But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. (Ezra 3:12) Today is different than yesterday. What happened yesterday may have impacted my today, but that is all history. It can't be changed, relived, or even removed. ... [Continue Reading]
Daniel’s Secret (Daniel 10-12)
Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” (Daniel 10:12) Why is it that Daniel's prayers were heard? Why was he such an effective leader for the people of Israel? How did he have so much power to ... [Continue Reading]
In the Hands of the Potter (Jeremiah 18-19, 21)
So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. (Jeremiah 18:3-4) Clay is such an interesting medium. The master potter works with diligence to form it into whatever he or she desires. It's not until the ... [Continue Reading]
I Will Tell of the Kindness (Isaiah 59-63)
I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us... (Isaiah 63:7a) Have you been the recipient of the Lord's kindness? Has He done anything for you that deserves praise? If you answered "yes" to either of those questions, then you have a responsibility. Far too often, those who have received ... [Continue Reading]
The Eyes of the Lord (1 Kings 15:1-24; 2 Chronicles 13-16)
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Chronicles 16:9b) Have you ever wondered if God knows about your situation? Have you ever wondered if He has abandoned you and is uninterested in your life? The eyes of the Lord are watching to give support to those people whose hearts are blameless toward ... [Continue Reading]
Do Good (Proverbs 1-3)
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. (Proverbs 3:27) It isn't possible to help every person in need, but it is possible to help some people in need. Solomon gives wise counsel in Proverbs 3:27 when he encourages his sons to do good whenever possible. Whenever it's within your power to do good for someone else, then you ... [Continue Reading]
A Fresh Start (1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8)
The Lord said to [Solomon]: “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” (1 Kings 9:3) Sometimes it's important to get a fresh start in life. The finishing of the Temple and the kingship of Solomon was a time for a fresh start ... [Continue Reading]
Giving Thanks (2 Chronicles 6-7)
When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 7:3) After Solomon finished praying to the Lord, a fire from heaven consumed the offerings, and the glory of the ... [Continue Reading]
Death Bed Advice (1 Kings 1-2)
When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son. “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses.” (1 Kings 2:1-3a) A person's final words are ... [Continue Reading]
A New Normal (1 Samuel 21-23)
That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. But the servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances: “‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands’?” (1 Samuel 21:10-11) Sometimes the circumstances of life bring about a new normal in our daily living. These ... [Continue Reading]
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