Did God Put Barack Obama in the White House?

Text: Daniel 4:17 Many Christians are disappointed in the outcome of the Presidential election. But many have concluded that it must have been God’s will for the President to be reelected. Daniel 4:17 is often cited on this point. However, these are different times. There were specific purposes and prophecies for nations in the Bible; […]

Burning Sacrifices to the Queen of Heaven

Text: Jeremiah 44:15-18 Jeremiah repeatedly condemned the people for the sin of idolatry. Here, they did not dispute the charges. They just refused to listen or acknowledge negative consequences of their behavior. Those who are caught up in false religions today do the same things – in their error, they refuse to accept certain things. […]

Those Who Make the Idols Will Be Like Them

Text: Psalm 135:15-18 Idols were condemned for the children of Israel (Exodus 20:3-5). God’s people must still guard against idols today (1 John 5:21). One of the dangers posed by idols is mentioned by the psalmist (Psalm 135:15-18). Idols are dumb, blind, deaf, and dead, and those who invent them will be like them. They […]

The Example of Those Who Fell in the Wilderness

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 Paul begins by reminding these Christians of the parallels between then and the Israelites (v. 1-4). But most died in the wilderness. We need to learn from their failings so we can avoid their sins. Do Not Crave Evil Things (v. 6) This was the fundamental problem that led to the […]

The Faith of Daniel’s Friends

Text: Daniel 3 Setting: Nebuchadnezzar made a golden image (v. 1), commanded all to worship it (v. 4-6). The people obeyed (v. 7), except for some Jews — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego (v. 12). Nebuchadnezzar became angry and called the men before him to answer (v. 13-15). They Knew What Was Right These men did […]

Plundered Egyptian Gold

Text: Exodus 12:35-36 Gold Was Taken from Egypt (Exodus 12:35-36) — God provides (James 1:17) Gold Used in the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:1-3, 8-9) — God expects us to return some of our blessings to Him (1 Corinthians 16:1-2) Gold Used to Make the Golden Calf (Exodus 32:1-4) — Must not turn our blessings into idols […]

Evil Ahab

Text: 1 Kings 16:29-33 “Ahab… did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all who were before him” (v. 30) — What did Ahab do to earn this infamous recognition? He Failed to Learn from His Father’s Sins (v. 30; Ezekiel 18:14-17) Sin Was a Trivial Thing to Him (v. 31; Isaiah 59:2; […]