Malachi 1-4 - God has always loved the Israelites, but they consistently turned from Him.  They dishonored him by giving him defective sacrifices.  They didn’t offer God their first and best, but what was left over.  We should always give God our first and best because all we are and all we have is his anyway.  Those who teach God’s truths must remain faithful to what He has said or they will lead people into sin.  We should not expect God to bless us if we haven’t been faithful to do the things he has made clear like being faithful to our spouse.  We should not cry out for the God of justice when we have ignored the sin in our own lives.  God then points out that when people fail to bring their tithes (ten percent of their income) to God, they are cheating God out of what belongs to him.  If people will honor him, his promise is that he will bless them and stop the devourer.  It is foolish and prideful to believe that those who ignore God are better off.  There will be a day of judgment so we must remain faithful knowing that obedience positions us for blessing and God’s grace.  

Job 42 - Job repented of his judgmental attitude toward God and God restored him.  God rebuked Job’s friends for their false assumptions and told Job to pray for them.  When Job prayed for them and forgave them, God blessed his life again even more than before.  Forgiveness leads to blessing. 

John 21:15-25 - Jesus asked Peter 3 times if he loved him which was the number of times Peter denied him.  Though Peter was hurt by the question, I believe Jesu was telling him ,I know you failed, but I still have a future and purpose for you.  Jesus told Peter how he would die and it would be for the sake of the gospel.  John said that Jesus did so much more than was recorded in scripture which was written as an eyewitness account so others would believe. 

Revelation 22 - Jesus is our water of life.  Only He can satisfy our souls and one day we will find complete satisfaction as we spend eternity with Him. 

Zechariah 10-14 - When we go after other things than God for safety and security and satisfaction, we are setting ourselves up for disaster.   Zechariah prophesied that Jesus would be the cornerstone over 500 years before Jesus’ birth.  Our strength is found when we build our lives on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ, but we must stay connected to him daily.  The return from Egypt and Assyria represents our return from slavery to sin and separation from God.  God told Zechariah to act out two kinds of shepherds to demonstrate what would happen.  The first shepherd represented God who would reject them because they had rejected him.  The second represented an evil shepherd that would lead them astray. Because the Jews rejected God, God would reject them and they would become divided which began to happen no long after Zechariah’s message.  This was a ky factor that led to the fall of Jerusalem.  God’s people are harmed when their shepherds fail to care for them, but God will hold the shepherds accountable.  Zechariah described a picture of the final days of Jerusalem years before it happened.  God will one day give God’s people victory and everyone will recognize Jesus as the Messiah.  Jesus is a never ending supply of God’s mercy, grace, and cleansing power.  When time on earth as we know it comes to an end, all sin will be wiped out and a new eternal era will begin.  The third that remained represents the righteous remnant who God will deliver.  Jesus is coming back to reign over all the earth forever.  Only God’s people will escape the punishment.  No one knows when He is coming back.  The festival of shelters is the only festival that has yet to be fulfilled so it is appropriate to continue to celebrate it. 

Job 41:12-34 - God describes the unmatched power of Leviathan, yet it is still no match for God.  When we understand that greatness and power of God, we recognize that nothing is beyond his control.  

John 21:1-14 - Jesus appeared to the disciples a third time when they had been fishing all night.  They had not caught anything but Jesus cooked fish and fed them.  They didn’t ask who he was, but they all knew.  This makes me wonder if he appeared in a different form or if he looked like Jesus.  Regardless, they still had yet to fully understand that he had risen until that moment and once again they were eyewitnesses to the resurrected Jesus. 

Revelation 21 - God gave John a vision of the new heaven and earth that those who believe in Jesus will get to experience in the presence of God.  He will remove all the effects of sin and will make all things new.  Those who don’t believe in him will experience the second death in the lake of fire.  Only those whose names are written in the book of life will remain. 

Zechariah 6-9 - The four horses represent God’s judgment on the earth.  God hates sin and will judge it.  He will not ignore it forever.  God told Zechariah that someone would come one day to rule as king and priest.  This was a prophecy of Jesus.  If we obey God, we position ourselves to be used by him for his greater purposes.  The Israelites were no longer living for God.  Even their religious behavior was for themselves, no God.  One day Jesus will rule on the earth and all his people will be with him.  This gives us hope for the future.  God wants us to finish what he has given us to do.  Obedience isn’t only starting, but also finishing.  God gives Zechariah a vision of the second coming of Jesus.  Here he also prophecies that Jesus would ride on a colt, which happened over 500 years later.  The victory of Israel over the Greeks is a picture of God’s victory over evil one day. 

Job 41:1-11 - God reminds Job that He alone is over all creation and that everything belongs to him, so Job should not be concerned about what he has or doesn’t have because it belongs to God anyway.  

John 20:24-31 - Thomas did not believe Jsus had risen from the dead until he could see and touch Jesus himself.  Jesus showed up for Thomas in his doubt and gave him reason to believe.  God has given us many reasons to have faith. 

Revelation 20 - John describes a 1000 year reign of peace when Satan will be locked away for 1000 years until the final judgment.  There are many views on how to understand this, but what is most important is that Christ will return and will defeat Satan.  Those whose names aren’t in the book of life will be destroyed as well.  It is our calling to help others know Jesus.

Zechariah 1-5 - Zechariah warned the people not to sin in the way their ancestors had sinned or they would be destroyed too.  God showed Zechariah that he would raise up 4 nations to destroy the nations that had oppressed and persecuted Israel.  Many Jews remained in Babylon even though they were instructed to get out.  They had grown to enjoy the luxury and prosperity of Babylon.  Satan accused Jeshua which represents Israel.  They were filthy because of sin but God chose to save them anyway and gave mercy.  God removes the filth and replaces it with his righteousness.  During Christ’s reign, all believers will have their own place of security.  It is only by God’s spirit that we are able to do anything lasting or significant.  Zerubabel would only be able to finish the temple through the strength of the HOly Spirit.  The flying scrolls showed that sin would be judged and removed from all the earth on day. 

Job 40 - Job responded by recognizing his foolish words.  God again confronts his pride in the accusations he leveled against God and His justice.  God reminded Job that he was powerless apart from God.  

John 20:19-23 - Jesus appeared to the disciples while they were meeting behind locked doors and breathed the Holy Spirit into them. That is the helper that Jesus promised he would send.

Revelation 19 - There will be a celebratory wedding feast for Jesus and all who belong to him.  Evil will be wiped out with the evil one.  The false prophets who deceived people will also be destroyed at that moment. 

Haggai 1-2 - God told the Jews through Haggai to finish rebuilding the temple.  God had allowed them to return from exile to rebuild it.  The work had begun, but they had ceased to work on it.  God exposed their priorities.  They had built nice homes for themselves while neglecting to rebuild the temple.  Because they had not put God first, they had struggled to harvest what they needed.  God reminded them that he is their provider and if they would obey him and put him first, they would be blessed. 

Job 39 - God reminds Job about how little he knows or even understands about creation, yet God knows and understands because he is the creator.  When we don’t understand what is goin on, God does.  

John 20:10-18 - Jesus appeared to Mary after he raised from the dead.  She didn’t recognize him until he called her name.  Jesus knows our names.  My prayer is that he will continue to call people by name and they will discover who he is and trust him with their lives.

Revelation 18 - John saw the destruction of those who worshiped wealth and were greedy.  Those who turned to wealth for comfort and satisfaction and are unwilling to use wealth as a tool for God’s kingdom will experience judgment one day.

Zephaniah 3 - The Israelites had grown proud and rebelled against God.  Their pride was evident in their violence and crime as people chose to do things their own way, they refused correction, they did not draw near to God or trust him, and even their leaders were seeking their own gain.  Judgment was coming and those who were proud and arrogant would be removed.  Only the humble would remain.  God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble.  

Job 38:22-41 - God reminds Job that he is in control.  He is over all creation and is able to hold all things together.  When we don’t understand why something is happening we can find hope and comfort knowing that God has a plan and He is in control.   

John 20:1-9 - In the darkest moment of their lives, they discovered that Jesus’ body was gone.  They thought it had been stolen.  Little did they know that the light of life was just breaking through. 

Revelation 17 - This next vision is thought to be a prediction of the fall of the mighty Roman empire and the 10 nations that will join together and resist God, but will fail in their opposition.  It could mean the actual Roman empire, or it could also be that the Roman Empire represents a strong and mighty nation in the future. 

Zephaniah 1-2 - God warned the people of Judah what would happen if they continued to sin and worship false gods.  They did not listen and as a result they experienced the judgment that was promised.  God will not ignore the sins of his people.  The only protection in the time of judgment is found in God.  Only he can keep us safe. 

Job 38:1-21 - God’s response to Job was to help him see that his wisdom pales in comparison to God’s.  He couldn’t understand the mysteries of nature, so he wouldn’t be able to grasp the moral nature of God.  God reminded him that He was God and Job wasn’t.  

John 19:38-42 - The 2 guys who buried Jeus were not devout followers of Jesus.  They would not have been the kind of people who would have tried to hide Jesus’ body in order to keep the dream alive.  It is significant that they buried him in a borrowed tomb because he wasn’t going to be there very long.  

Revelation 16 - God’s wrath will be poured out on all who refuse to believe in him.  Those who have identified themselves with the beast and worshiped the beast will be judged.  We must stay ready for the return of Jesus by drawing near to him daily. 

Habakkuk 1-3 - Habakkuk was discouraged by the evil he saw.  It seemed like evil was winning.  I can feel like this at times, but when it does we must remind ourselves that God is our strength and rescuer and he will not allow evil to persist forever.  We must remain faithful knowing that the righteous live by faith in God.

Job 37 - Elihu reminds Job of God’s power as a caution for Job’s attitude toward God.  Even when we don’t understand, we need to remember that God’s wisdom is higher than ours, he is good even when life isn’t, and there is nothing God cannot do.

John 19:28-37 - The details of jesus’ death were given by eyewitnesses.  This is significant because our faith isn’t in a fairytale, but in real events that were witnessed by many.  

Revelation 15 - Those who are victorious over the beast will be honored by God and will praise him.  The end of God’s wrath won’t end until all seven of the plagues are poured out.

Nahum 1-3 - While the Assyrians thought they were so powerful they could not be destroyed, they were no match for the power of God.  God would destroy them for their evil oppression and persecution of God’s people.  The Lord is slow to anger because he gives people time to repent, but he won’t allow the guilty to go unpunished.  

Job 36:16-33 - Elihu is right that the punishment of God is meant to lead us away from danger and evil.  He is right that God is just and all powerful.  He just isn’t right to assume that Job was experiencing consequences for sin.  Problem and pain are not always connected to personal sin. 

John 19:17-27 - The sign above Jesus at his crucifixion identified him as “King of the Jews.”  The religious leaders wanted it changed because they rejected his kingship, but this was the only reason Jesus was killed.  He was the King they had longed for and waited for, but they rejected him when he came.  When the people cast lots for Jesus’ clothes, it fulfilled prophecy.  

Revelation 14 - In his vision, John saw a glimpse of what awaited those who remained faithful.  Those who received the mark of the beast would one day have to drink of God’s wrath. 

Micah 6-7 - The Lord brings his case against Israel.  Even after all he had done for them, they still turned from him and rejected him.  Because they refused to repent, judgment would come, but not everyone would be destroyed.  There would be a remnant of people who repented that God would use to carry out his promise to Abraham.  God regularly rescues the righteous remnant.  Don’t grow weary in doing what is right!

Job 36:1-15 - Elihu was right that God judges sin, but he is wrong to assume all trouble in life is punishment for our sins.  Some trouble is part of God’s testing of our faith.  However, God will use adversity in life to get our attention.

John 19:1-16 - Pilate told the people multiple times that he found nothing wrong with Jesus.  He was innocent.  The people insisted that Pilate should have Jesus crucified anyway.  Pilate told Jesus that he had the power to spare his life or have him killed, but Jesus told him that his authority was given to him by God.  Jesus knew that his life wasn’t being taken from him, but the he was willingly laying it down.

Revelation 13 - The beast represents the anti-christ who satan will use to deceive and destroy people.  Here we see an unholy trinity - satan, the beast of the sea, and the beast of the earth. 

Micah 4-5 - Through Micah God promised that there will be a day of perfect peace in the world where there will be no more wars or fighting and God’s kingdom will reign forever.  He also predicted that Babylon would invade Israel before Babylon was even a strong nation.  The leaders of Judah couldn’t imagine that ever happening, but it did.  The leaders of Jerusalem found confidence and felt secure in their wealth and position, but Micah told them that they would be besieged.  Here he prophesies that the Messiah, Jesus, would be born in Bethlehem hundreds of years before it happened.  When God comes to reign, our strength won’t be in our military power, but in the power of God.  Our confidence and peace will be found in him forever.

Job 35 - God doesn’t need our obedience.  Our obedience is for our own good because sin will ruin us.  God will judge sin even if at times we can’t see it.

John 18:28-40 - The religious leaders had no real charges to bring against Jesus.  They handed him over to Pilot only because they wanted him to be executed and they didn’t have the authority to do it on their own.  Pilot found no wrong with Jesus, but the religious leaders till wanted him dead.  Jesus stated that his kingdom wasn’t an earthly kingdom, but a spiritual one. 

Revelation 12 - Satan would attempt to stop God’s purposes, but would be unsuccessful.  He would attack God’s people and disrupt his plan, but he wouldn’t succeed. 

Micah 1-3 - Micah brought a message of warning of God’s judgment for the sin of the people, but also a message of forgiveness if they would simply repent.  All the leaders were corrupt and had led people astray.  Even the priest has been corrupted by money.  God will hold us accountable to his truth and how we responded to it.  As a pastor, this is why it is so important for me to say and do what God tells me to do.  My calling is to please God, not man.

Job 34;21-37 - Much of what Elihu says is true about God’s justice, however, once again he is wrong about why Job experienced this tragedy.  However it is true that Job’s words toward God lacked humility to see that God is God and we are not.

John 18:19-27 - Jesus was on trial because he claimed to be the Messiah but the religious leaders rejected him because he wasn’t the Messiah they expected or wanted.  They want him to be a political leader and/or a military leader who conquered their earthly enemies.  Peter folloed at a distance and denied being a follower of Jesus when it threatened his best interest.  Let us follow so closely that there is no doubt that we belong to him.

Revelation 11 - John describes the events that will take place just before the seventh trump blast.  When this does happen, the final judgment will happen and God will judge all who rejected him and caused destruction on the earth.  Judgment day will be a day of despair for those who have rejected God.  We deserve to be judged, but find forgiveness and protection through faith in Jesus.  Because of Jesus, we have hope. 

Jonah 1-4 - Jonah went in the opposite direction that God told him to Go.  He didn't go to Nineveh because he wanted them to be destroyed, not forgiven.  His disobedience put the lives of others in danger and his repentance helped them turn to God.  Humility is required for repentance and is something God can use to display his Grace.  After Jonah went to Nineveh, they repented and God relented and Jonah pouted under the shade of a plant.  When God allowed the plan to die, he was angry which showed that he cared more about his comfort than the lives of others. 

Job 34:1-20 - Elihu recognized the sinless nature of God and that it would be foolish to claim that God had done something wrong.  When we don’t understand the trials and troubles of this world, we must hold onto the truth of who God is.  God is good even when life isn’t, and he is in control, even when we don’t understand. 

John 18:1-18 - When the soldiers and temple guards told Jesus who they were looking for, Jesus replied - I AM He.  His statement was a statement of identity as God in the flesh and when he replied the first time, they all fell to the ground.  This is a sign of his power, but also a foreshadowing of the day that will come that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Lord. 

Revelation 10 - This mighty angel came to announce the final judgment.  When the seventh trumpet sounds, it will bring the end to the world and God’s plan will be fulfilled.  The scroll was sweet because for believers, this is good news.  It was sour in his stomach because for those who don’t believe it will be a day of destruction.  

Obadiah - The Edomites constantly harassed and persecuted the Jews and celebrated their disaster. For this, God would destroy them.  God will judge those who persecute his people.

Job 33:12-33 - Elihu believed that trouble was a result of sin and blessing was a result of obedience.  This is a common misunderstanding.  Sin will always lead to destruction eventually, but not all trouble is a result of sin.  Some trouble comes simply because we live in a broken world and it is an opportunity for our faith to shine.

John 17:20-26 - Jesus’ prayer for us is that we would be unified in the same way he and God were.  Our unity will come from the love of God in us that compels us to love one another.  

Revelation 9 - When the fifth trumpet sounds, the first terror will begin and the second terror will begin with the sixth trumpet.  The terrors are to judge sin, but even in the midst of judgment, people will refuse to repent.  We must realize that God will judge sin but he has given people an opportunity to repent. 

Amos 7-9 - God gave Amos visions of Israel’s destruction that was coming because of their sin.  They had become wealthy and were comfortable and carefree and had forgotten the God of their blessing.  They refused to listen to Amos and didn’t care for his messages.  When we are confronted with truth that exposes attitudes or behaviors in our lives, what is our response?  Do we turn to God and repent or do we reject the message, or even the messenger?   While the message may be unpleasant, it is merciful because it is meant to spare us from the coming destruction that sin always brings.

Job 33:1-11 - Elihu begins his argument by recognizing that he is no better than Job because they are both mere humans.  We must always keep in mind that God has created us equal and we all have the same need for God’s grace and mercy.

John 17:6-19 - Jesus’ prayer was that God would protect us from the evil one by His name and keep us unified.  

Revelation 8 - When the seventh seal was broken, the time of judgment had arrived.  The trumpet blasts were signs of judgment as the armies of God rallied for battle to destroy evil.  There will be a day that evil will be wiped out.

​Amos 5-6 - God called Israel to return to him but they refused.  They continued to distort justice and trample the poor.  The way we treat the poor shows our true character because there is nothing we can get from them.  The day of the Lord will be a time of great darkness as the world experiences the full weight of the consequences of sin.  God doesn’t want our religious behavior or our acts of worship if our hearts are not right with him.  He wants pure justice and right living. That is what honors God.  Because of their sin and hard hearts, judgment was coming.

Job 32 - Elihu was upset that Job’s older and wiser friends had been unable to answer Job’s arguments so he believed it was his turn to speak.  Maybe instead of trying to win the debate he should have worked harder to listen and understand.  

John 17:1-5 - Jesus clearly states once more that the way to eternal life is by knowing God through faith in Jesus.

Revelation 7 - John saw a vision of all the people gathered around God’s throne to worship him.  They were people of different people groups and in God’s presence, they were fully satisfied.  The gospel is for everyone and only God can satisfy.  

Amos 3-4 - God tried to warn Israel of the coming judgment, but they refused to repent and turn back to God. When we ignore God’s warnings or reject his correction, we are setting ourselves up for trouble.

Job 31:24-40 - Job continues to defend his innocence against the false assumptions and accusations of his friends.  He doesn’t know of anything that he has done wrong.  Job had a clear conscience.  Can we say the same for ourselves?

John 16:25-33 - Even the disciples had a hard time understanding God’s plan while it was happening.  Jesus told us that we would experience trials and troubles as long as we live in this world, but we can find peace and hope in knowing that he has overcome the world.

Revelation 6 - God gave John a vision of events that would happen at the end of time, but it is not clear how or when these events will take place.  Sometimes God gives us visions to prepare our hearts for what is to come, so when it does happen, we won’t be alarmed.

Amos 1-2 - God used an ordinary shepherd to deliver this message of judgment on Israel’s neighbors.  God uses ordinary people whose hearts are in tune with his.  His message of Judgment was because of their sin.  He repeatedly says that he would not allow their sin to go unpunished.  We must recognize and remember that God will not allow sin to go unpunished. 

Job 31:1-23 - Job was diligent to keep his heart pure from lust.  We must treat lust with the same seriousness so that our hearts won’t be led astray.  Job said he made a covenant with his eyes not to look lustfully on a woman so he could receive the reward that God has for him.  He understood that the fruit of lust was temporary but what God has for us is so much greater and is lasting.  His reward satisfies our soul. 

John 16:12-24 - Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit who would tell us what God has told him to tell us and even help us know and understand the future.  They still didn’t understand that he meant he would be put to death and would go away for a time but would come back.  For those who believe in him, we can ask for anything according to his will and he will give it.  The Holy Spirit reveals God’s will to us. 

Revelation 5 - Because Jesus defeated death when he rose from the grave, he was the only one worthy to open the scroll.  Those in his presence fell down and worshiped him and one day we will join them in worship.  O glorious day!

Joel 2-3 - Joel warned Juda of the coming destruction because of their sin and called them to repent so they could be restored.  Joel also told of God’s promise to one day restore Israel and destroy its enemies.

Job 30 - Job expressed his anguish in the midst of his trials and continued to cry out to God even though God wasn’t answering him.  Even when life is bad, God is still good and cares even when it doesn’t feel like it. 

John 16:1-11 - Jesus told us that there would be a time when people who claim to know him will hurt and even kill his people, thinking they are doing good.  This is a sign that they never knew him.

Revelation 4 - John saw a vision of Jesus on his throne as the heavenly beings sang praises and the elders bowed down to worship him.  One day we will join in worship of Jesus in heaven.

Joel 1 - The people of Judah had become apathetic about their sin.  Joel told them tot wake up and repent before the day of destruction came.  Times of peace and prosperity can lull people into apathy in their relationship with God

Job 29 - Job reminisced about the days when everything was going well and he enjoyed God’s blessing.  He was respected by others and well taken care of.  He never imagined he would go through tough times like that.

John 15:18-27 - Jesus reminds us that the world may hate us because it hated him.  The people who hated him the most were the religious leaders of the time.  We should not work so hard to be loved by our culture or religious people, but should spend our efforts demonstrating God’s love to people.  The Holy Spirit helps us know and follow Jesus.  He is the one we should live to please.

Revelation 3:14-22 - The church in Laodicea were lukewarm.  Their apathy was good for nothing.  They were rich, and they had forgotten their need for God.  I feel like this is a picture of many Christians in America.  Their money has made them lose sight of their need for God.  They must repent and turn to God or they will experience the pain of correction.  We must learn to listen to the Spirit so we can understand what God wants us to do. 

Hosea 13-14 - God would soon judge Israel for their sin.  Their only hope was to repent and turn back to God, but they refused.  The righteous live by the truth of God.

Job 28 - Job understood that true wisdom comes from God alone.  To gain wisdom that come from God, we must forsake evil and fear God.

John 15:9-17 - We remain in God’s love when we obey his commandments.  His commandment here is to love each other in the same way God has loved us. 

Revelation 3:1-13 - God’s message to Sardis was that they thought they were alive but they weren't. Their actions didn’t align with God’s standard.  He praised the church in Philadelphia for their faithfulness and told them that they would be spared from the great testing.  God knows our hearts and expects us to obey him, not just give him lip service or go through the motions.

Hosea 9-12 - Because of Israel’s sins of unfaithfulness to God, they experienced the punishment for their sins.  Their crops no longer produced enough food and were taken captive.  God rejected Israel because they didn’t listen and oby.  The people of Israel forgot where their blessing came from.  The richer they got, the more they turned away from God and to the pagan behavior of the world.  The problem wasn’t with their riches, but the fact that they forgot where their riches came from.  The Lord punished Judah and Israel for their sin.  We must learn that God will not allow persistent sin to go unpunished. 

Job 27 - Job maintains his innocence then spoke of the justice of God.  God will judge the wicked and reward the righteous.  It may not be right away, but we can be sure that in God’s timing it will happen.

John 15:1-8 - Those who remain in fellowship with God will produce much fruit.  The fruit comes from being connected, so we are completely dependent.  If we aren’t producing fruit of of our faith, then we should make sure we are actually connected to the vine.

Revelation 2:18-29 - His complaint against the church at Thyatira was they were permitting a person to lead them into sexual sin.  If they did not repent and turn from it, they would suffer the consequences.

Hosea 7-8 - In Israel’s prosperity, they stopped relying on God and obeying him.  As a result, they went through the motions of worshiping him, but even in their worship, they sinned against God.  Their sin led to destruction.  If we don’t obey God and honor his ways, we set ourselves up for destruction.  No amount of prosperity can protect us from the judgment of God.

Job 25-26 - Job’s friends continued to point out that no one is innocent before God, implying that his troubles were deserved.  Job pointed out that they were terrible comforters and that he was well aware of the greatness of God.  Job’s friends knew of no sin that Job had committed, yet they assumed his guilt.  We should be comforters to our friends when they go through tough times and if we know of sin in their lives, we can speak truth in love.

John 14:22-31 - Our obedience to God is evidence of our love for him.  He gives us the Holy Spirit as a helper to know what we should do and to give us the strength to do it.  His Spirit in us gives us peace.

Revelation 2:1-17 - God’s message to the church in Ephesus was that they had worked hard to remain faithful even though they had suffered for their commitment to him. His charge against them was their lack of love for one another and for God and they needed to return to the love they once had.  His message to the church at Smyrna was that though they were poor in the eyes of the world, they were actually rich in God’s eyes.  They would likely suffer, but God would reward them for their faithfulness.  His message to the church in Pergamum is that though they had remained loyal to God, they had tolerated teaching among them that caused people to sin and led them astray.  His message was that they should repent or they would suffer for this sin.  All of these warnings are appropriate for today and should be heeded.  

Hosea 1-3 - God told Hosea that his marriage would be an object lesson that illustrated the relationship of the Northern kingdom of Israel and God. God had provided well for them and had become wealthy and prosperous in the ways of the world, but had become spiritually bankrupt.  God would judge them, but one day God would restore them even though they chased after other false gods like a prostitute goes after other men.  Even though they would be exiled, God still loved them and would welcome them back when they turned back to him. 

Job 23 - Job felt confident that his heart was pure and that he had stayed on God’s path, so he didn’t understand why he was going through so much pain. He recognized that God is sovereign and can do what he pleases.  We may not understand our pain like Job.  We know that the enemy is the one who attacked Job though God allowed it to happen in order to test his faith.  In our times of trouble, we must learn to trust God even when we don’t understand. 

John 14:1-14 - Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us and in his timing we will join him.  Until then, he will do “even greater” things through us when we live in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 1:1-8 - Jesus gave this revelation to John to share with the church so we would know what is to come and how we should live.  Much of what we will read will be illustrations that are symbolic of things that will happen.  We don’t have to understand it all, but simply trust that God will give us understanding in his time.