Hosea 6:1-9:17; 3 John 1:1-14; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 29:12-14 In a world that values tolerance (an affirmation of nearly everything), we must learn to speak the truth. We are especially called to encourage, rebuke, build up, and sharpen those within the church. At times this may make for difficult conversations, but it is God’s calling for us.Hosea continually called out the Israelites for their...  Read More

Hosea 4:1-5:15; 2 John 1:1-13; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 29:9-11 All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This truth that all of humanity is sinful spares no one. Whether rich or poor, young or old, regardless of ethnicity or country of origin, every single person is sinful and in need of God’s grace.As God continues to speak to the sinfulness of the Israelites in Hosea, he confronts ev...  Read More

Hosea 1:1-3:5; 1 John 5:1-21; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 29:5-8 Many of us have experienced the pain of unrequited love. Often this was when we were young and had a crush on someone who didn’t feel the same about us, but loving someone who doesn’t love us back is always difficult.Hosea is a tale of this kind of love. Hosea is called by God to love a woman who will constantly cheat on him. He is calle...  Read More

Daniel 11:36-12:13; 1 John 4:1-21; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 29:2-4 The future should impact today. Our hope in Christ’s return and the new creation should transform the way we live right now. We are freed up to love because of all that Christ has done for us.Daniel’s description of the future may sound frightening. He speaks of “a time of distress as has not happened from the beginning of nations u...  Read More

Daniel 11:2-35; 1 John 3:7-24; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 29:1 Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. You have probably heard this phrase many times before, and on the surface, it may cause us to resist power, but should this be our response?Daniel’s visions throughout his book have described various powers. Kings fighting kings, kingdoms replacing other kingdoms, and opposition again...  Read More

Daniel 9:1-11:1; 1 John 2:18-3:6; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 28:27-28 The biggest division in the world is between the creator and his creation. There is an infinite divide between our eternal God and that which his hands have made. We must understand who God is and who we are.Daniel acknowledges God as great, awesome, keeper of his covenants, righteous, merciful, forgiving, and merciful. In contrast...  Read More

Daniel 8:1-27; 1 John 2:1-17; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 28:25-26 We are in a spiritual battle. We may look around and think that everything is fine, but behind the comforts we find solace in, there is a war. We are participants in a war that has been going on since the beginning of human history.Daniel’s vision allowed him to see a glimpse of the spiritual realities around him. His vision of a ram a...  Read More

Daniel 7:1-28; 1 John 1:1-10; Psalm 119:153-176; Daniel relates the vision that caused him to turn “pale with fear” and keep it all to himself (Daniel 7:28, CEV). Four winds (indicating uncontrollable forces) each from the four compass directions were stirring up the great sea (signifying chaos and rebellion against God). Four great beasts (symbolizing four great kings or kingdoms) came up out of ...  Read More

Daniel 6:1-28; 2 Peter 3:1-18; Psalm 119:129-152; Proverbs 28:21-22 What happens when following God makes your life more difficult? Will you value obedience to God or comfort and conformity as worth living for? This is the choice that God’s people have had to make throughout the ages.Daniel was faced with a choice to pray to the king or pray to the one true God. The consequence of his choice was p...  Read More

Daniel 5:1-31; 2 Peter 2:1-22; Psalm 119:113-128; Proverbs 28:19-20 Judgment is coming. We may want to plug our ears and pretend that it’s not, but when Christ comes back on the Day of the Lord, he will bring both deliverance and judgment, wrath and salvation. So, are you and those around you ready?Daniel was blunt in his assessment of what was coming to Belshazzar. “God has numbered the days of y...  Read More

Daniel 4:1-37; 2 Peter 1:1-21; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 28:17-18 Every time I go for a run everything within me wants to stop. Running is hard and I always question why I am doing it. No one is chasing me, so maybe I should stop! A similar sensation may happen to us when we are following God. There may be moments when it seems difficult when we wonder whether it is worth it or if we can even kee...  Read More

Daniel 2:24-3:30; 1 Peter 4:7-5:14; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 28:15-16 There is an old hymn that proclaims, "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it." This describes the fickle nature of our human condition. One second, we are deeply committed to God and the next we are distancing ourselves from him.This fickleness is exemplified in Nebuchadnezzar. After Daniel interprets his dream in chapter 2, he praise...  Read More