Category: trusting God

Family Isn’t Everything

Genesis 20-23

I have never seen a beautiful piece of wall art with the words “Family Isn’t Everything”.  I’ve never seen it on a Mother’s Day mug or bookmark, t-shirt, keyring or tombstone.  Rather, we are all very familiar with the motto “Family IS Everything”.  Whether it’s from the Walmart aisles, Etsy and Pinterest sites or President Biden’s farewell address, we’ve seen it, we’ve heard it, we’ve lived it.  It’s a societal norm or expectation.  Those who can’t say Family Is Everything might have really really bad families or really screwed up priorities.  OR – they just might be listening to and obeying God and working hard at keeping God and God alone first place in their life.  I have a feeling we wouldn’t find Abraham wearing the “Family is Everything” t-shirt.  And God blessed him for it. 

No doubt Abraham loved and cherished the family that God gave to him.  Can you imagine waiting 100 years for the child you could keep?  Today’s reading also describes his heartache over losing/sending away his firstborn son Ishmael.  Being a parent is hard.  Being a godly parent is also not easy.  But I am reminded, perhaps as Abraham was, of the purpose God had in giving Abraham a child which was recorded in yesterday’s reading.  In Genesis 18:19 God said, “For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”  In teaching Isaac to keep the way of the Lord, Abraham needed to live it out himself – not by doing what the world says is right (“family first”), but listening to and following through with what God says, even when we don’t understand why. 

And Abraham did.  When God said “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you” – Abraham did – “and he rose early in the morning” and got moving. (Genesis 22:2,3 ESV).  I admire not only his actions but his speed and timing in listening and obeying.  He got going and followed through.  He also had a three day journey in which he could have changed his mind, turned around and decided family is everything.  But he didn’t.  He continued onward to the exact place that God told him to go.  At the start he knew he was heading toward the region of Moriah and God would tell him which mountain to go to.  I read online that some say the mountain God sent Abraham to was Golgatha, in case you are looking for more foreshadowing and similarities between what God was asking Abraham to do and what He Himself (the loving, righteous and just God) would do for us with His only son whom He loved.  Thankfully God did not let His perfect love for His perfect Son keep Him from offering Jesus up to save the guilty condemned, you and I.  God’s t-shirt would not say “Family is Everything” but maybe more along the lines of, “I gave everything for my adopted family”. 

But, one more point about this mountain that God sent Abraham to…for it was there that God had a great surprise hiding – a ram caught in the thicket by his horns.  And it was there that God provided for Abraham and Isaac in a very big way. If you haven’t read Genesis 22 yet today, please do. I am guessing God didn’t place a ram stuck on every mountain nearby just in case Abraham decided to end up at a different mountain than the one God told him to go to.  Similarly, if we are looking for God to provide – let’s show up on the mountain He tells us to go to. 

-Marcia Railton

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it look like when we live by “Family is Everything” and put family before God? What does it look like when we love the family God gave us dearly and set an example for them of being righteous before God and putting God first?
  2. Is there anything you have tried to withhold from God? What does it mean to you that God did not withhold His Son?
  3. Have you ever been upset God didn’t provide as you wanted Him to – and then realized you were in the wrong place to receive what He had all prepared and ready to give? Does it count to do most of what God says if you aren’t prepared to do all of what God says?
  4. What do you think of Abraham? How do you think he earned the title “Friend of God”? Would you like to be known as a friend of God – could you honestly wear the “Friend of God” t-shirt? What specifically can you do today, this week, month and year to grow more and more like a true friend of God?
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Show Me the Land

Genesis 12-15

The first 9 verses of Genesis 12 hold SO much promise!  In fact, we’ve all heard of a lie that starts out small but just grows and grows – that’s bad.  But, what about a TRUE promise from the Lord Almighty that starts out in verse one and just grows and grows and becomes one of the largest and very best promises in the world?  Sometimes this is referred to as the Abrahamic Covenant. 

In Genesis 12:1 the Lord calls Abram (whose name will be changed to Abraham in chapter 17) to leave his country and father’s house and family to go to a land that God himself will show to Abram.  God is telling Abram to leave the known and comfortable and so much of what has been important to him thus far.  But God says when Abram does this, God Himself will show Abram the land that God has already picked out and reserved for Abram.  In the next two verses we see 7 promises given to Abram:

  • I will make of you a great nation
  • I will bless you
  • And make your name great
  • So you will be a blessing
  • I will bless those who bless you
  • And him who dishonors you I will curse
  • And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.     (Genesis 12:2-3 ESV)

That’s a lot of promising promises!  He is going to bless Abram in some big ways so that Abram can be a blessing to others, even to all the families of the earth!  And God’s not done – He’s got even more good news for Abram.  But first, Abram has to get moving.  He has to believe the promise enough to start acting on it. 

And he does.  75 year old Abram leaves his comfortable couch in Haran and starts out, not knowing where he is going or what the land will look like or when he will get there or what he will have to pass through to get there, but believing that when the Almighty gives His Word He is good for it and good will come of it.  So, he moves out in search of the land God will show to him.  I love that part!  Sometimes decision making is hard and we find ourselves overthinking or second guessing so we don’t move at all.  But God told Abram you get moving and I will show you the land!  Maybe that means you go through some lands that aren’t the right fit and isn’t what God is saving up for you, maybe you try some ministries that give you more experience and empathy but aren’t where God is going to plant you.  It is okay.  It is part of the journey.  You keep moving.  You keep trusting your faithful God to show you when THIS is the land He chose for you.

Can you imagine all the feelings old, childless Abram who got moving and has just travelled about 550 miles from Haran and was now passing through the land of Canaan would experience in verse 7?   “The Lord appeared to Abram and said, ’To your OFFSPRING I will give THIS land.’”  The promise just exploded and got so much larger!  Not only was he now SEEING the land God had said He would show him, but now he also heard that he would somehow, someway yet have offspring?!?  Abram’s response – he built an altar to worship the Lord, which also acts as a witness to others.

Sometimes we question God’s timing of the fulfillment of His promises.  Is it now, God?  When God showed Abram that this was WHERE, the question became WHEN.  It wasn’t time for him to settle there, yet.  But it was then also promised to his offspring, yet another great part of the promise. 

It is good news for us that God does not take back his promise from Abram when Abram is less than perfect (telling less than the truth to try to protect himself in Egypt).  In fact, it is after this that the promise has yet another amazing addition with some incredible implications for you and I.  Genesis 13:14-16 (ESV) says:  “The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, ‘Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.’”   Did you catch the NEW piece of the promise?  It’s a little 7 letter word that never ends!  This land would be given to Abram and his (as of yet non-existent) offspring that would become as numerous as the dust of the earth FOREVER!  Abram’s response – he builds an altar to worship and witness and he settles into the land that God had promised and God had shown! 

As beautiful as those chapters are – don’t miss chapter 15.  Abram is having some doubts.  How could all this be?  Sure, it sounds great, but he still doesn’t have any offspring! How long God until your promise is fulfilled?  The word of the Lord comes to Abram and it is the first recorded time the beautiful, comforting, often repeated phrase, “FEAR NOT!” appears in the Bible.  Why do we fear not?  Because God tells us HE is our shield and our very great reward!  HE has given a very great promise and He is working out the details.  He has chosen the land and He will show it to those who believe enough to get moving and in His perfect timing we will settle there and in His perfect timing we will see and cherish our offspring as numerous as the stars.  Verse 16 is quoted 3 times in the New Testament:  “And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” He believed.  It doesn’t say he understood.  He didn’t have to engineer the plan.  He had to believe, and move, and let God show him the land. 

Dear Lord, thank you for your promises that are always true and that just keep getting bigger and bigger. Please show me the land You have chosen for me to settle in – both now and when Jesus returns to set up Your Kingdom on this land. Help me get moving in the direction You have laid out. Thank you for the offspring you have blessed me with, help me also see and care for the spiritual offspring you have given. Help me worship You and be a witness to all You have already done and all You have yet to do. Thank you for being my shield and very great reward! Help me remember this so I do not fear but always believe in you and Your great Son. Thank you for your Word, and for keeping it FOREVER!

-Marcia Railton

Reflection Questions

1.When was the last time you made a covenant, a promise, or gave your word?  Can your word be trusted?  Can God’s word be trusted?  How do you know?  (Notice that God gave an example in Gen 15 of how trustworthy His word would be when he foretold the 400 years in Egypt and the exodus.  Who do you think God included this information for?)

    2. In what ways has God blessed you so that you can bless others?

    3. What might have happened if Abram would have declined God’s offer and promise to show him a new land?  Maybe he was just too comfortable in Ur, and then Haran?  Maybe he had a project he wanted to finish?   What if he loved his family too much to leave?  What might be holding us back from setting out to find the land (or purpose or ministry or Kingdom) God has reserved for us?  What might we miss out on if we stay where we are known and comfortable? 

    4. What similarities and differences can you find between God calling  Abram which begins the Abrahamic Covenant and 2,000 years later Jesus calling the disciples at the start of the New Covenant?  How are the two covenants connected?  Now, 2,000 years after Jesus’ call, what do you feel you are being called to do?  What part(s) of the Abrahamic and New Covenants are still being worked out by a faithful God?  What land has God already shown you and what land are you waiting for your shield and very great reward to show you? 

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    From Our Fears and Sins Release Us

    OLD TESTAMENT: Malachi 2

    POETRY: Psalm 150

    NEW TESTAMENT: John 21:1-14

    “Each of us shoulder an invisible backpack,” I recently heard this statement during a professional development session about trauma-informed practices for students. While the idea of carrying emotional baggage is not new, the thought that this load is often imperceptible to others—visible only to the one who bears it—has lingered with me. As we consider our own baggage, the persisting heaviness of personal sin, trauma, and fear becomes clear, especially when these burdens are held within. If we choose to bear this weight alone, it can become a crushing load. In a prayer, a plea, and the prompting of a promise, I encourage each of us to begin unpacking the deepest and darkest longings and aches of our hearts, asking for release from our fears and sins.

    In the second chapter of Malachi the Lord continues to call out Israel’s priests for persistently violating His law and covenant with the tribe of Levi. Two important takeaways emerge from this passage. First, no one is above submitting to Christ – or in their case, the law- and leaning on Him to carry their burdens. Second, choosing the perpetual path of personal sin wearies the ears of God. An unrepentant heart leads to the removal of protection and blessing, leaving us despised, humiliated, and metaphorically (or even literally) covered in our own filth. While we may not feel ready to announce our shortcomings to the world, we can no longer justify our sin or allow ourselves to call what is evil, good.

    Psalm 150 reminds us (and speaking to myself here, mostly) that picking up an instrument means momentarily setting down the fears we carry. As stated yesterday, when we offer worship to the Lord, we reconnect with Almighty God. Praise is not merely a response to blessings but a declaration of trust in His sovereignty and goodness. I think of Joseph, Paul, and Silas, all of whom used worship to transform their injustices into testimonies (Gen 40; Acts 16). What we carry may be truly terrible and meant for evil, but with praise to our Heavenly Father, our overwhelming emotions can become a weaponized testimony that God uses to free others from similar circumstances.

    Finally, in our New Testament reading, we see Jesus transform fear and failure into fruitfulness. After a night of empty nets in the Sea of Galilee, Jesus directs His disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the boat, resulting in an abundant catch. Onshore, Jesus awaits them with a prepared meal, inviting them into His provision and rest. When our doubts and frustrations run high—when we find ourselves spinning our wheels without results—we must seek the voice of the greatest Fisher of men. Only He can tell us where to cast our nets. Without His guidance, we labor in vain. Moreover, Jesus not only encourages but nourishes, reminding us that if He calls us to a task, He will also provide for it.

    Carrying the weight of fear and sin is paralyzing. We will never feel adequate, and we will remain distant from God if we leave these burdens unaddressed. Ironically, when we unpack and expose these things to the Light, we receive freedom and restoration through Jesus Christ. As we reflect on the year that has passed, this is the invitation: begin digging through your invisible backpack, identifying the objects that hold you captive. Turn your failures and frailty over to Jesus, allowing Him to shoulder your burdens with the payment of His blood. Trust that His Father is faithful and forgiving, ready to release you from the weight you carry and restore you to the lightness of His yoke.

    -Aaron Winner

    Reflection Quesions

    1. What do you carry in your backpack? What has been the result of carrying it? What would it look like to start unpacking it?
    2. Pray for direction on where and how to cast your nets. Where and when have you previously had the most success fishing for men? What might the Greatest Fisher of Men be asking you to do next?
    3. How has worship brought you closer to God? How can you worship Him better today? What will you worship Him for?
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    Prophecy So Accurate…

    OLD TESTAMENT: Daniel 11

    POETRY: Psalm 139 (the rest of the week)

    NEW TESTAMENT: John 12:1-11

    In Daniel 11, we are given a detailed play-by-play of the ins and outs of kingdom in the ancient world. If you would allow me a moment, here is what is going on : The King of the North and the King of the South (Dan. 11:1-10) are the Seleucids and the Ptolemys, respectively. There is a prophecy about Antiochus “the Great” [223-187 BC] trying to invade the South but failing. (11:10-12) A group of Jews try to throw off Ptolemaic Rule by siding with Antiochus (11:14). The king of the North will capture a well fortified city (11:15) and that city is Sidon, a frontier city for the King of the South. Antiochus gave his daughter to be a peace offering to the Ptolemys, but she sided with her new husband. (11:17) Finally, a Roman general stopped Antiochus the Great. (11:18-19) Seleucus IV Philopator sent a tax man to Jerusalem (11:20), but much worse than Seleucus is Antiochus IV “Ephiphanes” [or God manifest] who lived from 176-164BC. Sometimes we was called “Epimanes” which means crazy or mad. This is the despicable person of 11:21. “The prince of the covenant” who is “swept away” (11:22) is Onias, the high priest and traditionalist who is killed by Milenaus, a Hellenist, who wanted to compromise with Greek Culture. The Roman Navy, “the ships of Kittim” stop Antiochus from his desire to rule the sea. (11:30) But he does desecrate the sanctuary and do away with sacrifices and set up an abomination with makes desolate (11:31) by stopping the Jews from performing the sacrifices, by sacrificing a pig on the altar, by planning to set up a statue of Jupiter with the Face of Antiochus. During this time men were beaten if they didn’t eat pork and women were thrown off the wall of Jerusalem into the streets below if they circumcised their children. All this happened in 168 BC. However, “the End time” as prophesied by Daniel is that resistance to Antiochus increases and becomes a movement. Matthias, a Jew, killed the official for Antiochus and the Jews began to sacrifice again. Finally, Judas Maccabee, “the Hammer” begins to reign in a free Jewish Kingdom, beginning the Hasmonean Kingdom. 

    Take a deep breath, because I do have one more date to throw at you. Belshazzar/Darius the Mede/Cyrus the Great in power? Around 539 BC. Nearly 400 years before the events that are spelled out in great detail in Daniel 11. There are Biblical scholars who don’t believe in God (which may or may not surprise you), and many of them believe that Daniel must have been written after 168, because he is too accurate in his prophecy about the Kings of the North and the Kings of the South. 

    Or maybe, we serve a God who tells us the future he will cause to come to pass.

    Maybe we serve a God who is greater than our minds can fathom. 

    Maybe God will call things that are not as though they were.

    Don’t worry, there is no test on Daniel, no followup on the names of the Greek Kingdoms. But if you ever wonder how God could make your life, your stress, your situation work out for good, remember that he made every prophecy of Daniel 11 come true; when he says he will give you life and you will have it to the full, you can *know* he will make it come true. 

    The God who directs the courses of history can direct you to his blessings. Amen. 

    -Jake Ballard

    Reflection Questions

    1. What have you learned from history, archaeology, or science that has backed up what God tells us in the Bible?
    2. Daniel probably didn’t know exactly why he was receiving this prophecy or know exactly what it would look like when it did come to pass, but he was faithful in writing it down to pass it along. You probably have not received such detailed prophecies from God, but what have you heard from God that could be helpful for someone else to hear? How will you pass it along?
    3. What can help grow your faith in believing that God will do what He says He will do?
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    Children’s Church and the Lions’ Den

    OLD TESTAMENT: Daniel 6

    POETRY: Psalm 136

    NEW TESTAMENT: John 9

    I am not going to try and convince you that working in the nursery is comparable to being thrown into a den of vicious, destructive predators. Children’s church is much, much worse than that. 

    Today, I want to talk about the “mis-picturing” that can happen if we have grown up in the church. Quick: what image do you see when you think about Noah’s flood? For me, it was, for most of my childhood, an impossibly small ark floating on top of bright blue waters with impossibly large creatures sticking their heads out of the top of the ark with a rainbow above. Now: what is actually said about the flood and Noah? All life, besides those who got brought aboard the ark, were judged in rain from the sky and flood from the ground. It is darkness, judgement, sin, and death. When we teach this story to our youngest kids in nursery, there is a reason that we leave out these obviously darker parts of the story. 

    In our reading today, we have another story that gets mispictured: Daniel, a young lad, is thrown into a den of lions because he believes in God, but the lions are more like kitty cats, and then he gets pulled out the next day and everyone forgives everyone and we move on. 

    But, the story in scripture is much more important: Daniel, an old man who has been faithful, knows about a command from the King to stop praying, and in direct violation of this imperial edict with life and death hanging in the balance, he prays just the same, trusting in the God who got him this far to protect him from the lions, but even he doesn’t… Yet the lions, the ravenous king of beasts, the symbol of power of rulership, are shut up by the God who is above all. And when Daniel is rescued those who set him up are themselves thrown into the den and torn to shreds before they reach the ground. 

    Notice, faith is not a practice that finds fulfillment because of a “great event” that happens once in youth, but is the choice of decades, of the daily decision to follow God in the most boring business of daily life. It is only in following in the mundane, that we are prepared to follow in the momentous, it is by praying daily in our normal life that we are ready to pray daily when the King says “stop or you die.” Daniel, knowing the King will be bound to kill him, fearlessly bucks the system of power, knowing God is bigger. But even if there is no rescue, Daniel trusts in the God of his fathers. Instead of the lions devouring Daniel, judgement is given to those who thought they would harm God’s man.

    But why say more important? Shouldn’t we teach kids at age appropriate levels? Of course we should; the problem happens when we think we know, or, when I think I know the Bible and I don’t take seriously the call of this passage or others on our life. The story of the flood of Noah is about the seriousness of sin and about the totality of the judgment of God; if we think it’s about cute animals, rainbows, and God’s love, we miss the depth of the story. The story of Daniel and the Den of Lions is about the developed faith of a man who had been faithful and successful because of his trust in God and who would allow nothing, not even the threat of death, to come between him and his worship. It’s about overcoming the Imperial powers of this world not by swords and warfare but by turning our face to God and trusting in him. 

    Starting today, I would encourage you to focus on picturing correctly the stories you read in scripture. God inspired them in the way he did so that we would learn from his actual words, rather than the interpretation of his words from our pastor, our teacher, or even our parents. Some people have given us better or worse interpretations, but nothing compares to reading God’s words ourselves, and understanding how God is speaking through the Bible to us today. 

    -Jake Ballard

    Questions:

    1. Is mis-picturing a problem for you? If you grew up in church, how much did your Sunday School help or hinder you from seeing the Bible as it really is? If you are new to faith or don’t yet believe, do you have any preconceived pictures of the Bible stories, or are they all fresh to you?
    2. Are there other stories that you can think of when mis-picturing might lead us to miss the important points of the story? 
    3. “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” If you read the opening chapters of Matthew and Luke, try and see if there are any mis-picturing in our understanding of Jesus at his nativity. Is Mary a scared unwed mother? Is Joseph a clueless, hapless husband? Is Jesus surrounded by wisemen and shepherds and camels and sheep and laying in the straw without making a sound? Think about the reality of stories, rather than our built up theological and social pictures around Jesus. 
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    No Other God Can Rescue

    OLD TESTAMENT: Daniel 3

    POETRY: Psalm 136

    NEW TESTAMENT: John 8:1-30

    It’s not easy going against the flow. 

    If the teacher or professor accidentally leaks the answers for the upcoming final, and EVERYONE (it seems) is going to ace would you look too? Isn’t that cheating?

    If EVERYONE at your job takes home free items, like drinks, or food, or sauces, and just call them “perks”, would you also do it? Isn’t that stealing?

    If EVERYONE is going to the party, and it would tank your social standing to miss it, but you know there are going to be… less than savory activities, would you go? Is that really wise?

    It’s that much harder when these things are encouraged by leadership. If your manager also takes stuff from the store, even encourages it… how wrong can it be?

    In today’s story in Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar sets up a statue, and every powerful person is going to participate in worshipping it. Not only that, but all these leaders will lead all peoples, all nations, all languages, to bow down and worship at the command of the King and the music he calls for. And so everyone does. In a world where there are easily too many gods to keep track of (seriously, two- to three-*thousand* gods), what’s the difference if you bow to one more? 

    But not so with Hannaniah, Azariah, and Mishael. They have one God and no more; that’s all the God they need and all the worship they give. It makes Nebuchadnezzar hopping mad, with him declaring “Who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” He throws them in a super-heated furnace and they are delivered and saved by their faith. 

    There are a few things that stand out to me:

    1. The King told “the boys” what they must worship. The world and the devil continue to tell people what they must worship. The gods of Babylon and Egypt and Rome all had different names and different stories, but in their core, these gods are really the same. Whether it was Enlil, or Ra, or Jupiter, *power* and *strength* have always been worshipped, and the power of the military or the force of personality of leaders is still worshipped in our day. Beauty is worshipped, and her sister, Lust. Money. Fame. Wealth. All these gods are simply humans worshipping the things we most desire for ourselves. Satan wants you to worship these same gods, and even better if you don’t believe in the supernatural while you do it! How much better to be a person worshipping science, knowledge, and the arrogance they can produce while thinking that gods and angels and demons are all old fables for weak minds; or, a person who worships celebrities and the fame they embody while not thinking at all! And as soon as you tell the devil exactly what you think of his puny fake “gods” that gets *him* and his minions mad. 

    2. The King said “what god can deliver you from my hand?” Satan whispers that question into the ear of believers as well, “what god can save you from the consequences of turning your back on…” and then fill in the blank. But what Nebuchadnezzar and Beelzebub mean for intimidation, for those who know their God, it becomes a rather simple question. YHWH, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God who can do all things, he can. 

    3. “BUT EVEN IF HE DOESN’T.” The most amazing thing about this entire encounter, for me, is not necessarily the walking around in the fire and not being singed (though that is really cool) and not the Babylon stamp of approval on God (though that did help out with Daniel and the boys). It is that Rack, Shack, and Benny say, in essence, “God can save us, we trust he will, but even if not, we will not serve other gods.” (3:16-18) This is belief in the power of God, it is trust in the compassion of God, and it is loyalty to the worth of God. They recognize that it would be better for them *to die* than to betray their commitment to the worship of YHWH. THAT is a faith that changes the heart of Kings and can overcome Empires. Which, coincidentally, is exactly what happens. 

    4. God sends an angel (3:28) to protect and deliver his people. Not only does God protect them from the harm of the fire, he protects them from even the smell of the smoke, even the smallest amount. God protects his people, even in the midst of chaos, he can and still does, deliver them. 

    Praise God for his protection, for his worth and his empowering so we can remain committed and faithful, and for the beautiful truth that he is a saving and powerful God, greater than anyone or anything else that we could worship. 

    Questions:

    1. While we live in a world with a growing number of those who do not believe in a god or the supernatural, we are not less worshipful. What are the golden idols of our world today? Who is telling us to “bow down and worship” these different idols? How many are roped into worship, even if they might not see their dedication as worship?
    2. If you are not a believer or are a new believer, does the faith of the boys intimidate you? Could you see yourself ever saying “even if he doesn’t, we will still not bow”?
    3. If you are a long time believer, does the faith of the boys intimidate you? Or does it inspire you? Pray that you won’t have to say something similar, but also pray that in the face of whatever fire you might be thrown into, you will remain faithful
    4. While God sent an angel to help Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, God has now sent truly the “son of God”, Jesus, to help God’s people know him, and has sent his spirit into our hearts. Do you believe God will protect his people and send help in the form of angels and the Holy Spirit in this age, in the name of Jesus? How can Jesus help us in those moments when we are called to remain true to God?

    -Jake Ballard

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    More Than You Can Handle

    OLD TESTAMENT: Daniel 2

    POETRY: Psalm 136 (all week)

    NEW TESTAMENT: John 7:25-53

    The next time someone asks you to “go above and beyond” at work, or to “give 110%” in a game, just be thankful your boss or coach isn’t Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon in Daniel 2, had a dream and wanted to know the meaning of the dream. But instead of telling his dream to his wise men, he expected, even demanded, that *they* tell *him* the dream. Notice what the wise guys say to the King. “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand.” (2:10)  My friends, that’s *exactly* the point. Only “the gods” or more accurately, only God, can make know the contents of the dreams of the King. But the wise men of Babylon don’t know the God who knows all things, they don’t worship the God who sees everything, even into the hearts of people. 

    The King even asks Daniel “Are you able to make know to me the dream?” Daniel replies “No… no one can.” But “there is God in heaven who reveals mysteries… This mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king.” Over the next few days we will try to understand what is going on with the Kingdoms of the world in Daniel and try to understand this vision better, but today I want to make this very practical. 

    Sometimes people tell us ideas that are not entirely Biblical because they are trying to be nice. One such idea is that “God will never give you more than you can handle.” It sounds good; we will never be overwhelmed and we will always succeed. However, as soon as our lives meet the real world, we find out that God consistently “gives us” situations that are overwhelming; try balancing getting good grades, doing extracurriculars, volunteering to pad our college applications, and then getting into and maintaining relationships, not to mention work! It’s overwhelming to write; how much more to live. But beyond the normal chaos of life, there are times when people we love are sick, when we need surgeries, when we have huge doubts about what is happening next. Just like the King demanding that the wise guys explain his dream, the world very often gives us far more than we can handle… *on our own*. 

    What God has promised is that we are never on our own. No one can handle this world with joy, hope, peace, and love *by themselves*. But there is a God in heaven who gives the joy, hope, peace and love we are looking for. There is a God in heaven who gives his spirit to his people, not because we are wise or smart, or pretty, or popular, or good. God gives because we trust him, and all of our faults doesn’t stop him from loving us, and he does not leave us on our own. The world often gives us more than we can handle; the world can NEVER give us something God can’t handle. 

    -Jake Ballard

    Reflection Questions

    1. What differences do you see between Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar? Are you ever more like Nebuchadnezzar than Daniel?
    2. What characteristics of Daniel’s do you admire? Which would you like to work on growing in your own life? How would one go about that?
    3. When has the world given you more than you could handle? In what ways did God provide what you needed? Thank Him!
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    Trusting, Seeking & Standing Firm

    OLD TESTAMENT: Habakkuk 2

    POETRY: Psalm 119:153-160

    NEW TESTAMENT: Revelation 13

    Habakkuk 2:2-4 (LEB):

    “And Yahweh answered me and said:

    ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets,

    so that he may run who reads it.

    For still the vision awaits its appointed time;

    it hastens to the end—it will not lie.

    If it seems slow, wait for it;

    it will surely come; it will not delay.

    Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him,

    but the righteous shall live by his faith.'”

    Psalm 119:153-160 (LEB):

    “Look on my affliction and deliver me,

    for I do not forget your law.

    Plead my cause and redeem me;

    give me life according to your word.

    Salvation is far from the wicked,

    for they do not seek your statutes.

    Great is your mercy, O Yahweh;

    give me life according to your rules.

    Many are my persecutors and my enemies,

    yet I do not swerve from your testimonies.

    I look at the faithless with disgust,

    because they do not keep your commands.

    Consider how I love your precepts;

    give me life according to your steadfast love.

    The sum of your word is truth,

    and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”

    Revelation 13:7-8 (LEB):

    “And it was permitted to make war on the saints and to conquer them.

    And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation.

    And all who dwell on the earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.”

    In Habakkuk 2, God instructs the prophet to write down the vision He has revealed. This vision, while it may seem slow in coming, is assured and will ultimately be fulfilled. God encourages Habakkuk to remain faithful and patient, for the righteous shall live by faith.

    In our own lives, we often find ourselves in seasons of waiting, questioning God’s timing and plans. Like Habakkuk, we may feel that the answers we seek are delayed. Yet, God’s assurance reminds us that His promises are sure, and we are called to trust in His character and faithfulness. This passage challenges us to embrace a faith that endures, especially in uncertain times.

    Psalm 119 continues the theme of seeking God in times of trouble. The psalmist cries out for deliverance, expressing his deep reliance on God’s law and commandments. He recognizes that while he faces persecution and opposition, he is determined to hold fast to God’s truths.

    The psalmist’s plea, “Look on my affliction and deliver me,” reflects a heart that is anchored in God’s mercy and truth. He understands that salvation is found in God alone, and he chooses to love and meditate on God’s precepts, despite the trials he endures. This teaches us the importance of grounding ourselves in God’s word and seeking His help in our struggles. We can draw strength from the truth that God’s steadfast love is the source of life and hope amidst adversity.

    Revelation 13 presents a sobering reality: the world may rise against believers, and authority may be given to oppose the saints. This passage speaks to the challenges and tribulations that Christians may face as they navigate a world often in conflict with God’s kingdom. However, it also reassures us that not everyone will follow the ways of the beast; those whose names are written in the book of life will stand firm in faith.

    In the face of persecution and temptation to conform to worldly standards, we are reminded that our allegiance lies with Christ, who has triumphed over sin and death. This call to remain steadfast is a powerful encouragement to persevere in our faith, knowing that our ultimate victory is secured through the Lamb who was slain.

    -Jeff Ransom

    Reflection Questions:

    In what areas of your life are you waiting on God’s promises? How can you cultivate patience and trust during this time?

    Reflect on the importance of grounding yourself in God’s word. How can you actively seek His truth and guidance in your daily life?

    How does the reality of opposition in Revelation encourage you to live out your faith boldly? What steps can you take to stand firm in your beliefs?

    Consider the psalmist’s expression of love for God’s precepts. What practices can you incorporate to deepen your love for God’s word in your life?

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    Our Amazing Living Hope

    OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 61 & 62

    POETRY: Psalm 112

    NEW TESTAMENT: 1 Peter 1

    Isaiah 61:1-2 (LEB):

    “The Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon me,

    because Yahweh has anointed me;

    he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,

    to bind up the brokenhearted,

    to proclaim release to the captives

    and liberation to those who are bound,

    to proclaim the year of Yahweh’s favor

    and the day of vengeance of our God,

    to comfort all who mourn.”

    Isaiah 62:11-12 (LEB):

    “Look! Yahweh has proclaimed to the end of the earth:

    Say to daughter Zion, ‘Look, your salvation is coming!

    Look, his reward is with him, and his recompense in his presence.’

    And they shall call them ‘The Holy People, The Redeemed of Yahweh,’

    and you shall be called ‘Sought After, A City Not Forsaken.'”

    Psalm 112:6-7 (LEB):

    “For the righteous will not be moved forever;

    they will be remembered forever.

    They are not afraid of bad news;

    their heart is steadfast, trusting in Yahweh.”

    1 Peter 1:3-4 (LEB):

    “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

    who according to his great mercy

    has caused us to be born again to a living hope

    through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

    into an inheritance imperishable and undefiled

    and unfading, reserved in heaven for you.”

    Isaiah 61 presents a powerful declaration of the Messiah’s mission. This passage, which Jesus Himself read in the synagogue (Luke 4:16-21), speaks of the transformative work of the Spirit of God. The Messiah brings good news to the oppressed, heals the brokenhearted, and proclaims freedom to captives. This is a message of liberation, healing, and hope—a mission of restoring what sin has broken and bringing the year of the Lord’s favor.

    As we move into Isaiah 62, the focus shifts to the future glory and salvation of Zion. God’s people are given new names: “The Holy People” and “The Redeemed of Yahweh.” These names reflect their restored identity and the transformation that salvation brings. Once forsaken and desolate, God’s people are now called “Sought After” and “A City Not Forsaken.” This is a beautiful reminder that God’s salvation renews our identity, bringing hope and purpose where there once was despair.

    Psalm 112 describes the life of the righteous, those who fear the Lord and delight in His commands. The psalmist paints a picture of a life marked by generosity, justice, and steadfastness. The righteous are not afraid of bad news because their hearts are secure in the Lord. Their confidence is not rooted in circumstances, but in the unshakable nature of God’s character.

    Even in the face of uncertainty or difficulty, the righteous remain steadfast, trusting in Yahweh. This psalm encourages us to live with a heart that is grounded in God’s faithfulness. Like a tree firmly planted, the righteous are not easily moved by the storms of life, for their foundation is in the One who holds all things together.

    In 1 Peter 1, we are reminded of the incredible hope we have in Christ. Through his resurrection, we have been born again to a “living hope,” an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. This hope is not something fleeting or fragile, but a secure and eternal reality that is reserved in heaven for us.

    Peter goes on to call believers to live lives of holiness in light of this great hope. Just as God is holy, we are called to be holy in all we do. This holiness is not a burdensome requirement but a response to the incredible mercy and grace we have received. We are to set our hope fully on the grace that is to be revealed at the return of Jesus Christ, allowing this hope to shape our lives and our actions.

    This week, meditate on the liberating mission of the Messiah in Isaiah, the secure life of the righteous in Psalm 112, and the living hope that is yours through the resurrection of Jesus in 1 Peter. Let these truths remind you of your identity as God’s holy and redeemed people, and allow the joy of your salvation to shape every aspect of your life.

    -Jeff Ransom

    Reflection Questions:

    How does the mission of the Messiah in Isaiah 61-62 inspire you to reflect God’s love and healing in your life and the lives of others?

    In what ways can you cultivate the steadfastness described in Psalm 112, especially when faced with difficult news or circumstances?

    How does the living hope described in 1 Peter 1 give you encouragement in your daily walk? How can this hope shape your perspective and actions?

    What steps can you take to live a life of holiness, as Peter encourages, knowing that this is a response to the incredible grace and salvation you have received?

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    Trusting God’s Sovereign Plan

    OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 53 & 54

    POETRY: Psalm 108

    NEW TESTAMENT: James 4:13-17

    Isaiah 53:5-6 (LEB):

    “But he was pierced because of our transgressions,

    crushed because of our iniquities;

    the chastisement for our peace was upon him,

    and by his wounds we were healed.

    All of us have wandered about like sheep;

    we each have turned to his own way,

    and Yahweh let fall on him the iniquity of us all.”

    Psalm 108:1 (LEB):

    “My heart is steadfast, O God;

    I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.”

    James 4:14-15 (LEB):

    “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'”

    Isaiah 53 paints a vivid picture of the suffering Servant, Jesus Christ, who bore our sins and took the punishment we deserved. It reminds us that God’s plan for salvation was in place long before we understood it. We were like wandering sheep, yet God sent His Son to rescue us and reconcile us to Himself. Isaiah 53 reminds us that God’s plan for our salvation was set in motion long before we even understood our need for it. We can trust His plans for our lives because He has proven His love through the sacrifice of Jesus.

    Isaiah 54 shifts from the suffering of the Servant to the hope and restoration that follows. God promises to expand the tents of His people, signifying the growth and blessing that come through Christ’s sacrifice. This passage is a reminder of the immense love God has for us, His plan to redeem, and the restoration we experience in Him. In moments of doubt or difficulty, we can trust that God’s plans for us are rooted in His unfailing love and perfect wisdom. 

    Psalm 108 calls us to have a steadfast heart before God. The psalmist’s heart is fixed on praising God regardless of the circumstances, declaring God’s greatness in the morning and in the midst of battle. Just as Isaiah speaks of the suffering and victory of the Servant, Psalm 108 reminds us that our response to God’s sovereignty should be steadfast praise. Even when we face trials or uncertainty, our hearts can be firm, trusting in His ultimate plan and offering Him our highest worship. Psalm 108 challenges us to maintain a steadfast heart of praise, even when life is uncertain. In every season, our hearts can be anchored in worship of God’s goodness.

    James reminds us of the uncertainty of life and the importance of acknowledging God’s control over every aspect of our future. We often make plans assuming we are in control, but James challenges us to live with a heart of surrender, saying, “If the Lord wills.” This humility reflects a life that trusts God’s sovereignty in all things. James 4 reminds us to live with humble dependence on God, acknowledging that our lives are brief and that God’s will is sovereign. Our plans should always be made in light of His greater purpose.

    As we consider the sacrifice of Jesus in Isaiah 53 and the promises of restoration in Isaiah 54, we should be moved to submit every part of our lives to God. Our days are like a mist, and we don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we can trust the One who holds tomorrow. Living with humility and dependence on God’s will is an act of worship and surrender.

    This week, let the truths of Isaiah 53-54, Psalm 108, and James 4 inspire you to trust God’s sovereign plan for your life. Reflect on His immense love shown through Christ, cultivate a heart of steadfast worship, and live in humble surrender to His will.

    -Jeff Ransom

    Reflection Questions:

    How does reflecting on Christ’s sacrifice in Isaiah 53 deepen your trust in God’s plan for your life?

    In what areas of your life do you need to have a more steadfast heart of worship, as seen in Psalm 108?

    How can you practice the humility and surrender James speaks about in your daily decisions and plans?

    Are there areas in your life where you struggle to trust God’s sovereignty? How can you take steps to surrender those areas to Him?

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