The Wall Completed

Date: June 2, 2022
Passage: Nehemiah 6:10–19

Nehemiah’s enemies left no stone unturned in trying to keep him from building the wall (vv. 10- 13). First they tried to draw him into the country to talk to them. When this didn’t work, they tried to get him to go into the temple and hide, saying it was for his own safety.T …

Jesus Questioned on His Authority

Date: November 19, 2021
Passage: Mark 11:27–33

While Jesus was walking in the temple He was confronted by the priests, the scribes, and the elders who together were known as the Sanhedrin (v. 27). They challenged Him with a question, “By what authority doest thou these things?” (v. 28) which was obviously in reference …

Saul is Chosen as King

Date: October 24, 2021
Passage: 1 Samuel 9:15–27

God had told Samuel all about Saul (vv. 15-16). As soon as Samuel sees Saul the Lord tells him this is the man who shall reign over my people (v. 17). He was a man who impressed even Samuel. When Saul asks to see the seer, Samuel identifies himself and instructs Saul to precede h …

Dealing With Deceit

Date: February 11, 2020
Passage: Jeremiah 9:1–11

The prophet calls for his head to be an inexhaustible source of water, feeding his eyes with an unceasing supply of tears so that he might weep day and night over his people (v. 1). His message is one of judgment and impending doom. Even at the “assembly” for divinely …

IllustrationSwindoll – A Whirlwind Romance

A young man fell in love with an opera singer who had a beautiful voice. After a whirlwind romance and a hurry-up ceremony, they were off on their honeymoon together. She began to prepare for their first night together, As he watched, his chin dropped to his chest. She plucked ou …

IllustrationStealing a Watermelon

A father and son were driving down a country road and saw a watermelon patch a little way off the highway. The father said to the boy, “Keep a lookout here while I go get a melon.” He snuck into the patch, lifted a choice melon from the vine, and then called to th …

IllustrationJoseph Stalin’s Propaganda Machine

Despite the mind-numbing brutality of the Joseph Stalin regime in the Soviet Union, his propaganda machine did its job well. Many Russians hailed him as a hero and a savior, including a young school girl who was chosen to greet Stalin on one occasion. Years later, this woman reca …

IllustrationSatan is a Terrible Taskmaster

Satan is a terrible taskmaster. Here’s a helpful quotation which summarizes his deceit: “He promises the best, but pays with the worst; he promises honor and pays with disgrace; he promises pleasure and pays with pain; he promises profit and pays with loss; he promises life …

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