Rebuilding Requires Priorities

In Haggai 1:1-12, after a seventy year exile the Jews return to Jerusalem with the divine purpose of rebuilding the Lord’s temple. Initially, they faced fierce opposition from neighbors who sought to prevent the reconstruction. However, the greatest threat to rebuilding the temple is not external resistance but internal – indifference.  “This is what the … Read more

The Promise in Transitions

“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them – to the Israelites” (Joshua 1:2, NIV). The Israelites are in a period of transition.  After forty years of wandering in the wilderness  under Moses’ leadership, … Read more

Be Brave

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:7 What Does It Mean to Be Strong and Courageous? When God commanded Joshua to “be … Read more

Don’t Drift Through Life

Our world is full of distractions. Distractions from phones constantly pinging with notifications enticing scrolling on social media to be consumed with endless streams of content competing for attention, and the demands of daily life pulling in countless directions.  Hebrews 2:1 (NIV) state “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have … Read more

Ziglag Moments

There is no escaping moments of profound loss and despair. Those critical junctures when circumstances seem to conspire against you, leaving you feeling abandoned and hopeless. In 1 Samuel 30:1-8 (NIV), there illustrates resilience, faith and divine collaboration during life’s most devasting challenges. The Dark Moment David and his men returned to Ziklag discovering that … Read more

True Power

In Exodus 1:1-22 (NIV), Pharoah is so fearful of the Israelites that he orders the midwives to kill all boy babies at their birth. “The midwives; however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live” (Exodus 1:17, NIV). The action and decision … Read more

Persistence Wins the Race

“Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you – so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt” (Exodus 11:9, NIV).  God provides insight to an important truth.  Opposition often sets the stage for greater demonstrations of power and purpose. Ten Tests of Determination Through ten plagues, Moses and Aaron maintained their resolve. Each refusal from … Read more

Power to Get Up

In Mark 2:1-12, Jesus is preaching the word in Capernaum. Friends of a man paralyzed are carrying him to Jesus for healing. The entrance to Jesus is blocked so the men created their own path.  They cut a hole in the roof and lowered the paralyzed friend through the roof. The Command to Rise Jesus … Read more

Moving Beyond Excuses

In Exodus 3:11-4:14, God calls Moses to lead the Israelites from bondage.  Moses immediate response is not acceptance but a series of excuse. Moses focuses on his perceived inadequacies rather than God’s empowering presence. Five Excuses, One Purpose Moses presented God with five reasons why he couldn’t fulfill his calling. Each excuse revealed his human … Read more

Power of Perspective

“Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become more numerous” (Exodus 1:10, NIV). These words from Pharaoh reveal how fear-driven perspectives lead to poor decisions. Rather than seeing opportunity in the Israelites’ presence, he sees threat, responding with oppression rather than collaboration. The Cycle of Wrong Response Pharaoh’s fear-based response created a … Read more