Seeking Pearls

Both Joel and Amos teach us about the great and dreadful say of the Lord...the day when God judges sin. It will be glorious for those who love God and dreadful for those who reject God. Much in these books is disputed and unknown for certain, but the beauty and power of our God, and the provision of Jesus' blood for our sins...those truths are clear and certain.

Hosea shows us God's passionate love for his people. Just as Hosea's promiscuous wife continually turned against him, so have God's people turned against him time and again. Yet, God promises to restore his faithful covenant if Israel is willing to repent and come home.

Daniel! Such an amazing book of the Bible! It is impossible to cover all of the amazing prophecies of Daniel in one podcast, but I do my best to summarize and teach the lesson in each chapter that grabbed my heart the most.

Many Bible scholars consider the end of Ezekiel to be one of the most complicated sections of text in the Bible. Therefore, we know we won't exactly understand everything we read and discuss today; but that is okay! We get an amazing foretaste of resurrection and the hope of the River of Life. Best of all is the promise that God will dwell forever with his people.

In the midst of judgment on the nations, Ezekiel brings words of hope and restoration. We are pointed to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to the Kingdom of God-mustard tree that will never fall, and to the restored Garden of Eden.

In today's chapters we face the reality and severity of God's judgment. There is no way around it. But as we read, let us remember that God himself suffers as his people suffer, and in the end he bears the full weight of our sin upon himself. We also see the beauty here of Jesus being the true vine, and we are his branches. Let us live in him, for apart from him we can do nothing.

Ezekiel's prophecy can be confusing and obscure, but it is also filled with marvelous visions of God that ought to take our breath away.

In today's text we read about God bringing judgment to many nations, and we hold onto his promises of restoration. At the end of Lamentations we see the beautiful promise that God's throne and God's Kingdom will last forever, as all other kingdoms fall.

As we read about the downfall of Jerusalem and God's judgment on the nations, let us remember that God is a long-suffering God who suffers with his people. In the end, God takes our punishment for sin upon himself by sending His Son to save the world.

Jeremiah's ministry is filled with strife and suffering, and yet God gives him, the Israelites, and us a promise of the abundance of true peace.

Jeremiah 13-24

Today we begin Jeremiah!

What a joy Isaiah has been! Today's text is filled with magnificent descriptions about the New Creation and the redemption of Jesus.

These chapters in Isaiah are an amazing gift! What a joy to get to read and talk about the New Creation and the return of Christ with you! One of the most thrilling parts is looking into the layering of the prophetic fulfillments, and how many prophecies are fulfilled in different ways at different times in history. Ultimately, Jesus fulfills them all.

Today's text is filled with incredible prophecy that is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus!

Today's text includes one of my absolute favorite passages in the entire Old Testament! Although we see alot of judgment on sin and evil, we also see great and beautiful promises or restoration and redemption.

Today's text includes great judgment on the nations for oppressing the poor and trampling the refugee. In the end, we hold onto hope for the throne that is established in love.

Isaiah! Wow! The prophet Isaiah wrote an incredible book offering hope, justice, truth and righteousness. In Isaiah we read about God's judgment on sin, his love for the poor and oppressed, and glorious promises of his Kingdom to come.

Today we celebrate God's gift of marriage and human sexuality with the Song of Songs.

Who knew that teaching on the most depressing book of the Bible could be so fun! Ecclesiastes teaches us to set our eyes above, not on things "under the sun."

Today's text has some wonderful wisdom and some very challenging texts. When we get to Proverbs 31, you will hear my honest struggles with the text. Suffice it to say that if it's really about how I should be as a wife and mom, I am falling short!

There is so much wisdom in our Proverbs today! So many of these verses jumped off the page and grabbed my heart. I want to be wise; seeking wisdom and knowledge from God is the only way to get there.

Today we begin Proverbs! Let us seek wisdom! The Proverbs reading will be: Day 53: Proverbs 1-11 Day 54: Proverbs 12-21 Day 55: Proverbs 22-31

Today we finish our time in the Psalms! I have absolutely loved the last 11 days of studying the magnificence and beauty and honesty of the Psalms!

Today's Psalms are known as the Psalms of Ascent, sung for hundreds of years by Jewish pilgrims who were going to Jerusalem for festivals. As we read them, let us join together in these ancient songs of praise and dependence on God.