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 migh...
Mar 27, 2024•14 min
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 th...
Mar 26, 2024•13 min
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 p...
Mar 25, 2024•16 min
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...
Mar 22, 2024•15 min
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 warri...
Mar 21, 2024•15 min
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 ...
Mar 20, 2024•20 min
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 ...
Mar 19, 2024•19 min
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 Go...
Mar 18, 2024•15 min
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 hum...
Mar 15, 2024•13 min
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...
Mar 13, 2024•17 min
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 cam...
Mar 12, 2024•15 min
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 wi...
Mar 11, 2024•12 min
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...
Mar 08, 2024•21 min
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.
Mar 08, 2024•40 min
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 t...
Mar 06, 2024•21 min
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 w...
Mar 05, 2024•19 min
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 lan...
Mar 04, 2024•19 min
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. I...
Mar 01, 2024•15 min
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 Lo...
Feb 29, 2024•17 min
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 carr...
Feb 29, 2024•17 min
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 ...
Feb 27, 2024•18 min
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 ...
Feb 16, 2024•16 min
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 th...
Feb 15, 2024•15 min
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 a...
Feb 15, 2024•14 min
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...
Feb 13, 2024•13 min
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...
Feb 09, 2024•18 min
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 Hi...
Feb 08, 2024•14 min
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'...
Feb 07, 2024•22 min
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...
Feb 06, 2024•22 min
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 exc...
Feb 05, 2024•12 min
