Biblical Shakers

  Click on Title for Video Introduction Monday, Hosea Intro Hosea Intro February 25, 2017 Jeanie Boldt THOUGHT This book was written to illustrate God’s love for His sinful people.  The book is a love story-real, tragic and true.  Transcending the tale of a young man and wife, it tells of God’s love for His people and the response of His “bride”.  A covenant had been made, and God had been faithful.  His love was steadfast and His commitment unbroken.  But Israel, like Gomer, was adulterous and unfaithful, spurning God’s love and turning instead to false gods.  Then after warning of judgment, God reaffirmed His love and offered reconciliation.  His love and mercy were overflowing, but justice would be served.    Like Gomer, we chase after other loves-love of power, pleasure, money, or recognition.  The temptations in this world can be very seductive.  Are we loyal to God, remaining completely faithful, or have other loves taken...

  Click on Title for Video Introduction Monday, Daniel Chapter 8 Daniel 8 Verse 18 Mindy Strayer February 7, 2005 Verse 18:  While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and raised me to my feet. THOUGHT Daniel probably found the vision emotionally and spiritually draining because it was bizarre and terrible. The angel would not let Daniel sleep with his face to the ground. He made Daniel rise to his feet, kind of like getting him in the ready position. The angel had an important explanation from God that Daniel needed to hear and understand. What good would Daniel be to God with his head down acting all tired and worn out? Sometimes God wants to speak to us and give us understanding when we just don’t feel like it. There are a million and one reasons that could keep us from standing to our feet and being attentive to God’s voice. Jobs, kids, friendships, recreation, illness, meetings, class. The list could go on and on. Ho...

  Click on the Title for Video Intro Monday, Daniel Chapter 4 Daniel 4 Verse 25 Kristen Strayer February 2, 2005 Verse 24:  “You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like cattle and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes.”  THOUGHT These are words that Daniel spoke to King Nebuchadnezzar when Daniel was interpreting one of the king’s dreams. Of course, this was not good news for King Neb! Living like an animal for seven years would be a horrible experience, yet that is what God gave King Neb.  I think there are two ways to view this, either as a punishment or as putting some resistance in his life to teach him a valuable lesson.  Often when we encounter tough times, the first question we ask is why?  Then we wonder if we did something wrong.  This is the result of ...

Click on Title for Video Introduction Monday, Daniel Introduction Daniel Intro Jane Jones January 27, 2005 THOUGHT The Book of Daniel was written with the purpose of giving historical accounts of the faithful Jews who lived in captivity and to show how God is in control of heaven and earth. Daniel, the writer, had been taken captive and deported to Babylon. There he served in the government for about 60 years. The book tells us how courageous Daniel was and how he held fast to his faith in his God. God was sovereign and was working out his plan for nations and individuals. The book of Daniel centers around this profound truth. We can be confident that God is in control. Daniel envisioned that evil would be overcome, and we should wait patiently and not give into the temptations and pressures of the sinful way of life around us.  Through God’s faithfulness we can trust God to be with us through any trial because He promises to be there. Because He has been faithful to us, we should ...

Click on Title for a Video Intro Monday, John Chapter 18 John 18 Heather Proehl October 20, 2010 John 18 THOUGHT Wow!  So much covered here.  Not sure what to focus on.  When reading this scripture over and over, I can’t help but picture the movie, The Passion of Christ.  That movie does such a great job visualizing this text.  It’s heart breaking to watch.  I think the thing that amazes me the most is the number of people who encountered Christ for the first time that night.  It starts with the soldiers, especially the one that gets his ear cut off.  Can you imagine?  I would think they would be intense and all business going to arrest Jesus at night in the woods.  And then to get his ear cut off.  But Jesus heals him (according to the Gospel of Luke). Can you imagine what that did to that man to encounter Jesus that way? Then he goes to Annas and makes such an impression that one of the priests hits him in the face.  Wha...

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 provide an ev...

  Click on Title for Video Introduction Monday, John Chapter 9 John 9 Verse 25b Jeanie Boldt September 29, 2010 Verse 25b: “One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see!” THOUGHT One sense that is indeed valuable to me is my eyes.  I have had to wear corrective means since I was 10 years old.  I hated glasses so contacts were an answer to prayer and have so been comfortable since.  Praise God for that.  I value my vision so much.  I guess because even though I am not blind, I know how it must be to even have to try and see without glasses or contacts. If I had been this man – blind since birth – and then one day a man came, put mud on my eyes and “Wala” – I could see, I would believe.  Can you believe how something so wonderful became such a disaster?  It is like, “I could see this playing out so differently.”  I would think everyone would be glad and have reason to celebrate.  However, the Pharisees were questioning Jesus’ actions and...