Daniel and a Den of Hungry Lions When Darius becomes king in place of Belshazzar, he establishes a hierarchy to help him rule, with Daniel as one of three administrators overseeing 120 province governors. Daniel conducts himself so well that the king plans to set him over the entire kingdom. The other two administrators and […]
Psalm 192 from Beyond Psalm 150 Jeremiah, God’s prophet, proclaims his Lord’s words. When Pashhur, the priest in charge of the temple, hears Jeremiah predicting destruction, he has the prophet beaten and thrown in stocks for a day. Upon his release, Jeremiah foretells that because Pashhur prophesied lies, he, his family, and all who listen […]
We Can Control How We React The prophet Jeremiah is in Jerusalem. He writes a letter to the exiles in Babylon. Let’s not rush past the word exiles. These exiles suffered much. Exiled First, Babylon conquered the nation of Judah. Then it captured the people. Next it forcibly relocated most of them to a distant […]
Acts Bible Study: Day 19 Today’s passage: Acts 11:19–30 Focus verse: The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. (Acts 11:26) After Stephen’s martyrdom, Jesus’s followers travel to tell others about him—just as he told them to do. But, aside from Peter, they’ve only shared his good news with other Jews. That’s about to change. […]
Standing Before God’s Judgment Seat When you die, will you stand before God’s judgment seat to give an account of your life? Yes. Paul says we’ll all stand before our Lord to give an account of what we did (Romans 14:10-12). God’s Judgment Seat Does this idea of appearing before our Creator fill you with […]
Holidays with Jesus Offers 40 Devotions Across 20 Holidays to Keep Christ at the Center of Year-Round Celebrations Christian author Peter DeHaan announces the release of Holidays with Jesus: 40 Devotions to Center Your Holidays on the Savior, a new devotional designed to help readers better connect each holiday to Jesus. The seventh book in DeHaan’s popular […]
The Writing on the Wall Belshazzar succeeds his father Nebuchadnezzar as ruler over Babylon. Once established, he throws a grand party for one thousand of his nobles. While drinking wine—perhaps too much—he orders that the goblets taken from the temple in Jerusalem be brought out to serve his guests. In doing so, they praise their […]
Psalm 191 from Beyond Psalm 150 Our next two Psalms come from the prophet Jeremiah. His ministry occurs toward the end of the nation of Judah’s existence. His book ends with Judah’s exile. In this short psalm, Jeremiah opens with an unassuming gentleness, yet he quickly implores Yahweh to punish those nations and families who […]
Even If We Don’t Understand Why God Tells Us to Do Something We Should Do It Anyway After giving Jeremiah a stinging message to tell the people, God gives a personal message to his prophet. He says, “You are not to pray for these people.” He says don’t plead for them or make a petition […]
Acts Bible Study: Day 18 Today’s passage: Acts 11:1–18 Focus verse: “Who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17) God has just shown Peter that Jesus is for everyone, both Jew and Gentile. First, God revealed this to him supernaturally through a vision. Then God revealed it to him tangibly […]