The Freedom of Simplicity
Freedom is not found in a life full of distractions, but in one that has reduced activities to allow time to receive Christ and His Word.
Luke 10:38-42
Shepherds – Spreading the Good News
Angels are mighty beings who stand in the presence of God and do His will, but they were awestruck at the mystery of the Incarnation and praised God.
Luke 2:8-20
Joseph – The Obedience of True Righteousness
True righteousness desires to submit to God, show mercy to others, and humbly receive correction from God so that it might fully obey.
Matthew 1:18-25
Mary – A Humble, Thoughtful, Obedient Faith
Mary is an example for all believers as she receives God’s staggering promise with a humble, thoughtful, obedient faith.
Luke 1:26-38
Zechariah – The Dark Night Of Doubt
The disappointments of life can provoke doubt in even the strongest believers, but quiet reflection on God’s Word and work can restore our faith and fill us with praise.
Luke 1:18
How The Mighty Have Fallen
Saul fell because he did not really seek to know God and His will, preferring to attempt to manipulate God into blessing his own desires and actions.
1 Samuel 28-2 Samuel 1; 1 Chronicles 10 (1 Samuel 28:4-7; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14; 2 Samuel 1:17-27)
A Wicked King
Over time, Saul’s sin grew from a lack of personal integrity to consulting witches – with devastating effects for himself and those under his leadership.
1 Samuel 18-28 (1 Samuel 18:20-22; 28:3-7)
A Jealous King
When Saul was rejected as king because of his sin, rather than repenting and finding his identity in God, he let his jealousy drive him to fear and despise others.
1 Samuel 16-28 (1 Samuel 16: 14-23; 18: 5-17)
A Rebellious King Is Rejected
Saul was rejected as king because he feared others and did not obey God’s word, and then made excuses for his sin, hoping that the rituals of worship would excuse his rebellion.
1 Samuel 15 (1 Samuel 15:22-23)
The Compulsive And Confused King
Saul is a compulsive man, full of rash and foolish actions, rooted in his confusion over how to walk in God’s favor.
1 Samuel 13:1-15
The LORD’s Anointed King
The anointed kings of Israel serve as a picture of Jesus, the Anointed One, Who faithfully rules us forever and has anointed us with the Spirit.
1 Samuel 10-12; 1 Samuel 10:1-10
The Word and the Prophet
An absence of God’s Word is a great curse, but God is faithful to raise up true prophets to speak forth His word.
1 Samuel 3
Holy People and Unholy Priests
The fundamental problem for all humans is our rejection of the reign of God, preferring to do what is right in our own eyes, which leads to chaos and curse rather than God’s blessing.
1 Samuel 2 (1 Samuel 2:11-18)
When Anarchy Reigned
The fundamental problem for all humans is our rejection of the reign of God, preferring to do what is right in our own eyes, which leads to chaos and curse rather than God’s blessing.
Judges 21:25
Rebel Without A Cause
Jonah’s unrepentant rebellion regarding God’s mercy towards the Ninevites (‘sinners’ whom Jonah does not think deserve mercy) comes to the surface in this final chapter, but God in His grace continues to pursue the rebellious prophet to the end.
Jonah 4
A Rebel Sent to Rebels
God sends flawed rebel servants like Jonah and us to proclaim His Word to rebels who do not know Him so that they might turn to Him and be saved.
Jonah 3
The Rebel Prays
Jonah’s prayer of thanksgiving from inside the fish is a model of crying out to God with His Word, but it also reveals Jonah’s lack of personal repentance and his lack of compassion for the lost.
Jonah 2
The Rebel Runs From God
Jonah was called to proclaim God’s word to the city of Nineveh, but he rebelled and tried to flee from God and His call, but God relentlessly pursued him and even the sailors whose lives Jonah endangered by his rebellion.
Jonah 1
Hezekiah’s Faith – Assyria Falling
Those who trust God and His Word will find His deliverance and protection, while those who defiantly reject it will fall.
Isaiah 36 – 37
The Call of Isaiah – Part 2 – His Commissioning
Like Isaiah, we are commissioned to speak God’s truth, and the measure of success is faithfulness to the truth, not the response of the hearers.
Isaiah 6:8-13
The Call of Isaiah – Part 1 – His Vision
Isaiah was given a revelation of God’s glory and holiness, which revealed his own weakness and sin, and then he received atonement from God.
Isaiah 6:1-7
Isaiah – The Man, His Times, and His Ministry
Isaiah was a man called by God to apply God’s Word to the turbulent times in which he lived, and to call God’s people to behold God and live with hope in the midst of uncertain and difficult days.
Isaiah 1:1
Timothy and Epaphroditus – Christ-like Examples for Us
Timothy and Epaphroditus were Christ-like examples, serving others even at great personal sacrifice and risk.
Philippians 2:19-30
God is Faithful
In the book of Ruth, we see how God is faithful to His covenant people, through all circumstances.
Ruth 4:18-22
The Kinsman Redeemer
Jesus is our Kinsman Redeemer – a member of our family Who defends, protects, and redeems us from our trouble.
Ruth 2:20