Every person has either hurt someone in their life or has been hurt by someone. For true reconciliation to occur, we must look to the example Christ set on the cross, exemplifying forgiveness and humility. In the parable of the two sons, the younger son greatly disrespects his father and runs off into reckless living. Even though this is a great offence, it ends in a great reconciliation because of true repentance and forgiveness. Verses: Luke 15:11-32 Luke 15:17-19 Proverbs 21:2 Luke 15:20-24 M...
Jul 13, 2025•36 min
Haggai promised Zerubbabel that God would endorse his leadership against all future enemies. The Lord declared He would shake the heavens and overthrow opposing kingdoms and install Zerubbabel like a signet ring. The unredeemed world will always resist God. As God shook the heavens in defense of Zerubbabel, He will do once more in a day yet to come. When Jesus comes as Judge of the world, every mountain and island will be moved out of their place. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue co...
Jul 06, 2025•34 min
During the time of Haggai, the priests told the people that they could not be made holy by association, yet they could be made unclean by association. This is still true now. A person cannot be made holy by knowing a righteous person, being inside a building, or abiding by a ritual. One can only be made holy by coming to Jesus all on one's own. However, anyone can be made unclean by associating with evil things and people. God will smite us to awaken us and bring us to the only place of blessing...
Jun 29, 2025•35 min
When the people began to build the new temple, the older generation wept in memory of the glory of the old temple. The past can be the idol that robs us of God’s blessing in the future. The Lord encouraged the people to continue the work and reminded them that He would be with them. God does not call us to a task based upon our own qualification, rather He promises to be with us in our obedience. The Lord declared that once finished, the glory of the latter temple would be greater than the first...
Jun 22, 2025•35 min
After many years of only having a dormant foundation for the temple of the Lord, Haggai the prophet is sent to God’s people. The Lord calls His people to account for having given full attention to their own houses while the Lord’s temple lay desolate. Though the people sought to accumulate earthly success, the hand of God had been working against them. When their spirit was stirred up, they once again showed reverence for the Lord and began work on His house above their own. Many people today ar...
Jun 15, 2025•33 min
The Word of God calls Christians to show honor to all people. We honor people when we allow ourselves to see them. The foreigner, the homeless, and the prisoner are all among us. Do we see them? We show honor by being impartial with grace, mercy, and the good news. The religious people of Jesus’ day grumbled that He ate and drank with sinners. In doing so, they revealed their own partiality. We honor people when we help them. The Bible says that faith without works is dead, being by itself. A tr...
Jun 08, 2025•33 min
All governing authorities are put in place by God. Christ followers are commanded to show honor to our government. The Bible says that we do this because of the Lord. Showing honor is not dependent on whether or not a person is deemed worthy, but rather in response to God’s Word. We show honor through our obedience, the tone of our words, and even our thoughts. The rare exceptions are when we are asked to abandon the mission of the gospel or to participate in sin against the Lord. Above all, we ...
Jun 01, 2025•38 min
The Word of God calls believers in Jesus to honor their family. Honor is recognizing the value that God assigns to every person. Honor is not something earned, but rather something given. Honor is not respect, trust, or unlimited obedience. We honor family with our words, treatment of them, and our forgiveness. It is impossible to show proper honor to family without first being new ourselves through faith in Jesus. Do you honor your family? EPHESIANS 5:33-6:4 GENESIS 27:5-14 JAMES 3:3-12 2 SAMUE...
May 25, 2025•33 min
The Word of God commands believers to give honor to the Lord. Honor is first given when a person believes in Jesus as Savior, for the one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father. God is given honor when a person walks in righteousness. Many honor God with their lips, but their heart is far from Him. Honor is shown to God in our generosity as we are called to honor the Lord from our wealth. Some are rich with money, others are rich with resources, material goods, time, and knowledge....
May 18, 2025•35 min
Before any decision is made, one must determine the cost before moving forward. Many people are curious about Jesus and interested in following Him, but unsure if they are willing to surrender what is necessary. Jesus made it very clear what the cost is to follow Him. That cost is not anything one can do other than love Him with their whole heart which results in the denial of self. Theme verse: Luke 14:25-28 Anchoring verses: Luke 14:25-28 Mark 10:17-22 Philippians 2:5-8 Luke 14:26-28...
May 11, 2025•31 min
Jesus isn't alone as he enters Jerusalem for the last time. His disciples and crowds gathered because they had heard the testimony of this man named Jesus. What testimony goes before us? We have a choice in every opportunity and moment of life: will we serve the flesh or surrender to Christ? Each time we demonstrate our faith through action, we point the world to Christ. Luke 19:37 Romans 6:19 James 2:14-18 John 12:11...
May 04, 2025•33 min
The Bible declares that the love of God is a free gift to all who will believe in Jesus. While society’s love is often earned, God’s love is given freely. The love of God does not change. There is no variation or shifting shadow with God’s love, as it does not depend upon our perfection. When we fail, God still loves us the same. All of God’s love is brought to mankind in the person of Jesus. People need not seek God’s love through works or the approval of religious organizations, but rather, th...
Apr 27, 2025•34 min
LUKE 15:1-7 LUKE 15:4 LUKE 15:5-6 LUKE 15:7
Apr 20, 2025•25 min
After Samuel died, the Philistines gathered against Israel, and Saul became very afraid. Having been rejected by the Lord, he sought out a medium to bring up Samuel from the dead. Again defying the Lord’s command that divination is an abomination, he goes in disguise to consult the medium. The spirit of Samuel rises from the dead and pronounces further judgment on Saul. Many people go about in disguise to indulge their sin. Society still seeks an alternative savior. There is no mediator apart fr...
Apr 13, 2025•32 min
After disobeying God, Saul was rejected from being king and Samuel was told to go to Bethlehem and anoint a new king. The Lord asked Samuel how long he would continue grieving over Saul. Many people spend their lives grieving over what the Lord has rejected rather than trusting in what He still has planned. After 7 of Jesse’s sons passed before Samuel, God rejected all of them. Though man often judges by the outward appearance, God sees the heart. People often spend more effort on the outside of...
Apr 06, 2025•37 min
At God’s direction, Samuel instructed Saul to destroy all of the wicked Amalekits from the land. Saul and Israel gained a great victory. However, Saul and the people kept King Agag and the choice livestock for themselves. When Saul declared to Samuel that he had obeyed, Samuel asked, “What is this bleating in my ears?” Saul then blamed the people for his own disobedience. When God calls us to something, there must be no exception. What might the bleating of sheep be in your life?
Mar 30, 2025•33 min
When Samuel was old, his sons did evil. Israel asked Samuel to appoint them a king like the other nations in place of God. Many people find the sins of others to be excuses to cast off God as their Lord. Samuel warned the people that they would cry out from the oppression of the king they demanded, but they did not listen. The Lord agreed to give them a king. Many have received warnings about the direction they are going. God will give people the misery of their own devices when they insist upon...
Mar 23, 2025•32 min
The boy Samuel was raised in a land and culture of rebellion against God. The voice of the Lord called to Samuel, however, he did not yet know the Lord. The voice of God still calls to people to repent and obey the gospel. When Samuel responded to the Lord, he came to truly know Him as well as the purpose for his life. Have you responded to the call of God to your soul? Many are like young Samuel in that they know about God, but still have not responded to Him. 1 SAMUEL 3:1 1 SAMUEL 3:2-7 1 SAMU...
Mar 16, 2025•30 min
When Hannah had no child of her own, she petitioned the Lord and vowed that if God would give her a son, she would give him to the service of the Lord all of his life. God heard Hannah and she conceived and gave birth to Samuel. When he was a young boy, she took him to the house of the Lord and left him in God’s service. We are allowed to make our requests known to God. He hears our cry from upon His holy mountain. Like Samuel, our lives ought to be dedicated to the purpose for which God made us...
Mar 09, 2025•32 min
A disciple of Jesus is compared to a soldier. A good soldier knows the mission and the battlefield. The mission is to preach the gospel and make disciples on the specific battlefield where you are called. A good soldier is familiar with the weapon of the word of God. It will be impossible to be an effective disciple maker without knowing and accurately handling the word of God. A good soldier is not entangled in the affairs of everyday life so that he may please the one who enlisted him. Are you...
Mar 02, 2025•33 min
The Bible tells us that we will experience trials and trouble in this world. Sometimes, we are in a storm of our own making. Other times, we experience trials to grow our faith and spiritual maturity. Through it all, the God of hope and all comfort promises to be with us. 1 Peter 3:1-7 James 1:2-4 James 1:13-15 Romans 6:23 Job 1:13-19 Romans 5:1-15 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Feb 23, 2025•30 min
When Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord again, the military commander Sisera was raised up to oppress them. Barak was called by God to lead a resistance against Sisera, but he refused to go alone. Deborah proclaimed that Sisera would be defeated by the hand of a woman in place of Barak. When the Lord caused Sisera to flee to the tent of Jael for refuge, he was met with the hammer and tent peg of brave Jael. God uses the most unlikely vessels at times to accomplish His greatest victories. T...
Feb 16, 2025•34 min
When Israel did evil, the Lord strengthened the oppressive king Eglon against them. Many people have an Eglon in their life as a consequence of sin. After 18 years, Israel cried unto the Lord, and He raised up Ehud to deliver them. Ehud follows their repentance. How long have you been under the oppression of Eglon? Ehud does what they could not do, kills Eglon, and sets Israel free. Jesus was sent by God to set the captive free from the tyranny of the bondage of sin for all who will repent and c...
Feb 09, 2025•34 min
After Israel had conquered Jericho, they were instructed to devote the spoils to The Lord. Upon seeing the silver and gold, Achan coveted and took some of it and hid it in the ground below his tent. When Israel lost a battle, Joshua sought The Lord for the reason. It was revealed that someone had disobeyed The Lord and taken some of the spoils. The offender was found to be Achan, and he and his family suffered the consequences. Many people are losing battles in their lives due to buried sin. Tru...
Feb 02, 2025•36 min
The Bible calls believers to glorify God in whatever we do. To glorify is to elevate God to His proper place. We are called to glorify God in our treatment of other people, our words and our bodies. Our conduct sends a message to God and man as to how seriously we take our faith. What message does your life send?
Jan 26, 2025•38 min
The story of Esther provides a powerful example of how one individual's courage and faith can confront and break destructive cycles that have taken root over generations. As Romans points out, sin isn't just an individual matter but has a long lasting impact—passing from Adam's fall to us and often down through our families. Anger, divorce, addiction, greed, unforgiveness—we often accept these things as part of who we are instead of standing against them and fighting for freedom for ourselves an...
Jan 19, 2025•39 min
The blessed man is not corrupted by the influence of the wicked. While sinful counsel can appeal to the flesh, the blessed keep guard against the allure of evil men. The blessed man delights in the law of God day and night. A person meditates upon that which they love. One who loves God meditates on His law and is not burdened by adherence to it. While the blessed man’s life is planted like a fruitful tree by a river, the wicked will be like chaff, driven away at the judgment.
Jan 12, 2025•34 min
The great prophet Elijah witnessed God's power and guidance in many miraculous ways. After the showdown at Mount Carmel, where he defeated the prophets of Baal, Queen Jezebel responded in anger by threatening his life. When Elijah learns of this threat, he becomes overwhelmed by fear instead of placing his trust in God. He runs for his life in the opposite direction and even asks God to take his life. When we lose sight of God, our lives can seem to fall apart, leaving us to wonder, "How did I g...
Jan 05, 2025•31 min
When the centurion’s beloved slave was about to die, he heard about Jesus and sent messengers to ask that He come and save the life of the slave. The messengers reported to Jesus that the centurion was worthy of this favor due to his love of the nation and generosity in building a synagogue. The centurion insisted that he was not worthy of Jesus coming under his roof. He pleaded for Jesus to just say the word, and his slave would be healed. Jesus marveled at his faith, and the slave was restored...
Dec 29, 2024•35 min
Dec 24, 2024•27 min
