In 1 Kings 17, Elijah confronted a wicked king with the truth from God that judgment had come upon the land in the form of a severe drought. God then sent Elijah away for 3 ½ years where He miraculously provided for him with unclean birds and a foreign widow. God also used Elijah to…

The Israelites of Elijah’s day were involved with God but they weren’t committed to Him. They wanted to have a foot in both camps. A lot of times we want to hang on to a little bit of God while also enjoying the pleasures of the world. Sometimes we find it easier to compromise God’s…

It’s hard to believe another year has gone by, but such is life on this earth. James 4:14 reminds us “you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Each year is filled with highs and lows and some years are better than others. Most of us have probably experienced plenty…

Matthew 20:13-14 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with…

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!              The phrase “in Christ” utilizes two of the greatest words one could use to describe life. Eternity’s destination and all of life’s motivations hinge on the significance they bear. “In Christ” is…

Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. Ezra was a biblical scholar who was addicted to God’s Word. He feasted on God’s Word, and this led to a greater depth of understanding and a deeper…

The most powerful tool we have as Christians is prayer. Last week we looked at how Daniel prayed and how his consistent prayer life helped him to live a godly life in an ungodly world. That was personal prayer. There is also great power in congregational power. In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he addressed…

Over the last couple of weeks one of themes in our lessons on Daniel has been God’s patience with Nebuchadnezzar. Eventually, Nebuchadnezzar came to acknowledge God as the one true God. In Daniel 4:37 we  have these words from the once ruthless king: Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven,…

Judges 6:14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Judges 6:15 tells us that Gideon was from the weakest clan in Manasseh and that he was the weakest in his family, yet God called on him to do…

In our teen class on Sunday mornings, we are studying the Book of Ezra. In Ezra chapter 3, we read of how the returning exiles built an altar and began offering sacrifices to the Lord. After that, they presented the regular burnt offerings, the New Moon sacrifices and the sacrifices for all the appointed sacred festivals…