Tag: Prophets

November 15, 2024

November 15th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Zechariah 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“I looked up again and saw a scroll flying through the air.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If I were Zechariah, I’d be thinking, “Okay, what was in those tacos?” Or something like that.

Let’s just say – there was some very creative imagery in this book.

In fact, there are several passages in the Bible that are uniquely artistic in their rendering.

Some might use this logic to cast doubt on the trustworthiness of the Bible.

I would say these unique artistic viewpoints support the trustworthiness of the Bible.

After all, religious people would be likely to sanitize these parts out to make the Bible appear more religiously correct.

If it really is the Word of God, then it would stand the test of time.

And it has.

God really did give these visions.

And we would do well to learn from them.

Why do you think God used such creative imagery in these prophecies?
How can you tell they are real?
November 8, 2024

November 8th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Zechariah 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Then I asked the angel, “What are these, my Lord? What do they mean?””
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When I went to UC Santa Cruz just after high school, I remember having a conversation about reading the Bible with a fellow student.

She said that she didn’t need to read the Bible because her priest would tell her what she needs to believe.

I was speechless.

I couldn’t imagine not wanting to know more about God.

I also didn’t trust any priest or pastor enough to blindly follow what they said.

Now, I will consult the writings of pastors and scholars when I’m trying to figure out what God is trying to say.

But not before asking God to explain it to me.

Do you ask God before and when you read the Bible to help you understand it?
Have you experienced that “Aha” moment when the Holy Spirit makes a passage clear to you?
October 24, 2024

October 24th, 2024

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Revelation 13

Highlight Verse:

“Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

That will be a terrible time.

But let’s face it, in many ways that time is now.

I believe it will get worse but there is so much blasphemy against God in the world now.

It can be depressing until you notice one word in this verse:

“Allowed.”

The beast did not earn the right to speak by defeating God or anyone.

God allowed it for a limited time.

God is still in control despite all the blasphemies the devil can come up with.

Like a refiner’s fire, the beast’s words and actions will purify and strengthen those believers who live during that time.

They will even drive all those destined to believe to hasten their decisions to follow Christ.

What does it feel like to you to hear blasphemy against God?
How do you handle yourself when you see or hear such blasphemy?
October 18, 2024

October 18th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Zephaniah 3

Highlight – Verse:

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.””
‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This chapter begins with condemning Jerusalem.

In this verse, He delights over His people in Jerusalem.

What changed in 17 verses?

Jesus.

Zephaniah predicts God dwelling in Jerusalem in His perfection and purifying His people.

Jesus did that.

And there was much rejoicing!

Have you ever pictured Jesus singing and celebrating over you?
Do you know how delighted He is by the salvation of His children?
October 4, 2024

October 4th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Habakkuk 3

Highlight Verse:

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)”
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love the ending of Habakkuk.

He praises God regardless of the circumstances, declaring God as the source of His strength.

Then there’s this parenthetical revelation at the very end.

This whole prophecy was a song!

How cool is that?

When life is rough, and the world is crashing down – set it to music.

That sounds sarcastic but I’m serious.

There is healing in music.

If you don’t believe me, look up the backstory behind the hymn “It is Well With My Soul.”
Here’s one quick essay about it.

Has music been a means of healing in your life?
Tell us how.
September 24, 2024

September 28th, 2024

Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Deuteronomy 7-8

Highlight Verse:

“Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the Lord rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭7‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God blessed the Israelites because He loved them, and He was faithful to His promises to their ancestors.

That’s why He treated Israel so well.

That’s why He treats us so well.

I may not be an Israelite, but I was adopted into the family of God.

I inherited all the rights and responsibilities of an Israelite.

I have no genetic ties to three of my four children. But the moment I married their mother, they became my children. I love them as much as I love my oldest daughter, who does carry my genes.

If I, a far from perfect man, could love all his children that way, how much more could God love all His children, both Hebrew and Gentile?

Do you truly understand the depth of God’s love for you?
Can you believe He is faithful?
September 27, 2024

September 27th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Habakkuk 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“The Lord replied, “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.”
‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Habakkuk and I go way back. When I was in college, InterVarsity created a huge multimedia production based around Habakkuk. That’s college aged me sporting their T-shirt.

It was a new concept in that time and reached thousands of students with the ageless message of the Bible.

It wouldn’t fly today,

at least not in the same form.

The message of the Gospel remains the same throughout the ages.

The methods of sharing have to change in order to reach each new generation.

Student ministry at our church looks vastly different than it did back in my youth, and that’s good.

Students are responding to Christ as we reach them where they are.

What new ways have you found to spread the Good News of Jesus?
How have you stayed true to the Gospel when sharing in new ways?

NOTE: Yes, I know I took this verse out of context but the general concept still applies both in Habakkuk and today.
September 20, 2024

September 20th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Nahum 1

Highlight Verse:

“Yet Thebes fell, and her people were led away as captives. Her babies were dashed to death against the stones of the streets. Soldiers threw dice to get Egyptian officers as servants. All their leaders were bound in chains.”
‭‭Nahum‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

For about a year when I was in middle school, I lived in a small cheap 2 bedroom apartment in San Mateo, CA. In the apartment next door, which was the same size as our little 2-bedroom place, there lived a family of about 8.

The eldest member was a former general of the Persian Army.

Yes, the same army that was ousted by the Shah of Iran in the late 70’s.

They survived, but their family status did not.

Their situation changed overnight.

So did Thebes.

Conquered overnight.

Nahum predicts the same devastation to come upon Nineva, the capitol of Assyria.

We can expect the same if our nation continues its slide away from God.

What can you and I do to help steer our nation back to God?
Can you join me in praying for revival to sweep across our nation.
September 13, 2024

September 13th, 2024

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Nahum 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.”
‭‭Nahum‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today’s reading is full of warnings of impending doom for Nineveh.

In the middle of it is this little verse that sums up the source of confidence for those who trust God.

I know that no matter what comes my way, God will pull me through.

It might not be in a way I expect.

But I have seen Him provide for my safety and well-being more times than I can count.

Someday, when my time here is done, He will provide an eternal home for me in His presence.

What more do I need?

Do you trust God to stay close and protect you?
How has He protected and provided for you in the past?
September 7, 2024

September 7th, 2024

Saturday – Open Topic

Reading – Isaiah 40:21-31

Highlight Verse:

“God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him! He spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was a Physics major in college…

For one year.

When I flunked Calculus (officially took an incomplete) I realized that I would not be a great scientist.

I was reminded tonight while helping my daughter with homework that

math is integral to physics.

But I still love science.

That’s why today’s verse delights me.

I know the Bible is not intended to be a science textbook.

Despite that, every once in a while, I run a across a verse like this that shows an understanding of science beyond that of the civilization that existed at that time.

At a time when the Earth was thought to be flat, Isaiah described the Earth as being round. He then gives an aerial description of the land.

I’d say he had an inside view from the Creator.

What other science have you seen confirmed in the Bible?
Does the accurate presentation of science in the Bible affect your faith?

Tag: Prophets

Let’s just say – there was some very creative imagery in this book.

If it really is the Word of God, then it would stand the test of time.

And we would do well to learn from them.

I was speechless.

I couldn’t imagine not wanting to know more about God.

But not before asking God to explain it to me.

That will be a terrible time.

God is still in control despite all the blasphemies the devil can come up with.

Like a refiner’s fire, the beast’s words and actions will purify and strengthen those believers who live during that time.

What changed in 17 verses?

Jesus.

And there was much rejoicing!

I love the ending of Habakkuk.

This whole prophecy was a song!

There is healing in music.

God blessed the Israelites because He loved them, and He was faithful to His promises to their ancestors.

I may not be an Israelite, but I was adopted into the family of God.

If I, a far from perfect man, could love all his children that way, how much more could God love all His children, both Hebrew and Gentile?

It was a new concept in that time and reached thousands of students with the ageless message of the Bible.

It wouldn’t fly today,

The methods of sharing have to change in order to reach each new generation.

Their situation changed overnight.

Nahum predicts the same devastation to come upon Nineva, the capitol of Assyria.

We can expect the same if our nation continues its slide away from God.

I know that no matter what comes my way, God will pull me through.

What more do I need?

math is integral to physics.

But I still love science.

I’d say he had an inside view from the Creator.