The God of Second Chances

This video series involves short devotionals on the theme of presence in ministry and the Gospel of Luke. In this lesson, the Introduction to Luke's Gospel offers us a new view of the ministry of Jesus and why we need to plant and revive churches throughout our world.

Often Malachi is used to bring shame and guilt on those who have experienced divorce. However, the story is one similar to many women and men in our world. Yahweh was mistreated in a relationship, and faced a very painful reality. God understands those struggling in their marriages and identifies as one suffering. However, holiness calls us to be assertive and offer hope with this strength.

The nation of Judah had returned home to rebuilt their fallen temple. There was only one problem...shame. Shame lay at the heart of the nation. Yet Yahweh told the leaders that their God is big enough, even big enough to forgive the sin of everyone at once!

While the book of Haggai is small, it is packed with power. The prophet becomes a coach guiding and encouraging us to forge the past and embrace a God who can forgive sins in a day!

In the book of Zephaniah, the prophet shares a message of doom to a people who continually rejected their God. People thought Yahweh was hidden, but in reality this God seeks those who hides from evil and longs for deliverance.

The nation of Judah was suffering at the hands of the Babylonian army. Habakkuk felt called to defend his people, even though they were guilty. We need more advocates for the guilty, even if it means standing toe to toe with God.

Even though the prophet Jonah offered hope to Nineveh of Assyria, their repentance must have been short lived. Nahum reminds us that God confronts bullies and offers comfort to the people of the Lord. Likewise faith communities can learn this lesson concerning protecting those who suffer, while holding oppressive individuals accountable for their behavior.

As the Covid pandemic seems to lift, many of our cities struggle with chaos, injustice, and crime. It can be discouraging. Sometimes we wonder if justice not only exists, but is practical. Micah the prophet calls us to understand our personal role in our relationship with God and people.

In this lesson we discuss the famous Jonah story. While we may remember him as the prophet who was swallowed by a whale, the story tells us that he was swallowed by his own hatred of the Assyrian people, and, in turn, his anger with God.

In this episode we discuss the brief, but powerful book of Obadiah. Obadiah means "servant of Yahweh" and this prophet challenges us to show compassion on those needing help, suffering, and fleeing persecution.

The prophet Amos was a contemporary with Hosea. He too went to the Northern kingdom of Israel, however the priest and king of Israel asked him to leave...they did not want to hear the truth. God seeks those who hear the truth and follow it. God truly wants a relationship with all of us and offers hope even during times of pain, suffering, and a climate of chaos and sin.

Joel's prophecy was a warning to the people of Judah. The prophet reminded the nation that the Babylonian army, described as an army of locusts, was on the horizon. However, Yahweh encouraged (as Joel begged) the nation to repent, change their ways, and turn back to their God. This hope was not only offered to a nation, facing destruction, but all of us. We have a God who not only seeks relationsh...

The prophet Hosea shared the painful story of a spouse who has been mistreated by their unfaithful and inconsiderate spouse. Not only was this the story of God and an unfaithful people of Israel, it is the story of a God who continues to pursue a people who reject their Lord. This God also offers hope and a future when the unfaithful spouse seeks repentance. Even though God was rejected, Yahweh st...

Ezekiel was a priest who was taken into Babylonian exile with many other Judeans. He would have witnessed the destruction of life, the temple, and felt the pain of captivity. As a trauma survivor his visions and experiences are graphic and portray a need for hope and healing. Yahweh is that God who reminded the prophet that the Lord sought healing, repentance, and renewal with the prophet as well...

Jeremiah is the second of the three major prophets in the Hebrew Bible. In this book Jeremiah was sent by God to confront the abusive and unfaithful people of Judah. As any therapist Jeremiah represents the pain and suffering of Yahweh, while advocating for the people, his other "client." However, Jeremiah offers hope of a new relationship, if the people are willing to come home. Jeremiah rem...

Isaiah is the first of the three major prophets. The prophet is quoted more than any other in the Gospels. Why? He shows us the heart of a God who desires to comfort and heal a nation turning its back on their own Hod while regretting this in captivity.

As we transition from the "Former Prophets" to the "Latter Prophets" we begin by asking, "Who were the prophets". Were they crazy, wild eyed, ecstatic preachers? Were they magicians or fortune tellers? Were they servants of Yahweh who spoke of the realities of their day? Join us as we explore these heroes of the Bible and begin to read their stories.

The song "Joy to the World," reminds us that heaven, earth, and nature will sing of the glory of Jesus. When Yahweh leads the people of Judah from captivity a renewed heavens, earth, and relationship emerged. As John the Baptist proclaimed the return of God's people, in the wilderness, he reminded us that Jesus would also restore the world to be who God created us to be. No matter who we are, what...

In the song, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen..." the promise is that Comfort and Joy will accompany us during this Christmas season. Likewise in Isaiah the prophet speaks a message from Yahweh of "Comfort" to a nation returning from captivity and healing from their own sins. The birth of Jesus not only offers comfort and hope, but joy from the darkness and sorrow when our lives rebel against God. No...

The prophet Isaiah challenges an unfaithful king to trust his God. Even more, the king's God challenges this king to believe, endure, and be faithful. The child is the sign, as he was for Joseph, you, and I. Christmas is not simply a time to give gifts, it is a time to believe that Jesus is the sign that God is truly with us.

During the time of the kings, God continued to be present. In the midst of rebellion, obedience, and chaos...Yahweh uphold the covenant of love and faithfulness. This is the lesson for 2 Kings.

During the time of the kings, God continued to be present. In the midst of rebellion, obedience, and chaos...Yahweh uphold the covenant of love and faithfulness. This is the lesson for 1 Kings.

During Advent we are preparing for another Covid Holiday. However, is it possible to see God, during this time, as more than a baby in a feed trough? What if we could have coffee at a table with God? What would we hear? Would we see hope in the darkness?

David's sin was great, yet his relationship and love for God was greater. What happens when we are confronted with our sin? Do we point the finger back at those God sends to help us, or do we choose to be men and women after God's own heart?

In 2 Samuel we read the story of David's rise to royalty. Having been annointed by the prophet Samuel in 1 Samuel, he patiently waited for God to take the throne from Saul and bless David as king. David and Yahweh share a powerful relationship, one that reflects honor and love between David and his God.