Biblical Shakers

  Click on Title for Video Intro Monday, Genesis Chapter 4 Genesis 4 Verses 3-5 Matt Strayer July 7, 2006 Verses 3-5:  In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. THOUGHT Cain and Abel both brought offerings to the Lord. The difference in their offerings was not that one was fruit and the other meat. The difference was that Cain didn’t give God his best, and Abel brought the best part from his firstborn flock to give to God. I wonder where Cain’s heart and mind were when he was getting his offering ready. I wonder if he was distracted and preoccupied, or maybe he was only bringing God an offering because he knew it was something he should do and not something he truly wanted to do.  I know I have...

Click on title for Video Introduction Monday, Esther Chapter 10 Esther 10 Jeanie Boldt April 15, 2021 The book closes with a tribute to Mordecai.  Not merely a king’s favorite, he was respected by his people and honored for his successful administration.  How long this continued is unknown.  Mordecai’s period of office must have ended before Xerexs’ assassination in 465 BC.  Almost certainly Esther had died or fallen from favor before then, too.  But these historical details are outside the scope of the book which was written not to record the lives of the emperors, queens or prime ministers by a great national deliverance which would bring comfort and hope to millions of Jews through hundreds of years, Esther was a Great Book which indeed had a story to tell.   PRAYER Father, it is amazing to see Your hand in history.  You indeed blessed Esther with beauty, intelligence, faithfulness and wisdom.  Give us the qualities that would help Your wo...

  Click the title to view the Video Introduction Monday, Esther Chapter 5 Esther 5 Verse 9 Jeanie Boldt May 29, 2006 Verse 9:  Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. THOUGHT How much of our time that we live is filled with evil thoughts about people, thoughts about revenge or bitterness? Are there people in your lives who you think about or places that you revisit or songs that you hear that remind you of unresolved forgiveness? Haman was so consumed with hatred toward Mordecai that he could not even enjoy the honor of being invited to Esther’s party. We cannot allow hatred and bitterness to build in our hearts. If even a mention of another’s name or event provokes us to bitterness or anger, we need to confess this and ask our heavenly Father for forgiveness. The following are some things that I learned about forgi...

Click on the Title for a Video Introduction Monday, Esther Introduction Esther Intro Mindy Strayer May 22, 2006 THOUGHT The application portion of my Bible states this about the book of Esther. “The book of Esther is an example of God’s divine guidance and care over our lives. God’s sovereignty and power are seen throughout this book. Although we may question certain circumstances in our lives, we must have faith that God is in control, working through both the pleasant and difficult times so that we can serve him effectively.” PRAYER Heavenly Father, we thank You for leading us to the book of Esther. We recognize, Lord, what a blessing and privilege it is to have Your guidance in our lives. Thank You, Lord, for loving us that much, so much that everything that happens in our lives is a part of Your plan. We are grateful for Your sovereignty, God. For our knowledge of Your complete control brings us peace, overflowing joy, and drives away our fear. Lord, we ask that You would speak to ...

  Click on Title for Video Introduction Monday, John Chapter 13 John 13 Verse 7 Mindy Strayer October 13, 2010 Verse 7: “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” THOUGHT I found this statement by Jesus to be very reassuring.  It’s the kind of statement from God that is very helpful when we find ourselves in the middle of tough times.  We may need to read it again and again in order to allow the Word of God to bring us comfort, peace, and reassurance that through all the mess, God is in charge. So, in order to elaborate on this, I will place two scenarios out there: 1) All of us have had things that we have asked God for in prayer only to have nothing transpire. 2) All of us have had something happen to us or someone we love that isn’t fair and doesn’t seem to make sense causing us to want to ask the question, “Why God?”. Now, along with those scenarios, we have all seen God withhold specific answer to prayer only to have Him later provid...

  Click on Title for Video Introduction Monday, Introduction to Ruth Ruth Intro Matt Strayer May 15, 2006 THOUGHT The book of Ruth was written sometime after the period of the judges, during a dark time in Israel’s history when people lived to please themselves, not God. We are unsure of who wrote Ruth. Some think it was Samuel, but internal evidence suggests that it was written after Samuel’s death. Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz are the main characters here that demonstrate the story of God’s grace in the midst of difficult circumstances. Even in times of crisis and deepest despair, there are those who follow God and through whom God works. No matter how discouraging the world may seem, there are always people who follow God. He will use anyone who is open to him to achieve his purposes. I’m sure we will again learn plenty. PRAYER Lord, open our hearts and minds to learn more about this book.  We know the Word of the Lord is Your way to talk to us.  We wait with expectation....

  Click on Title for Video Intro Monday,  Acts  Chapter 28 Acts 28 Verses 10 & 28 Heather Williams December 9, 2004 Verse 10:  They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.  Verse 28: "Therefore, I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!"  THOUGHT  Okay, I heard two themes in this chapter that I wanted to mention. The first is on friendship. After being shipwrecked on a strange island, Paul managed to meet and make friends. God hereby made Paul remarkable among these people and so made way for the receiving of the gospel. The Lord raises up friends for His people in every place as He leads them, and makes them blessings to those in affliction.  The second theme revolves around our mission to share the gospel. Paul persuaded the Jews concerning Jesus.  Some were softened by the Word, and others hardened.  Some received the ...