Biblical Shakers

  Click on Title for Video Intro Monday, Matthew Chapter 6:1-4 Matthew 6A Verse 3 Bart Strayer Verse 3:  “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” THOUGHT This verse is about the motivation of our hearts.  We must examine our hearts to see the true motivation of our ‘acts of righteousness’.  It is easy to give with mixed motives.  Like giving something that will benefit us in return. I must admit; I struggle less with this and more with giving out of discipline.  God wants us to be joyful in our giving.  When I give our tithe to our church, it isn’t always joyful.  It seems more like a routine thing to do instead of a pleasure.  When you are looking for gain from giving, or you are just not a joyful giver, both are displeasing to God.  Next time you write that check, let your heart be filled with joy with all the possibilities that God can do with your resources! PRAYER Dear God, put a...

  Click on Title for Video Intro Studying the Sermon on the Mount Monday, Matthew 5:1-11 Matthews 5A The Beatitudes Jane Jones The Beatitudes I think the Message Bible words the Beatitudes so understandable that I wish to include that translation for you tonight. You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and His rule. You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are--no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. You’re blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deep...

  Click on Title for Video Introduction Monday, Matthew Introduction Matthew Intro Delores Little THOUGHT The gospel of Matthew was written by a Jew, Levi, or as we know him better Matthew the tax collector. Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment of all Messianic prophecy. In the opening sentence, Matt.1:1 we read: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, and the Son of Abraham.” Matthew identifies Jesus as the Son of Abraham saying, “In you shall all families of the earth be blessed.”  All families of the earth include both Jews and Gentiles. Since the focus of the Old Testament scripture is on the coming of the Messiah and His Kingdom, Matthew used the phrase, ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ more than 30 times, ‘Son of David’ 10 times, and ‘that it might be fulfilled which was spoken’ at least 9 times.  Matthew recorded more than 20 of Jesus’s miracles.  Matthew has more than a 100 references to Christ Jesus and records ten of His parables. The Sanhedr...

Click on Title for Video Intro Monday, Amos Chapter 5  Amos Chapter 5 Verse 12b Tanya Ruden Verse 12b:  You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts. THOUGHT (Writtten at Christmas time) The footnotes in my Bible reference this verse about helping the poor and why God puts so much emphasis on the way we treat the poor and needy.  I liked some of what it said.  “Often how we treat the rich or those of equal standing is based on what we hope to get from them, but because the poor can give us nothing, how we treat them reflects our true character.” I really feel this statement is so true, and as I reflect, I even feel it can be true of me as well.   You see it in the news with famous people getting milder criminal sentences. Wealthy people/companies give them things in hopes it will get them/their brand noticed. I can honestly say there have been times in my life (especially at my old job) when I would do somethin...

Please Click on the tree lines and subscribe if you would like to become a weekly follower. Click on Title for a Video Intro Monday, Amos Introduction Amos Intro Mindy Strayer THOUGHT Amos was a layperson. He was not the son of a prophet or of a priest. The text describes him as a “man of God.”  He was a person whose life was devoted to serving the Lord and whose life-style reflected this devotion. Amos is called by God to speak to the Israelites about their sin. He speaks to them regarding their complacency, oppression of the poor, and their superficial religion. The suggestion for us, as we read, is to place ourselves in both the Israelite’s and Amos’s position.  Are we guilty of any of the sins that the Israelites were guilty of?  God will speak to our hearts on these issues if we ask him to reveal the truth.  Are we a faithful “man of God” as Amos was? Do we do what God tells us to?  Does our lifestyle reflect our service to the Lord? PRAYER Lord, we thank Y...

  Click on the Link for a Video Intro Monday, Joel Introduction Joel Intro Bart Strayer THOUGHT The purpose of the book of Joel was written to warn Judah of God’s impending judgment because of their sins, and to urge them to turn back to God.  The people of Judah had become prosperous and complacent.  Taking God for granted, they had turned to self-centeredness, idolatry, and sin.  Joel warned them that this kind of life-style would inevitably bring down God’s judgment. He has allowed our rebellion.  But soon the day of the Lord will come.  It is about this day that the prophet Joel speaks, and it is the theme of his book.  On this day God will judge all unrighteousness and disobedience.  All accounts will be settled and the crooked made straight.  Joel, therefore, urges the people to turn from their sin and turn back to God.  Woven into this message of judgment and the need for repentance is an affirmation of God’s kindness and the bles...

  If you would like to join, hit on the three lines and hit subscribe. Click on Title for Video Intro Monday, Romans Chapter 13 Romans 13 Verse 8 Jeanie Boldt Verse 8:  “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” THOUGHT With Easter celebration soon approaching,  we know the tremendous debt that we owe Christ for having died on the cross to save us from our sins and to reap eternal life.  We ask ourselves, why is love for others called a debt as well?  We are permanently in debt to Christ for the lavish love He has poured out on us.  The only way we can even begin to repay this debt is by loving others in return.  Because Christ’s love will always be infinitely greater than ours, we will always have the obligation and debt to love our neighbors. Going forward, I urge each and everyone of us to think on and process about the debt we owe of loving others each and ...