Subscription Lists

Soon after the death of Solomon, Jeroboam revolted against the united kingdom of Israel. The prominent sin which he institutionalized was idolatrous worship. He set up golden calves at Dan and Bethel so that his followers would not have to go to Jerusalem to worship. He did this knowing that if he could isolate the rebellious tribes from their God-given heritage it would be easier to maintain their allegiance to him. This being done, the inspired historian recorded, "This thing became a sin…" (1 Kings 12.30). …  ( Click for more )

Like People, Like Priests (Hosea 4.6-9)

Material prosperity was THE measure of success. Everything else was, in the mind of the average Israelite, merely incidental. Hosea had his work cut out for him since Northern Israel was enjoying a period of unequalled growth and prosperity. How and why would anyone heed his message when, by their own yardstick, things could not be better? That was the political and spiritual climate into which Hosea stepped when he prophesied some 700 to 750 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.

Especially of late, those who study politics have…  ( Click for more )

The Mountain of the Lord's House (Micah 4.1-4)

Micah's prophecies concerned Jerusalem as well as Samaria; his words were filled with threats as well as promises of hope and redemption. During the time of his ministry (c 740 - 700 BC), there were many, many prophetic voices from which to choose; a few of these voices were of God's faithful seers such as Hosea, Isaiah, and Micah. And, there was the multitude of hireling false prophets to which one could listen. Situated almost squarely in the middle of Micah's book, there is a glorious promise that gave hope to all who trusted…  ( Click for more )

A Famine of the Word of God (Amos 8.11-12)

Amos' preaching proved too much for Amaziah, priest of Bethel. In fact he was so disturbed that he "invited" Amos to leave the country. Hear his words to Amos: "Go, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat bread and there prophesy. But never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is the royal residence." (Amos 7.12-13).

But Amaziah was not the only one who did not appreciate the message that Amos had for Israel. The greedy men of Israel observed the feast days and the Sabbaths,…  ( Click for more )

The Vision of the Plumb Line (Amos 7.7-9)

God is upright, the source of all truth and goodness. Israel had gone astray. They placed little value in truth and their lives were perverse. Got sent Amos from the southern kingdom of Judah to deliver a message of warning to the ten northern tribes. It would be a gross understatement to say that his message was unappreciated. A part of his message involved the metaphor of a plumb line. Today's study will examine this graphic figure of speech and its application.

"Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made…  ( Click for more )

About 150 year or so had passed since the nation of Israel had been shattered by rebellious and self-seeking men. The southern tribes (Benjamin and Judah) formed one government headquartered in Jerusalem and the remaining northern ten tribes formed another government located in Samaria. In this climate of division and brotherly contempt, many other sins found welcome lodging in the hearts of the children of Jacob. On the black list of transgressions that were rampant in the land, blatant materialism ranked high especially in Samaria.…  ( Click for more )

There are many beautiful and meaningful passages in the scriptures. To pick one and say, "This is my favorite!" is almost an impossible task. Each passage has its own nuances based on the author, his mood, style, and scores of other factors. Add to these the reader's "appetite" for the moment and one can see why picking a favorite is so difficult. However, it would be difficult to find someone who would say that the passage to be considered today is not in his/her top ten list.

Consider Habakkuk's…  ( Click for more )

Two haunting questions had arrested the mind of Habakkuk. They were: 1) How long do I have to wait before You [God] will heed my call for help and avenge my cause? (see Habakkuk 1.2) And 2) Will You [God] use a more wicked person to discipline a righteous person? So distraught was he for an answer that he dared to confront God and stand on a watchtower awaiting a response from the Lord (see Habakkuk 2.1). The answer came and it is the pivotal point of Habakkuk's 3 chapter book. We will examine that answer and its implications. …  ( Click for more )

The Hills shall Flow with Milk (Joel 3.18)

Joel's prophecies anticipate the coming of the Messiah's kingdom. In fact, the Holy Spirit chose Joel's prophecies as a means of calling attention to and introducing the preaching of the very first gospel sermon (see Acts 2.17-21). So it should not be surprising to find that Joel's prophecies in the closing chapter of his book also allude to the kingdom of Christ and some of its characteristics. Our review of the text cited (Joel 3.18) will elaborate on Joel's descriptors of that kingdom.

The "day" that Joel foresaw…  ( Click for more )

Rend Your Heart and not Your Garments (Joel 2.12-13)

"'Now, therefore,' says the LORD, 'Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.' So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm." (Joel 2.12-13).

With the passing of Solomon the moral and spiritual landscape of Old Testament Israel was forever changed. Fueled by the oppressive bent of Rehoboam in Jerusalem, ten of the twelve tribes of Israel cast their…  ( Click for more )

"By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand." (1 Peter 5.12).

The threat to believers is ever present whether from false brethren internally or from "outside." Wherever there is a thing of value that can be counterfeited, give it time and it will be; that is Murphy's spiritual law. Peter specifically wrote of "the true grace of God" possibly inferring the existence…  ( Click for more )

God's People: Trusting Him (1 Peter 5.10-11)

"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5.8-9).

It is interesting that Peter refers to God as "the God of all grace." Peter had walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry and witnessed firsthand that grace as it was manifested toward others. But beyond that, Peter had personally benefited from that…  ( Click for more )

God's People: Resist the Devil (1 Peter 5.8-9)

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." (1 Peter 5.8-9).

Sobriety and vigilance are the first commands; Resist is the next. There is a reason for sobriety and vigilance, and there is a reason for resistance. Sobriety and vigilance is necessary due to the character of the enemy; Resistance is necessary due to…  ( Click for more )

God's People: Humility and Trust (1 Peter 5.6-7)

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5.6-7).

It is not a question of whether or not we will be humbled under the mighty hand of God – we shall be! It rather is a question of whether or not we will humble ourselves under that mighty hand or whether He will humble us! The mighty hand of God holds this universe and all that pertains to it, after all the universe is but the work of…  ( Click for more )

God's People: Required Clothing (1 Peter 5.5)

"Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.'" (1 Peter 5.5). The submissive spirit that this passage anticipates is absolutely key to achieving Peter's objectives here, but more importantly, this spirit is essential to pleasing God. God gives grace to the humble but "resists" (or is set in opposition against - jb) the proud. Now note the figure…  ( Click for more )

God's People: Their Shepherds (1 Peter 5.1-4; 2 of 2)

"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." (1 Peter 5.2-4).

Peter's challenge to elders is a challenge to lead, to oversee, to protect, to feed, to nurture, and to guide. The word "shepherd" is the leading verb of the…  ( Click for more )

God's People: Their Shepherds (1 Peter 5.1-2)

"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;" (1 Peter 5.1-2).

The word "elders" in the preceding passage translates the Greek word presbuteros. It is a term literally meaning the elderly, but used here to refer to the God-ordained group of men who had oversight…  ( Click for more )

God's People: Suffer for the Name!! (1 Peter 4.16)

"Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter." (1 Peter 4.16). When suffering comes to the Christian, it ought not to be a surprise. Jesus warned His disciples that they would suffer just as He had. After all, the servant is not above the Master (John 15.18-21); if the Master suffers then so will His servants.

The noted passage is not just about suffering; it is about suffering "as a Christian." Perhaps this phrase could be paraphrased…  ( Click for more )

God's People: Suffering and Glory (1 Peter 4.12-14)

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified." (1 Peter 4.12-14).

As has been noted before in…  ( Click for more )

God's People: How We ought to Speak (1 Peter 4.11)

The statement is extremely simple but its implications are extraordinarily complex. Here is the statement: "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God." (1Peter 4.11a). This sentence begins with the conditional statement, "If anyone speaks…" In this case, it does not affirm that everyone, or for that matter, anyone has to speak. However, it anticipates the nature of man as a social being with the inherent need to communicate to others as well as to receive communication from others. …  ( Click for more )

God's People: The need for Love (1 Peter 4.7-10)

"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.' Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1 Peter 4.7-10). The phrase of emphasis here is: "And above all things have fervent love for one another."

Peter states unequivocally why love is so important…  ( Click for more )

God's People: The Future Judgment (1 Peter 4.4-6)

"In regard to these, they [the Gentiles] think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." (1 Peter 4.4-6).

There are some things that are strange and there are some things that only seem strange. Peter wrote…  ( Click for more )

[Happy Thanksgiving!!! Next Devotional Message will be posted on Monday, November 29th!]

God's People: The Example of Christ (1 Peter 4.1-3)

"Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles — when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries,…  ( Click for more )

God's People: The Vindication of Messiah (1 Peter 3.18-22 ; 3 of 3)

"There is also an antitype which now saves us——baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him." (1 Peter 3.21-22). These two verses convey critical information to anyone seeking to be pleasing to God.

First, notice that these verses clearly teach that…  ( Click for more )