ARISE AND COMPLETE THE WORK (Part 1)

 Key Scripture: Nehemiah 2:17-18

“Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.

Supporting Scriptures: Zechariah 4:6–9; Ezra 8:31; Philippians 1:6

Introduction

There are seasons in life when God calls us not merely to begin something, but to finish what He has placed in our hands. Many people are good at starting. We start with excitement, vision, prayer, and determination. But somewhere along the way, opposition comes, discouragement sets in, resources become limited, people disappoint us, and the work begins to slow down. Yet God is still saying: “Arise and complete the work.”

Nehemiah came to Jerusalem and saw a city whose walls had been broken down and whose gates had been burned with fire. The situation looked hopeless, but Nehemiah did not allow the condition of the walls to determine the conclusion of the story. He gathered the people and declared:

“Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach..” - Nehemiah 2:17

And in verse 18, the people responded: “Let us rise up and build.” The work began because somebody was willing to arise. Today, God is calling us to arise—not merely to dream, not merely to talk, not merely to plan, but to complete the work.

1. ARISE WHEN YOU SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

Nehemiah could have looked at Jerusalem and walked away. The walls were broken. The gates were burned. The people were discouraged. The opposition was real. But Nehemiah saw something beyond the ruins. He saw what Jerusalem could become. Sometimes God will allow you to see a broken situation because He wants to use you as part of the restoration. There are things in our lives, families, churches, communities, and ministries that need rebuilding. Some dreams have been abandoned. Some assignments have been delayed. Some prayers have not yet received their answers. Some people have stopped because the process became difficult. But the condition of something today does not determine what God can do with it tomorrow.

I challenge you today! Don't let broken walls produce a broken spirit. Nehemiah did not deny the problem. He simply refused to believe that the problem was greater than God's purpose. There is a difference between recognizing a problem and surrendering to a problem. You may see the broken wall, but God sees the completed building. You may see the unfinished assignment, but God sees the finished work. You may see where you are, but God sees where He is taking you.

 Arise!

SELF-EVALUATION - FOCUS ON COMPASSION

 

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS WHEN YOU SEEM DISCOURAGED

 

This beautiful hymn summarizes how you should view life in the midst of uncertainties and challenges. It was written by Johnson Oatman, Jr., son of Johnson and Rachel Ann Oatman. He was born near Medford, N. J., on April 21, 1856. I pray that you will find joy and fulfilment as you meditate on these words of hope.

1 When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

2 Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. [Refrain]

3 When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high. [Refrain]

4 So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end. [Refrain]

WALKING IN GOD'S LIGHT

Ephesians 5:8-11

Walk in Light

⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), ¹⁰ finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. ¹¹ And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 (NKJV)

³For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; ⁴that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, ⁵not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; ⁶that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. ⁷For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

What does it mean to walk in His light? 

Walking in the light means walking in holiness: This refers to bearing the fruit of the Spirit in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Being holy means living differently than others. It involves being set apart for God and living a life that reflects His character. I means conducting yourself in the manner Christ would conduct himself in a similar situation.

Walking in holiness means not conforming to the standards of the world, the former lust of the flesh. 

1 Peter 1:13-16

¹³ Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ¹⁴ as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;¹⁵ but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Eph. 5:1-11: ⁵ Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. ² And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

³ But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; ⁴ neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not be partakers with them.

We are to be imitators of Christ in this present world/ We have been made in His image so we are called to be a reflection of  Him attributes. We reflect His light onto the world where there is so much darkness and hatred. We are God's ambassadors who are to declare His goodness, mercies, love, and kindness, in the society in which we find ourselves. May you be a reflection of God today whereever you find yourselves. Be blessed!

LIFT UP YOUR EYES UNTO THE HILLS

Psalm 121

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

In Psalm 121, David said, "I will lift up my eyes onto the hills. From where comes my help. My help comes from the Lord who made the heavens and the earth." In our daily lives, we are constantly bombarded with all kinds of problems and challenges that sometimes overwhelms us. We are afflicted by sicknesses, wars and rumors of wars, disobedience of children, slanders, backbiting, etc. In times like this. who do you look up or turn to? David recognize that when there is no hope, there is one and only one person he could turn to and that is his creator, the Almighty God. The one he knows who will never turn His back on him. So in verse 2, he said that "My help comes from the Lord who made the heavens and the earth," He focused his eyes on the God of the heavens and the earth. The God he has learned to trust. In times of trouble or difficulties, who do you turn for help? Is it your spouse, friend, money, house, car, doctor, or your job. All these can help to some extent but they will eventually fail or disappoint you. But the God of heaven who never sleeps or slumbers will never ever fail you! David said in Psalm 20: 6-7 that "Now I know that the Lord saves the anointed. He will answer him from His Holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. There is a limit that horses and chariots can take you because their strength is limited. They can get tired and weary but the God of the heavens and earth never gets tired or weary. He never slumbers nor sleep. (Psalm 121:3-4)

Today, I encourage you to consult God in prayers to help you in time of your needs. He says in Psalm 50:15, "Call upon me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. May the Lord let His face shine upon you and grant you your heart's desires in Jesus' name. Be blessed beyond measure!

THE PERSONALITY AND WORKS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 Who is the Holy Spirit? 

Jesus promise that when He ascends into heaven, He would send the Comforter and Helper, the Holy Spirit, to come and dwell with His children. He would give His children power to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, even to the uttermost part of the world. (Acts 1:8) Without the Holy Spirit dwelling in the Christian, you cannot have a successful walk with Him. I pray that you would allow the Holy Spirit to perform His work in your life so that you can please the Lord in all areas of your life. 

Personality of the Holy Spirit

1. He is a person. Why? He has emotions. He can be grieved. (Ephesians 4:30)

2. He is God. He is not an impersonal God.

3. He is our Comforter.

4. The Holy Spirit reveals the deeper things of God to us. (1 Corinthians 2:10-14)

5. The Holy Spirit possesses intellect. He speaks to us like a friend. (Acts 8:29)

6. The Holy Spirit is omniscient (all-knowing).(Acts 5:1-4)

7. The Holy Spirit was part of the creation. Most importantly, in our new creation, the Holy Spirit hoovered over our spirit until it became regenerated.

Works of the Holy Spirit

1. Regenerates our dead spirits. (John 16:7-9)

2. Baptizes us into the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

3. Teaches us and leads us to all truth. (John 16:13)

4. The Holy Spirit empowers us to bear fruit.

5. The Holy Spirit is the seal. He guarantees our promise in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13)

WHY WORRY? YOU HAVE A FRIEND IN JESUS.

 1.  What a friend we have in Jesus,

     all our sins and griefs to bear!

      What a privilege to carry

     everything to God in prayer!

      O what peace we often forfeit,

       O what needless pain we bear,

       all because we do not carry

       everything to God in prayer!

2.  Have we trials and temptations?

     Is there trouble anywhere?

     We should never be discouraged;

    take it to the Lord in prayer!

    Can we find a friend so faithful

    who will all our sorrows share?

    Jesus knows our every weakness;

    take it to the Lord in prayer!

3.  Are we weak and heavy laden,

     cumbered with a load of care?

    Precious Savior, still our refuge--

    take it to the Lord in prayer!

    Do your friends despise, forsake you?

    Take it to the Lord in prayer!

   In his arms he'll take and shield you;

   you will find a solace there.

Historical Background 
The above poem, which was later turned into a hymn, was written by Joseph M. Scriven who was born in  Ireland in 1819. He was an Irish immigrant to Canada who wrote this text near Port Hope, Ontario, in 1855. Because his life was filled with grief and trials, Scriven often needed the solace of the Lord as described in his famous hymn.

He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, after which he enrolled in a military college to prepare for an army career. However, he was unable to fulfil his ambition because of poor health. Following this setback, his fiancée died in a drowning accident on the eve of their wedding in 1844.  About ten years later, he decided to remarry. However, His plans for marriage were dashed again when his new bride-to-be died after a short illness in 1855. Following this calamity Scriven seldom had a regular income, and he was forced to live in the homes of others. He was member of the Plymouth Brethren and  he tried to live according to the Sermon on the Mount as literally as possible. He lead his life by giving and sharing all he had and often doing menial tasks for the poor and physically disabled. He later died by drowning in Rice Lake but because he suffered from depression, no one knew if his death by drowning was suicide or an accident.

Commentary

As long as we live in this fleshly bodies, we will encounter many adversities and challenges. These challenges can shake our faith in the providence and protection in the Lord. In the midst of this uncertainty, we must make every effort to remember that the good Lord is still with us in our good and bad times. He has promised never to forsake us but to bring us to an expected end. He has good plans for us if we never give up our trust in Him. He has promised to be with us whether we pass through the fires or waters - these would not consume us. 

We can weather the storms if we come to the same realization as Paul and be persuaded that "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39 (King James Version).

I pray that the Lord will help you to deal with any situation that is tormenting your life today and come out of it victoriously in Jesus's name. You were created to be victorious. Make Jesus your friend today by inviting Him into your life and trusting in Him daily.

IMPORTANCE OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST ON HIS DISCIPLES

In this article, I will discuss the importance on the major developments about the disciples after the resurrection of Christ as recorded in John 21.

When Jesus resurrected, He initially gave instructions for the disciples to meet Him in Galilee (Matthew 28:5-10). After appearing to groups of disciples at least on two occasions, He eventually appeared to about seven men including Peter and John at the shore of the sea of Tiberius (John 21). John 21 is a key chapter that cannot be overlooked since the encounter recorded here formed the foundation for the establishment of the church of God. The appearance of Jesus and His encounter with the disciples erased all the doubts about His resurrection which is the core belief of the Christian faith. Christ is risen and He lives forevermore!

 Most of the disciples were fishermen, so it is just natural that they would go back to fishing since their master had been crucified. It is not clear if they had given up completely on the mission of been “fishers of men” or they were just passing away the time until they meet with Jesus as promised. The first major development in John 21 is the night of fishing during which no fish was caught. When they returned at dawn, they encountered Jesus at the shore who said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” When they answered no, He told them to try again, this time casting the net over the right side of the boat and they would find something. They obeyed and caught a great number of fish far more than their net could hold. In Luke 5:5-11, Jesus used a miraculous provision of fish to draw Peter away from his boat to become a "fisher of men". This was, therefore, a familiar situation for the disciples. However, they initially they did not recognize that it was Jesus standing on the shore, but when their nets were instantly filled, Peter and John fully realized who was on the shore, and Peter dived overboard to swim to the beach (John 21:4–8). The main lesson that Jesus wanted to illustrate here was that we can do nothing without Him, but if we cooperate with Him, He can do wonders through us. The disciples were called and trained to be fishers of men, but they cannot do it by their own strength. It is through Jesus that they would be able to draw more men from the kingdom of darkness into His marvelous light. As Christians, if we obey the Lord and cast our nets at His command, we would make a great catch as He has promised. We have been commissioned to make disciples of all nations.

 

The second major development was the interaction between Jesus and Peter. In Mark 14:29, Peter declared that “Even if all fall away, I will not.” He boasted of His loyalty even when the other disciples failed, but Jesus responded with a dire prediction (John 13:36–38) that Peter would deny him three times. This was fulfilled in the hours before Christ was crucified (John 18:25–27). In John 21:15, Jesus seems to remind Peter of his earlier boast, asking if his love for Him was greater than the love held by the other disciples. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loved him in other to give him the chance to repent for the three times denial of him during His crucifixion. After restoring this relationship, Jesus then tells Peter to take care of His sheep. He tells Peter that he would be led “where you do not want to go.” He then asked Peter to “Follow me.” This is an indirect reference to Peter’s crucifixion as a martyr for his faith according to church tradition (John 21:18–19). This prophecy also confirms that Peter's faith will never again fail. He will be loyal to Christ, even to the point of death, just as he once bragged (John 13:37). This is the first time that Jesus appoints and confirms Peter as the initial leader of His flock, which is the church. The significance of this encounter is that Jesus continually showers His mercy on us and forgives us of our sins. He always gives us a second chance to show our love for Him. This encounter also specifies the unpleasant part of ministry, being led where one does not want to go - following as the Spirit directs. It calls for total self-denial and reliance on the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit came upon Peter on the Day of Pentecost, he became very bold and did the work of God without any fear. He proclaimed Christ with all boldness.

 

In the next encounter, Peter asked Jesus about the status of John, saying “What about him?” Jesus replied, “What if I want him to remain until I come: what concern is it of yours? You follow me.” Jesus was signifying to Peter that he should focus on the assignment given to him and not to be worried about others. As Christians, we should focus all our attention on Jesus and Him alone and avoid been side-tracked by the affairs of men. Every Christian has been assigned a specific role to play and we must be diligent to do the assigned work. We are endowed with different gifts and talents that we must use to build the church of God individually. We are called separately, but we must work collectively to build the church of God. At times, we may wish we had other people’s talents or gifts, assigned another person’s role, or even get jealous of someone’s perceived stronger connection to God than our own or feel, without realizing that we have been given unique duties to perform in God’s kingdom. In response to all this, Jesus said, it is none of our business or concern. We must fulfill our own role to the best of our ability to build up the kingdom of God.

 

Indeed, the Book of John, Chapter 21, establishes our Christian faith to be true, and Peter, as the rock on which the church was founded with Christ as the chief cornerstone.

Our Help Comes From The Lord

Psalm 121 

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

We live in challenging times and many people are losing hope because the future seems uncertain. The scenes of life keep changing uncontrollably and it seems like the end of the world is near. Many are living in fear because of the many wars and conflicts that are going on around the world. Like David the writer of the Psalms, you may be asking, "From where does my help come from? I want to assure you that there is a God, the creator of the universe who is forever able to protect and deliver you from all harm and danger. God would not let you stumble and fall during difficult times if you trust in His provision and providence. He is indeed our keeper and He would put a hedge of fire around you to consume all your enemies. In your most difficult times, just lift up your head and eyes unto the Lord. He is a strong tower that the righteous run into and they are saved. May this beautiful Psalms be your prayer of protection daily. As you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, do not fear anyevil because He that is in you is greater and mightier than he that is in the world. I pray for God's peace, knowledge, and understanding upon your life. Be strong and courageous. Be blessed!

APOLOGY OF THE BIBLE

 “All scripture is inspired or breathed-out by God (2 Timothy 3:16)” 

This means that God worked through the instrumentality of human personality, but directed them so that they wrote what He wanted written. In spite of different writers with different styles, the Bible is very coherent and shares a common theme. An apology of the Bible begins with Jesus’ perception of the Bible. Jesus, the widely acknowledged Messiah, referenced and quoted from the scriptures on multiple occasions. He used phrases like “It is written” (Mat. 4:1-4), “The Word of God cannot be broken” (Jn. 10:35), and “He is the fulfillment of scripture” (Mt. 26:52-56). This means that Jesus acknowledged the scriptures as the final authority of God. 

Other evidences supporting the apology include:

1.       The fulfillment of Prophecy: The coming of the Messiah (birth, death, missionary work) was predicted by the prophets in the Old Testament and fulfilled (Isaiah 52:13—53; Micah 5:2; Luke 24:25-27). Specific historical events like the destruction of Tyre was predicted (Ezekiel 26) and fulfilled by the decree of Nebuchadnezzer’s attack and onslaught by Alexander the Great. The Jewish dispersion was predicted by Moses and Hosea (Deut. 28;25; Hosea 9:17; Jer. 24:9). The restoration of Israel was predicted (Jer. 31) and fulfilled in 1948 when Israel was restored as a nation.

2.       Science can be used to authenticate the Bible. The Bible describes the circle of the earth and that it is hanging (Isaiah 40:22; Job 26:7). This is a scientific proof of the geophysical aspect of the earth.

3.       The calendar system originated from the Bible: The AD and BC system of dating originated from the Bible after Christ birth.

4.       Acts and Culture support the Bible: The Bill of Rights, Shakespeare’s writings, sayings of the father’s of the United States and many others like Winston Churchill and Daniel Webster, all reflect their believe in the scriptures.

5.       Textual accuracy: When the different translations are compared there is concordance and very insignificance differences in terms of grammar that do not alter the intended meanings.

6.       Archeology: There are archeological findings of various original texts such as the “Lost Scrolls” that have been discovered. Despite different places and time of writing, they all point to the authenticity, accuracy, and inerrancy of the Bible.

SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF JOSHUA

The theme of the Book of Joshua is that of conquest with the setting in Canaan, the promised land. Chapters 1-5: Preparing to conquer the Lord – Joshua and the Israelites prepare to face a powerful enemy who live in heavily fortified cities but they must first cross the River Jordan. Yet God will give Israel the land by conquest to fulfill the promise made to Abraham and his descendants. Chapters 6-12: Conquering the land – Israel’s first test was to trust God to provide victory at the city of Jericho. They were successful but they were forced to defend the lying Gibeonites based on an oath to protect them. This made them to disobey God’s command to eliminate them. Chapter 13-22: Dividing of the land – Seven years later after the conquest is completed, God tells Joshua to divide the land among the 12 tribes, who then completed the final conquests in their assigned areas. Chapter 23-24: Joshua’s last words – Joshua entreats the leaders the keep the law and the people to serve God.

Typology: Jericho, a city fortified with high walls stands in the way of the Israelites inheritance just the city of sinful Babylon stands in the way of inheritance of God’s people (Rev. 18:5). Jericho must be destroyed just as Babylon city must be destroyed for Christ and his people to inherit paradise (Rev. 21:1–5). The two spies who were sent to Jericho were threatened by the king (Joshua 2:1, 14) but they were delivered by Rahab. In Revelations 11:3-12 we see two witnesses sent by God to testify to the coming judgment. The wicked city sought to kill them but they were delivered from death. In Joshua 5:14–15; 6:2, Joshua encounters a divine man, the commander of the Lord’s army, with a sword in his hand. Joshua typifies Christ, who is the commander in chief, described in priestly glory with a sword in his mouth (Rev. 1:16). Joshua’s call to circumcise the male Israelites is a kin to Jesus calling His church to purify themselves as they prepare for the holy war (Rev. 2:1–3:22). The seven circles of Joshua’s warfare (Joshua 6) strategy can be compared to that of Jesus’ cycle of seven, where He opened seven seals (Rev. 5:1) and the judgment commenced with seven trumpets and seven plagues. Jericho was defeated at the sound of seven trumpets just as victory was declared in the heavenly kingdom (Rev. 11:15). Just as the walls of Jericho fell at once, the remnant put to the sword, and the city burned with fire, so was the wicked city described in Rev. 18:2. The salvation of Rahab, a type of church, illustrates the salvation Church, a prostitute made Christ’s Bride by His blood represented by the scarlet cord that was hung on the window.

SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH

The 52 chapters of the Book of Jeremiah can be organized into four major areas. 

The first section (chapter 1) is the calling of young Jeremiah to be the mouth piece of God.

The second section: Jeremiah's prophecies (God’s judgment) concerning Judah (Jeremiah 2-45). In chapters 2-29, Jeremiah communicates through a variety of stories and object lessons towards Judah. These includes: Judah, Yahweh's unfaithful wife (chapters 2-6); Judah, the hypocrite (chapters 7-10); Judah, breaker of the covenant (chapters 11-12); Five parables of judgment (chapters 13-20). Chapters 21-39 record the later prophecies that will occur under Jehoiakim and Zedekiah. Chapters 21-29 predict the captivity in Babylon. However, in chapters 30-33, Jeremiah predicts a positive future for the people of Judah through a new covenant but judgment must first come upon Judah (Jeremiah 34-45).

The third section addresses God’s judgment on the other nations (chapters 46-51). He speaks against nine different nations that would also face God’s judgment.
The final section (Jeremiah 52) provides the account of the fall of Jerusalem. The city is destroyed and the survivors are taken into captivity in Babylon.

Theological contributions: Jeremiah 23:5-6 presents a prophecy of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, as a Branch from the house of David.

God’s wrath is a strong feature in the book of Jeremiah. God’s anger is “provoked” by sin, but in His wrath, He offers a path to salvation for all those that repent. Jeremiah offers three main insights that

1. God’s people have sinned grievously against the Lord. Indeed, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23)
2. The Lord will judge his people for their sin, in this case through the onslaught of the Babylonians. “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23a)
3. Yet God is both unfailingly faithful and bountifully merciful and will bring restoration and salvation. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK

The Book of Habakkuk was likely written between 610 and 605 BC. The author was Habakkuk. It setting was in Judah.

Number of Chapters: 3

Introduction:

Good King Josiah of Judah had been killed in battle and all the reforms he made were quickly overturned by the subsequent four kings – three sons and a grandson – all of whom were bad. Wickedness went unchecked and things have gone from bad to worse in Judah. This causes Habakkuk, a little known prophet who lived during the same time as Jeremiah, to question God’s silence and apparent lack of judgment in purging His special people, Israel. The prophet Habakkuk criticized the sins of Judah but grappled with the fact that God’s chosen people will suffer at the hands of enemies even more wicked than they. Habakkuk asks, “Why?” The second time the prophet asked why, God answers with a flood of proof and predictions. Habakkuk finally catches a glimpse of the character and nature of God, and in response, can only stand back in awe and praise of Him. This resulted in the strengthening of his faith in God’s wisdom, sovereignty, and salvation.

Outline/Structure
Chapters 1-2: Habakkuk’s Problem

Ch. 1:2-4: Habakkuk’s complaint (First): Habakkuk has a problem with understanding God’s ways: Why, God, are you allowing the wicked in Judah to go unpunished?”  Why does God allow His chosen people to suffer in their captivity?

Ch. 1:5-11: The Lord’s Answer: God gives an answer the prophet doesn’t expect: God will use the Babylonians to punish Judah.

Ch. 1:12-17:  Habakkuk’s Second Complaint: Now, Habakkuk has a bigger problem: ‘How can you, the holy Judge, punish Judah through a nation that is even more wicked?”

Ch. 2:2-20: The Lord’s Answer: God answers back that He is aware of the Babylon’s sins, and assures that the Babylonian will not escape His terrible judgment. But Judah, says God, is guilty of the same kinds of sins and will also be punished.

The Lord concludes His answer to Habakkuk with a statement about His all-controlling majesty: “The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth be silent before Him” (2:20).

 Chapters 3: Habakkuk’s Prayer and Song of Praise:

The prophet began this short book by questioning God, but now concludes with a psalm or song of praise. He understands and acknowledges God’s wisdom at the coming invasion by the Babylonians. The thought of judgment from an evil nation terrifies him, but he will trust God. And why not? God’s saving work on the part of the Jewish people should give the prophet confidence in God’s purposes and continued hope not to lose heart.

Theological Contributions: 

1.       The core of Habakkuk’s message resides in the call to trust God. “The righteous shall live by faith” (2:4). This is the foundation of the doctrine of “Justification by Faith.” Apostle Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 on two occasions (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11) to reiterate the doctrine of justification by faith. We are made righteous by faith in Christ because our sins have been exchanged with Christ’s perfection and righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).

^“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Christ has enabled us to live by faith.

 

2.       It is also contributes to the doctrine of “Salvation by grace and faith in Jesus Christ.” We are saved through faith in Christ and not of works of righteousness.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

The faith that is the gift of God and available through Christ is at once a faith that saves and a faith that sustains throughout life. We attain eternal life by faith, and we live the Christian life by the same faith. 

3. The Book of Habakkuk affirms the sovereignty of God. God is still on the throne of the universe. God controls the affairs of both the wicked and the righteous. It also helps to establish the doctrine that God is omnipotent and omniscient. “The Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth be silent before Him” (Habakkuk 2:20). God’s ways are not our ways and He chooses to do what He wants in His own time. In the end, God saved His people yet He used the Babylonians, a wicked nation, in His own infinite wisdom to punish them. This is definitely incomprehensible to the human mind just as experienced by Habakkuk. He knows the beginning from the end. God’s ways are not our ways. They are beyond our understanding.

4.       The core message also indicates that God is a just Judge who will ultimately punish the wicked who may appear to be victorious. He will reward the righteous when He returns in majesty and glory.

SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF MALACHI

The book of Malachi was written about 430 B.C. Malachi attacks the evil that arise in Jerusalem after the temple is rebuilt. His message of judgment is the last word from God for 400 years of silence until John the Baptist appeared on the scene.

Chapter 1:1-5: The privilege of God’s love – The people of Jerusalem lost their view on God’s work and His love for them in the past because they were wallowing in the problems of their present condition.

Chapters 1:6 – 2:9: The pollution of the priests – Consumed by greed, the priests were breaking God’s law by offering imperfect and diseased animals on the altar and keeping the best for themselves. Because of their disobedience, God withholds His blessings.

Chapters 2:10-3:15: The problems of the people – The people are as bad as the priest. They are divorcing their Jewish wives to marry foreign women. They are robbing God of the tithes and offering due Him, and in pride they challenge God’s character.

Chapters 3:16 – 4:6: The promise of the Lord – God answers the people’s challenge concerning His promises. God says a day is coming when it will not be “futile to serve God” (3:4), and those who fear God will be blessed. But there is a time coming when the wicked will be judged. Although the people had been cured of idolatry, there was little spiritual progress. Sin was everywhere, and the need for the coming Messiah was greater than ever.

Theological contributions: Malachi predicted the coming of God’s messenger before the Messiah (3:1; 4:5). This prophecy was fulfilled by John the Baptist. Malachi also prophesied about the second coming of Christ (4:2). This is a very important event that all Christians look forward to. Malachi teaches that a proper tithe is a pure gift, recognizing the great name of Yahweh (1:11). A proper tithe is a sign of returning fully to God in faithful service (3:7). God has a high regard for marriage. Malachi teaches that the Lord hates divorce.  “I hate divorce, says the LORD” (2:16). What the Lord has joined together, let no one put asunder.

 

SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF EXODUS

 Chapters 1-6 describe the oppression of the Israelites under Pharaoh, Moses encounter with God, and his rise as the deliverer of the Israelites. Chapters 7-18 describe the sequence of plagues brought upon the Egyptians due to the refusal of Pharaoh to let them go, the institution of the first Passover, and the ultimate deliverance of the Israelites via the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. It describes the frequent rebellions of the Israelites in the wilderness, God’s miraculous provision of food and water, and the giving of the instructions for worship by God at Mount Sinai. Chapters 19-31 describe Moses receiving the religious and social laws of God on Mount Sinai, and the specifications for the construction and decorations of the Ark of the Covenant. In Chapters 32-34, the Israelites tested God’s commitment by worshipping a Golden Calf while Moses was on the mountain receiving God’s instructions. God was angry but Moses prayed for God’s mercy and He renewed His fellowship with them. Chapters 35-40 describe the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, instructions for sewing of the garments for the high priest, decorations for the Tabernacle, forms of worship, and God coming to dwell in the tent and filling it with His glory.

Foreshadowings: The unblemished lamb that was killed and its blood applied to the door post was a foreshadow of the ultimate sacrifice, the Passover Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, as described in 1 Peter 1:19. From Exodus 17:6, Moses struck the rock to provide water for the Israelites to drink. Christ was that solid rock, the Rock of our Salvation, from which streams of living water flows (John 4:10). Jesus also describes Himself as the Bread of Life (John 6:48) and this is depicted through the provision of manna, that gave life to the Israelites in the wilderness. God promises to supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

SURVEY OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL

The fifth book of the Major Prophets written by Daniel during his lifetime in exile in Babylon as well as to provide exiled Jews hope regarding God's plan for the future. Daniel consists of 12 chapters, including a mixture of historical events and future prophecies.

Chapter 1: Daniel's background  - This focuses on the young man, Daniel, and his three friends who were taken captive to Babylon, and educated to serve in the king's court but refused to defile themselves with the unclean food offered by the king. Their faithfulness eventually paid off when they were eventually promoted to high positions in the nation.

Chapters 2 – 4: King Nebuchadnezzar faces a problem, and Daniel and his friends provide God's wisdom. 

Chapter 5: King Belshazzar's wickedness leads to his downfall.

Chapter 6: Daniel is miraculously delivered from the lion's den, while those who falsely accused him were eaten by the lions. 

Chapter 7:, He has a dream regarding the future of the Gentile nations.
Chapters 8 – 12: Future prophecies regarding Israel and the nations. This includes the prophecy of the ram and male goat (Chapter 8), prophecy of the seventy weeks (Chapter 9), and the future restoration involving the Messiah and God's ultimate plan for His people (Chapters 10 -12).

Foreshadowings: We see in the stories of the fiery furnace and Daniel in the lions’ den a foreshadowing of the salvation provided by Christ. The three men declare that God is a saving God who can provide a way of escape from the fire (3:17).  In Daniel’s case, an angel shut the lions’ mouths and saved Daniel from death. In the same way, by sending Jesus to die for our sins, God has provided an escape from the fires of hell (1 Peter 3:18). Jesus Christ is our provision from the dangers of the sins that threaten to consume us.

Theological contributions: The Book of Daniel contributes to our understanding of end-times events. It also contributes to our understanding of God’s sovereignty and infinite might. As each king flexes his royal muscles before the Most High God, He responds with a display of his infinite power and wisdom. God protects His people and will always save them in the end.

                                                                                                                   

Survey of the Book of Psalm

Overview of Authors

The book of Psalms was written by multiple authors that include David who wrote seventy-three of the 150 psalms. Psalms 72 and 127 was written by Solomon. Psalm 90 was written by Moses. The family of Asaph and the sons of Korah wrote twelve (50 and 73-83) and eleven psalms (42; 44-49, 84; 85; 87; 88), respectively. Herman and Ethan the Ezrahite wrote Psalm 88 and Psalm 89, respectively. The authors of the remaining forty-nine are anonymous, but Psalm 2, is ascribed to David in Acts 4:25-26. 

Purpose of the Book of Psalm

Book of Psalms is a collection of prayers, poems, and hymns. It was written for the purpose of worshipping and connecting with God.  

Organization

It is organized into: Book 1: Psalms 1-41, Book 2: Psalms 42-72, Book 3: Psalms 73-89, Book 4: Psalms 90-106, and Book 5: Psalms 107-150. The arrangement of the books reflects the history of the nation, Israel and its Messianic hope. Books 1 and 2 are mostly set in the early monarchy of David. They are bounded by two royal psalms (2 and 72) that present the king as God’s anointed one and highlight the ideal monarchy of the early reign of Solomon.  Book 3 has a number of psalms with an exilic and post-exilic setting. Book 4 begins with a psalm by Moses that reminds the nation that God has been her dwelling place through all generations (90).  Two psalms of trust and thanksgiving (91 and 92) follow, then a collection of psalms about God’s power and dominion (93 to 100). The book ends with a series of praise psalms (101 to 106) and an appeal to God to re-gather the nation from the nations (106:47).  Book 5 opens with two psalms of praise and thanksgiving for the gathering of the exiles (107 and 108). There are royal psalms that anticipate the future dominion of the rejected king (110 and 118) and the psalms of ascent portray the present and future pilgrimage of God’s people to Zion (120 to 134).  The final five praise psalms focus on God’s sovereignty (146 to 150). Theological contributions: Foreshadowing of the Messiah is seen in many chapters of psalms. Psalm 2 is a royal psalm about the coronation of the Davidic king.  David and his heirs were chosen by God to rule the nation from Zion. This psalm is a foreshadow of Jesus the Messiah who will be the perfect Davidic king. His death and resurrection is portrayed in Psalm 16:8-11; a prophecy of His crucifixion and suffering on the cross in seen in Psalm 22; Psalm 45:6-7 illustrates the glory of the Messiah and His bride; Psalm 72:6-17, 89:3-37, 110:1-7, and 132:12-18 describe the glory and universality of His reign.

The Problem Of Evil: Why does God Allow Evil?

The existence of evil is one of the oldest and most challenging theological and philosophical issues and it is often seen as a contradiction to the belief in an omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent God. However, this conclusion overlooks several important considerations.

1.      The existence of evil does not necessarily negate the existence of God. God created man in His own image and gave him freewill to choose right from wrong so that humans would not be like machines. Evil came into the world because of the wrong choices made by man. If God was to wipe away all evil, it would mean wiping away every human on the earth. He would have to cause more disaster in order to get rid of evil and that would not make Him a loving God so He has to exist with it (Matthew 7:11).

2.      The presence of evil allows for the manifestation of good. Just as the surgeon can perform painful surgery to relief another form of pain or suffering, the problem of evil can be used to bring about good.  In times of tragedy and suffering, we often see acts of heroism, compassion, and altruism. These acts of goodness and kindness would not be possible without the context of evil. It provides context for moral growth and development, which is an essential part of the human experience. Without evil, there would be no need for moral decisions, and thus no moral progress. God allows His children to go through suffering so that after they have endured, His name will be glorified. Job was better off after his sufferings. Paul’s sufferings led to the furtherance of the gospel (Phil. 1:12-14). Jesus endured suffering to save the humans from the wages of sin which is eternal death (Heb. 9:22)

3.      If God is good, then evil must exist because the goodness is the standard by which evil is measured. If evil is the absence of good, then goodness must exist for evil to exist, so God and evil can exist at the same time.

We must strive to understand the role of evil in our lives and seek to grow in our relationship with God despite its presence.

PURSUE KINDNESS, AN IMPORTANT VIRTUE

My dear brothers and sisters, today I want to talk to you about the importance of kindness. Kindness is a virtue that is often overlooked in our fast-paced and often self-centered world, but it is one of the most important qualities we can possess as human beings.

1. "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32

2. "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." - Ephesians 4:29

3. "A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit." - Proverbs 15:4

4. "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." - Colossians 3:12

5. "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." - Romans 12:9-10

6. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." - Galatians 6:10

7. "And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them." - Luke 6:31

Kindness is not just about being nice to people, it is about having empathy for others and doing what we can to make their lives easier. It is about being generous with our time, our resources, and our love. It is about putting the needs of others before our own.

We can see countless examples of kindness in the Bible. Jesus himself was the ultimate example of kindness. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and forgave those who wronged him. He taught us to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us. He showed us that kindness is not just an act, it is a way of life.

The apostle Paul also wrote about kindness in his letters. He encouraged the Galatians to bear one another's burdens and to do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. He reminded the Ephesians to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave them.

Kindness is not just for our friends and family, but for everyone we encounter. We should be kind to our neighbors, our co-workers, and even to strangers. It can be as simple as holding the door open for someone or offering a smile to a stranger on the street. It can also be more complex, such as volunteering our time at a local charity or donating money to a good cause.

But kindness should not be motivated by recognition or reward. It should come from a genuine desire to make the world a better place. When we are kind to others, we are reflecting the love of God to them. We are showing them that they are not alone, that they are valued, and that they are worthy of our time and attention.

So let us all strive to be kinder to one another. Let us look for opportunities to help those in need, to lift up the downtrodden, and to be a light in a dark world. As we do so, we will be fulfilling God's commandment to love one another and to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. May God bless us all as we seek to show kindness to those around us. Amen.