Many ask why certain occurrences happen. The Bible doesn’t answer all our questions, but it does teach us what we need to know–that God is in control of the most personal details of human life as well as of the events at the highest levels of nations and empires. [Note: This post is based on last week’s reading: 1 Samuel 1-20]. A Personal Story and a National Crisis Two weeks ago, we read the books of Judges and Ruth which prepared us for 1 Samuel and the beginning of the kin

The battle between good and evil, the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, continues to play out in ancient Israel even in the Promised Land.  Two weddings demonstrate the reality of this battle in vivid terms but also remind us of Who ultimately has won this conflict. [Note: This post is based on last week’s reading: Judges, Ruth]. Trouble in Paradise After the relatively upbeat book of Joshua, we come to Judges.  The contrast between these books is impossible to m

In Acts we see the power of Christ to change lives.  One such man—a worthy example to us–considered his life expendable in the service of his Lord. This blog is based on last week’s reading: Acts 13-28; Numbers 1-10 Alternating between Old and New Testaments This is the tenth week of the winter quarter.  Last week our schedule took us through the end of Acts and into Numbers.  Most of the time, we are alternating between Old and New Testament books so if you are new to the Bi

God calls His people to endurance, by faith, even in the most severe of trials, because His promises are sure and His power is invincible. Today’s Reading Habakkuk 1-3; Revelation 14 Selected Verses Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. Habakkuk 3:18-19 Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of

Tribulation is real, but it is not the end for God’s people. He promises a final and ultimate restoration for all His elect. Today’s Reading Amos 7-9; Revelation 7 Selected Verses I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them,” says the Lord your God. Amos 9:15 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” A

No one enjoys adversity, but did you know that a trial is not the worst thing that can happen to you? Are you aware of the danger of prosperity? Today’s Reading Hosea 12-14; Revelation 3 Selected Verses But I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior. It was I who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought; but when they had grazed, they became full, they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; there

God shows His power in the apparently impossible and hopeless crises of His faithful children who have even been found safe in a lions’ den. Today’s reading Daniel 5-6; First John 4 Selected Verses I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders

God’s people, living in a fallen world, must not be surprised if they are unrecognized, at best, and targeted for persecution and death, at worst. Today’s reading Daniel 3-4; First John 3 Selected Verses Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their ow

History displays the ongoing conflict between Christ and Satan, but do you know how the story ends? It will culminate in glory revealed. Today’s Reading Ezekiel 38-39; First Peter 4 Selected Verses So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.   Ezekiel 38:23 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to y

Honoring Christ by maintaining hope even in the midst of great trials and suffering, makes the Christian life a huge curiosity to unbelievers. Today’s Reading Ezekiel 36-37; First Peter 3 Selected Verses In accordance with their ways and their deeds I judged them. But when they came to the nations, wherever they came, they profaned my holy name, in that people said of them, “These are the people of the Lord, and yet they had to go out of his land.” But I had concern for my

God is pleased with those who turn away from arrogant unbelief and trust Him even though death overtakes them still waiting. Today’s Reading Ezekiel 10-12; Hebrews 11:1-19 Selected Verses And the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, what is this proverb that you have about the land of Israel, saying, ‘The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing’? Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a

The destruction of Jerusalem brought inconsolable grief, a deep longing for the good, old days, but God had something new and far better planned. Today’s Reading Lamentations 3-5; Hebrews 8 Selected Verses Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old— unless you have utterly rejected us, and you remain exceedingly angry with us. Lamentations 5:21-22 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old