Categories
Bible Insights

Do You Worship Work?

Consider Your Sacrifices

Do you worship your work? Of course we would say “no.” But consider that what we make sacrifices for is that which is important to us.

  • Do we make sacrifices for work?
  • Do we sacrifice family time to complete work projects?
  • Do we sacrifice personal health and well-being to climb the corporate ladder, earn a raise, or receive a promotion?
  • Do we sacrifice relationships or needed rest because something at work seems more important?

If so, then perhaps we are at risk of worshiping our work. In doing so, might it be that we’ve elevated our vocation to the status of a god?

Consider what Habakkuk has to say on the subject:

“Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food.”

That’s certainly something to think about.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Habakkuk 1-3, and today’s post is on Habakkuk 1:16.]

Learn more about all twelve of the Bible’s Minor Prophets in Peter’s book, Return to Me: 40 Prophetic Teachings about Unfaithfulness, Punishment, and Hope from the Minor Prophets

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Bible Insights

Is Self-sufficiency Your Strength?

Explore What You Rely On

To be self-sufficient is to not require outside aid, support, or interaction for survival. It is a primary intent of much of today’s Western culture. A internet search for “self-sufficient” produced 13.7 million matches.

Self-sufficiency is truly a big deal. And unfortunately it’s a prideful goal that produces a false sense of security.

Consider what the prophet Habakkuk said in referencing the Babylonians. He said that their “own strength is their god.”

Although we are far removed from the Babylonians in both time and culture, I suspect that our desire to be self-sufficient is not much different from this ancient empire’s self-reliance.

As we become more self-sufficient, we rely more and more on ourselves and less and less on others—including God. We begin to take pride in our own skills, abilities, and independence.

These become our strengths…and effectively, our god.

As for the Babylonians, their “god” of strength was insufficient to save them. Habakkuk later prophesizes Babylonia’s destruction, which history confirms.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Habakkuk 1-3, and today’s post is on Habakkuk 1:11.]

Learn more about all twelve of the Bible’s Minor Prophets in Peter’s book, Return to Me: 40 Prophetic Teachings about Unfaithfulness, Punishment, and Hope from the Minor Prophets

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Bible Insights

God Says, Wait For It

The Art of Being Patient

A reoccurring gag in sitcoms is what I call the “wait for it” bit.

It goes like this: Something that is expected to occur, doesn’t. With a knowing look, one character confidently states, “Wait for it.”

There is a suitable pause, and then it occurs just as predicted—the audience expresses their relief and delight with a predictable laugh.

Modern television, however, is not the first time the “wait for it” tactic was employed. God said it to the prophet Habakkuk a few millennia ago. Yep, God may have been the first one to say, “Wait for it.”

After Habakkuk whines to God about God’s seemingly inaction and lack of response, God tells Habakkuk what he will do, but not when he will do it. God merely says to “wait for it,” as in:

“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.

Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”

God doesn’t reckon time the way we do. Even though he’s got things figured out and his plans will come to pass, sometimes, we just need to “wait for it.”

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Habakkuk 1-3, and today’s post is on Habakkuk 2:3.]

Learn more about all twelve of the Bible’s Minor Prophets in Peter’s book, Return to Me: 40 Prophetic Teachings about Unfaithfulness, Punishment, and Hope from the Minor Prophets

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Peter DeHaan News

Book about the Minor Prophets

Book 4 in the Dear Theophilus Series

You may know about the prophet Jonah, the guy who spent a three-day time-out in the belly of a large fish, but what about some of the lesser-known prophets?

Do you know of Micah, Obadiah, or Malachi?

What about Nahum, Zephaniah, or Zechariah? Oh, my! The list goes on. It’s enough to make our minds spin.

Rounding out these twelve Minor Prophets are Amos, Hosea, Habakkuk, Haggai, and Joel.

The Bible includes the work of these twelve prophets who carry the unfortunate label of minor. It’s not that their work isn’t significant, it’s that their books are shorter.

If you’re like most people, you scarcely remember their names, let alone having ever read their books in the Bible.

It’s time we change this.

In the book Return to Me: 40 Prophetic Teachings about Unfaithfulness, Punishment, and Hope from the Minor Prophets, you’ll discover:

  • The order of each prophet’s ministry (because the Bible doesn’t list them chronologically)
  • The significant messages they address
  • Their place in the biblical timeline
  • The umbrella of hope that outshines criticism of unfaithfulness and prophecies of punishment
  • The powerful way their words apply to us today

Return to Me is book four of the Dear Theophilus series. In it, you’ll get all this and more:

  • Thought-provoking insights that are part Bible study and part devotional
  • A deeper understanding of these lesser-known prophets
  • A greater appreciation of how the Old Testament informs our lives today

Let’s dive into the intriguing lives and ministries of these amazing messengers from God in the book Return to Me: 40 Prophetic Teachings about Unfaithfulness, Punishment, and Hope from the Minor Prophets.

[Return to Me was originally published as Dear Theophilus, Minor Prophets.]

Learn more about all twelve of the Bible’s Minor Prophets in Peter’s book, Return to Me: 40 Prophetic Teachings about Unfaithfulness, Punishment, and Hope from the Minor Prophets

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Visiting Churches

Be Thankful (Visiting Church #33)

We only recently learned of today’s congregation, discovering them in a printed directory of churches. Their rural location seems further removed from us than our 8.8 mile drive.

Their scripture for today is Habakkuk 3:17-19.

Verse 17 recaps the dire conditions of the day, with a transition occurring in verse 18 when the prophet proclaims, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.” A verse later Habakkuk affirms, “The Lord is my strength.”

52 Churches: A Yearlong Journey Encountering God, His Church, and Our Common Faith

It’s four days before Thanksgiving. The minister’s message “Thanksgiving Anyhow!” follows Habakkuk’s tone. This rural congregation seems needy, with the implication that some will only eat one or two meals today.

The message includes mentions of helping others in need. This isn’t to call attention to the giver, but to show how this church family takes care of one another. Behind the church is a sizable garden, planted with the intention to share.

“When God blesses you,” the pastor says, “you need to pass it on.” Though the growing season is over, there are some onions and potatoes remaining in the ground should anyone need them.

Deer hunting season began a few days ago and the pastor has bagged two. If anyone lacks meat for Thanksgiving, he offers venison. From his property, he cuts trees for those needing wood for heat.

He also has two acres of fruit trees. Usually he shares the produce with others, but due to an early spring and a late freeze, the harvest this year was nil. He refers back to Habakkuk’s mention of no fruit. “Yet I will rejoice”

We must “be thankful in hard times…and be thankful for our salvation.” He shares some more verses and additional stories of need and provision. “In everything, give thanks—even on your bad days.”

[Read about Church #32 and Church #34, start at the beginning of our journey, or learn more about Church #33.]

My wife and I visited a different Christian Church every Sunday for a year. This is our story. Get your copy of 52 Churches today, available in ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Categories
Bible Insights

Posts about the Minor Prophets

For the past several months, most of the ABibleADay posts have been about the minor prophets. Recall that they are called minor not because their prophecy is insignificant, but because their books are short!

Though more posts may be added in the future, there are no more planned at this time. See all posts about the twelve Minor Prophets:

  1. Hosea
  2. Joel
  3. Amos
  4. Obadiah
  5. Jonah
  6. Micah
  7. Nahum
  8. Habakkuk
  9. Zephaniah
  10. Haggai
  11. Zechariah
  12. Malachi

Learn more about all twelve of the Bible’s Minor Prophets in Peter’s book, Return to Me: 40 Prophetic Teachings about Unfaithfulness, Punishment, and Hope from the Minor Prophets

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.