Rooted Together

As we conclude the book of Ezra, Ezra is made aware of a problem within the people of God. They had allowed foreign beliefs to invade their homes and their worship. The very act that led to their banishment has now reemerged in their return. How will Ezra respond? How will the people of God respond? How we will respond when we are faced with our own sin and sin in the church? 

What does it look like to seek God first? It looks a lot like what we see in Ezra chapter 8. Join me as we journey through Ezra 8. 

What does it look like to be a follower of Jesus? We see the answer clearly even in Ezra as Ezra describes himself as a man who has set his heart on the study of the Word, doing it and teaching it.

God sits as king over all history, world events, and nature. We can truly trust in Him alone for salvation! 

Don't stop doing what God has called you to do even when opposition arises. 

The people return to Jerusalem as one to worship God and be reminded of the reason they have come back. Chapter 3 is a time of worship and calling. Leaders arise at the call of God to stir the people. The chapter ends with the people of the land hearing the worship of the people of God far away setting up a confrontation in chapters 4-6. 

One of the major themes of the book of Ezra is that God honors and fulfills the promises that he makes. He promised the exiles they would return and they did, he promised he would send a savior and He did, He promised to come back and He will.

Here is a brief introduction to the book of Ezra, context, themes, and issues. 

God destroys those who revel in sin and offers hope to those who seek Him. Chapter 4 shows the destruction our sin causes and so does much of chapter 5. The conclusion of the Lament is a hope that God has a plan and a future. For us that is Christ. What hope! 

What is our only hope in this world? Jeremiah gives his answer as a man of sorrows. His hope, only hope, is in God and His steadfast love! 

We often try to minimize our sin. We also often treat God as though He is a fluffy loveable puppy who exists for our happiness. However, our sin is wretched before God and warrants the wrath of God. God is not a fluffy puppy but a mighty lion. He is gracious but will pour out wrath so powerful it would destroy all in its range. 

In this episode we conclude the gospel of Mark with the unusual commission to go therefore. 

This is a brief introduction to the book of Lamentations and introduces the new format for the podcast. The new format is about 10 to 15-minute reflection on the section that is being studied. This will be how the podcast will sound from now on. I'm aiming at shorter and more focused episodes. So here is one that sets our hearts on the task of lamenting over our sin. 

Jesus is crucified for our sins. The curtain is torn in two from the top to the bottom and the stage is set for the greatest comeback story ever told. 

Jesus will take his disciples to the garden to pray. In so he demonstrates a model prayer through a time of anxiety. "Let this cup pass," "not my will but your's be done." This type of praying becomes applicable during times of trials and tribulations, "let this cancer pass." is a worthy prayer, but we must conclude, "yet not what I will, but your will be done." We must submit to the sovereignty o...

We introduce a two-parter for chapter 14 of Mark. 

Our love and worship of Jesus will be sacrificial and costly, but worth it. 

Today we look at a complex chapter and ask how might God be speaking through this chapter and into our lives. We will do that through looking at the warnings and promises spread throughout this chapter. 

This third reflection from vacation is from Psalm 98. Sing a new song. 

In the midst of trials and tribulations, God gives even greater promises. Mark 13 is a devotional look at a very complex chapter in Mark. Many scholars have varying opinions. This episode will look at this chapter's warnings and promises as we seek God through the Scriptures. 

Here is another episode from my meditations during my morning devotion time. I hope today you will with renewed desire, dwell deeply in fellowship with God. 

Now different groups would come up and test Jesus. None would succeed. However, Jesus will teach and all will be astonished, even his detractors. 

Just some thoughts from my recent vacation as I meditated on God's word every morning.

Jesus enters into Jerusalem to much fanfare. But the very people crying Hosana will be crying crucify in just a few short days. Using a fig tree as an illustration Jesus shows what it means to bare true fruit. 

This is the intro