May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem. I Darius have decreed it. Let it be carried out with diligence. (Ezra 6:12) There are times in life when a situation looks impossible. The way out seems unfathomable, and we just don't know what to do. In fact, ... [Continue Reading]
A Tree Planted by Water (Jeremiah 10-11:17; 17)
But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8) Some of the richest words written in Jeremiah come in ... [Continue Reading]
Not Me! (Isaiah 5-6)
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8) Life with a one-year-old certainly presents some interesting learning situations. Right now we're working on teaching Madelyn to eat whatever is given to her. She has a special gift of evading a spoon full of food that she doesn't want ... [Continue Reading]
When to Ask for Help (2 Chronicles 19-20)
“Our God, will you not judge [our enemies]? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12) When Jehoshaphat found himself facing the imminent attack of a large number of armies, he assessed the situation and realized that his army did not stand a chance. Then Jehoshaphat did ... [Continue Reading]
All That He Asks He Provides (1 Kings 17-19)
The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. (1 Kings 17:6) God will never ask you to do something without equipping you with what you need to do it. In fact, whenever He asks something of you, He provides you with the strength, ability, and resources to follow through with it. There is no clearer ... [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]
Waiting on God (1 Kings 5-6)
But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God, as the Lord told my father David, when he said, ‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.’ (1 Kings 5:4-5) Sometimes in your relationship with God it feels ... [Continue Reading]
Persevering Against All Odds (2 Samuel 22-23)
Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated, but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops ... [Continue Reading]
Going the Distance (Ruth)
“Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ... [Continue Reading]
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