Biblical Shakers

Click on Titled for Video Intro Monday, I Chronicles Introduction I Chronicles Intro  Thoughts from Life Application Bible Jeanie Boldt THOUGHT A family reunion — a sunny afternoon filled with four generations and miscellaneous kids, parents, and second cousins are important gatherings. These meetings are important, touching and connecting with other branches of the family tree, tracing one’s personal history back through time and culture, seeing physical reflections, remembering warm traditions. Knowing one’s genetic and relational path provides a sense of identity, heritage, and destiny. We SS have a great time when we get together for the annual Hall Reunion. The stories shared are full of fun memories. It is with this same high purpose that the writer of Chronicles begins his unifying work with an extensive genealogy. He traces the roots of the nation in a literary family reunion from Adam onward, recounting its royal line and the loving plan of a personal God. I and II Chronic...

Click on Title for Video Introduction   Monday, II Timothy Chapter 3 II Timothy 3 Verse 16 Bart Strayer Verse 16:  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. THOUGHT Man, more and more I find myself being ever thankful for God’s Word. I have noticed that when I make ungodly decisions in my life, they seem to perpetuate additional bad decisions. When I start down a path that God may not have called me to, I find that at some point, decisions and judgments will go against the Word of God. Without the Word of God to fall back on, what trouble would we get ourselves into? There are times in my life that I find myself making a poor decision, and it feels good and seems right.  I cringe when I hear people say, “Well, it just felt right.”  What feels right, isn’t always so. If you don’t believe this, you are underestimating the devil’s ab...

  Click on Title for Video Intro Monday, I Timothy Chapter 5 I Timothy 5 Verses 6-10 Delores Little Verses 6-10:  Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and ask God for help. THOUGHT God put me into a prayer time before my husband ever died, and how well this has prepared me for today. I have been blessed with children that help me out in many ways. They do yard work and repairs and help me with my finances.  When I ask God about bills that come in and how to pay them, He always shows me what to do.  Many times after sending a payment in, the same day money comes in the mail.  To be honest I just sit and cry, becau...

  Click on Title for Video Intro Monday, I Timothy Introduction I Timothy Intro Jane Jones THOUGHT We find that even without trying, we model our values. Parents in particular demonstrate to their children what they consider important and valuable. Timothy was a prime example of that. He was influenced by godly relatives. His mother Eunice and grandmother Lois were Jewish believers who helped shape his life and promote his spiritual growth. So we will be in the book of Timothy which was written for the purpose of encouragement and instruction to Timothy, a young man, whose spiritual life grew from modeling his life after his mother and grandmother. I can’t help but think about my life and the personal influences that have made a difference in me. I, like Timothy, grew up with a very godly mother and grandmother. What a joy to have my grandma living with us up until the time of her death. I can still picture her holding her worn out Bible, reading it at times, when she could not sle...

Click on Title for Video Introduction   Monday, Lamentations Chapter 1 Lamentations 1 Verses 5 & 7 Bart Strayer The book of Jeremiah predicts the destruction of Jerusalem, and Lamentations looks back on it.  As you noticed, the entire book of Lamentations is written in a poem format. At times, this format is a little hard for me to understand.  Nevertheless, it is God’s Word, so we will do our best. Verse 5:  The Lord has brought her grief because of her many sins. Verse 7:  In the days of her affliction and wandering Jerusalem remembers all the treasures that were hers in days of old.   THOUGHT What amazes me about this first chapter in Lamentations is Jeremiah’s reaction to the destruction of Jerusalem. Let us recall.  God spoke to Jeremiah about the people’s sinful ways and how their actions would be their demise. Jeremiah told the people about God’s plan, and HE WAS REJECTED AND TREATED POORLY. And now, He mourns the loss of those people...

  Click on Title for Video Intro  Monday, Jeremiah Chapter 49 Jeremiah 49 Verse 16 Jane Jones Verse 16:  “The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the  hill.  Though you build your nest as high as the eagles, from there I will bring you down.” THOUGHT This verse caught my ear when I was reading the entire chapter, possibly because of what I wrote last night about pride.  Then when I read the application study guide, it referred to this verse as well. Our chapter once again resounds more and more about pride destroying nations, tribes and towns.  We are to be aware that pride not only destroys nations, but also individuals. Pride tells us that we can take care of ourselves without the help of God. There are times that even while we are serving God and others, it can lead to pride.  The Bible reminds us to take inventory of our lives and service for God. ...

  Click on Title for Video Intro Monday, Jeremiah Chapter 45 Jeremiah 45 Verse 3 Tanya Ruden Verse 3:  You said, “Woe to me! The Lord has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest;” THOUGHT No one said being a Christian is easy. Life is hard, and living in our world as a Christian is even harder. Baruch is whining to God and focusing on himself.  If we begin to focus on ourselves at times when we feel life is rough, it will only get worse. God wants us to turn to Him when times get rough and ask Him for help. Don’t focus on ourselves and feel sorry for ourselves. Talk with God, share Your feelings, but keep Your focus on Him.  Only then will the desires of your heart be known. PRAYER Dear Jesus, so often we focus on ourselves. We look at ourselves at how great we are or how rough life is for us.  We are a very selfish people and know we are no one without our Lord.  Help us to look at our lives and all the possibilities through Y...