations. God tells His people to "Get up", cleanse themselves, and go. He still wants them to move into His will for their lives. He still has victory waiting. God does not give up on us. After they cleanse the nation from the sin that had infiltrated in, God gives them that victory. God will help us through our battles. He will give us the strength and power needed to get through, but we have to do our part. God defeated sin and death with His amazing rescue plan through Jesus. It's up to us to lay down ourselves and choose Him. It's up to us to proclaim our faith and victory through Christ. It's eternally worth it.
We are in a daily battle. One of the biggest battles, I believe, that many of us face is negative self-talk or self-doubts. We are made righteous by Jesus. Anything not supported by Scripture is a lie. It's time we rise up and conquer this battle. It's time we rise up, unite, and fight the enemy with all we've got. God already won, so it's time to stop living defeated. See who God says you are. See who God made you to be. We need to stop beating ourselves up with lies and stop letting our loved ones do the same thing. It's time to let our crowns sparkle for God. Jesus said "it is finished" - so let's gather together and proclaim that it is indeed finished.
In Joshua 5 & 6, the generation coming into the promised land of God enter into their part of God's covenant with them. When they do, God rolled away the shame of their slavery. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and enter into His covenant, our shame is also rolled away. Whatever sins we've done or have been done to us is cleansed and cleared by the blood of Jesus. Any and all shame and guilt is also rolled away in that cleansing. We don't have to hang on to it. We can let it go. Jesus already took it for us. God's commander is ready to enter into battle on behalf of God's people. God fights the battle for His people and the walls surrounding the city crumble without a single person touching those walls. God's army tumbled the walls down for His people. God can easily give victory to those who trust in Him. God has already won against the enemy and we can claim that victory in our lives. We can trust God. We can trust His rescue. Faith can and will save you. It's a promise.
In Joshua 3 & 4, God raises Joshua up as a leader of the Israelites and God successfully leads them into their very first steps into their promised land. The Ark of the Covenant leads God's people. God is with them and goes before them, after them, and with them in every single step. God is with us in every step of our days the exact same way. God tells Joshua that the Israelites will know that God is with him as He raises Joshua up as their leader. People around us should be able to see and know that God is with us in our daily lives as well. Our character and integrity should reflect God's. We are His and He is ours and it should show. God splits the river so they can walk across the Jordan River on dry land. When they get across, God tells them to build a stone memorial so they have a reminder of everything God is doing for them. It's so important to remember all that God has done, is doing, and promises for us in our lives. God makes a powerful move by again splitting waters showing his mighty, powerful hand. He desperately wants His people to choose Him, to love Him, and to reverently fear Him. That same powerful arm of God loves us beyond comprehension and sends us mercy, kindness, forgiveness, and love to enjoy in every moment of our days. He just wants us to choose Him, love Him, and reverently fear Him in all of our days. We are not perfect and will make mistakes, but we are loved and forgiven by our amazingly powerful, almighty God if we are willing to choose Him.
In Joshua 1 & 2, the Israelites are ready to go and enter into God's promises for their lives and God is ready to send them. God tells Joshua three times in a row to be strong and courageous, know that God is going to be with him every step of the way, and to rest assured that God will not fail or abandon him. We will face battles and struggles in life. Psalm 23 says that we pass through the valleys of the shadows of death, we don't stay in them. God is with us through it all. It's a promise. We can trust in God through every moment of life and through every single battle we face. He is faithful and will not abandon us in our struggles. Joshua sends two spies into the land of Jericho and they find a prostitute, Rahab, who fears and believes in God and chooses God's side. The scarlet rope of the blood of Jesus not only saves her and her family, but redeems her life entirely. She ends up being part of the genealogy of Jesus. God redeems her life and it all starts with faith - active faith.
In Deuteronomy 33 & 34, Moses is preparing for his departure into eternity with God. He gives each of the 12 tribes of Israel his final blessings before he goes. God knows they will turn from Him, but He is still going to pass the baton to Joshua to lead His people to their promised land. We break God's Word, but God does not break His. When Moses takes his final look at the land of God's promise, he passes from this earthly life and goes into eternity with God. God buries Moses Himself showing the intimacy in their relationship. God wants that kind of intimate relationship with each one of us too. We can shine just like Moses by meeting with God and knowing Him personally in our daily moments.
In Deuteronomy 31 & 32, God's people are reminded repeatedly to not be afraid, to be strong and courageous, and to not panic before our enemies. He reminds us that God will personally go ahead of us and will not fail or abandon us. He reminds God's people of the importance of fearing God and remaining in awe and reverence of Him and who He is. God knows Israel will turn their backs on Him and still leads them into the land He promised them. God knows everything we will ever do, and still desperately wants a relationship with us. Our relationship with God is not based on our performances. On our own, we break every one of God's commands. We are the opposite of God's amazingly good and just character. God gave us eternal atonement because He loves us. That is it. He desires us and chooses us. ALL of us. God gave us Jesus so our relationship with Him could be open and available. God deserves our worship, not because of anything to do with us but because of everything He is. God is awesome, we are not. God gave us Jesus so we too could be awesome but only through Him. God is such an incredibly good Father.
In Deuteronomy 29 & 30, the covenant they are about to enter into with God is reviewed. Moses encourages them again to choose God, to choose obedience. Today, we get the opportunity to choose Jesus. God will not force us to choose Him, it's our choice. He desperately wants all His children to choose Him, but the choice is ultimately up to us. God is never far from us, we just have to cry out to Him and He is there. Chapter 30 vs. 20a says "You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying Him, and committing yourself firmly to Him. This is the key to your life." This is still the key to our lives today. Jesus is the key. He is the answer. He is the only choice worth making.
In Deuteronomy 28, the blessings are given. If the Israelites choose to follow God, His blessings will be poured out on their lives. The chapter very quickly turns back to the curses they will endure if they do not choose God. Moses is doing all he can to warn them of what disobedience and rejecting God will bring in their lives. He knows these people quite well and knows they need all the warnings. Jesus took sin and defeated death on the cross so we don't have to live in these curses. If we choose Christ as our Lord and Savior, we get to receive and live in all the blessings of God. He freed us from any and all of the curses that sins bring and gave us freedom, righteousness, and blessings in exchange. It doesn't mean life will always be easy or that we won't make mistakes, it just means that God is going to be with us every moment. This is a very broken, sinful world, and life may get hard at times. If we choose to accept Jesus as our Savior, we will have God and the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives to give us all the strength, peace, rest, and anything else we may need at different moments in life to endure through it all.
In Deuteronomy 26 & 27, God's people are told how to respond when they enter into God's promise for their lives. Their first and foremost priority is to worship God. God wants an intimate relationship with us. The best gift we could ever give to God is our heart and soul wholeheartedly. We are God's special treasure, He delights over each and every one of us. The covenant the Israelites are about to enter into in the promised land is a bilateral covenant. They have a choice to follow God and His commands or to not follow Him. If they do not follow Him, the consequence is curses which will fall upon their lives. If they do follow Him, their lives will overflow with blessings. Today we have Jesus. Jesus gives us a very similar choice. We can choose to accept His gift of salvation or to not accept it. He died on the cross and shed His blood to atone for all of our sins if we choose Him. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive freedom from the curse of sin and the consequence of sin which is death. The penalty for sin has been paid by Jesus and if we choose Him for our lives, we receive the eternal blessing of righteousness before God in return.
In Deuteronomy 23 - 25, Moses reminds God's people that God loves them and has turned curses into blessings in our lives. What the enemy meant for evil, God turns to good for His glory. Jesus conquered sin and death on the cross and took the wrath of God's punishment for our sin onto Himself in our place. We are not to live trapped by sins, we are free. God hates sin and gives us His strength to run far from it. The same power that raised Jesus from death, resides in us when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. Moses lays out guidelines for daily living situations that may come up and the character of God is shown through the emphasis he places on retaining dignity, care, and compassion for people. God is compassionate, caring, and loves His children beyond comprehension. We can trust Him. Even when every single circumstance that surround us look defeating, we can stand firm on God's goodness. God is good regardless of how we "feel" and what all the things going on around us look like. God sent Jesus, we have a Savior, and He is so so good.
In Deuteronomy 20 - 22, Moses reminds God's people that we are not to be afraid or live in fear. We can rest assured and know that God is with us in every step of everything we face. We will have battles, but we also have God and He is mightier than anything we will face. God places high value on life, respect for life, and the dignity of others. God cares so much for His creation, He makes sure it is understood we are to respect the life of trees and birds as well. He reminds God's people to do the right thing and remain pure before God as God's chosen people - set apart for Him. God wants to remain with His people and they didn't have Jesus yet. God is supremely holy and pure and sin cannot dwell anywhere near that divine holiness. We have Jesus and Jesus wiped away all our sins to make us pure so we have the amazing privilege of abiding with God every second of every day if we choose to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
In Deuteronomy 18 & 19, Moses reminds God's people that the Levites are missionaries and will receive God as their portion. God is their land. They get to reside wholly with God and serve His people. He calls God's people to not live like any of the people in the land they are about to enter or take part in any of their evil practices. They are to live set apart as God's holy, chosen people. He tells them a Prophet is coming - and He did. Jesus is our perfect prophet. Moses reviews the cities of refuge that would be needed as they divide up the land. God is a God of justice and does punish the guilty, but He also protects the innocent - those who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We are guilty. No one is innocent of sin. Jesus took our punishment on Himself. He's both sides of justice and grace and met them both perfectly on the intersection of the cross. Jesus is our refuge.
In Deuteronomy 16 & 17, God's people are again reminded to remember. To never forget the bondage God freed them from. Moses reminds them to celebrate the annual feasts, celebrations, sacrifices and offerings. He urges God's people to keep God at the center of all rhythms of life. He reviews the rules for justice and the importance of keeping justice pure, not twisted and to "Let true justice prevail". God is a just God and evil will be judged and sin will be accounted for. If Jesus is our Lord and Savior, our sins have already been accounted for. Even though there have been no mention or thought of having a king for Israel, Moses tells them what the rules are for future kings. God knows. He knows our hearts, desires, intentions, and shortcomings. He loves us unfailingly regardless. Jesus is our perfect King, our perfect Priest, our perfect Savior. Jesus frees us and fulfills all laws. God sent us Jesus so we could have God close and have an intimate relationship with Him. Today, we too are to keep God the center of all of our daily rhythms - every single breathing second.
In Deuteronomy 14 & 15, Moses calls God's people to remember that God has chosen them. They are to remember that God rescued them. Remembering God's grace leads to loving God, and loving God leads to obeying God. Israel was to be holy and set apart because Israel is holy to God and must be distinct, set apart, and different from any of the people around them. They were to eat different, live different lives, and worship God in all they did and said. They didn't have Jesus yet. We have Jesus and we should also be set apart. We have the Holy Spirit in our lives working and living through us. We too should reflect God and His character in all we do and say. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are adopted by God. We are His children. We now have His character and His character should be reflected in our lives. God is now part of our DNA.
In Deuteronomy 12 & 13, Moses is not messing around. They are about to enter into some very pagan nations full of false idols and false gods. They even had a god they would burn their children for. God is not okay with this. He reminds God's people to keep God and the very core and center of our souls and lives. Who we worship and how we worship means everything in our lives. He reminds the Israelites to not eat any of the blood in any of the meats they consume. The life blood is set apart and sacred and points directly to Jesus. The sacred blood of Jesus spilled out on the cross for us. He offered Himself as the ultimate, perfect, and final sacrifice so we can be free from sin and sin's chains. He conquered death once and for all. It is complete and finished. Moses cries out to God's people for a complete soul devotion to God and God alone, to obey God, listen to His voice, and to cling to Him. If you are 90% faithful to your spouse, are you truly faithful? Not trusting in Christ completely is not trusting in Christ at all.
In Deuteronomy 10 & 11, Moses answers the question "what does God require of you?" He says in vs. 12b "He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases Him, and love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul." Moses reminds God's people that God chooses us. God wants us, He desires us, He sings over and delights in us. He so desperately wants an intimate relationship with us. Moses reminds God's people to fix their eyes on God and God alone and He in turn will fix His eyes on them. He reviews their bilateral covenant. If they choose to obey God, love Him, and follow His decrees and commands, they will have blessings poured out in their lives. If they choose to not follow God, they will be faced with curses and live a very hard life that leads to death. Chapter 11 vs. 26 says "I am giving you the choice between blessing and a curse." We have the same choice today. We can choose the salvation, mercy, and grace found in Jesus and let His blessing pour through our lives, or we can choose to face the curses and consequences of our sins which lead to eternal punishment and death. The choice is ours.
In Deuteronomy 8 & 9, Moses tells God's people to remember. Remember all that God has done, is doing, and all He is bringing you to. God is all powerful and bigger than any giant we may face in our lives. No matter what we are facing, God is bigger. We can trust Him. He calls us to remain in constant gratitude to God so we remain humble and avoid pride. Gratitude saves you from idolatry and pride makes you forget God. God is bringing His will forth for His people. Not because they are "good" or "deserve" it in any way at all. We are all covenant breakers by nature. Without Jesus, we would all fail. Moses interceded for the Israelites repeatedly and today, Jesus does the exact same thing for us - if we choose Him as our Savior and let Him lead our life....all the way to eternity.
In Deuteronomy 6 & 7, God calls us to listen, hear, and love which in turns brings us into obedience. God wants us to love Him with everything in us. He loves us for no other reason than He chose to love us. Love is the center of the law. Love is the only force that leads us to obedience. The love Jesus has for us is a love in action. He chose to die on the cross so we would not have to suffer in sin. He chose to free us from the bondage and eternal consequence of sins. We have God's grace and it is a free gift for each of us because of Jesus. He gave it all so we could have it all. God wants us to listen, to hear Him, and to obey. He wants to keep us safe from the chains of sin in the world. He wants to keep us safe in His loving hands now and for all eternity.
In Deuteronomy 5, Moses reminds the new generation of the 10 Commandments. This generation will be entering a pagan land full of idolatry. He wants to ensure God's laws are written on the hearts of God's people. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus sums up the commandments by saying First and foremost "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind". Secondly and "equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself." The commandments follow this exactly. The first set of commands all point to passionately loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind. The second set of commands point to loving the people around you just as much. He reminds them of how awe-stricken they were by the all consuming glory of God when He spoke to them from the heart of the fire at Mount Sinai. They said in vs. 24b "Today we have seen that God can speak to us humans, and yet we live!" God responded to them in vs. 29 by saying "Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever." God is calling us to have hearts like this. To have this sense of awe in the all consuming glory and holiness of God. He's calling us to lay down anything and everything that may be standing in the way of that so we can live fully and completely in Him. If just one link breaks in a chain when towing a truck, the truck will no longer be towed. God wants all our links whole and connected to Him.
In Deuteronomy 3 & 4, Moses reminds God's people that God has given them the victory over their enemies. God has been the One fighting for them and leading them into victories. God has all power and all authority. The enemy might be ruling the earth for right now, but God has the final victory and He is fighting on our behalf. We don't have to be subject to the enemy - God wins. God has already conquered death when Jesus died on the cross for us. The power of sin and death in our lives was destroyed for all eternity. We have the power of God in us to fight and win over absolutely anything the enemy ever tries in our lives. Moses reflects on not being able to enter the Promised Land. The law doesn't get us to God, Jesus does. Like Moses, the law can only go so far. Jesus takes us all the way. Jesus takes us straight to God with no detours. We are told to remember - never forget - all that God has done, is doing, and has promised in our lives. We are warned to not have any false idols in our lives. We don't need a "god" we can see, we need the One true God, who hears us and speaks to us. Some false idols we deal with in today's time are the need of approval, power, control, and pleasures. God is patiently waiting for us to lay it all down, come to the end of our false idols, and surrender 100% to Him. He's waiting to be given permission to take the driver's seat. He wants to move in our lives today.
In Deuteronomy 2, Moses continues his plea to Israel to stay close to God and choose life as he continues to remember what God has brought them through and where they are going. He reminds them of when God told them "You have been wandering around in this hill country long enough". (vs 2) He repeatedly reminds them of times God has told them to "Get moving". He reminds them that God has been with them in every step as they have wandered through this wilderness. Wherever we are at in life and whatever wilderness we might be wandering through, God is with us in every step. It is time to move on. God is calling us to repent of whatever is holding us in our wildernesses and move forward in Him and in His will for our lives. He's screaming from the heavens to "Get Moving!" It's time to lay our "selves" down, give God full control of the entire driver's seat - not just the wheel - and faithfully and obediently trust in Him with anything and everything in our lives. It's time.
In Deuteronomy 1, Moses starts his final plea to God's people encouraging them to choose God and choose life. He gives a final call to covenant faithfulness for the new generation that will be moving forward into the Promised Land. He recounts the day God told them "You have stayed at this mountain long enough. It is time to break camp and move on." There have been countless times when I've wandered into the "wilderness" and God has brought me to this verse. He whispers out - okay, enough now, "Don't be afraid! Don't be discouraged!" - and move on. Moses recounts the time when the burden he felt was just too much for one person. There are so many times the burdens we face are too much. God did not call us to be alone and carry our burdens alone. He called us to community and to help each other carry burdens along the way. He reminds God's people to trust in God and to faithfully obey Him. He remembers that God told him to encourage Joshua as Joshua is about to lead His people into the Promised Land. We should encourage and exhort each other every day. There is an enemy desiring nothing more than to crush us and take us out. This is a real war. We need to gather, encourage, and fight with all our guts. It's a daily battle, but we are in it together and have the very best Leader. He has final authority. We can trust Him.
In Numbers 34-36, the Israelites are still east of the Jordan River preparing to cross into the Promised Land. God gives clear instruction to Moses on how to divide the land without leaving out the Levites. God Himself is the portion for the Levites, but they still need somewhere to live. Cities of refuge are put in place so people who accidentally take someone's life can stay safe until they are given a fair trial. Despite their bitter attitudes and disobedience, God is honoring His covenant to Abraham and the Promised Land is coming. As they are on the brink of the Promised land, it is clear God does not approve of bad attitudes or disobedience, but He it is also clear that He is faithful in spite of it all. God never changes His mind about His will for our lives no matter what we may have done or what sins we've committed. God loves us all and sent His Son to die on each and every one of our crosses for us. Jesus took any and all of our sins as well as any power they may have held in our lives, such as shame or guilt. He took it all when He died on the cross for us - He was "all in" - He took it all. We can live righteously in Him if we choose Him - we can live "all in" every day. Jesus is our City of Refuge - we just have to choose to enter.
In Numbers 32 & 33, compromise enters. Two of the tribes of Israel decide they have followed God "far enough" and they no longer want to follow Him all the way to the land that was promised to them. They will fight for God with their brothers for the land, but they ultimately decide they only want to follow God "some of the way" and want to come back to the land they are in now. Moses is not happy with this proposal. This journey is about following God wholeheartedly and ALL the way - not just a part of the way. Compromise spreads and half of a 3rd tribe decide they too want to stay East of the Jordan. Eventually this compromise will take them out as false gods and evil creeps into the land around them and they fall away from God. Moses recounts their journey this far as they are about to cross into the Promised Land. God has been faithful and has brought His people to where He said He would regardless of the obstacles they faced along the way. God renews their calling to go into the Promised Land and reminds them to completely smash out and remove all false idols with no compromise. He wants to make sure His people are following Him wholeheartedly. Compromise leads to destruction and He wants nothing to remain around them that could lead them into such destruction.
In Numbers 30 & 31, we see that God is the first to outline the integrity and value of our words and vows. To make sure we truly mean what we say, say what we mean, and say it nicely. The weight of vows is shown as well as the respect and responsibility needed to maintain a household with character and integrity. God takes vengeance on the Midianites for turning God's people away from Him. He takes sin seriously and there is a price to pay for all sin. There is a lot of evil in our world and we can rest assured knowing that God's judgment and vengeance is going to deal with that evil. Sin carries a price and if we don't choose and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we will have to face the price and weight of the sins in our lives. God gave us a choice, a Son, and a Savior. It's up to us to accept our Savior, the gift, the forgiveness and all the freedom He offers.
In Hebrews 10:1-18, the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross was the final sacrifice for us - the once and for all - ultimate sacrifice. We are cleansed completely from any and all sins if we believe in Jesus. If we believe and have faith in Jesus, God "will never again remember our sins and lawless deeds." We are made holy because of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross when He suffered, died, and rose from the grave. We are forever made holy because of Jesus. Jesus offered Himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time - for all eternity.
In Numbers 29, the Fall feasts are reviewed. The first is the Festival of Trumpets. Trumpets were used to gather people, move people, and sound a battle alarm. The two times trumpets are used directly in connection to God are when the laws were given at Mt Sinai and the day Jesus will return for His people. The trumpets will sound and Jesus will come again. It's a promise. We don't know the time or the hour, but He's coming. The Day of Atonement is soul searching and confession. During the tribulation years, there will be judgement from God and a lot of people will search their souls and turn to God. The Festival of Shelters is a reminder of the 40 years they lived in tents as they journeyed through the wilderness. There will be a millennium time of a 1,000 year reign with Jesus. Jesus is our only secure shelter and cover. He is with us in every single step and will never leave us if we choose Him. He promises us eternity with God. We are safe in God's arms forever.
In Numbers 28, the rhythms of every single day, week, month and year are reviewed and the importance of honoring God in every single day, week, month, and year of our lives. The importance of giving Him our whole selves completely to God, giving our fellowship to God, the fruits of our labors, as well as our joys and sufferings is reiterated. When God's people keep these rhythms at the heart of their lives, they stay close to God. When they stop honoring the feasts and sacrifices, they fall. Remembering all God has done and is even doing right now in our lives is vital. The first four annual feasts took place in the spring. They each point straight to Jesus when He came to earth to give His life for us. They represent the Passover, burial and sanctification, and resurrection of Jesus as well as the unification of God's people as churches started across the nations. Jesus is our once and for all final sacrifice. He died so we could live. He came to earth to bring us home. He paid it all so we could have it all. The only thing required of us is to choose Him and receive true life in Him.
In Numbers 27, God's people have been counted and the Promised Land was going to be distributed. An issue arose for 5 daughters whose father had passed. If the land was distributed according to the count of the men, they'd be left without a home. They brought their concern straight to Moses who brought it straight to God. That's where all our concerns should go. God told Moses their concern was legitimate and they needed to have land given to them. The land was meant for the families - not just the men. The families made up the nation. The women were valued by God and they get a home as well. God then prepares Moses for his passing. He would get to see the Promised Land but would not get to go into it. Moses humbly shows compassion and concern for who would lead God's people. He does not grumble, complain, or argue. His only concern is that God's people are not left like sheep without a shepherd - which is the very same heart of Jesus who became the Shepherd for all of us.
In Numbers 25 & 26, Balaam was not able to bring a curse onto the Israelites but recommends they battle them spiritually instead. The men are seduced and enticed by the Moabite women and in turn they worship the false gods of Moab. They fall for it and the plan works. God gets angry and a plague falls on the Israelites taking out 24,000 people. A grandson of Aaron acted in His zealous faithfulness to God and killed one of the Simeon men who was sinning and the woman he was sinning with. God rewards his zealousness for God and stops the plague. Almost all of the previous generation has now passed on leaving the generation that is promised to enter the Promised Land. They recount to establish how the land they are about to enter should be split up. The current generation has been born and raised wandering around in the wilderness and they are about to receive the long awaited promise. The only two that remained steadfast and faithful in their trust to God from the previous generation were Caleb and Joshua. They are the only two who outlasted all the complainers and gripers of an entire generation of people. God rewards the kind of passion that faithfully and firmly trusts in the Word of God no matter what the circumstances around us may look like.
In Numbers 23 & 24, no matter how many times they switch mountains to ask God or how many sacrifices they make only blessings are brought forth from Balaam's mouth. Balaam has been humbled and can only say what God tells him to say but he is still divided since he cannot get paid unless he curses Israel. The first blessing comes forth for God's chosen people and God reminds them that if God has not cursed someone, no one else can. If God has not condemned someone, no one else can. God has any and all power and authority. Judgment belongs to God and only God. Romans 8 tells us again if God is for us, nothing and no one can be against us. If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, we are only seen as righteous in God's eyes and nothing can stand against us when our faith is in Him and Him alone. The 2nd blessing shows God's character. He does not change His mind. He keeps His promises. He does not lie. No matter what we may have done or might do in our lives, God loves us. He has not changed His mind about us. His promises stand. In the 3rd blessing, Balaam is further humbled and he realizes God's will and submits to it. God does not bend or alter His will for us, our wills are to line up with His. The Holy Spirit falls on Him when he submits his will to God's and he now sees clearly with eyes wide open. He tells of the glory of God's Kingdom as well as the judgment that is to come as a result of the evilness they refuse to turn from. They will have to account for that evil. God doesn't take our side, we take His. His side is established and solid and trustworthy. If you are on God's side, absolutely nothing can come against you - His will always stands firm.
In Numbers 22, the Moabites are terrified by the coming Israelites. In fear, they call upon Balaam who is a well known prophet they want to hire to curse the Israelites so they are able to conquer them. God tells Balaam directly exactly what His will is. God tells him not to go and not to curse them because they are blessed people. Balaam clearly knows God's power and authority and tells Balak's officials he cannot go because God said so. King Balak hears the report and counters with an offer of even more money. Balaam knows God's will very clearly but starts to bend at the thought of even more dollar signs. He's seeing green instead of God. When we entertain temptation, it only comes in even stronger which leads us into sin. God has to then go around Balaam's human will but God's will always comes forth - this time through a talking donkey! God sends The Angel of the Lord to stop the donkey. The donkey can see The Angel but Balaam cannot. His donkey has more spiritual perspective than he does. The donkey speaks and what's funny to me is he doesn't stop and question why or how the donkey is speaking. He instead asks him why he caused him to look like a fool. His pride gets in the way. The donkey asks him if he has ever done anything like this before and Balaam is finally then humbled when he realizes the answer is a hard "no". When a faithful friend tries to stop us from anything, we should pay attention. God may be trying to stop you from something you can't quite see from the inside view. Balaam then sees The Angel and repents. The only response to Jesus should always be immediate repentance. He then receives God's instruction as to how to move forward from here. His instruction is to only speak the message that God puts in his mouth. Our words and character should always reflect God's and only God's in all we do and say.
In Numbers 21, the Israelites enter into their first battle as they get closer to the Promised Land. They are given their first victory in this battle, but only by the will of God. The Canaanites were wicked to the core which is a picture of sin in our own lives. Sin comes after us, but God destroys sin if we trust in Jesus. Godlessness deserves wrath but Jesus gives us victory over our sins. Judgement and mercy are seen together as God's wrath meets God's love for us. The people again complain and speak against God. Poisonous snakes then start slithering about. Sin enters in their blasphemy and lack of trust in God. God tells Moses to make a bronze snake and if they look up at the bronze snake, they will be saved from the poison of the snakes. John 3:14-15 tells us that just as Moses lifted a bronze snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up so everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. When people call out to God, He gives them a way. He gives us an option to repent, and have redemption and salvation. Salvation is free, we just have to look up. Jesus took the poison of our sins on Himself when He took our places on our crosses. We merely have to look up.
In Numbers 20, the Israelites have been wandering for 37 years. Reactions to life's situations and struggles are a pretty good indication of spiritual maturity. God has come through for them again and again, but they still aren't able to trust Him. They continue the cycle of God giving them instruction, they disobey and face punishment, Moses and Aaron intercede, and...repeat! This is the sin cycle. This is what Jesus does for us every day. He intercedes for our forgiveness, grace, and mercy and breaks the cycle of sins in our lives. The Israelites are back at Kadesh and are thirsty. They again grumble and complain and Moses and Aaron go to God. God gives clear instructions to speak to the rock and it will bring forth water but Moses instead strikes the rock twice. He didn't trust and follow God's instruction fully. God still brought forth water for His people in all His holy grace and mercy. We may not get things perfectly, but God gives us His grace and mercy through Jesus when we bring all our imperfections to Him and lay them on the cross. The rock in this image is like Jesus. He paid the price for every bit of our sin, shame, and guilt and all that is needed to receive the Living Water is to speak your faith. Repent. There is no longer striking or sacrifice needed. Jesus took every strike for us in our place - He took our cross from our lives. We are free from sin and all of sin's consequences when we place our faith in Jesus.
In Numbers 19, the sacrifice required for when a person comes into contact with death is explained. The sacrifice was a very rare red heifer with no defects. Jesus was pure, holy, innocent of any and all evil and sacrificed Himself for us on the cross. Jesus beat death once and for all when He shed His blood for us on the cross. The sacrifice is burnt in its entirety. Jesus crushed all sin, guilt, and shame in their entirety when He took our place on the cross. Cedar, a hyssop branch, and some scarlet yarn are also burnt with this offering. Jesus was offered vinegar wine on a hyssop branch when He died on a wooden cross for us. The hyssop branch represents cleansing and purification. The scarlet thread is woven throughout Scripture and represents the blood Jesus shed when He died in our place on the cross. This offering is sacrificed outside the camp, just like Jesus who was crucified outside of Jerusalem. The ashes of this offering are kept and used to purify the water which is used in purification. The water is represents the Holy Spirit - the living water, and the Word of God - the living Word. Both of which we consume when we accept Jesus as our Savior. Jesus saves our souls, the Word saves our minds and purifies us through the Holy Spirit, and through the holy, glorious power of God, our hearts are forever changed.
In Numbers 17 & 18, God settles the leadership issue in the camp. He publicly confirms Aaron, his sons, and his tribe of Levites are indeed the chosen leaders and anointed by God. God puts an end to the grumbling, complaining, and murmuring in the camp. He puts an end to the distrust. Grumbling and complaining destroys our faith. Aaron's staff comes to life and produces ripe almonds. His old, dead piece of wood brings forth new life. Jesus died on the cross, is our ultimate High Priest, and brings new life into our dead lives. He forgives us, cleanses us, revives us, restores us, and makes us all new in Him. He gives us a new life. A life like we'd never dream of on our own. We can trust God and put all our faith in Him. He will never let us down and is faithful to keep all His promises.
In Numbers 16, an uprising against Moses, Aaron and ultimately God is started due to envy among the Levites. The people anointed by God to do His work are rebelling against their leaders and God. They fail to stop and pray and seek God's will. Moses responds to their uprising by taking it straight to God. His answer is always to seek God first and let Him decide. This is what we should all be doing every day of our lives. When anger rises up in Moses about the situation, he again takes it straight to God. God's judgment and wrath is about to be unleashed for their sin and rebellion. God sets mercy into Moses' heart and waits for Moses to pray and intercede, standing in the gap once again for the nation. This is the exact same thing Jesus does for us every single day. Sinning against God is more serious than we tend to want to admit. Sin leads to death. God provides a way out of the punishment we very much deserve for our sin - a rescue - through Jesus. Jesus is our ultimate High Priest, our intercessor, our rescuer, and our only way to God. Jesus stands between us and death - every single day. We just have to choose to let Him.
In Numbers 15, the sacrifices needed for the day they enter the Promised Land are reviewed. God says "when" they enter, not "if" they enter. God is faithful to His will, even when we ourselves are faithless. The next generation will see the Promised Land. Regret does not equal repentance. Repentance is a heart change and the current generation has not experienced a heart change. For 40 years, a whole generation will do nothing. They will walk without the Spirit of God. Their hearts remain proud and unchanged rather than humble and obedient to their God - their rescuer. They will be dry and fruitless. We are reminded in this chapter to work for the Lord in all we do every day. Work as though we are working for God Himself and be fueled by the Holy Spirit as we do the work. God wants our fellowship, love, and friendship in all our moments. He's a good, good Father.
In Numbers 14, the Israelites are hopeless. They are overwhelmed with fear rather than faith. They don't trust God and His promises. They've seen God's power move time and time again yet they doubt and refuse to believe or obey. God has the power to give them the Promised land and told them He would. Caleb and Joshua are the only two that stand up in faith on that promise and are therefore, the only two from this generation that will get to enter the Promised land. God is frustrated with the sin and unbelief of His people, but Moses once again intercedes and prays for them. Moses knows and understands God's wrath and judgment; however, he also knows His character. He knows God is slow to anger, loving, and forgiving. God knows what He is going to do. He knows His will and is going to bring it forth one way or another. He was waiting for Moses to pray. Prayer is powerful. Our prayers should always align with the truth of who God is. His character should guide every one of our prayers. Because of this generation's refusal to obey, trust, and have faith in God, they will now have to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Their children will get the land that has been promised by God instead of them. Every generation has a brand new, fresh chance at having confident faith in God. It is so important to not doubt God or lose faith in Him. We can all choose to trust and rest in God every single day. He is faithful.
In Numbers 12 & 13, envy tries to creep into the camp. God stops it in its tracks. Envy is a root sin that leads to evil and can take down a whole team. God speaks of the relationship He has with Moses and his humility. Humility is the only prevention and solution for envy. Miriam's arm becomes leprous which is what sin looks like inside us - death and decay. She is quarantined for 7 days. Moses is a humble leader, his partners in service became envious, 7 days must pass before Miriam is restored and redeemed. Jesus is the ultimate humble leader, the religious leaders became envious leading to His death on the cross. When Jesus returns, there will be 7 years of tribulations and then a glorious restoration and redemption. The Israelites are given a sneak peak to their land that God has promised them. Instead of trusting God and moving forward with Him and His plan for their life, the giants in the land ahead stop them in fear. Instead of looking up - seeing God, and faithfully trusting His Word for their lives - His promises, they only see the giants. They only see the struggle ahead instead of God and His plan.
In Numbers 10 & 11, the trumpet's purpose is explained and will be used for assembling people, moving forward, battle calls, and feasts and celebrations. When Jesus returns, a trumpet will sound. The trumpet will call all His people to Him, moving us up to be with Him. A battle will break out as the tribulation period begins and when the victory is won defeating Satan once and for all, a celebration like no other will begin. The Israelites set out on their first move led by the tribe of Judah - just as Jesus is our almighty leader in life today. It doesn't take long before the people begin to complain. They no longer feel the manna is good enough and want more. God reminds Moses of His mighty power and their complaints and gluttony are quickly dealt with. If God's manna is not enough for us, nothing in this world ever will be. If Jesus is not enough to satisfy us in every single way, nothing on earth ever will.
In Numbers 8, the Levites' lives are dedicated as missionaries for God. They will be working for God and in turn serving God's people. In preparation, they are cleansed both inside and out. When we put our faith in Jesus, we are giving all our sin and guilt to Him. He became the perfect Sacrifice for us and took all that sin and guilt to the cross with Him. We don't have to pick it back up, it's been paid for in full. As Jesus was returning to Heaven, He called all of us to spread His Gospel to the nations using the gifts and talents He's blessed us with. He doesn't force Himself on anyone - it's an invitation to join Him and escape the consequences of sin and death for all eternity. The choice is up to us. In Numbers 9, we are off! After a Passover celebration remembering how God saved them from Egypt, the road trip begins. They obediently follow God's cloud which has a flame in it at night. When God says "go", they go and when God says "stay", they stay. They are following the flame and God is building trust in His people. God speaks to us and leads us if we listen. He is the light on our path. Sometimes He has us wait and sometimes He has us move. The key is to faithfully trust and follow His lead in every single step.
In Numbers 7, we flash back to the end of Exodus. You may be wondering how the Levites are going to carry all the equipment it takes to put up the Tabernacle and take it down again as they travel. That question is answered by going back to the dedication offerings that were given to God when the Tabernacle was built. Gifts and offerings were given by each of the tribes of Israel and then re-gifted by God to the appropriate people who would need those items based on their callings. The Levites are called to serve God in the Tabernacle - they themselves are their gifts to God, their service - and they will use the wagons and oxen to accomplish the services they are called to. This will in turn also serve God's people. Even today, we are given exactly what we need to do what God has called us to do. God loves a cheerful giver. It's a heart matter. He loves receiving heartfelt gifts from His children. Each of the tribes of Israel give gifts to God in a thankful response to God being present with them as they travel. Each of the tribes give the exact same thing, but yet every gift is recorded separately. God treasures our gifts. He counts every single one. Every act of love and kindness toward others, all the work we do as though we are working for God, all the finances we give as we are able - anything and everything we do with a heart towards God - is carefully recorded by Him. He loves our gifts and cherishes every single one.
In Numbers 5 & 6, purity is addressed. God is pure and holy so the camp needs to remain pure and holy so God is able to remain with His people as they travel. A jealousy offering is discussed if adultery is suspected in a marriage. God knows our hidden secrets and our hearts and holds us accountable for our actions and choices. Jesus cleanses us so we are fully forgiven and free to remain with God in spite of our sins. Jesus makes us whole and pure. That doesn't mean we won't have to face earthly consequences for the choices we make this side of Heaven. The Nazirite Law is explained. People could choose to make a vow to live completely devoted to God. They could chose to separate themselves from the world for a time. To do this they were not to even eat or drink anything from a grapevine. There was no room left for blurred lines in this strict vow. They were to never cut their hair or go near a dead body. The world is dying and if they choose to take this vow for a season, they would need to stay clear of it until the vowed time is up.
In Numbers 4, assignments and tasks are given to the three Levite clans so everyone knows what they are to do to serve in God's house and what their assignment is. They are counted again so they know how many and who are able to serve now. God is a God of now and wants anyone who is able to serve to get in their places and do so - - right now - today. Everything is wrapped up perfectly to make sure everything they are carrying remains holy and pure. Blue cloths are used when they are wrapping up God's house representing heaven. Goatskin leather is used making everything appear just like any other tent on the outside but there is a huge difference in this tent. This tent is God's house. Just like Jesus - He came to Earth looking like any other man, but He was truly God in human form. The scarlet cloth is used to carry the Bread of the Presence. Jesus is the Bread of Life and when He died for our sins on the cross, communication was opened between us and God - the veil used to cover the Ark was torn in two. The separation between us and God no longer exists. A purple cloth is used in wrapping up the altar for sacrifices. Purple is royalty and Jesus is royalty. He is the King of all and Lord of all and He made the one and final sacrifice for us on the cross. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are adopted as sons and daughters of the King - we are royalty.
In Numbers 3, inventory continues. The Levites are now counted. They are appointed by God as the spiritual leaders of the Israel Nation. There are three clans and they are each given a specific task of taking down and putting up the Tabernacle as they travel. The Levites take the place of the 1st born sons of each family as the spiritual leaders in the nation. There are 273 more first born sons of Israel than there are Levites so those Israelites are paid for in full to balance the difference. Jesus paid our price in full. Our sins are already paid for. We owe nothing thanks to Jesus. We no longer have to put up or take down tents for God to reside in to be with us. Because of Jesus, God is with us in every step, every moment, and every breath we take.
In Numbers 1 & 2, God directs the Israelites to take inventory as they prepare to go forward into the wilderness towards the Promised Land. There are millions in the nation now. God's promise to Abraham has proven to be a reality. God never fails, keeps His promises, and is trustworthy. The order and organization of the people is important as they prepare to set out on their journey. The camp is organized intentionally, keeping God at the very center of the nation. Just like in our lives today, God wants to dwell with us and remain the center of our lives. Judah is placed closest to the door of the Tabernacle. Jesus comes from the tribe of Judah and is the door to God for all of us. We just have to choose to go through the door.
In Leviticus 27, the importance of our vows and value of our words are shown. Our words and vows are demonstrated by doing, not talking. Our actions reveal our heart and show the sincerity of the vows we make. The action God took when He sent Jesus also shows His heart and character - His sincere love for His children. The entire book of Leviticus was fulfilled by Jesus on the cross. Jesus can, did, and does accomplish absolutely everything possible when He spilled His blood for us. He received our seven-fold curses so we could receive seven x seven-fold of blessings and righteousness. God provided a way for the Israelites to have their sins covered and atoned for so God could live with His people in peace at that time. Today, we can also be present with God every day. All we need to do is choose to say "yes" to the gift of His Son and the sacrifice He made on the cross for us so we could have eternal freedom from sin. God loves us beyond measure - He wants to be present with us in our days, hours, and moments.
In Leviticus 26, God spills out some pretty clear details on what it means to remain faithful to a covenant. God promises blessings and abundance if they choose to obey Him. If they do not choose to obey God, He also spills out some pretty clear consequences for that choice. God gives people choices. He doesn't force Himself on anyone. The Israelites were given a choice to follow God with all their heart of chase after false idols. God wants to dwell with us. He wants to be a part of our daily moments. He makes another promise to them knowing they will choose disobedience. He will bring them back despite their sins. He will give them life no matter how close to death they are. He does just that when He gave us Jesus. He gave everything so we could be close to God with no barriers. All we have to do is say "yes" and receive His amazingly generous gift.
In Leviticus 24 & 25, we see the Trinity of God. Just like the oil is to never go out in the lamps that provide light in the Tabernacle, the Holy Spirit never leaves us the moment we accept Jesus as our Savior. Jesus is the bread - the bread of Life. He sustains us throughout life. God gave us His Son, Jesus gave us His life, and the Holy Spirit brings it into our hearts. The passion for God is ignited and never burns out. We have eternal light. Every seven years, the land and people of Israel were to rest - completely. They get to rest in God and trust that He will provide. The year of Jubilee is a complete reset that occurred every 50 years. Any debts owed are wiped clean and everyone gets to go home - free. Jesus brought our final year of Jubilee when He died for us on the cross. He canceled all our eternal spiritual debts. He freed us from being chained to sin and death once and for all - for all eternity.
In Leviticus 22 & 23, the priests are given instruction regarding the importance of God's holiness and not messing with it. God's honor, reputation, and character are holy and will remain holy. The sacrifices brought before God must be perfect and the gifts must be valuable. They were blemished by their imperfection and needed a spotless sacrifice to represent their blemishes and give them purity in exchange. Jesus did this once and for all for us on the cross for all eternity. The festivals and feasts remind them of who they were, Who's providing for them, and who God is to them. These feasts create a holy time, root people in God's saving work, and renew their trust in God and their obedience to Him. Remembrance is the cure for blasphemy and sin. When we stop to remember all God has done and is doing in our lives, sin is the last thing that is able to tempt us. We want to stay in the arms of our almighty God forever and nothing waved in front of us can make us falter from His holy arms.
In Leviticus 20, God lays out guidelines for not sacrificing your children to false gods and not caving to lustful, flesh-filled desires. He wants people to not be objectified and to be treated with value, worth, respect and of course - love. All people are made in God's image and deserve to know they are worthy, valued, seen and loved - especially by God. Jesus died on the cross for every one of us. In Leviticus 21, instructions are given for priests. God is holy and they are to represent God's holiness to the nation. God's honor, reputation, and character is holy and they represent that to the people around them. Jesus is our ultimate High Priest. He never had a blemish or sin that needed atonement. He is the spotless, perfect sacrifice Himself. God gave the very best Heaven had. We are made whole, perfect and acceptable to God through faith in Him. It's the only way.
In Leviticus 19, the ten commandments about loving people are revisited on a deeper level. We see what God is like as well as His character. We see what we should be like if we are chasing after God's own heart. God is holy and pure. We see what God commands and who God is which fully comes together in Jesus. Jesus perfectly kept God's commands and is the only one allowed in God's presence based solely on who He is. He perfectly kept the law and perfectly took its punishment on our behalf on the cross. Jesus makes us holy. Holiness is a lived condition. It's a condition of living like you truly love others and care about who they are. We are not perfect like Jesus. We make mistakes and will again and again. What we get wrong, Jesus makes right for us before God - every time. It's a promise we can count on. God keeps all His promises.
In Leviticus 17 & 18, we are reminded of the importance of the life blood in every being. Life is found in the blood. Jesus' life was poured out when He died on the cross for us so we could live for all eternity instead of facing the death we all deserve. The trust that was once put in the sacrifices of Leviticus are now put in Jesus. Jesus' blood gives life to us who should have had to pay for our sinfulness. Outlines are further given for how to remain morally pure as they are about to enter a very pagan, sinful nation full of idolatry and lust. God wants to continue to dwell with His people and wants them to stay set apart and safe with Him for all eternity.
In Leviticus 15, we are shown how the people were cleansed after grossness came out of their bodies. Our bodies are gross and our spirits can be worse. Regardless, God cares for us and heals us in and through our grossness in every area. This leads to chapter 16. The day of atonement. Once a year a mega sacrifice was given to atone for anything that any of the other sacrifices may not cover. One goat is sacrificed to purify the people before the Lord, the other is used to take their sins far away from them into the wilderness. Jesus became our final day of atonement. What He did once gave access to God for all who believe in Him for all eternity. The cross sits in the middle of all we do. Jesus became our willing scapegoat so we could be free from sin for all eternity.
In Leviticus 14, we learn how the priests performed the cleansing and purification sacrifices for people after they were healed from a skin disease and how they handled purification of homes after a mold cleansing. Once someone is cleansed, they are set apart, healed, and purified and are free to live the rest of their lives for God. God sent us Jesus to cleanse us and wants everything we come in contact with - our whole houses and environments - to be liberated, cleansed, and free from the spread of sin. We too can be so full of His grace that it overflows into the environments around us. We are free from sin for all eternity and get to share that glory with everyone around us.
In Leviticus 13, Aaron and his sons get to be dermatologists! They have detailed instructions on how to look at skin and determine if it's an infection or a mere rash. If it's a real infection, they are determined to be ceremonially unclean and if it's a mere rash, they quarantine for seven days and then are determined to be ceremonially clean again. This chapter covers everything from leprosy to balding. Whoa - watch out for balding y'all! Just kidding - don't worry - if they only had balding to deal with, they were still ceremonially clean. The thing with sin that is similar to this skin issue chapter, is that sin is always more than a skin deep issue. Sin spreads, destroys, and eventually kills you if you don't choose Jesus. We need to let Jesus examine us, diagnose us, treat us, and give us the best eternal cure of all - life for all eternity - clean and pure with Him forever.
In Leviticus 11 & 12, we enter the chapters on purity and how the people God chose and set apart can remain ceremonial clean so God can continue to dwell among them. They are about to enter the land of Canaan which is a very sinful, idol worshiping nation with pagan rituals. God intends to do everything possible to keep His people safe and set apart as His. They are given lists of animals that they should and should not eat or touch so they may remain pure. Israel's diet was a physical representation of their distinction as God's people. When a child is born, the woman and child are to be set apart and left alone for a set time. Again, to keep them safe and give them time apart for rest and cleansing. When Jesus died on the cross for us, He purified us completely from the inside out. These laws no longer apply because we are purified by the blood of Jesus for all eternity.
In Leviticus 9 & 10, Aaron and his sons have been ordained and are ready to get to work. The offerings and sacrifices are received and God accepts them and His glory comes. God is inside the holy tent and they are finally able to approach God again. When Jesus came to earth, He had a way of flipping things upside down and He does here too. Jesus approaches us and calls to us. He invites us in with open arms and asks us to approach Him. Whether in worship or judgment, God's glory will be displayed to all. Because Jesus shed His blood for us on the cross, we can approach God with boldness. Jesus perfectly represents us to God as whole, purse, and clean. The punishment of fire we deserve was fully extinguished by Jesus on the cross.
In Leviticus 7 & 8, further instructions are given for the guilt and peace offerings. The priests are symbolically being made holy on the inside but what is symbolic for them at this time, becomes real and true for us today because of Jesus. We are made holy and pure from the inside out when we accept Jesus as our Savior. The priests are ordained and set apart to carry the prayers of the people to God. They are to be the hands and feet of God for the nation. As sinful as we are, God still wants to use us and will if we are dedicated to Him. If we choose Him, He chooses us - every time.
In Leviticus 5 & 6, the sins that would require a sin or guilt offering are explained. The offerings deal with the affects of the sinner as well as the sinnee. Sin is costly, has consequences, and affects our relationship with God as well as those around us. Confessing our sins helps us be less likely to repeat them. God made a way for forgiveness from their sins - even before Jesus came to offer the final sacrifice for us once and for all. Forgiveness is not free, Jesus paid a very high cost and is constantly interceding for each and every one of us.
In Leviticus 3 & 4, we see the peace offering and sin offering. The peace offering is another free will offering. It would bring forgiveness and restoration to relationships. After the fat was burned, they would eat together so they could enjoy fully forgiven fellowship with each other and God. The fat was the best part of the meat. God gave His best when He gave us Jesus and He also wants the best of us. He gave 100% for us, and thinks we are 100% worth it. The sin offering was the 1st required offering. It atoned for sins that were in people's lives that they had no idea were even there. With this offering, they would be 100% forgiven even if they didn't know what they were being forgiven for. Jesus died on the cross so we could be 100% forgiven eternally. Even if we don't realize all our sins, we are forgiven for them. What these Leviticus sacrifices did partially, Jesus did fully. Through Jesus we are made 100% guiltless and He changes us so we can in turn change the world around us.
In Leviticus 1 & 2, we start the journey into a priest's manual. A sacrificial system was established and it shows us what religious life looked like for the family of God at that point in history. The cost of sin is death. Something has to die for sins that are committed. When they would commit a sin, they would offer a sacrifice - a burnt offering. The whole animal used in the offering was burnt in the "I'm sorry" offering. It was the costliest sacrifice. Jesus paid the final price once and for all and offered His whole self as a final offering for us to be atoned for all eternity. God gave 100% for each and every one of us and thinks every one of us are 100% worth it. The grain "thank you" offering was the easiest offering and was an offering used to thank God. God wanted it easy so they could remember regularly that God is their provider and is the reason they have daily bread. The most holy part of this offering was the part that was shared with the priests. We are not alone and God wants us in fellowship and community sharing both with God and with each other. Jesus is our Bread of Life and gives us all our sustenance. Jesus is all we will ever need to be accepted by and close to God.
In Exodus 39 & 40, the clothing for the High Priest and his sons are completed and the Tabernacle is assembled exactly how God commanded it to be done. The incense altar is the closest table to the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. The closest we can get to the Lord right now is through our prayers. He wants us to have time with Him in our lives and build that foundational, intimate relationship. God's presence fills the Tabernacle and His presence in the form of a cloud also leads and guides them in their journey ahead. Our lives are a journey and we can choose to let God lead in it. Moses is not able to enter the Tabernacle after God's presence fills it. There is still an issue of sin - the sin of idolatry - that hasn't been properly dealt with or atoned for in the Israelites. God is perfection and we are sin and the sin of Israel is affecting the covenant they have with God and needs to be atoned for. Jesus atoned for all of our sins when He died on the cross for us so we get to freely run to God today with no barriers. They didn't have Jesus' sacrifice quite yet, so their sin had to be atoned for another way. Leviticus will show us that way.
In Exodus 37 & 38, the Ark of the Covenant is built. At the cover are the place of atonement and the mercy seat. Cherubim are placed with their wings pointing up to heaven. Atonement and mercy come from God and God alone. The table for the Bread of Presence holds 12 loaves of bread for each of the tribes of Israel. Jesus is our Bread of life and He wants fellowship and intimacy with us. The Lampstand is the only source of light in the Tabernacle. It resembles the Tree of Life. Jesus is our light and our life. The oil that burns in the lamp keeps the flame burning night and day - much like the Holy Spirit in our lives today. The incense altar offers their prayers to God night and day like a sweet aroma flowing up to God. Jesus intercedes and prays for each and every one of us night and day. The washbasin was built from mirrors donated by the women. They donated their view of their outward appearance to be washed clean and sanctified on the inside. Our lives are washed clean by Jesus so the true beauty of our inner selves can shine out to others.
In Exodus 35 & 36, a free will offering is taken and people's hearts are moved so much to give to God and invest in the Tabernacle that they have to actually tell them to stop giving. Before they start building, God again reminds them to rest on the Sabbath. God wants them to not only rest their bodies, but wants time with them to build their relationship with Him. God fills a gifted craftsman with the Holy Spirit and he leads, guides, and teaches others in the building of the Tabernacle. We have gifts and talents that God gives us. We shouldn't be ashamed of them, we should use them for God's glory. The Tabernacle is built with only one entrance. There's only one entrance to God's presence and that is through Jesus. Acacia wood is used in the building of the Tabernacle. Acacia sap is used for healing. Jesus is our healer, our redeemer, and our Savior. Jesus leads us to a phenomenal place - to a place of God dwelling right with us every single day.
In Exodus 33 & 34, God decides He is going to send an angel in His place with the Israelites as they travel on to the Promised Land. He is frustrated with their stubbornness and rebellion. Moses continually spends time with God and knows he cannot lead the people without God's presence with him. God reveals His name - Yahweh - and His character to Moses. They have a close, intimate relationship and are on a first name basis. God is compassionate, merciful, slow to anger, filled with unfailing love and faithfulness, forgives iniquities, rebellion, and sin but does not excuse the guilty. Sin has consequences that must be faced. Jesus took our sin's consequences for us on the cross if we believe in Him. If we don't, we will have to pay for those consequences ourselves. The choice is ours. Moses intercedes for God's people and God responds in compassion. Jesus intercedes for us, shows us the image of God, and leads us to God's promises.
In Exodus 31 & 32, God appoints the people who will be the craftsmen in charge of building the Tabernacle and all the things He commanded to be made. He then reminds them they must rest. They must not dishonor the Sabbath and need to stop working to rest and replenish. The Israelite people were held captive for over 400 years in a pagan culture filled with idol worship. They were not used to a God who couldn't be seen regularly and had to be worshiped in faith, trust, and patience. They got impatient waiting for Moses' return and built an idol. Just 40 days after God had spoken with them and they promised to keep His commands. Moses has compassion and contends for Israel but it's really God who is the source of this compassion. God is doing a work in Moses through this so he could understand God's desires of both compassion to those who follow Him as well as judgment and accountability for those who choose not to. Much like Jesus, Moses offers to have his name removed from God's record of eternal life to take the place of the rest of Israel. Moses was a child of God and God declined the offer. Moses' name was written into God's story just like our names are when we accept Jesus as our Savior. We are forever written into God's record - His eternal story.
In Exodus 30, an incense altar is built so incense can be burned around the clock. Like our prayers, a sweet aroma is raised up to God night and day. A set atonement price is to be paid every year to atone for their sins. The price is set and equal for everyone regardless of income. Jesus paid an equal price for every one of us when He died on the cross for us. He died on the cross so every one of us can have the opportunity to have freedom from our sins and atonement for all eternity. A washbasin is built. Jesus is our washbasin. Jesus cleanses us of all the dirt and scum we are afflicted with in this temporary sinful life on earth. Instructions are made for the anointing oil and incense recipes. Included in the recipes are myrrh and frankincense. The Tabernacle is lined with gold. The shepherds brought Jesus the same gifts when He was born. I don't think this is a coincidence. God had a plan from the very beginning to be able to reside and dwell with His people which is the passion of His heart for each and every one us.
In Exodus 29, Aaron and his sons are cleansed, purified, and go through an ordination process to prepare them for entrance into God's presence in the Tabernacle. A visible sign of their sin being transferred out of them is seen in the sacrifices. Their entire lives are dedicated to God. Everything they hear and do and wherever they go will be focused on God. Blood is used in the cleansing. Jesus died on the cross as a final sacrifice for us and when His blood was shed, we were cleansed once and for all from our sins for all eternity if we accept Him as our Savior. God is making a way to live among His people and in the final Sacrifice of Jesus, He made that way eternal.
In Exodus 28, we see the priests are set apart for the Lord as they prepare to approach the presence of God on behalf of the nation. The design of their clothing bears resemblance to the Tabernacle in the material and colors used. Aaron and his sons would bear the weight of the nation on their shoulders and hold the nation close to their hearts as they approached God on their behalf. The clothing will also offer them protection. We now have the Holy Spirit - God's presence - residing right with us leading us, guiding us, and protecting us as we navigate through life. When Jesus died on the cross, He tore the separation needed between us and God right in two. We can now reside with God every day of our lives which was exactly what God wanted for us right from the start.
In Exodus 26 & 27, God gives specific beautiful details on how to build the tent of the Tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant and God's presence will travel with His people. God wants more than anything to dwell with His people. The Ark is placed behind a second curtain and most of the nation will not always get to see the Ark. God wants His people to have faith and trust knowing that He is with them - even if we can't always see Him. We can trust and know that He is in our midst. To approach God, something must die to atone for our sins and sinful nature. An altar is built in front of the Tabernacle to allow for these sacrifices which bring cleansing and atonement for those sins. Jesus is our final Tabernacle, the Bread of life, and the Light of the world. When Jesus died on the cross for our eternal atonement and righteousness, the curtain was ripped open. There is no longer a separation between God and His people. Aaron and his sons were tasked with keeping the oil full in the lamps so they would burn continuously. We now have the Holy Spirit in our lives fanning the flame of God continuously for us every day of our lives.
In Exodus 24 & 25, God's people say "yes" to God and agree with His covenant. They desperately want to obey God. Their allegiance is in the right place but their confidence lies in themselves and their ability rather than God. It will falter time and time again. They need continuous altars after the laws in order to make it. Jesus gave us the ultimate and final altar when He died for us on the cross. His altar makes us righteous and cleanses us so we can run boldly to the throne of God and dwell with Him. God's purpose in creation has always been for Him to dwell with His people. He gives Moses instructions to build the Ark of the Covenant where God can dwell with His people as they travel through the wilderness. He gives Moses instructions to build a Table to hold the Bread of Presence. Jesus is the bread of life, God provides for us, and continuously invites us to dine with Him. He also gives plans for a Lampstand which is to be built as one united piece. God's heart is unity in His people and churches. The oil that keeps the lamp burning is like the Holy Spirit continually keeping the fire of God burning and alive within us and reflects the light of Jesus forward - out of us and straight forward to those around us.
In Exodus 22 & 23, God lays out some guidelines and rules on how to live with each other and treat each other in society. God's heart and character of justice with compassion are shown in the laws given. God wants a society where people are treated fairly and justice is upheld honestly and truthfully. He wants a society where the marginalized are provided for and never taken advantage of. He directs us to not gossip, bend the truth or oppress anyone ever. He wants us to fix our hearts and eyes on Him and Him alone and help those around us who need help along the way - even if it's an enemy or someone who doesn't think highly of you. He wants us to celebrate and gather with each other and Him. As long as they keep their eyes on hearts on Him and obey Him, He promises to lead His people into the Promised Land and is sending His angel to guide them on the journey fighting any battles that arise for them along the way. God is such an amazingly good God.
In Exodus 21, some civil laws showing how to get along in the context and culture of the time are pointed out. They did not have jails, banks or a money system like we do today. If someone owed another person a debt, they would work for that person to pay that debt. If a thief had to repay a debt to someone, they had to work to pay it back. If people were struggling with poverty, they would offer to work for others in exchange for food and shelter. There were no laws to protect these people. The laws at the time only favored the masters in these situations. God hates injustice and oppression. God laid out laws to protect the servants rather than the masters. God laid out laws to protect the oppressed and marginalized in these situations. God laid out laws setting boundaries bringing safety, and even freedom if they chose it. Though we don't live in the same cultural time and space today, we see God's heart and character reflected in these laws. A heart of fairness, honesty, love, compassion, mercy, grace, and kindness.
In Exodus 19 & 20, the Israelites are brought into the Mosaic Covenant. It's a bilateral, conditional covenant with "if-then's". It forms a relationship with God and mankind. If they agree to obey God, they will represent God to the world. When Jesus fulfilled the law, He made it possible for all of us to enter His plan and be set apart to represent Him to the world. God then gives us the top 10 list for obedience - the 10 commandments. The first section gives us instruction on how to love God and not substitute worshiping Him with anything around us. The second section gives us instruction on how to love others. The law reveals God's character and righteousness. We cannot live righteous without Jesus. The law is good, we are not. The law exposes our hearts. God is good, we are not, and Jesus saves. Jesus traded our sin for His righteousness. We receive His salvation and freedom from sin not by works or anything we do or don't do, but by receiving the gift of Jesus and His sacrifice for each and every one of us on the cross - the true and final alter.
In Exodus 17 & 18, the Israelites are traveling on through the wilderness and become thirsty. Rather than praying and trusting God who has already shown them miracle after miracle, they grumble and complain yet again. Moses cries out to God and God answers by having Moses strike a rock which causes water to gush out. Just like when the side of Jesus was pierced on the cross and water and blood came pouring out of His body. Jesus is the rock of our Salvation. In our thirst, we can call on Jesus. As we believe in Him, rivers of living waters come gushing - the Holy Spirit moves in and through us and conquers sin. The Israelites then face a war. God wins the war for them but only by Moses' faith in action. Moses had to keep his staff raised to have favor in the war. Aaron and Hur came along side him to help hold Moses arms up and steady. God did not design or intend for us to fight battles alone. We have to be willing to help others keep their arms raised and also be willing to allow others to help us keep our arms raised through our battles.
In Exodus 16, God's people are found to be complaining and grumbling yet again. They have quickly forgotten the life they were just saved from and Who it was that saved them. They forget the misery of slavery and the almighty strength of God. God wants to provide for His people and He wants them to trust He will provide. God gives them a double portion on the 6th day so they can have food prepared and ready for the 7th day. This is a gift from God. After being in slavery 430 years with no rest, God is giving them rest. They have plenty of bread for their day of rest so there is no need to go and gather any - God even provides for their rest. Just like God brought them bread from the heavens to sustain them, Jesus was brought down from Heaven to sustain our lives. Jesus is the bread of life and is sufficient for each and every day in both our work and our rest.
In Exodus 15, God's people have just been rescued from their oppressors in the most miraculous way. They did absolutely no fighting to win this freedom, God did everything. God's rescue is reflected in their song of heartfelt, honest expression as they sing praise to God for their deliverance out of oppression. When we go out into the world, the song of the cross that delivers us from death's grip should be on our lips. We are redeemed, we are rescued, we are set free from sin. God values us, God is invested in us, and Jesus paid a really heavy price for each one of us. We can trust Him. The Israelites travel a mere three days and start to forget the glory of God's amazing hand. They start grumbling and complaining about water. Grumbling is the very opposite of trust. God shows Moses a piece of wood and the wood thrown into the water turns it from bitter to drinkable water. This is just like what happens when we meet Jesus at the foot of the cross. We too lose our bitterness as Jesus pours His living water into us making us whole, fully restored - rescued, and brand new in Him.
In Exodus 13 & 14, the Israelites are called to remember. Remember the mighty power of God and all He did to rescue them. We are called to do the same in our own lives. Remember the past as we head into the future and tell the people in our lives all that God does in our lives. Do not forget we are redeemed and we belong to God. God takes the Israelites on a detour. They have some battles ahead and are not yet ready to face them. They need to learn to follow God's lead and trust Him completely. God lures Pharaoh into his own destruction as the Israelites are able to cross the Red Sea on dry ground. Even the Egyptians can see that it is God who is fighting for His people as they are overtaken by the same sea that saved God's people. In one act, God rescued and judged. Even in our fears, God is fighting for us. Even in uncertainty, we can have the courage to move forward knowing the mighty hand of God is on our side. As we learn to truly trust fully in God, our old sinful selves die and are washed away in the sea leaving us brand new and eternally saved by the blood of the Lamb.
In Exodus 12, the first Passover happens. The plague of death is hitting Egypt since they still refuse to repent and turn to God. God rescues His people by having them sacrifice a blemish-free lamb and painting the blood across their doorposts with a hyssop branch. Hyssop is a symbol of cleansing and purification. Jesus was our ultimate and final sacrifice - completely sinless. He was offered vinegar wine on a hyssop branch when he was dying on the cross for us. Death passes over God's people in Egypt during this plague because of the blood of their sacrificed lamb. Death passes over us and we are guaranteed eternal life with Jesus in Heaven because of Jesus' blood on the cross. We only need to accept Him as our Savior and Redeemer. It's faith in action. God brought an army of Israelites out of Egypt, out of slavery, out of bondage, and out of oppression. Jesus also brings us out of the slavery, bondage, and oppression of sin if we choose to put our trust in Him.
In Exodus 10 & 11, God shows Pharaoh that he is not God, oppression is wrong, and sin has clear consequences. We cannot compromise with sin. Sin devours all the good things in our lives. Sin leads to darkness, death, separation, oppression, and isolation. God leads to light, freedom, forgiveness, eternal life, community, and unity. God desires us to tether our hearts to God's heart rather than anything in this very temporary world. God brings forth justice and reconciliation to sin and injustice. God sent Jesus for us and He paid the price for our sins and gave us everything if we are willing to receive it. He gave us the ultimate gift and sacrifice so we do not have to face the death and darkness we truly deserve. God gave us freedom from our sins and eternal life - we only have to say "yes God", receive His amazing gift, and let Him work in our hearts and lives.
In Exodus 9, God brings a plague against the livestock of Egypt. The Egyptians worshiped their livestock yet enslaved people and treated them horribly. God wants His people free from oppression so they can worship Him. God wants us free from sin and oppression in our lives so we can freely worship Him with all our hearts, minds, and souls. God sees that Pharaoh is not going to change his heart regardless of multiple chances and warnings. In the next plague, God steps in and confirms Pharaoh's heart is truly hard and his time is up. After the plague of hail, Pharaoh shows fear of the consequences God is bringing forth which is merely regret, not repentance. God knows the difference. God affirms His power and authority over the whole Earth and that the Earth belongs to God. This isn't just God versus Egypt's false idols, this is about the whole Earth and God bringing refuge and freedom from bondage for His people.
In Exodus 8, God brings forth plagues of frogs, gnats, and flies as direct attacks against their false gods. The magicians mimic the first two plagues but only God has the power to stop the plagues. The magicians were unable to mimic the 3rd plague and even they cried out to Pharaoh saying "This is the finger of God!" - even the magicians get it and realize who God is and that He is present. Pharaoh still refused to listen and hardened his heart. After the 4th plague, he is starting to learn who God is in part but tries to bargain and compromise with God showing his pride and his desire to have power and authority over God. Sin does much the same. It tries to get us to compromise with God by worshiping God yet staying in worldly sin.
In Exodus 7, Aaron throws down his staff in front of Pharaoh and it turns into a serpent. The magicians then turned their staffs into serpents too but Aaron's staff swallowed up all of theirs. Satan tries to mimic God and tries to trick us into believing false gods and idols in our lives. God is the only true God and is greater than anything. God should remain the greatest thing in every area of our lives. God brings the 1st of 10 plagues. The Egyptians refuse to repent and turn to God and are about to be completely plagued because of it. They turned the Nile River into a false god named it Hapi. The Nile was their lifeblood but God turned their lifeblood into literal blood. All the water sources were turned to blood for seven days. Pharaoh challenged God before when he asked "Who is the Lord and why should I listen to Him?" God is about to answer that question and show him exactly Who He is. God wants the Egyptians as well as all of us to know God, know He is God, and know He is present.
In Exodus 5 & 6, Moses talks with Pharaoh letting him know why he was there, Who sent him, and what the mission is - to bring God's people back to Him so they can once again worship Him. Pharaoh refuses to listen to Moses and instead makes the work harder by making totally impossible demands from the Israelites. Pharaoh is similar to Satan and sin and Egypt is like the world we live in. Sin does not let go of us easily and wants to keep our time and attention off God and worship. The Israelites become frustrated and Moses cries out to God. God answers with a reminder of Who He is, His promises and covenant to them, and lists 7 vows to them - seven is the number of completion. God says in His vows to Israel that He will free us, rescue us, redeem us, claim us as His own, He will be our God, will bring us to where He promised He would, and will give us our promised land. God brings redemption, relationship, and destination. God reminds Moses that He is for us and has absolutely no limitations.
In Exodus 3 & 4, we see a rescue mission being set forth. God wants to rescue His people out of where they are and bring them into where He plans for them to be. God appears to Moses in a burning bush that refuses to be engulfed in the flames. He tells Moses that he is being called to go back to Egypt and rescue God's people from the hands of Pharaoh. God refers back to His covenant yet again. We get a glimpse of God's heart as well as the call on Moses' life. Moses doubts - like heavily. He really cannot get past himself and trust in who God is. His eyes cannot turn away from his limitations and focus on God's mightiness regardless of how much and how often God tries to reassure him. God givers us both our abilities and our weaknesses with a purpose. God is strong in our weaknesses. God's glory shines through our weaknesses. Once we see our roles, abilities, and even our limitations belong to God, God will use them.
In Exodus 1 & 2, the 2nd generation of Israelites are multiplying in spite of the fierce oppression they are facing daily. Fear sets into the King of Egypt and orders the midwives to kill any newborn boys. The midwives will not. They fear God more than man and are blessed in their own personal lives because of it. Moses is born and his mom places him in a basket in the river with hopes he'll be able to live. The princess happens upon him, her heart melts, and he is adopted. When Moses grows up, his first act is a rescue but he also ends up murdering someone in the rescue. Pharaoh hears, he tries to kill Moses so Moses flees for his life. He comes across 7 daughters of a priest who are being harassed by some shepherds. He again rescues this time but thankfully no one is killed this time. God sees that it is time to move and He might just have the perfect man in mind for the rescue mission.
In Genesis 50, Joseph mourns the loss of his father alongside his brothers. His brothers freak out and think that now that their dad has passed, Joseph will get back at them for what they did to him so many years ago. Even though it has been 17 years since Joseph forgave them, they still don't fully trust his forgiveness. They limit the forgiveness of their brother. Joseph reassures them they are truly fully forgiven and that what they meant for evil, God used for good and saved thousands of lives. Jesus forgives us to restore us as well as restore our fellowship with God. We should never limit God's forgiveness in our lives. We see life from the bottom up, but God sees life from the top down.
In Genesis 49, Jacob gives his final words and blessings to his 12 sons. God's blessing is passing from Jacob to his 12 sons who become the nation of Israel. He speaks to what he sees in them and what is ahead for them and God's plan for the world. He speaks of the coming of Jesus, our Messiah, and declares his trust in God for salvation in the midst of all of this. God's faithfulness is seen in Joseph and his life and how he prevailed through it all. Jesus is returning and will also prevail and win victoriously in the final battle against the enemy.
In Genesis 47 & 48, Joseph introduces his family to Pharaoh. He presents them to Pharaoh's throne as if they are outstanding, upright men. Much the same, Jesus presents us to God's throne completely faultless with no condemnation if we believe and accept Jesus as our Savior. The famine is continuing through Egypt and Canaan. They've totally run out of money to buy any more grain from Joseph. He develops a plan to provide food for them through their land and livestock so they are able to continue to survive. Jacob blesses Joseph's two sons who were born in Egypt but the blessing is once again crisscrossed and the youngest is once again blessed as though he were the oldest. It's not an error, God knows what He's doing.
In Chapter 45 & 46, Joseph reveals who he is to his brothers. He assures them in full mercy and grace that all is well. There is nothing but forgiveness in Joseph as he speaks with his brothers. There is no anger or vengeance. Forgiveness breaks chains that bind us down and brings forth grace, mercy, love, and unity. He gives God all the glory and recognizes this was God's plan and purpose for his life all along - to save the nations from this famine. He tells them to go tell his father the good news. Just like when Jesus came to save us all and when He resurrected, He commissioned us to go and tell the Good News to the nations. Jacob is overtaken with joy upon hearing the news. They return to Egypt and are all together again at last.
In Genesis 44, Joseph's brothers are about to leave but there's one problem with that - they have not yet repented. Joseph again presses them by returning the money they paid for the grain back to each of their bags and also puts his cup in Benjamin's bag. He loves his family and wants to make sure they are taken care of. He doesn't want them to pay for their grain. Just like God's grace cannot be purchased. It's a free gift to us from God because He loves us so much and wants us taken care of eternally. Joseph sends his palace manager to chase after them because they have the cup but they do not know it. The brothers seem a bit offended by the accusations and confidently say the person who has the cup can be killed and all the rest of them will be slaves. They find the cup and the brothers are brought back to Joseph. Judah owns up to his guilt and knows God knows. He steps up and honors his promise to Jacob and takes responsibility for Benjamin and making sure Benjamin stays safe and returns to his father. God is using all of this to change their character.
In Genesis 43, the brothers return to Joseph since they again run out of grain. Reluctantly, and only with faith, hope, and trust in God, Jacob agrees to let Benjamin go with. This famine is rough and lasts 7 years, much like the coming 7 years of tribulation and trials that will be needed to encourage God's people to return to Jesus. They freak out a bit when they get there and Joseph invites them in for a feast. An unnamed steward welcomes them in and calms their nerves. He assures them the money was returned with their last purchase of grain by God - it was a treasure given by God. The unnamed steward is similar to the Holy Spirit - residing with them, guiding them, encouraging them, and calming their fears all the while bringing forth a message of grace. The grace of God sent Jesus, freely given to us as a treasure. We didn't deserve it or earn it. Joseph is still pressing the brothers to repentance but yet cares for them. loves them, and gives them a huge feast even though they have yet repented. God is good to us regardless of what we deserve or don't deserve. Jesus is good to us. He gave His life for us and suffered brutally even while we were still sinners.
In Genesis 42, Jacob has now believed the lie that his son Joseph has been dead for the last 20 years. Joseph's brothers go to Egypt for grain due to the huge famine and are face to face with Joseph but don't recognize him. Joseph uses that to his advantage to press them. He wants to know if their hearts have changed as well as whether or not his brother Benjamin is still around. He tells them one of them could return to their home but is not allowed to return to Egypt without his brother Benjamin with them. He puts them in prison for three days God softened his heart in those 3 days. His faith and fear of God changes how he treats people who have wronged him. He allows all of them go except for one. He doesn't take their payment for their grain and returns it with them in their grain bags. Their 20 years of guilt bubbles to the surface by this act of kindness. The kindness of Jesus leads to repentance and changes hearts.
In Genesis 41, Pharaoh has two dreams back to back that disturb him and no one can tell him what they mean. God reminds the cup-bearer of Joseph because God's time has arrived and Joseph's day and life are about to be turned upside down. Joseph tells Pharaoh the dreams mean 7 years of abundance followed by 7 years of famine and also lays out a plan of how to make it through the famine years. Pharaoh sees a lot more than wisdom in Joseph, he sees the Spirit of God. God's Spirit should be evident to all those around us in all we do and all we speak. Joseph's first robe was stained with blood but Pharaoh not only gives him his ring of authority, he gives him a fine new linen robe and has everyone kneel down when he approaches. Through it all, he continually gives God all the glory and credit. Jesus was given a robe that was stained with blood as he was mocked and beaten. When Jesus returns, we'll see Him in a fine linen robe as well with King of all kings and Lord of all lords written on it - Jesus has all authority. When Jesus returns every knee will bow and every tongue will declare that Jesus is King and Lord of all.
In Genesis 39 & 40, Joseph is working as a slave in Potiphar's house and is honored by God and blessings follow him. Potiphar's wife tries to tempt him but Joseph refuses her and refuses to commit this sin against God. He is falsely accused and thrown into prison. God again honors him and is with him through it all. He is committed to being a kick-butt slave and prisoner and intentionally brings God into every conversation. Awareness of God in all things changes how you look at things. God is working on developing his character to match his calling. A cup-bearer and baker have dreams while they are in prison with Joseph and he interprets them. The cup-bearer is restored and redeemed and the baker is killed. He asked the cup-bearer to remember him when he is restored and freed from prison but instead he's forgotten. It's not God's time for him yet. Jesus too was wrongly accused and crucified for our sins even though He was sinless. There were two thieves crucified with Jesus, one of which was redeemed by Jesus because he chose to believe in Him and he put his faith in Jesus. During the last supper, Jesus gave the disciples bread and wine representing the new covenant and the importance of remembering Jesus in all things.
In Chapter 38, Judah has 3 sons and promises Tamar marriage to his eldest son who is struck dead by God because he's so evil. The 2nd son in line is the next runner up but lies, disobeys and deceives. He too is taken out by God. Judah gets some cold feet and thinks she's bad luck so he sends her back home with the promise that he'll send for her when his youngest son is old enough. He had no intention of keeping that promise. She realizes this and tricks him into impregnating her by posing as a prostitute. These are the kinds of choices that affect your soul as well as your identity. He finds out she's pregnant and calls for her to be killed until he finds out he's the father and is busted. He is humbled. She has twins and the first fist out receives a scarlet thread. Scarlet throughout the Bible is the thread of redemption - the redemption of Jesus when He sacrifices Himself on the cross to redeem us all. Perez and Zerah are born. Perez means to break through and Zerah means risen. Jesus rose from the grave and broke through all our sins for us.
In Genesis 37, we see the destructive forces of favoritism, envy, and hatred bubbling up in Jacob's family. Joseph has dreams of God's plan for his future and his family wants nothing to do with it. God's plan for Joseph includes bringing his brothers into humility and ultimately saving them but they don't know about the saving part and don't want anything to do with the humility part. They make a plan to throw him into a cistern and let him die but then Judah gets a grander idea to sell him off into slavery so they can make money off him. Joseph ends up exactly where God wants him to be. This story is similar to God loving Jesus so much and sending Him to Earth to save us. Jesus was betrayed, sold and thrown into a tomb. Not even the strongest tomb could hold Him down and away from God's plan of resurrection so we can all live eternally with Him if we choose to make one simple choice - to believe and accept His gift of salvation.
In Genesis 35 & 36, God calls Jacob back to Bethel, back to the place God became real to him. At times we all need to intentionally go back to our Bethels, back to when the passion of God and the very realness of Him became the fierce burning fire in our spirits and souls. Jacob tells his family to toss away and get rid of all the false idols in their possession. All the soulless, empty foreign gods taking the place of God in their lives. We too need to regularly cleanse ourselves from any false idols that may have crept in - such as materialism, self-pleasures and fleshly desires that take over our souls where we should be letting God take over. God reminds Jacob who he is in Christ, reminds him of the covenant promised and reminds him God's plan still stands. Though Jacob has just moved home, Esau ends up moving. Flesh and spirit cannot both reside together which is why the Word continually reminds us to die to self (flesh) and live by the Spirit.
In Genesis 33 & 34, Jacob and Esau unite and it appears to be a friendly reunion. It seems Esau did indeed make the decision to release the yolk of comparison from his neck. The moment you become dead to everything around you other than God, it no longer matters what anyone else says to you or what anyone else has that you don't. You become dead to affirmations, condemnation, and comparison and alive to Christ and all He has for you. Esau asks Jacob about all the people and livestock with him and Jacob gives all the glory to God and His generosity. Jacob's daughter Dinah is violated in the city of Shechem and her brothers felt justified in taking vengeance into their own hands. Vengeance always belongs to God. He is the one and only Judge in all matters and we do reap what we sow into through life and have to face the consequences of our choices.
In Genesis 32, Jacob is on his way home. When he left, him and Esau were not on good terms. God has been with him over the last 20 years and he has indeed changed, but he still has to face his past. He is humbly returning and is terrified of Esau's response. He stops in his terror to remind God of the promises He gave over his life. God is not the one who needs reminding, Jacob is . He is able to courageously continue forward in faith and trust in God. He wrestles with God at his lowest point in life and is renamed by God transforming him and his identity and moving him to the highest point of his life. We win with God by losing ourselves TO God. God names him Israel which is the country of the people group he's going to father. His character and identity are transformed into exactly who God intended him to be.
Genesis 31, Jacob had been working for Laban for 20 years and tensions are rising. Jacob wants to go home and make a life of his own with his family separate from Laban. Through the 20 years of struggle and hard work, God has been with Jacob and has blessed him. He is trying to leave his trickery behind him but falls into old habits and secretly flees with his wives and children. Laban finds out and catches up to him but God commands him to leave Jacob alone. H does not harm Jacob but he angrily plays the innocent victim. His idols were stolen from him by Rachel but Jacob has no idea. Idols that can be stolen aren't real. God cannot be stolen from you. God is eternal and God never leaves you. Jacob unleashes 20 years of pent up anger and resentment unto Laban. A deceiver is self-centered and self-serving and a con man never trusts what he cannot see. They are finally able to come to a mutual agreement in spite of themselves. They form a covenant under the witness of God. God is the only one who is unwavering and eternally trustworthy. They both know this and let God govern the agreed upon covenant between them.
In Genesis 30, Rachel and Leah enter into a childbearing rivalry. Rachel is upset she has not been able to have any children yet and has Jacob take her servant as a wife to give her some surrogate babies. She feels like she's then winning; however, there are no winners when the battle is driven by envy and jealousy. Leah then gives Jacob her servant as well as a wife so he could have surrogate babies for her too. Eventually, Rachel finally has a baby of her own - Joseph is here! Through their rivalry, they ended up with 12 sons who will become the 12 tribes of Israel. Only God can make a masterpiece out of our messes. Jacob is becoming stir-crazy working for Laban and wants to get his own place for his quickly growing family. The two tricksters dual it out and Jacob is continually blessed by God and becomes very wealthy. God keeps His promises. In spite of the messes we make, God brings forth His plan and nations are indeed arising from Abraham's line.
In Genesis 28 & 29, Jacob is sent away to find himself a non-Canaanite wife. Along the way, God speaks the covenant over Jacob when he stops for a rest in Bethel and also shows him a ladder to the heavens that God Himself built connecting us to God in a dream. Jesus actually came down to Earth and died on the cross for us becoming THE ladder connecting and bridging us to God. This dream God gave Jacob is the ultimate event that finally turns his heart to God. Jacob had done nothing good, didn't even have faith in God, and God still honored His covenant and blessed him before he accepted God as his God which shows such overwhelming grace. Jacob arrives at his destination and sees Rachel and is head over heels for her. He works 7 years for her hand in marriage but is tricked and ends up married to her older sister Leah. The deceiver becomes the deceived. The trickster becomes the tricked. Sometimes God lets you run into yourself. He is given Rachel's hand in marriage a week later but favoritism and dysfunction are already unraveling within this family.
In Genesis 27, Isaac denies God's plan, Jacob lies, and Rebekah refuses to trust God's plan. Jacob tricks his father into giving him Esau's blessing. Thankfully, God's grace is not dependent on our "goodness". Esau cries out in desperation for a blessing as well. He is given a blessing, but it's a proclamation that he will have a hard life full of warring and will always be a servant. At the end of the blessing (vs 40), however, he says "But when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your neck." Comparison robs you of "you". It either brings you to a place of pride or jealousy making you either feel you are better or worse than others. It chokes you out of being yourself and the amazing person God created you to be.
In Genesis 25 & 26, Abraham passes and Esau and Jacob are born to Rebekah and Isaac. They are fighting and struggling right from the start in the womb. Just like we have an internal struggle daily between our flesh and spirit. Esau sells his birthright for a mere bowl of stew because he's so driven by his intense fleshly desires. It's never a good idea to make important decisions when you're hangry. Isaac makes the same mistakes his father did but God still pours out His blessings on Isaac in spite of himself. The covenant promise is renewed in Isaac and his life is marked by tents, altars, and wells much like Abraham as well as our own lives. We are here on Earth only temporarily, get to worship God eternally, and are blessed by the living water given freely by Jesus.
In Genesis 24, we see a beautiful Biblical story of love at first sight. Abraham sends his oldest servant on a God-commissioned mission to find a wife for Isaac. They pray fervently for a successful mission and boy, does God deliver! God leads him square in the face of Rebekah who is quite a beautiful face to see by the way. He watches her silently and also confirms she has impeccable character. The family all talk and they seal the deal. Rebekah left the house for water and came back with a husband. God brings comfort to Isaac through Rebekah and elevates Rebekah to a whole new life as well. God has a taller mountain of grace to pour out on our mountains of grief. Just as Abraham sent a servant to find a bride for his son, God sends the Holy Spirit to find and dwell in His bride for His Son. Just as the servant poured out gifts showing the legitimacy of the offer, God pours out His Holy Spirit assuring us of the legitimacy of eternity.
In Genesis 23, Abraham loses Sarah. She was 127 years old when she died and they had lived a full life of tents and altars before God. They were in Canaan living as foreigners. This was the very land God promised Abraham his descendants would be given. He purchases a plot of land at the highest opening bid price and buries Sarah. He essentially makes an investment into the very land God had promised his descendants would claim some day. He paid the highest price for it ensuring he leaves no debts behind as he now realizes he is just passing through here. This parallels Jesus when He passed through on Earth and took all of our debts to sin with Him on the cross. He paid the highest possible price and invested in us so we could live eternally with Him and be free from the chains of sin and death.
In Genesis 22, God tests Abraham's faith and asks him to offer his one and only son, who he loves so much and waited 25 years for, as a sacrifice. Abraham knows God's voice, His promises over his life, and that he can trust Him faithfully. Abraham obeys. Just like Jesus carrying His wooden cross on his shoulders, Isaac carries the wood for his sacrifice on his. Just like Jesus rescues us from eternal death, He rescues Isaac. The mountain God directed Abraham to go is believed to be the same area that Jesus died on the cross for us. God sent a ram to replace Isaac in death just like Jesus replaces us. God sent a ram for them for now, but the Lamb was still to come.
In Genesis 20 & 21, Abraham again makes the same mistake he made with Pharaoh. He tells a king Sarah is his sister. God again swoops in and tidies up the mess. Even after his boo-boo, God refers to him as a prophet. Our callings and commissions in life with Christ do not change when we make a mistake. We are human, mistakes will happen. Then, Isaac is finally born! The promise they waited for has finally arrived after 25 years of waiting! Unfortunately, Hagar and Ishmael are sent away but not before God restores Hagar's hope and faith just like He did in Genesis 16. God redeems, restores, and blesses us in spite of ourselves - - repeatedly.
In Genesis 19, we find a level of sin and wickedness reigning free similar to the days before the flood of Noah's time. God has mercy on Lot and rescues him from the city that is about to be destroyed. Judgment is coming and God is going to rescue the one righteous man remaining. Lot's wife can't seem to let go and looks back instead of urgently running forward in obedience to the direction God sent through His messengers. There's still a lot of sin evident as Lot's daughters take the preservation of their family name into their own hands. We see God's motives and mercy as well as His righteous judgment for wickedness.
In Genesis 18, God visits Abraham and Sarah and lets them know this time next year, they will have a son. Sarah hears and laughs because they are in their 90's. God asks why she laughed and she denies it instead of just being honest with God who always knows the truth, even when we try to hide or deny things. God asks "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" No, nothing is too hard for the Lord. Abraham intercedes for Sodom as God reveals His plans for the city. He needs Abraham to understand God's ways of balancing righteousness, mercy, and Justice.
In Genesis chapter 17, Abram and Sarai are brought to higher levels of growth and maturity and God changes their names to Abraham and Sarah as He continually changes them into who He intends them to be. God reiterates the eternal aspect of the covenant and requires circumcision as a sign and seal of the covenant. Noah got a rainbow, Abraham gets circumcision. It shows the MUCH higher level of importance, intimacy, and permanence of the covenant. Just like the sign and seal required is eternal and intimate, this covenant is also eternal and intimate. When Jesus died on the cross for us, it changed a wee bit into a heart circumcision. Our hearts changing for God is the sign and seal of the covenant as we chase after God with all our hearts, souls and minds.
In Genesis 15 & 16, Abram chooses to trust God and believe and God calls him righteous - because of his faith, not actions. God then walks Abram through the cutting of the covenant but only God passes through the pieces of dead animals showing it is a unilateral covenant that Abram cannot mess up. It's a promise God will bring forth regardless of any circumstances or mistakes along the way. God will make a way no matter what. In the very next chapter, Sarai gets impatient, intervenes, and makes a mess of things. God intervenes with compassion and grace, just as He does every single time through the messes we make along the way.
In Genesis Chapter 14, a war breaks out and Sodom, where Lot chose to live, is taken. The two men went into the land not asking for a war but life doesn't ask our permission to get crazy on us. Abram hears of the news and swoops in to rescue Lot. The man who kept a close knit walk with God goes and rescues the one who inadvertently wandered into the world. Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High pays a visit to Abram. We don't know much about this king and priest other than being both a king and priest is very rare, he's the first priest mentioned in the Bible, and his name means King of Righteousness. The text about him reads very similar to some of the things Jesus did while He was on Earth such as bringing Abram bread and wine, blessing him, and receiving a tithe from him. The one thing we know for sure is Abram's heart is truly invested in God.
In Genesis Chapter 12, we have a shift in focus from a global view to zooming in on one man and his family. Abram is chosen as a super-star because he obeys God. Obedience is key. He wasn't perfect but he was obedient. The Abrahamic Covenant is spilled out promising that God will make Abram into a great nation, will bless him and nations would be blessed through him, and God is going to give them the land of Canaan. Abram became God's answer to the sin problem. In Chapter 13, Abram and Lot separate and God leads Abram exactly to where He wants him to be and the chapter ends in a quite dynamic faith walk through this newly discovered promised land.
In Genesis Chapters 10 & 11, we have the breakdown of Noah's three sons and where they migrated and settled to. Before the scattering occurred, the people were trying to settle together in one spot. They all spoke the same language and were trying to build a tall tower up to the heavens instead of scattering like God had instructed. God intervenes and stops the madness and scatters them. He changed their languages so they wouldn't be able to understand each other. They were working hard to build Babylon - a kingdom of mankind and the birthplace of materialism. God steps in and starts to build His Kingdom in the mix of it all. Even in the middle of disobedience and chaos, God has a plan and will bring it forth.
In Genesis 8 & 9, the floodwaters recede and God defines the terms of His covenant with Noah. A covenant is the terms with which God forms relationship with His people. God's covenants continue to build on each other through the Bible. Today, we have a covenant with God through our Faith in Jesus. It's a mutual commitment of love, a promise God forged for us through the Blood of His Son, Jesus. God's eternal covenant with us is sealed with the Holy Spirit. God's signature and seal to the covenant with Noah was a rainbow. The Holy Spirit is with us for all eternity because the Holy Spirit is our eternal rainbow. Noah's wooden Ark saved his life just like Jesus' wooden cross saves our lives today. God is moved to mercy and compassion when we come to the cross. Jesus gave His lifeblood so we could have life in Him.
In Genesis 6 & 7, we find our first Bible hero. In a world full of wicked corruption, Noah remains righteous by walking in close fellowship with God. Noah was able to stay righteous because he had an intimate relationship with God who was his mentor and friend. God is grieved by the level of sin He sees among humanity and the judgment that is going to have to come forth as a result of their choices. God loves us so much, he patiently gives people time to repent and desperately wants to forgive people if they will choose Him. God warns of judgment and makes a way of salvation; however, when judgment comes, the door is shut, and the reality of God's judgment comes forth. God is patient and merciful but will not wait forever.
In Genesis 4, Adam and Eve experience the full effect of knowing evil - which is death - when their son Cain kills their other son Abel. God gives Cain a 2nd chance but Cain does not heed God and ends up a cursed wanderer. Sin demonstrates a lack of faith in God and a small view of God. Cain is forced to face the consequences of his choice to sin. Evil multiplies through Cain's descendants and we see a 2nd murder. In Chapter 5, we see the descendants of Adam. We are reminded that humans were made in God's image to reflect God's image. This is the foundation of our identity which was distorted by sin. We are made in God's image but Jesus is God's image. Jesus restores God's image within us so we can defy eternal death by walking in a close relationship with God just like Enoch did.
In Genesis chapter 3, sin enters the world by a very bad choice by both Adam and Eve to disobey God and eat the fruit He specifically said not to eat. The enemy comes in using the same tactics he uses today - he creates doubt. The heart of temptation is selfishness and pride. Satan uses the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and pride repeatedly to try to get us to disobey God and His Word. In Luke 4, Jesus shows us how to resist all three of these temptation tactics by using the power found in Scripture and speaking Scripture over the potential temptations. Sin entered causing a divide between man and God, between man and man, between man and woman, and between man and Earth. God is merciful and gracious though and He leaves us with the 1st Gospel in vs. 15 - the 1st promise of hope that is found in Jesus.
In Genesis 1 & 2, God creates the universe and all things within it. He creates a whole world out of nothingness. Only God has the power to take on nothingness. He created us with purpose and intention to rule His world under His authority alongside Him. God didn't want us to worship Him simply because we are ordered to do so. He wants us to worship and have a relationship with Him because we choose Him. He gives us a choice to choose and trust what He says is good or to choose to experience both good and evil by choosing to believe we can provide something better for ourselves than God can. What will we choose?
In 2 Kings Chapter 25, Babylon rises up and takes over Jerusalem as they are forced into exile. What caused the downfall of Israel? Politically, the other countries were on a mission to rule the world. Theologically, Israel persisted in covenant disobedience and God used the other countries to bring forth the promises of the covenant that were warned of time and time again. Their disobedience led to their exile. God is a God of His Word. 1st and 2nd Kings document the crumbling and downfall of Israel. With earthly kings, things continually get worse and worse but with Jesus - our eternal heavenly King, things only get better and better.
In 2 Kings Chapters 23 & 24, King Josiah cleans up the messes the other kings left behind and shows true and full repentance. Repentance is turning around and going completely the other way. Josiah declared a complete war on idolatry and wins. He destroys all the remnants of any and all idols and false god worship. He turned the kingdom back over to God with all his heart, soul and strength. The people would still have to face the consequences of their previous choices, but for now, there was a brief rest stop taken through Josiah's obedience to God. After him, evil kings re-enter the kingdom and the Babylonians rise up and take over. All the promises of Moses came true. God keeps ALL of His promises. Consequences for their choices have arrived.
In 2 Kings Chapters 21 & 22, we are now left with the southern tribes which include Judah and Benjamin and some Levites that work in the Temples. The 10 tribes to the north have been wiped out by Assyria. Manasseh takes over rule of Judah and ends up getting the prize for the most evil king yet. Eventually Josiah takes over and we once again have a good king in our midst. They found the Book of the Law in the Temple while they were cleaning it! King Josiah is so distressed when he reads the law that he humbly repents for all they've been doing wrong as kings, tears his clothes in despair and wept before God. God answers his cry through a prophetess. Josiah did a lot right. He heard God's Word, he humbly repented with all his heart, he wept before God, and his heart broke for the things that break God's. When we listen to God, sincerely and humbly repent, cry out to God, and ask God to break our hearts for what breaks His, He will answer - - every time.
In 2 Kings 19 & 20, in response to the fear imposed by the Assyrians, King Hezekiah cries out to God. No matter where Israel is, when they cry out to God, He responds. God knows every detail and is in control of the situation. He sends an angel to take out 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. Hezekiah is humbled by God through sickness but God not only grants him another 15 years, He provides a miracle that goes against the normal laws of nature as a sign that He means what He says. Some Babylonians come along and Hezekiah foolishly shows them every part of the kingdom and palace which places an "X" on the map of treasuries to be taken by the Babylonians.....but that's a later part in the story.
In 2 Kings Chapter 18, King Hezekiah rules over the southern tribe of Judah. He is a good king and follows God. Hezekiah's name means God will strengthen. He's doing well until he lets the fear of the Assyrians overtake him after they successfully took over the northern tribes. He chickens out and tries to pay off the Assyrians. Wars with the Egyptians, Philistines, and Canaanites were more about the power of their gods than the power or strength of their armies. King Hezekiah let fear take over where his continual faith in the strength and power of God should have reigned. God is our God and fear has no place when God reigns in our hearts, souls, and minds.
In 2 Kings Chapter 17, Assyria takes over Israel and scatters the people. From Genesis 1 to now, God's covenant people are suffering the full extent of the cursing at Sinai. The problem lies in their hearts. God gives patience, mercy, grace and plenty of warnings time and time again. They refuse to listen and heed God's warnings and instead choose to worship false gods and idols. As a consequence of their choices, they are scattered among strangers in a foreign land away from friends and family. They are tossed into exile. Covenant disobedience leads to covenant cursing. Continuous chances for redemption are handed to them on a silver platter, but they choose to squander it. Our choices have consequences. We are forgiven and loved by God no matter what we do, but we will still have to face and wade through the consequences of our choices whether they be good or bad.
In 2 Kings Chapters 15, we find a summary of 7 different kings - 2 rule in Judah and 5 in Israel. As you read, you see a continual spiral downward and their worst enemies were within their very own kingdoms. In Chapter 16, Ahaz rules in Judah and behaves pretty much like a pagan northern king. If these kings were to shoot at the right target, they'd aim straight for God. Instead, they continually follow their own plans, leave the trader gate open by not getting rid of all the pagan shrines, and end up in a continuous downward spiral.
In 2 Kings Chapters 13 & 14, God repeatedly gives Israel an opportunity to repent but Israel continually refuses. God is fulfilling the curses of the covenant and shrinking Israel since they refuse to turn to God. God performs one more miracle through Elisha, even though Elisha was dead, by bringing a dead man to life simply by having the dead man touch Elisha's bones. The prophet of God may be dead, but God and His Word is alive. The promises made through Elisha will come to pass because the God he served is alive and He's watching their every move.
In 2 Kings Chapters 11 & 12, King Ahaziah's mother decides she wants to rule over Judah after her son's death and starts killing off the rest of the royal family to secure her place on the throne. Ahaziah's sister steals away his infant son, Joash, and hides him in safety so he doesn't end up murdered. After 7 years, the priest fashions a coronation secretly and the crazy mom who stole the throne for the last 7 years is killed. So a 7 year old is now ruling over Judah, but not without the help of the priest.
In 2 Kings Chapter 10, Jehu "cleans house" according to God's direction but also takes on a wee bit of his own agenda in the process. He is able to destroy every trace of Baal worship but doesn't remove the golden calves. He did some good stuff, but didn't obey God with all his heart. God is after our hearts, not our actions.
In 2 Kings Chapter 9, Elisha sends a member of the group of prophets on a secret-ty type mission to anoint Jehu as king. He even tells him to "run for your life" once the mission is completed. Jehu starts out by following God's heart, but will he make it to the end remaining obedient to God?
In 2 Kings Chapter 8, the woman whose son was brought back to life leaves for 7 years to avoid the famine and her home and land are all restored to her when she returns. God provides. The king of Aram is sick and dies, but not because of the sickness. Elisha is brought to tears when he is shown what will be coming for the people of Israel. Our actions, how we think and act, affect us as well as those around us. Judah has become infected by the sins of the north. Regardless, God reminds us of His promise to continue to have a descendant of David ruling. God keeps His promises. It's His legacy and who God is, more often than not, He does so in spite of us.
In 2 Kings Chapters 6 & 7, Elisha helps a fallen ax head float to the top of the river. Elisha bamboozles the Aramean army, with God's help the whole way through of course. Famine strikes Samaria and even though the king of Israel was blaming God and wanted to kill Elisha, God had mercy on them and brought forth food. God is both just and merciful and the only thing we'll get to take to Heaven with us is someone else. We are each just 1 beggar commissioned to show another beggar where to get bread - the Bread of Life that is.
In 2 Kings Chapter 5, King Aram had this commander he super duper liked because he helped gain so much victory. He had leprosy so the king sent him to Israel to be healed. The king of Israel thinks it's a sham but Elisha steps in and God heals the man after some pride is knocked out of the guy. He is healed and humbled so it's really a double healing. Elisha's servant gets lies and gets greedy and ends up cursed with that very same leprosy.
In 2 Kings Chapter 4, we see 4 miracles that take place. A poor widow is provided with an abundance of oil, her son is raised from the dead, poison was cleansed from stew, and 100 people are fed with what should not have been nearly enough food. All the miracles are directly related to serving people which shows the heart of God. Miracles are God's heart working in the present world. In each situation, tenderness and grace is shown and hope is given like never before. God's provision is directly proportional to their faith and willingness to obey God's instruction. We may not think we have anything to give, but God uses the resources, gifts, and talents we have right in front of us to multiply His glory.
In 2 Kings Chapter 3, a war breaks out between Israel and Moab. Three armies combined, sought the Lord's advice through Elisha, and ultimately won the battle after much bloodshed. The kings throughout these books are continually compared to Jeroboam because he instituted idol worship turning people away from God. A part of this chapter I really love is that before providing the much needed advice the 3 armies needed to win their battle, Elisha spent some time with music playing while listening to God.
In 2 Kings Chapters 1 & 2, Elijah confronts King Ahaziah about looking to false gods for answers rather than God Himself. Elijah passes the mantel to Elisha and is taken to Heaven in a whirlwind and a chariot of fire. Elijah gets a double portion of the Holy Spirit's power and starts doing miracles right away. A bunch of bullies harass him but God's got his back.
Today's episode is a trail nugget God is working on in me. I was attacked by a feral cat because I cannot say "no" properly. God doesn't want us attacked by feral cats and we need to know when to use our "no's". Pray, seek God's Word and will in all things. It's okay and even vital to say "no" when appropriate; it will lead to other "yes's" that God intends you to have in life.
In 1 Kings Chapter 22, Jehoshaphat and Ahab enter war together. Jehoshaphat is a good, God-fearing king but Ahab is not. God sends a prophet who honestly tells them what is about to happen in war but they do not heed the warning and instead listen to the other prophets who were filled with a lying spirit. God's truth reigns and exactly what was proclaimed by God happens.
In 1 Kings Chapters 20 & 21, there's some battling going on. God goes ahead into the battles and brings victory for His chosen people. Israel's King does not follow God's direction, goes down a path of dishonesty, murder, and burglary and ends up bringing death and destruction into his dynasty.
In 1 Kings Chapter 19, Elijah listens to the words of the enemy instead of God's Word and finds himself full of fear. He flees to Mount Sinai. God meets him there and calls out to him - "What are you doing here?" - God leads him back to the mission and reminds him that he is not alone, God is with him.
In 1 Kings Chapter 18, Elijah declares rain is coming. God spoke to him and when he declares what is true and correct from God and His Word, the miracles come forth. Our words matter and it's important to guard our hearts and minds and ensure we are declaring what is right and true from God and His Word. Elijah sent a servant to check for the coming rain SEVEN times before the miracle came forth. Not only do we need to declare the truth found in God in all the words we speak, but we need to obediently keep going and trust God for the miracles He promises.
In 1 Kings Chapter 17, a drought has entered the lands and God ensures His prophet Elijah is fed through the hard times. He miraculously multiplies a widow's supplies to ensure there is food through the drought and even brings her son back to life!
In 1 Kings Chapters 15 & 16 we stumble across one good king who actually did what was good and pleasing to God. The rest of the kings during this period seem to be competing as to who could be the worst. There's conflict, war, disruption and a lot of worshiping of false idols which angers God. Prophets weave in and out bringing forth God's words and warnings but no one seems to pay attention or heed their words.
In 1 Kings Chapters 13 & 14, a prophet warns Jeroboam about worshiping false idols and even paralyzes his hand! The prophet Ahijah warns Jeroboam again and his son ends up dying. Rehoboam is also up to no good. Wars and conflict were abundant during their rulings. All the while, God was right there for them to repent and turn their ways.
In 1 Kings Chapter 12, Solomon's son, Rehoboam, takes charge. We see the divide of Israel happen with 10 tribes to the north under the rule of Jeroboam and 2 tribes of Judah to the south under Rehoboam's ruling. We see some similarities to Exodus as the northern tribes build golden calves and start worshiping idols instead of God.
In 1 Kings Chapter 11, we see King Solomon has also taken 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines (which is just below a wife status) - that's 1000 women and a whole lot more words in the house! He's taken on his own path instead of God's and ultimately leads Israel into a huge downfall. He's the wisest man, yet the most foolish and can't see it past his pride.
In 1 Kings Chapter 10, King Solomon is forgetting God's instruction and starting to do his own thing. His focus is veering off of God. He's storing up gold, wealth, and Egyptian horses which was all warned against by Moses in Deuteronomy 17. Will he straighten his ways back to God before it's too late?
In 1 Kings Chapter 9, King Solomon hears a response from God to his earnest prayers. God hears us. God tells King Solomon IF he chooses to follow God completely and continually, the covenant promises will continue. IF he chooses not to, Israel is sure to fall. What will he choose?
In 1 Kings Chapters 7 & 8, King Solomon builds himself and his wife, Pharaoh's daughter, a palace. He also finishes the final details of the inside of the Temple of God. They bring the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple and God shows up in a thick cloud affirming them that He is indeed with them at the Temple. King Solomon praises God, prays a beautiful prayer of dedication pouring out his heart and giving all the glory and honor to God, and dedicates the Temple. He truly seems to have good intentions and a sincere desire to do God's will and lead the people of Israel under God's authority and honor.
In 1 Kings Chapters 5 & 6, King Solomon carries out the covenant God promised to King David that his son, Solomon, would build a Temple to honor God. He goes through great detail and care to get it just right as he builds a Temple that properly honors God.
In 1 Kings 3&4, God blesses Solomon with great wisdom and knowledge. He's now super smart in all areas and his fame grows and spreads throughout the land. He has a super strong team and his kingdom is doing quite well.
In 1 Kings Chapter 2, King David is passing and gives his son Solomon instruction and orders. He carefully warns him to follow all of God's decrees, commands, regulations, and laws. He stresses the importance of keeping God at the forefront of his kingdom. He also gives him instructions to "clean house" in the kingdom and the chapter depicts him doing just as his father recommended. So far, King Solomon is off to a good start.
1 Kings Chapter 1 shares with us what was going on during the time when Solomon was 1st pronounced king by King David and the hurdles they had to overcome to get there. God called Solomon to be king and by listening to God's instruction and following the heart of God's will, that promise was faithfully brought forth.
James Chapter 5 reminds us to be steadfast against self-indulgence. If we want to make it through the waiting, we need to stop thinking about ourselves, fix our eyes solely on the Lord, and remain steadfast in prayer.
James Chapter 4 discusses how to humbly live in a broken world following God's will. It also reminds us to not judge or speak evil about anyone because only God can judge. It's not our job. We are all the same under Christ.
James Chapter 3 teaches the importance of watching what we say, how we say it, and who we say it to. Our words have extreme power to either burn things down like a spark igniting a forest fire or encouraging people with the peace and love of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our hub for all things and how we treat and talk to people matters.
James Chapter 2 shows us how to extend the same love and mercy that Jesus extended to us to others. Showing one person preference over another for any reason is a sin. God is after hearts not fancy cars or clothes. Every person on Earth has an eternal value and our actions and the things we do on Earth should reflect the love and mercy of Jesus for every single person.
James! The half-brother of Jesus - talk about growing up in a sibling's shadow! Right out of the gates, he tells us how to make it through life's trials, which will come. He teaches us that religion without the power of Jesus is pointless and how we end up fooling ourselves in so many ways. As our love for God increases, our selfish ambitions decrease and that is exactly what we should want through life.
In Job Chapters 38-42, God enters the scene and shows Job the intricate vast details of the universe. Job is humbled, repents, forgives his friends, and is restored doubly by God.
In Job Chapters 32-37, a mysterious 4th friend pops in. It appears he's been there the whole time listening. He has a bit of truth as he speaks about how powerful God is, but has a lot of sprinkling of accusations and criticism towards Job who continues suffering with no encouragement from his friends.
In Job Chapters 28-31 Job continues to cry out in his sufferings. We see a bit of Pride and entitlement bubbling up, but also still see his firm steadfastness in his faith in God.
In Job Chapters 23-27, Job continually remains steadfast in his faith and trust in God. His awe of God and who God is shines through these passages. His friends continue to be jerks and Job's sarcasm starts to peek out as I'm sure he is utterly exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually - especially as he has to continually defend himself to his cruel, heartless "friends" throughout his suffering.
In Job Chapters 20-22, Job's friends continue the cruelty rather than encouragement. Job challenges their theories and refuses to budge from his steadfast faith in God.
In Job Chapters 16 - 19, Job responds to his friends begging for mercy and calling them horrible comforters. We see another prelude to the coming of Jesus and Job's faithful hope in God shines through loud and clear. We are reminded to let God do His job in people - He's good at being God.
In Job Chapters 13, 14, & 15 we see more foreshadowing of the coming of Jesus to save us from ourselves. Through all his suffering, Job does not waiver in his reverence of God. He gives up on his friends and cries out to God for answers and understanding.
In Job Chapters 9, 10, 11, & 12, his friends continue to gang up on him with accusations and assumptions. We see a beautiful foreshadowing to Jesus and Job is starting to give up on his friends and cry out to God.
In Job Chapters 6, 7 & 8, we see Job is continuing through his suffering. He again stands up for himself against his friends who are falsely accusing him and making bad assumptions rather than offering encouragement and comfort. Job then cries out to God.
In Job Chapters 3, 4, and 5, after 7 days and 7 nights of silence, Job finally cries out in agony of his pain and suffering. We can see he is clearly struggling. One of his friends finally speaks up and doesn't offer a whole lot of encouragement. Rather, he condemns and assumes he "must" deserve this.
Is God right and just? Assumptions of justice tend to fall into good = reward and bad = punishment. Is this always the case? We will take a close look at just that in the book of Job.
Daniel Chapter 12 tells us about what to expect when an evil kingdom ends. Daniel is a book of hope and motivates faithfulness for all generations. We find a pattern and a promise that humans become violent beasts when they glorify their own power and don't acknowledge God as their true King. God will one day confront the beasts and will rescue us and His world by bringing His Kingdom over all nations.
Daniel Chapters 10 & 11: Jesus visits Daniel to give him some much needed strength, there's a lot of fighting between kingdoms and a daughter, who I'm pretty sure is Cleopatra, enters the Scriptures!
In Daniel Chapter 9, Daniel is pleading with God for deliverance, faithful mercy, grace, and forgiveness for Jerusalem. He gives God an honest confession that they have not held up their end of the covenant with God. He's admitting their errors and asking for forgiveness. Gabriel shows up giving Daniel some insight and understanding of things coming.
In Daniel Chapter 8, Daniel has another vision. This time, of empires taking over each other and the Temple being destroyed. We are again reminded that God reigns - always has and always will. We can stand firm on the hope in God regardless of what is going on around us in our man-made kingdoms.
In Daniel Chapter 5, Daniel has sort of retired but is called upon by King Beshazzar because a hand mysteriously popped up out of nowhere and wrote a message on a wall that no one else could interpret. Daniel's reputation of character and integrity in God is still relied upon, even when he's "kind of" retired. You are never too old to do God's work - it's never too late.
In Daniel Chapter 4, King Nebs learns a valuable lesson about pride, arrogance, repentance, and humility. He also ends up eating grass in fields with the cows for 7 years!
In Daniel Chapter 6 we find a lion's den! As well as the importance of staying consistent in our integrity and character with God in an ever changing society and culture.
Daniel Chapter 3 brings us to the fiery furnace! A well known story of King Nebs making some emotionally charged decisions. God rescues Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego and changes King Nebs' heart for the better. I also share the Prayer of Azariah which was included in the early Greek Manuscripts but is not found in our Bibles today.
Daniel Chapter 7 mirrors Chapter 2. We see 4 beasts again representing 4 kingdoms. Kingdoms will ultimately come and go, yet we know Jesus is coming to dismantle all previous human kingdoms. Our eternal citizenship is safe with Jesus.
Daniel Chapter 2 brings us to King Neb's dream. Daniel was able to tell him what his dream was as well as the interpretation - something all the others deemed "impossible." Nothing is impossible for God.
In Chapter 1 of Daniel, Daniel and his 3 friends' remain faithful to God by keeping God first and foremost. Their names may have been changed, but their identity was secure in God. They refused to internally consume anything that was opposed to God and God blessed them even while their hometown was under threat and they were in exile in a foreign land.
The book of Susanna shows us how Daniel started to gain a great reputation and was looked on favorably in his community. It's a story of false accusations and how God looks out for His children when we stay honorable to Him.
In John Chapters 20 & 21, Jesus is alive! He has risen and commissions everyone to go and tell the good news. He brings cleansing and purification to Peter as He also commissions Peter to go serve others and clears up a wild rumor among the disciples.
The Savior of the world is executed by and for the world. Jesus is sealed in a tomb and it seems like the end of the story. Wait for it, He's just getting started!
In John Chapter 17, we see Jesus' last recorded prayer before He died on the cross for us. In Chapter 18, we see Jesus arrested under Jewish leadership while they broke all their Jewish laws of the Court to do so.
In John Chapters 15 & 16, Jesus is warning that there will be hard times. He is also reassuring that the Paraclete - Holy Spirit - counselor would come alongside us and be with us through it all. We will not be alone. We can cling to Jesus and He will be with us. Even better, we will be filled with an unexplainable joy in our spirits and lives that nothing and no one will be able to take from us.
Here we find some foot washing, betrayal, Diety explanations, and the very foundation of God's inspired Word which is still my lifeline now - this very day today. God is the God of NOW.
In Chapters 11 & 12 of John we see the Glory of Jesus amplified. Lazarus is raised from the dead and the Chief Priest prophesies without even realizing it. Jesus is gloriously honored by Mary as well as the crowds and reminds us the time is NOW to give glory to God and not care what other people think.
Walking further along through Chapters 9 & 10 of John, we see Jesus as the Good Shepherd that He is. He heals a blind man and teaches us all about what it means to follow the Good Shepherd. We visit a Hanukkah celebration and Jesus promises us soul safety. To be safe in Jesus' hands is to be safe in God's hands because They are One.
In Chapters 7 & 8 we see Jesus = I AM - as well as actions needed on our part associated with I AM. We see Jesus teach at the Festival of Shelters / Feast of Tabernacles - one of the most important feasts of the year. More division and rejection stirs up, Jesus shows compassion and sin is forgiven and yet, by the end of Chapter 8, many of the Jewish people are ready to kill Jesus - but it's not yet time...
In John Chapter 6, Jesus begins the revelation of Himself as "I AM" as God called Himself in Exodus 3:12-14. There are more miraculous signs as well as some discord and rejection bubbling up throughout the chapter.
In John Chapter 5, we see the divinity of Jesus. We see His love for people and His graceful mercy shines throughout the chapter as well.
We Jesus' humanity in John Chapter 4, as well as His love for people, compassion, and empathy as He talks with the woman at the well and heals an official's son.
Our hike continues thorough John Chapter 2 which brings purification and changes old things into newly refined and the highest quality of purity. Chapter 3 brings regeneration due to faith in Jesus - salvation is found in Jesus who has ALL power.
God put it on my heart to start a daily trail walk through each book of the Bible with y'all. This is the very beginning of our deep dive hike together through God's Word.
Together, we can join forces in unity and honestly take down the enemy and his lies - one by one....
We are living between two perfect gardens. Thankfully God is our rescuer, redeemer, healer and forgiver to help get us through the in-between.
2 Timothy 1:6-8 says we are supposed to fan into the flames the spiritual gifts God gave you. We need to be intentional and spend intentional time with God and not let the world around us suffocate our flames.
A little ditty about billboards, flat tires, jump starts and getting real. Oh - and of course my favorite Bible boyfriend - Peter. :)
Using wisdom and discernment when choosing your closest community is vital to your soul.
God said "record a podcast" - I said "Ok God, what's a podcast?" So here we are! My first podcast is about something God has placed heavy on my heart recently and brings me to tears - as you'll hear throughout the podcast. We are called to love God and love people - that's it.