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  • May 7 - Hosea & Joel

    May 7 - Hosea & Joel
    2026/05/07
    We begin our study of the 12 books of the Old Testament that are called the Minor Prophets - Not because what they have to share is "minor" but rather meaning they are much shorter than the other prophetic books like Jeremiah and Isaiah which are much lengthier. The books of the minor prophets are packed with Messianic prophecies and with prophecies about fulfillment at the end of the ages when Messiah (Jesus) returns. Minor Prophets -- In the Hebrew Bible they are called "The Twelve" -- Augustine named them the "Minor Prophets" -- "Minor" based on their length not their importance -- Jewish tradition is that they are arranged chronologically. -- Span of 300-400 years - Pastor shares a timeline of the Hebrew Prophets showing them in historical order. He highlights that before the fall of Israel and before the fall of Jerusalem, God sends many prophets with words of warning to the people to turn back to Him. Hosea -- Ministered to Israel during reign of Jeroboam II who was a successful king by human standards. -- During Jeroboam II's reign it was a time of prosperity and border expansion of land that had been lost and now reconquered and regained. But the Jeroboam II pulled the people away from God. He was not a godly leader. Hosea prophesied that judgement was coming. -- The reign of Jeroboam II was followed by political upheaval (6 kings, 4 assassinations in 30 years) -- Autobiographical book - the book gives us a real glimpse into the difficult life of the prophet. -- His wife, Gomer was promiscuous. She was a picture of the spiritual adultery of the people of God. They were not faithful to Him. God's heart is to pursue them. -- Children with symbolic names Key Themes of Hosea: -- Spiritual Adultery (3:1-5) -- Lacking Knowledge of God - Relationship (4:6) -- God's Unrequited Love Hosea has much prophecy about the coming Messiah and that we are to have inward faith with a life lived in the Lord. It's all about knowing the Living God. God wants us to seek Him, yield our hearts to Him and He will transform us. Joel -- Little knowledge about the prophet Joel -- Name means "The LORD is God" -- Dating is controversial -- Locust plague/"the Day of the Lord" -- Repentance - most of the calls to repentance in the Scriptures are usually directed at God's people. When we see God in His holiness, power and mercy it should drive us to our knees. God want's us to take Him seriously and to humble ourselves before Him. "Tear your hearts, not your clothes." Judgement always begins with the household of God. -- Spiritual reawakening -- Joel 2:28-32 a prophetic word on an outpouring of the Holy Spirit - the release of the Holy Spirit. ""And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days."" and Acts 2:14-21 "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy." -- Joel announces the end of days - the Bible makes it clear that since the coming of Jesus, His ministry, His death, His resurrection and ascension, these are the Last Days. We are called to be flat on our knees before the Living God, yielding ourselves to Him and watching what He will do. Because He yearns and longs to call His children back to Himself and bless them. This is not dusty theology, this is present truth. Join us next week for the study of Amos, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year Our Bible in a Year study will walk you through the Bible book by book taking you from Genesis to Revelation, revealing Jesus throughout both the Old and the New Testaments! In Ephesians 6, the word of God is called the sword of the spirit, and a sword is best used when you take it out of the scabbard to use it! Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and active! Meaning it is not dry, dusty, old stuff. It is living and active! And because it is the Living Word, it has the power to impact us still today! Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com
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    56 分
  • April 30 - Ezekiel

    April 30 - Ezekiel
    2026/04/30
    Pastor begins class by introducing us to Ezekiel: -- Priestly family -- He was exiled in 597 BC (2 Kings 24:12-14) approx age 26 -- Called as prophet at age of 30 -- His name means " God strengthens" He was warned that the people would not want to hear what he shares with them. And God tells him that he is a watchman. God uses "son of man" to refer to Ezekiel. -- The book is characterized by prophetic actions and symbols. God uses memorable actions, visible things, to make power spiritual declarations and to make powerful profound truth to be made clear. Ezekiel often gives an action to the words God gives him. And God uses those actions to make a point. -- Prose rather than poetry - he speaks very direct. He speaks graphically and sometimes his words are very shocking. -- "Then they will know that I am the LORD" this phrase occurs over and over (65 times) in the Book of Ezekiel. The time before, during and after Ezekiel's life was a time of international upheaval and turmoil with empires battling for power. There were 3 empires vying for power: Egypt, Assyria and Babylonia. Around 605 BC Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were taken captive by the Babylonians. About seven years later, in 597 BC, Ezekiel is taken captive by the Babylonians. It's fascinating to think of them being contemporaries. All deeply devoted to the Living God. Outline of Ezekiel -- Prophetic Judgment against Israel - Ezekiel 1-24 (God's judgement always begins with the household of God) -- Prophetic Judgment against the nations - Ezekiel 25-32 (God holds nations accountable - when a nation turns away from God it brings judgment on itself.) -- Prophetic Hope for Israel and the Nations - Ezekiel 33-48 (God's purpose in judgment is to turn us back to Him. Our Hope is found in God's plan for salvation and the promise of His Son, Jesus. Jesus comes first to the people of Israel and then says to make disciples of all nations.) Starting in chapter one we see a glimpse into a vision Ezekiel experiences that brings Ezekiel to fall face down as He realizes the power and majesty and glory of God. He hears God speaking to him and God sends him to the Israelites and tells him that he must speak the words He gives him whether the people want to listen or not and that He would be with Ezekiel. God makes Ezekiel a watchman of the nation. God's desire to bring them back to Himself through repentance is evident. God has Ezekiel do many actions - illustrations - of what He wants the people to know and understand. One example is God telling Ezekiel to have a specific way of lying in bed. Pastor shares amazing speculation and a possible explanation of the 390 + 40  = 430. Pastor's speculation ends with a date in May of 1948 and the quote, "Can a nation be born in one day?" Pastor shares several other examples of actions / illustrations that Ezekiel was told by God to do. In chapter 9 we hear that judgment is coming but Ezekiel sees, in a vision, a man putting a protecting mark (a tav) on the foreheads of those found faithful to God. Pastor show us what the tav looks like in Modern Hebrew in comparison to what the tav looked like in Paleo Hebrew in Ezekiel's day. I'll just say, "Oh, my!" And I hope that if the 430 didn't convince you to take a listen to Pastor's teaching on Ezekiel, I hope that this leaves you wondering enough to listen. (BTW the word "coincidence" is not in the Bible). The Dead See scrolls also carry this letter of the Paleo alphabet, the tav, on the Messianic prophecies. The goodness, grace and mercy of God are evident! God is incredible! Pastor overviews several other chapters: 10, 16, 18, 23, 24, 33, 34, 37, 38, 40-48 with themes of: -- Judgment -- Hope -- Idolatry is adultery against God -- God pleads for His people to turn back to Him -- Ezekiel's wife dies when he is around 37 -- Ezekiel's call is reaffirmed -- God will be the people's Shepherd - a prophetic word. (See John 10) -- Dry bones coming to life -- The spiritual battle between God and evil -- The New Temple -- New Jerusalem and it will be named "God is there" Join us next week for the study of Hosea and Joel. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year Our Bible in a Year study will walk you through the Bible book by book taking you from Genesis to Revelation, revealing Jesus throughout both the Old and the New Testaments! In Ephesians 6, the word of God is called the sword of the spirit, and a sword is best used when you take it out of the scabbard to use it! Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and active! Meaning it is not dry, dusty, old stuff. It is living and active! And because it is the Living Word, it has the power to impact us still today! Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com
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    56 分
  • April 23 - Jeremiah

    April 23 - Jeremiah
    2026/04/23
    This class takes us on a study of a fascinating book and an amazing man. Jeremiah's life as a prophet was an incredibly difficult one. He suffered much for his commitment to God. God raised him up at the most difficult time in Judah's history. The Book of Jeremiah -- Longest book of the Bible (in number of words - not chapters) -- Jeremiah's painful life story - there are difficult days coming to Judah and Jeremiah suffers the cost of following God. God told him to not get married or have children because what is coming is devastating. Jeremiah was beaten, imprisoned, threaten with death, put in a cistern, conspired against, accused of treason, attacked by his own family and more. -- 40+ year ministry - Long ministry that took him through ongoing difficulty. -- Tradition regarding the death of Jeremiah - not mentioned in the Bible - but ancient Jewish tradition says he died in the desert of being stoned. -- Baruch the scribe - Jeremiah's trusted scribe that put his book together. -- Bulla! - a ring for sealing with wax was discovered in an archeological dig in ancient script saying "Baruch son of Norah, the scribe." This reminds us that these are real people and these events really did take place. -- Two versions (Hebrew and LXX) - Pastor talks about several versions of the book of Jeremiah, that there are some differences and gives an idea why there are these different versions based on Baruch's desire to preserve Jeremiah's story and teachings and words from God. Chapter 1 - Jeremiah's Call to be a Prophet Chapters 2-24 - Jeremiah's Faithfulness ongoing account of Jeremiah's faithfulness to follow God Chapters 25-35 - the Opposition Jeremiah Faces from government people, leaders, priests, religious leaders work to put him in prison, accuse him of treason and work to get rid of him. Chapters 36-45 - Judah's collapse - gives a vivid description of the nation falling apart and collapsing. The challenging part of reading this book is that it is not written in chronological order. Pastor takes us through it in chronological order. (The chronological order of the book is available at our website at https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year and then under Week 17 "The Chronological Order of the Book of Jeremiah." The Call of Jeremiah - God tells Jeremiah to do all He commands him. The Lord promises to be with him and protect him. He was given clear instruction from God and commanded to build and to plant. Jeremiah's message - was a message that shows the heart of God - speaking of the peoples' rejection of God, a nation that has only a veneer of religion without heart-felt faith, in reality they live for themselves and not God. A truth for the state of Christianity today. Jeremiah and King Josiah - teamed together to bring repentance and revival to Judah. When Jehoiakim comes to the throne in 605 BC, Babylon begins to emerge as the great world power. Jeremiah brings tough words to Jehoiakim tells the king and the people the consequences for turning away from God. God shows His desire to re-make His people, like a potter shaping the clay. He has Jeremiah tell them if they repent the Lord will relent - God's heart of desiring they come back to Him, but the people rebel against the words and want Jeremiah killed. Jeremiah knows the pain of living in a day when God's people have turned away from Him. Yet he retains the "fire in the belly" to continue to speak what God reveals and tells him. Jeremiah shares several honest laments with God - and God again promises to rescue and save him, that He will be with Him. Jeremiah will go through hard times but God will always be with him. When we go through hard times, we too can be assured that God is always with us. God has Jeremiah share the message that unless they turn back there will be judgment and it will last 70 years and that they would be overtaken by the Babylonians . (These prophetic words did take place) Jehoiakim burns the first writing of Jeremiah. Then Zedekiah comes to the throne and he knew that Jeremiah spoke the truth but he did not have the faith to be faithful. Zedekiah is captured, tortured and put in chains by the Babylonians.The Babylonians conquer Judah, the is city defeated and the Temple destroyed. Pastor closes with Jeremiah 31:31-34, a promise from God, one of hope. God promises a new covenant of forgiveness - the promise of Jesus. And God keeps His promises! Join us next week for the study of Ezekiel. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year Our study walks you through the Bible book by book from Genesis to Revelation, revealing Jesus in the Old and New Testaments! God's Word is living and active! And because it is the Living Word, it has the power to impact us still today! Our website – https://...
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    56 分
  • April 16 - Isaiah

    April 16 - Isaiah
    2026/04/16

    Isaiah is a person that we do not know a whole lot about, but what we do know is amazing. He was married, and married to a prophet. He is the great evangelist of the Old Testament. He foretold the coming of Jesus.

    The book of Isaiah is a controversial book because people have a hard time believing Isaiah could have foretold all he did with such accuracy. BUT if God is God then He can predict the future, because He knows the future. And if God does reveal Himself to His prophets, then He can tell them the future.

    Many instead propose there were several Isaiah's. Countering the idea of many Isaiah's:
    -- Questions re unity: Is 1-30, 40-55, 56-66
    -- Bottom line: Predictive Prophecy
    -- New Testament witness
    -- Similarities more significant than differences
    -- Dead Sea Scrolls

    Pastor shares a timeline of Jerusalem's Fall 931 - 586 BC, and places Isaiah in a 60 years time period of 740 - 681 BC. King Hezekiah did listen to Isaiah, but many did not want to hear what Isaiah had to say even though he was a man of integrity.

    Isaiah predicted incredible things hundreds of years before they happened. Plus, he brings word of judgment to the people but also gives them words of hope. We will see this as we explore the beginning chapters together.

    Judgement and Hope
    -- Broken Covenant - 1:3
    -- Future Hope - 2:1-4
    -- Vineyard - 5:1-7 (also 5:20) Jesus uses the vineyard picture in his teachings too.
    -- Commission - 6:1-10 After an encounter with the Holiness of God, Isaiah responds, "Here am I, send me!"
    -- Immanuel - 7:14 (note context) Isaiah tells that there is One coming to bring redemption to all people. Immanuel, God with us.
    -- Fulfillment - 9:1-7 ("prophetic perfect"); 11:1-10 "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned…Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…." Isaiah spoke this 700 years before Christ came, but it is a prophecy that is so certain that it is spoken in the past tense (have seen, as if it has already happened). This style of prophecy is called the prophetic perfect. It is certain, "they have seen" even though they have not yet seen.

    Chapters 13-23 we see Isaiah giving prophetic words about the nations around Judah. Many already fulfilled, some with his life time, others after and others still to be fulfilled.

    In chapters 24-29 Isaiah gives prophetic word about Jerusalem and Judah, the siege of Jerusalem by Assyria and then we come to chapters of comfort and fulfillment.

    Comfort and Fulfillment
    -- Comfort, comfort - 40:1-8, 29-31
    -- My Servant - 42:1-4 (Matthew 12:15-21) God's Servant will come to do the Lord's work, mercy, grace, God with us, and brings justice
    -- No Fear! - 43:1-3, 11
    -- Every knee will bow! - 45:22-23
    -- Suffering Servant - 52:13-53:12 These verses are all about Jesus, His suffering, death and resurrection. And that He comes for ALL. (The verses in Isaiah 53 have not been read in the synagogues for centuries.) In a snippet from Isaiah 53 - we can clearly see this is describing Jesus. Isaiah 53:4-6 "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
    -- Good News! - 61:1-2 (see Luke 4:14-21). Isaiah 61:1-2

    Isaiah ends with the promise of a new heaven and a new earth. That is what lies ahead!!

    Join us next week for the study of Jeremiah.

    For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year

    Our Bible in a Year study will walk you through the Bible book by book taking you from Genesis to Revelation, revealing Jesus throughout both the Old and the New Testaments! In Ephesians 6, the word of God is called the sword of the spirit, and a sword is best used when you take it out of the scabbard to use it! Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and active! Meaning it is not dry, dusty, old stuff. It is living and active! And because it is the Living Word, it has the power to impact us still today!

    Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com
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    56 分
  • April 9 - 1 Kings (Part 3) & 2 Kings (Part 2)

    April 9 - 1 Kings (Part 3) & 2 Kings (Part 2)
    2026/04/09
    Bible In A Year - Week 15 - 1 Kings (part 3) & 2 Kings (part 2) The history found in the Kings 1 & 2 concentrates on what matters for eternity - a relationship with the Living God and the way we follow Him. The books teach that the welfare of the nation is dependent upon: …the nation's faithfulness to the Covenant with the Lord…the ruler's obedience to Torah and the maintaining of a God-honoring witness among the nations We see throughout 1 & 2 Kings how faithfulness to God makes an impact on the culture and when the people don't follow God, it has a great impact on the nation. As a nation falls away, there is a price to pay for that. We see that in our American culture. In Israel's darkest time God sends two amazing prophets - Elijah and Elisha - who are a picture of God's love and patience. God is always working to woo His people back to Himself. Elijah's name means - Jehovah is my God Elisha's name means - My God is salvation When Elijah passes the mantle onto his successor, Elisha, Elisha asks Elijah for a double portion of his spirit. (2 Kings 2:9). We see the evidence of Elisha's double portion when we compare the number of miracles of Elijah that are listed in the Bible (8) and the number of miracles of Elisha that are listed in the Bible (16). Pastor shows us a profound biblical truth that applies to all believers of all time. Elisha sees clearly and understands that we are living in a battleground, that there is a spiritual war raging around us. We see physical manifestations of that war, but if we could see clearly and see as God sees, we would see a bigger contest going on: the battle between the forces of God and the forces of the evil one. God sends his angels around us to protect us and wage war against the forces of the enemy. We see this truth expressed in Ephesians 6:12 as well, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Our story continues as the Assyrians attack and defeat Israel. We read in 2 Kings 17:7-9 "All this (the civil war and defeat of Israel) took place because the Israelites had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They worshiped other gods and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced. The Israelites secretly did things against the Lord their God that were not right." And 2 Kings 17:13-14 goes on to say, "The Lord warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: 'Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.' But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the Lord their God." And then we read in 2 Kings 17:23 "So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria, and they are still there." God's judgment falls on Israel. Then we see King Hezekiah ruling in Judah. In 2 Kings 18:3,7 "He (Hezekiah) did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook." Hezekiah was a man of deep faith and it shows in his reign and his rule. He calls the nation back to God. God moves in mighty ways during the reign of Hezekiah and the Assyrians were unable to conquer Judah. Hezekiah's son, Manasseh, comes to the throne after Hezekiah's death and Manasseh was the worst king of Judah. 2 Kings 21:16 tells us, "Moreover, Manasseh also shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end—besides the sin that he had caused Judah to commit, so that they did evil in the eyes of the Lord." We close by taking a look at the reign of King Josiah. At age 16 Josiah has a spiritual awakening. and realizes they have not kept the words in the Torah. He consecrates himself to the Lord and calls the people to do the same. There is revival but when he dies so does revival. We see that the way God's people respond to His mercy and grace impacts a nation, the way leaders respond to the Word of God impacts a nation, and the book of 2 Kings ends with Israel and Judah both in captivity. Join us next week for the study of Isaiah. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus many extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com
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    56 分
  • April 2 - 1 Kings (Part 2) & 2 Kings (Part 1)

    April 2 - 1 Kings (Part 2) & 2 Kings (Part 1)
    2026/04/02
    Our study continues with our study of Solomon and how he started so well and ended so bad. He builds the Temple and then his palace and he begins to wander further and further away from the Lord making horrible moral and spiritual choices that affected him and the people. Solomon's Rise and Fall is characterized in these events: -- Queen of Sheba - 1 Kings 10 -- Foreign Wives - 1 Kings 11:1-13 -- Opponents - 1 Kings 11:14ff -- Jeroboam & Ahijah - 1 Kings 11:26ff One day Ahijah the prophet meets Jeroboam along the road. Ahijah takes off his robe and tears it into 12 pieces telling Jeroboam to take 10 because the Lord is giving 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel to him to rule and taking the kingdom from Solomon's hands and splitting the nation because they have forsaken God and worshiped idols, not walked in obedience to God's will. God's desire was that they would turn back to Him. The nation is divided in half: the northern kingdom would be 10 tribes known as Israel and the southern kingdom would be 2 tribes known as Judah. Then civil war breaks out between the two. Pastor takes a break from the story to give us more insight into the books of the Kings. -- Originally one book in the Hebrew Scriptures -- Written during the Exile (ca.608-538 BC) -- Utilizes multiple sources (annals of Solomon, Kings of Judah and Kings of Israel) -- Author - not stated (traditionally, Jeremiah) -- Kings - Israel (19/20 kings, 9 dynasties) Judah (20 kings 1 dynasty) What stands out the most in 1 & 2 Kings is that God is patient, He is loving, He wants people to return to Him, He is quick to forgive, slow to anger and quick to bless. The main events: 931 BC Civil War - 722 BC Israel Conquered - 586 BC Fall of Jerusalem. Between the Civil War and Israel being conquered we see the ministry of Elijah and Elisha. Between Israel being conquered and the fall of Jerusalem we see Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon and Josiah. We pick up our story - the nation is divided. King of Israel is Jeroboam and King of Judah is Rehoboam (Solomon's son). The tension between the north and the south continues to escalate. Jeroboam constructs 2 golden calves and 2 altars and calls them the people's god. He builds one in Dan and one in Bethel, and adds a new festival for the people for worshiping the two golden calves. Pastor shares pictures of Dan showing the area of idol worship and what it looks like today along with the chilling experience that it was to be there. Then we explore the tragic story of a prophet from Judah that comes to speak to Jeroboam in Israel while the festival to the golden calves is going on and we learn how important it is to do exactly what God says. Then from Jeroboam and throughout the kings of Israel, they just continue to go downhill. We're told in the books of the Kings that many of the next kings of Israel continued in the way of Jeroboam. We explore Elijah's ministry beginning around 870 BC as found in 1 Kings 17, 18 and 19. Elijah was a courageous man of God, raised up at one of the most difficult times in Israel's history to confront the worst king Israel had. King Ahab and his wife Jezebel. Her dad was a priest of Baal. She instituted Baal worship and the worship of Asherah in Israel. Elijah confronts Ahab and says there will be a famine. After 3 1/2 years God tells Elijah to return to King Ahab. Elijah suggests a showdown between the priests of Baal and the Living God at Mt. Carmel. It's a fascinating account. Each set up an altar and the challenge is to pray for fire on their altars. The priests of Baal pray to Baal to start their altar to him on fire. After being unsuccessful, it's Elijah's turn. He builds the altar with 12 stones, places the sacrificial animal on top and pours water over the sacrifice and the altar. Then he prays for the Lord to start his altar on fire and the Lord starts Elijah's altar on fire. The people cry out, "The Lord, He is God!" The people are experiencing revival and rain comes to end the famine, but Jezebel is angry, very angry and declares Elijah is to be killed. Elijah goes from this high of victory over the priests of Baal to a fearful low, running for his life and going into hiding. We dig into several stories of Elijah's time in hiding ending with the story that God was not in the wind, He was not in the fire, He was not in the earthquake, but God was in the still, small voice. (1 Kings 19:13ff.) We read the encouragement of the Lord to Elijah. God gives Elijah a job to do and Elijah does it all including inviting Elisha to join him in working for the Lord. Elisha leaves everything to do what God was asking of him and we will see more of his story next week. Join us next week for the rest of 1 Kings pt3 and 2 Kings pt2. For our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus any extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year Our Bible ...
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    56 分
  • March 26 - 2 Samuel (Part 2) & 1 Kings (Part 1)

    March 26 - 2 Samuel (Part 2) & 1 Kings (Part 1)
    2026/03/26
    This class teaches us more about David and his son Solomon. We pick up the story of David at age 30 at the death of King Saul who was killed by the Philistine army. David takes over as king of Judah. King David -- David King over Judah. At Saul's death the southern kingdom, Judah, takes David as their king, but the northern kingdom, Israel, takes Saul's son Ishbosheth for their king. (2 Samuel 1-4) -- David King of all Israel after Ishbosheth's death. (2 Samuel 5) -- David conquers Jerusalem and brings the Ark. Guided by God and the Holy Spirit David moves to make Jerusalem the new capitol, a strategic move in unifying the north and the south. David conquers Jerusalem away from the Jebusites by going through water tunnels and caves that went under the city wall. (This tunnel system can be seen today.) He immediately moves the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the heart of the Jewish nation. The place where God's Name would dwell and the place that David's son Solomon would build the Temple. David unified the nation and worked to restore worship of God. He was also a warrior and grew the empire. (2 Samuel 5-6) -- David and Bathsheba - David is a man after God's own heart, he has a heart for worship of God, but he is also a sinful being. Pastor shares his visit to what is possibly the "Palace of David" that was uncovered in an archeological dig several years ago. Pastor tells us about Psalm 51, the psalm written by David in repentance for adultery with Bathsheba and for the murder plan of her husband Uriah. Nothing we do is hidden from God and Nathan the prophet confronts David with a "story" that reveals to David the depth of his sin. These sins bring much tragedy. David was forgiven, but sin has consequences. (2 Samuel 11-12) -- Amnon and Tamar and Absalom (2 Samuel 13) -- Absalom's rebellion and the saving of David by God. (2 Samuel 15-20) We move into 1 Kings and the story of David's successor, his son Solomon. Like his father, Solomon will reign for 40 years. Solomon's Early Reign -- Adonijah, Bathsheba and Nathan - Pastor shares his visit to the Gihon Spring (where Solomon was anointed king). (1 Kings 1) -- Abishag, Bathsheba and Adonijah - Adonijah is killed to secure Solomon's kingship. (1 Kings 2) -- Abiathar and Joab. Abiathar the High Priest is exiled and Solomon puts Zadok in as High Priest, a man who had a real heart for God. Solomon gets rid of Joab as the military commander, thus establishing his kingship and also showing his heart for God. David, his father, had the plans for building God's temple and Solomon is to build it and firmly establish worship of God. (1 Kings 2) -- Request for Wisdom - we read from 1 Kings 3:5-13: "At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. "Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life." (1 Kings 3:4-15) -- Wise Ruler - Solomon had remarkable wisdom and Israel prospers as a result. As Solomon's life goes on we see he started well, he accomplished much, but he ended poorly. He had squandered his opportunities, thus calling us to finish well, to remain faithful to the Lord and walk in His paths. It means being out of step with the world, but being in step with God. (1 Kings 3:16-28) High Points of Solomon -- Built the Temple - massive, covered in gold and constructed of marble. Took 7 years to build. (1 Kings 6) -- Built his palace - took 14 years to build. (1 Kings 7) -- Brings Ark into the Temple and held a Dedication (1 Kings 8) -- 2nd Visitation from God - we read in 1 Kings 9:2-7 "the Lord appeared to him a second time, as he had appeared to him at Gibeon. The ...
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  • March 19 - 1 Samuel (Part 2) & 2 Samuel (Part 1)

    March 19 - 1 Samuel (Part 2) & 2 Samuel (Part 1)
    2026/03/19

    First Samuel can be summed up in one word:
    REVIVAL!

    It's a book that covers three main characters: Samuel, Saul and David. This week our focus is on David.

    David
    - More chapters devoted to David than any other Old Testament character
    - Author of over half of the Psalms
    - Quoted more often in the New Testament than any other Old Testament figure.
    - David was a great warrior
    - He had a heart for God and worshiped God
    - Significant individual in God's plan for salvation
    - David's story is not simply about what God did long ago, it's about what God is doing today and how God wants to minister to His people still today.
    - God used David to bring revival to Israel.
    - War - David's life is all about spiritual warfare. Spiritual war rages in a dramatic fashion and in seeing that we can apply some of the critical truths from David's life to our own.

    Pastor lays out a timeline of 1 & 2 Samuel with Saul's reign and David's reign covering 1050 BC through 970 BC.

    Pastor shares the story of David's defeat of Goliath (Philistine giant) in exciting detail.

    After defeating Goliath in his mid-teens David began to rise to fame. In his early 20s he was a respected general in the Israelite army with a history of victories. Shortly thereafter his life is turned upside down because Saul, possessed by an evil spirit, is obsessed with wanting to kill David.

    Saul vs. David (verses all from 1 Samuel)
    - Two spear attacks (18:10-11)
    - "Let the Philistines do it!" (18:25)
    - Sends Jonathan and friends (19:1)
    - Spear attack (19:9-10)
    - Home invasion (19:110
    - Three companies to Ramah (19:18-21)
    - Saul to Ramah (19:22-24)
    - New Moon Feast (20)

    There is obvious spiritual warfare in several of these accounts. The enemy trying to thwart the plans of God and to destroy the seed of Abraham who would become the Messiah.

    King Saul rejected the Lord's guidance in his life, disobeyed the word of God over and over, and as a result he opened himself up to evil spirits. And that evil spirit seeks to destroy David.

    Through all the persecution from Saul, David continued to serve King Saul, continued in his position in the army, but he knows his days are numbered, so he flees to Ramah and the spiritual war continues. At the new moon feast Jonathan, Saul's son, advises David to flee from his dad who is determined to kill David.

    David flees and has many years as a fugitive.

    David the Fugitive (all verses are from 1 Samuel)
    - Nob (21:1-9)
    - Gath (21:10ff)
    - Abdullam (22:10
    - Moab (22:3)
    - Stonghold* (22:4-5)
    - Forest of Hereth (22:5)
    - Keilah (23:1ff)
    - Desert of Ziph (23:15ff)
    - Desert of Maon (23:25)
    - En Gedi! (24)
    - Carmel-Nabal/Abigail (25)
    - Hakilah* (26)
    - Gath (27)
    - Ziklag(27-30)

    Pastor shares the story of David's years on the run in riveting detail.

    In a battle against the Philistines, Saul is killed and David is anointed King over Judah in the south and 7 years later he will become king over all of Israel, including the north after the death of Saul's son, Ishbosheth.

    Join us next week for the rest of David's story and a look at Solomon's kingship as we study 2 Samuel and 1 Kings.

    For all of our FREE resources: video, podcast, Reading Schedule, and a study guide for each book of the Bible plus any extra items, plus how to listen by radio broadcast - find it all here: https://www.awakeusnow.com/bible-in-a-year

    Our Bible in a Year study will walk you through the Bible book by book taking you from Genesis to Revelation, revealing Jesus throughout both the Old and the New Testaments! In Ephesians 6, the word of God is called the sword of the spirit, and a sword is best used when you take it out of the scabbard to use it! Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and active! Meaning it is not dry, dusty, old stuff. It is living and active! And because it is the Living Word, it has the power to impact us still today!

    Our website – https://www.awakeusnow.com
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    56 分