I love the story of the friends who are willing to interrupt Jesus' teaching time to drop their paralyzed companion through the roof of home so Jesus can heal him. Their friend had a problem: he was paralyzed. They had a solution: take him to Jesus. Unfortunately for them, the crowds got in their way and created no small problem. But because ... [Continue Reading]
Playing Worship (Malachi)
The book of Malachi highlights something that we don't really talk about much, and that's the heart of worship. Particularly when it comes to a worship service, there is a temptation to use the time as an effort to manipulate God. How does a person do that? Malachi says by bringing anything but the best sacrifices to worship the King. In ... [Continue Reading]
Giving First Fruits (Nehemiah 10:28-39; 11:1-2; 12:27-47; 13)
When the wall was finished and the covenant with Israel reestablished, one of the things the Israelites needed to begin doing again was bringing their first fruits to God. That meant that they didn't bring the leftover offers that we available at the end of consuming whatever they desired. Instead, they brought their first and best to God in thanks for ... [Continue Reading]
A Great Work (Nehemiah 4-6)
It never ceases to amaze me how, when I'm doing something important that the Lord has called me to do, someone or something tries to get in the way and stop me from accomplishing the task. Nehemiah's experience wasn't any different as he was working to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He was approached time and time again by his enemies wanting ... [Continue Reading]
Pray as Though It Depends on God (Nehemiah 1-3)
The Holy Spirit put within Nehemiah's heart the desire to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem to protect the Israelites. The problem was that Nehemiah was a cup-bearer to King Artaxerxes, and to leave and rebuild such a wall would be viewed as treason against the king. Knowing what he needed to do, Nehemiah approached the king with his great request to leave ... [Continue Reading]
True Repentance (Ezra 8:15-36; 9-10:17)
A lot of people say "I'm sorry," but not everyone means what he or she says. True sorrow isn't simply a change in emotion - it's also a change in behavior. As Ezra confronted the sin of the Israelites (which happened to be marrying foreign women this time... a sin that Christians are guilty of when they marry non-Christians), the people ... [Continue Reading]
The Whole Scheme of Things (Esther 6-10)
The ending of this story of Esther serves as a reminder that God will accomplish what He is going to accomplish no matter how people try to get in the way. Haman obviously was trying to exterminate the Jews (an effort also made in the 20th century by Hitler), but the Jews were God's chosen people, and they were not to be destroyed. It's easy sometimes ... [Continue Reading]
For Such a Time (Esther 1-5)
Does anything happen by accident? Does God put circumstances in our lives for no purpose? Or perhaps we are where we are for such a time as this. Mordecai's challenge to Esther when she was faced with a tough decision was simple: maybe God has you in the place you're in for a reason. Esther was perfectly placed to rescue God's ... [Continue Reading]
On That Day (Zechariah 11-14)
Zechariah tells us that on that day "the Lord will be king over all the earth," (14:9). There will be a battle, and it will be good versus evil. Darkness will be gone, and light will remain. God will win and Satan will lose. On that day it will not matter how good you were but the one in whom you put your trust. Not all roads ... [Continue Reading]
Be Careful, It’s Your Heart (Zechariah 6-10)
One of my favorite movies at Christmastime is Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. In the movie, Bing sings a song called "Be Careful, It's My Heart." Aside from being a love song, there's an important lesson to learn about the fragility of our hearts. When someone hurts you, it affects your heart. Whether it be ... [Continue Reading]
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