Category Archives: discipleship
rescued for holiness
Ezekiel 28 Descriptions of the downfall of Tyre and Sidon serve as the settings for a precious promise. While all her neighbors will suffer disaster and destruction, God’s people will be gathered from them and brought to a place of … Continue reading
partners in crime
Ezekiel 25 Judah has taken the brunt of God’s judgment oracles from Ezekiel, but now it’s time for her partners in crime (her neighbor nations) to get theirs. Each prediction of disaster is followed by something like “then they will … Continue reading
mark us
Ezekiel 9 The LORD sends seven angels into the temple. Six are to commence the slaughtering of idolaters. One is to mark the foreheads of those who will be spared. Just as in the Passover, the mark preserves those who … Continue reading
standing alone
Jeremiah 15:10-16:21 The price that Jeremiah paid for his loyalty to the LORD was shame and isolation. The people rejected him, and even when they did not – the LORD demanded that he not participate with them. He could not … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discipleship, faithfulness, Jeremiah, will of God
Tagged Jeremiah 15, Jeremiah 16
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the end of the matter
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 Wise words can fix us firmly in a secure position, and they can also motivate us to move in the right direction. But we should also heed the warning tacked on at the end of the book. Even … Continue reading
Posted in discipleship, knowledge, relationship with God, Solomon, wisdom
Tagged Ecclesiastes 12
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weary of relenting
Jeremiah 14-15:9 Jeremiah has seen enough destruction and despair. He cries out for the LORD to rescue his people from the famine and sword, but God refuses. The LORD is weary of relenting. The shame and hopelessness must continue until … Continue reading
Posted in deliverance, discipleship, holiness, Jeremiah, suffering
Tagged Jeremiah 14, Jeremiah 15
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dead flies and bad apples
Ecclesiastes 10 The Philosopher considers the reality of life that the wrong people in the wrong places, or the wrong choices at the wrong times – can lead to disaster. It’s like dead flies in scented oil, or (to use … Continue reading
Posted in dependence upon God, discernment, discipleship, Sabbath, wisdom
Tagged Ecclesiastes 10
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no reward
Ecclesiastes 9:1-10 The Preacher lives in a world where there are no guarantees of success, even if one does what is right. Rewards for righteous living are “in the hand of God” which means that they are out of … Continue reading
Posted in discipleship, hope, resurrection, sleep of death, Solomon, wisdom
Tagged Ecclesiastes 9
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remember Shiloh
Jeremiah 7-8:3 Jeremiah is told to stand at the gate of the temple and warn the people that they are trusting in a place rather than the LORD himself. Even if it is – or was – the LORD’s chosen … Continue reading
Posted in church, discipleship, Jeremiah, relationship with God, worship
Tagged Jeremiah 7, Jeremiah 8
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career change
Jeremiah 1:1-10 Jeremiah was just adjusting to his life as a priest when the LORD informed him that he was going to be a prophet. He was reluctant to take on the new role. Prophets had to be bold and … Continue reading
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