Tag: Prophecies

July 30, 2026

July 30th, 2026

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Revelation 1

Highlight Verse:

“God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have to be honest – Revelation used to be one of my least favorite books of the Bible.

It can be very difficult to understand.

And then there are those who claim to understand it perfectly and make up a specific timeline for the end of the world, usually using those predictions to manipulate people to follow them and donate.

After reading it many times, I still cannot claim to fully understand everything in Revelation.

But there are many principles and guidelines in Revelation that will help build our faith and equip us to be more effective for the Gospel.

It’s a wild ride so hang on and let’s see what we can learn along the way.

What is your favorite part of the Book of Revelation?
Are there parts that scare you? Inspire you?
June 26, 2026

June 26th, 2026

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Amos 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?”
‭‭Amos‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I am a rather intentional person.

Almost everything I do has a purpose in my mind (though sometimes the purpose is to relax).

It is my intention that my purposes align with God’s though I know my tendency is to stray from the perfect path He has made for me.

Today’s highlight verse is at the beginning of a series of verses that point to the importance of listening to Israel’s prophets.

God is also very intentional.

Unlike mine, His intentions are perfect and always for our good.

So, where are the prophets to let us know what God’s will is?

If you believe Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians, prophets are still out there.

When we find a trustworthy prophet, we should listen to them.

But we have a great advantage over the Old Testament Prophets.

We have the Bible.

In our age, the Bible is God’s primary means of communicating His will to us.

The Holy Spirit does speak through words of prophecy and knowledge.

But those words come through imperfect people, and we must test them against the truth of the Bible (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21).

Bottom line is, we should always seek God’s will through whatever means He chooses to use to make it known.

And we should always verify it with His Word found in the Bible.

How do you know God’s will?
Have you ever gone to verify what you thought was God’s will and found that it did not align with the Bible?
How did you deal with that?
May 8, 2026

May 8th, 2026

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Hosea 7-8

Highlight Verse:

““The people of Israel mingle with godless foreigners, making themselves as worthless as a half-baked cake!”
‭‭Hosea‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There was a movie theater with in-theater dining near us. One of my favorite selections there was their “half-baked cookies.” They were gooey and delicious.

That’s not what Hosea is talking about here.

Half-baked cake doesn’t sound nearly as good as those cookies.

I dare say it wasn’t something Israel should have been striving for.

The people of Israel were well instructed in the Law of Moses.

They even went through most of the religious motions in keeping with their culture.

But that didn’t keep them from indulging in the carnal practices of the peoples around them.

They dove so deep into the cesspool of sin that any remnant of love for God was left behind.

All they had was an empty shell of religion.

If you’ve known me for longer than a couple weeks, you know that I am far from legalistic, but I am passionate.

I love God enough to trust Him to lead me in the right way.

I know I’m far from perfect, but I strive to live a better life each day.

For me, among other things, that means trying to avoid media that will take me down a dark path.

For you it might mean something different.

For everyone, we need to avoid that which can drag us away from trusting God.

It’s not a legalistic thing; it is a heart for God thing.

What is it that you need to avoid to keep your heart right toward Jesus?
What are you doing to avoid it?
Friday – Prophets

April 10th, 2026

Reading – Daniel 11-12

Highlight Verse:

““As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.””
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Daniel has just been handed all these prophecies about future wars, success and failure and suffering.

And what is Daniel told to do with these prophecies?

Seal the prophecies and go your way.

I’d be like, “Then why did you tell me all this stuff?”

Obviously, the prophecies did not remain a secret forever.

I dare say that some of them have yet to be fulfilled.

They have and continue to prove God is all knowing and not bound by time.

Many have endeavored to explain each of these prophecies with historical events.

I honestly don’t know much about that.

In fact, I get to the end and see that “go your way” phrase and realize, the details of the prophecies do not matter to me personally.

What matters is that I walk in the way that God has called me.

I have a part to play in this historical spiritual battle.

While it is important that I understand the whole battle well enough to do my part well, I do not need to know every detail of every battle.

You might have noticed that the word calling is not used in this command for Daniel to go his way.

But look at Daniel. If ever there was a person with a clear calling and unswerving obedience to that calling, it was Daniel.

Daniel’s way was to walk in the calling God had for him.

If we lay hold of that same command, going your way does not me following the whims of your earthly desires.

It means to walk in the path that God has specially laid out for you.

What does “go your way” mean in the context of your life?
How are you following that command?
March 27, 2026

March 27th, 2026

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Daniel 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.”
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you had been wondering why we’ve been reading Daniel under “Prophets” when it has sounded so much like a history book – here you go.

While the first half of the book reads like history,

Daniel was definitely a prophet.

I’ve heard various explanations about today’s prophecies, most explaining how they have been accurately fulfilled.

I won’t get into those explanations today.

I believe Daniel was a true prophet.

What he saw and wrote was true.

That includes today’s highlight verse.

This is yet another Old Testament prediction of Christ.

There are so many that I am amazed that anyone can doubt the truth of the Bible.

God set our salvation in motion from the beginning of creation and shared that great news with His prophets.

Who are we to argue with that?

Rest assured that salvation was not an afterthought. God knew what He was doing.

And He knew it would involve Daniel just like He knew it would involve you!

What else do you need to know to convince you of God’s plan for salvation?
How can God use you to spread and confirm his plan of salvation?
Friday – Prophets

February 27th, 2026

Reading – Ezekiel 46-48

Highlight Verse:

“There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭47‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Despite what I said two weeks ago, this chapter seems to point us toward a figurative or allegorical vision of the temple described here.

Such a river did not exist in Post-exile Israel.

Or did it?

Obviously, it was not physically there.

But this river could be the illustration of the life that came forth from God.

Keep in mind that, in the Middle East culture of that time (and probably today) fresh water was a symbol of life itself.

We get hints of it in Old Testament times.

Water signifies life in several Old Testament passages. (See Psalm 1:3, etc.)

But once Jesus died and rose again, the river of life from God became deep enough for us to be fully immersed.

This river illustrates that the source of life is from God and wherever God touches, there is life.

If you feel like the Christian life is dry and lifeless, are you really connected to the source of life?

If that’s you, now would be a really good time to ask God to show you that life.

There’s nothing better.

Did you witness a dramatic step into life when you found Jesus?
Is that life in you renewed each day? Why or why not?
February 26, 2026

February 26th, 2026

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Hebrews 8

Highlight Verses:

“Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When the Bible points out the main point, I tend to pay attention.

Here it is.

Jesus is our High Priest.

He is not one who struggles to keep up with the sacrifices and keeping the law from a place that represents God’s presence.

He made the one true sacrifice for all and is now seated right next to the Father!

When we see this High Priest in person (and we will – 1 Corinthians 13:12), we will not only see Him face to face but will be ushered into the very presence of God the Father by the gift of Jesus’ sacrifice that makes us clean!

In case you are wondering whether or not God will have time for you in person among the billions of other people, remember we will have eternity.

That means that Heaven operates outside the bounds of time.

I don’t know what that will look like, but I know it will be amazing.

If you think that will be too much for you, go check out Isaiah chapter 25 – especially verse 8.

Remember He is your Priest guiding you even now in eternal life from the Throne Room itself!

Words cannot describe how awesome that is.

How have you witnessed the presence of God in your life here on Earth?

How many pains and tears will He be wiping away for you? (By the way, that process begins now, not just when you see Him in person, but that’s another whole topic).
February 13, 2026

February 13th, 2026

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 40-42

Highlight Verse:

“He said to me, “Son of man, watch and listen. Pay close attention to everything I show you. You have been brought here so I can show you many things. Then you will return to the people of Israel and tell them everything you have seen.””
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭40‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When the Bible says to pay close attention, my mind goes, “Oh, maybe I should pay close attention here.”

In all seriousness, sentences like this grab my attention and I brace for something mind blowing.

And then we get a detailed description of a temple.

Some say the description was figurative. But why would God spend the next nine chapters in detailed description if it was just figurative.

Some say it describes the temple as it will be in heaven. I have a hard time with that because I believe we will be in the direct presence of God. Why would we need a temple and priests?

Others say it was meant as plans for the temple and the land for the Israelites when they returned to the land.

You could say that’s not true because the Israelites did not follow those instructions.

But then, how many times have we not followed the detailed instructions of God to the letter?

Maybe it would be easier to ask how many times we did follow God’s instructions.

Ezekiel paid close attention and wrote the descriptions down in great detail.

The people heard the instructions and rebuilt the temple and the nation their own way.

Life could have been much different if they had followed the instructions.

Have you ever been given detailed instructions and did things your own way? How did that turn out?
Have you ever followed detailed instructions from God? How did that turn out?
Friday – Prophets

February 6th, 2026
Reading – Ezekiel 37-39

Highlight Verse:

“So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭37‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Valley of Dry Bones remained dead until Ezekiel spoke.

Of course, it was God who brought life into those bones, but He chose to work through Ezekiel.

It may sound like faith to say that God doesn’t need me to accomplish His will on Earth.

The problem with that is it IS God’s will to accomplish His purposes on Earth through us.

His plans include all His people.

Our participation doesn’t make it easier for Him to do His will. I dare say it is harder to work through us than it would be to do it Himself.

But, when we do His will, it changes us.

We would not be complete without the Holy Spirit working through us. We would miss out on a whole level of life if we didn’t let His life work through us.
- If you feel like you aren’t qualified to do God’s work, let God qualify you as you do it.
- If you feel like it would take too much out of you to step up and do God’s work, know that He will supply more than you can imagine to replace what you give.
- If you feel burnt out from doing God’s work, maybe He will want you to focus on training and leading others to do His work.
While God certainly wants us to practice the Biblical concept of Sabbath rest, that concept involves resting and communing with God to empower us to move forward.

Are you willing to speak to the “Valley of Dry Bones” that God places before you?
How has God rewarded you for doing His work?
January 23, 2026

January 23rd, 2026

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Ezekiel 31-33

Highlight Verse:

““Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭33‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This verse begs the question, “Are we called to be watchmen for our people.”

The simple answer is “yes.”

But that doesn’t mean we should be exactly like Ezekiel.

We are not all called to be prophets.

But we are all called to speak the truth of the Gospel to the ends of the earth (see Matthew 28).

In that context, I believe we are responsible to speak up when we have the opportunity.

How we speak up depends on the situation and, especially, the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit may prompt you to speak the Gospel through your acts of charity.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit may ask you to speak direct uncomfortable words.

Always, He will have you act in love.

It is our responsibility to speak and/or act when the opportunity arises.

How has God used you to speak truth to people?
How have people responded?

Tag: Prophecies

I have to be honest – Revelation used to be one of my least favorite books of the Bible.

But there are many principles and guidelines in Revelation that will help build our faith and equip us to be more effective for the Gospel.

It’s a wild ride so hang on and let’s see what we can learn along the way.

Unlike mine, His intentions are perfect and always for our good.

We have the Bible.

And we should always verify it with His Word found in the Bible.

Half-baked cake doesn’t sound nearly as good as those cookies.

All they had was an empty shell of religion.

For me, among other things, that means trying to avoid media that will take me down a dark path.

It’s not a legalistic thing; it is a heart for God thing.

And what is Daniel told to do with these prophecies?

What matters is that I walk in the way that God has called me.

Daniel was definitely a prophet.

Rest assured that salvation was not an afterthought. God knew what He was doing.

But this river could be the illustration of the life that came forth from God.

But once Jesus died and rose again, the river of life from God became deep enough for us to be fully immersed.

There’s nothing better.

When the Bible points out the main point, I tend to pay attention.

Jesus is our High Priest.

Words cannot describe how awesome that is.

When the Bible says to pay close attention, my mind goes, “Oh, maybe I should pay close attention here.”

But then, how many times have we not followed the detailed instructions of God to the letter?

Life could have been much different if they had followed the instructions.

The Valley of Dry Bones remained dead until Ezekiel spoke.

His plans include all His people.

But, when we do His will, it changes us.

This verse begs the question, “Are we called to be watchmen for our people.”

But we are all called to speak the truth of the Gospel to the ends of the earth (see Matthew 28).

It is our responsibility to speak and/or act when the opportunity arises.