Posts with the category “dark-horses-overlooked-heroes”

Highlight Dallas Willard, theologian and scholar of spiritual formation, once said "The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who, by profession or culture, are identified as ‘Christians’ will become disciples – students, apprentices, practitioners – of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence."  Read More

Highlight In Psalm 1 we see a picture of the contrasts between the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. It emphasizes the blessings that come from delighting in God's law and meditating on it continually. The Psalmist paints a picture of a fruitful and prosperous life for those who walk in God's ways and highlights the importance of delighting in God's law. Walking closely with God means knowing Him and being known by Him.  Read More

Highlight Deuteronomy 5 recounts the familiar story of the Ten Commandments, which were given to the Israelites as a covenant between them and God. These commandments are foundational to the moral and ethical conduct expected of God's people. The Ten Commandments provide a clear framework for what it means to walk faithfully with God. They outline how we should relate to God and to one another. Enoch's walk with God would have been characterized by obedience to these principles, even though he lived long before they were formally given to Israel.  Read More

Highlight The book of Micah is a prophetic book that addresses the social injustices and idolatry of Israel and Judah. Micah 6:1-8 is a powerful passage where God, through the prophet Micah, calls His people to account, reminds them of what He truly desires from them, and encapsulates what it means to walk with God.  Read More

Highlight Here we read a brief but powerful passage that tells us about Enoch, a man who walked so closely with God that he did not experience death. Instead, God took him directly to heaven. It’s clear that Enoch had a unique relationship with God, but there is not much to tell us why. There is, however, another example in Scripture of God choosing to take someone to heaven before they died a physical death.  Read More

Welcome to Week Seven of the Dark Horses: Overlooked Heroes Reading Plan! This reading plan is designed to partner with Compassion Christian Church’s sermon series of the same name, which you can find information about right here. A unique, and perhaps unexpected theme of the historical accounts compiled in the Bible is what appears to be God’s particular affinity for the underdog. Throughout Scripture we see God choose unlikely people to become His primary tool to impact the outcomes of seismic events in Israel’s history, and in turn the history of our world.  Read More

Highlight Rahab's legacy is significant in the Biblical narrative. She is mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1, showing her inclusion in the lineage of the Messiah. In Hebrews 11, she is commended for her faith, and in James 2, she is highlighted as an example of faith in action. Rahab's story is a testament to God's grace and the transformative power of faith. Despite her past, she becomes an integral part of God's redemptive plan that leaves a ripple effect throughout history, changing the world in ways she surely could never have imagined.  Read More

Highlight The Israelites conquer Jericho following God's unique battle plan, and Rahab and her family are spared because of her faith and the scarlet cord she placed in her window. Notice that when Joshua approaches the commander of the army of the Lord he says that he is neither for Israel or for their enemies.  Read More

Highlight After crossing the Jordan, Joshua instructs the Israelites to take twelve stones from the riverbed and set them up as a memorial. These stones serve as a reminder of God's miraculous intervention and faithfulness in bringing His people into the Promised Land. The memorial stones are a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness. Rahab's inclusion in the Israelite community is also a testament to God's grace and the power of faith. Just as the stones remind the Israelites of God's deliverance, Rahab's story reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of their past, to fulfill His purposes.  Read More

Highlight In Joshua 3, the Israelites prepare to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant step into the river, and the waters part, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. This miraculous event echoes the parting of the Red Sea and signifies God's continued presence and power among His people. The crossing of the Jordan River is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to make a way where there seems to be no way. Rahab's faith in this God, who performs such miracles, is validated as she witnesses the Israelites' entry into the land. Her decision to align with God's people is further affirmed by this display of divine power.  Read More

Highlight The Book of Joshua picks up after the Israelites have wandered in the wilderness for 40 years waiting for God to lead them into the land he promised when they escaped Egypt. Moses has just died and Joshua has been told by God that He is going to use Joshua to fulfill the promises he made to the people through Moses. It’s both an exciting and terrifying time for the Israelites  Read More

Welcome to Week Six of the Dark Horses: Overlooked Heroes Reading Plan! This reading plan is designed to partner with Compassion Christian Church’s sermon series of the same name, which you can find information about right here. A unique, and perhaps unexpected theme of the historical accounts compiled in the Bible is what appears to be God’s particular affinity for the underdog. Throughout Scripture we see God choose unlikely people to become His primary tool to impact the outcomes of seismic events in Israel’s history, and in turn the history of our world. Social outcasts, economically disadvantaged, struggling with disability or illness, lacking influence or even agency to make change in their own lives, much less in the lives of their community or nation.  Read More

Highlight Jesus often made claims that ruffled people’s feathers. In this particular passage, Jesus confesses He is the bread of life, the Son of God who came from Heaven. And the people did not like that. They pulled the classic small world card - “I know your parents (v. 41-42).” They knew Joseph and Mary, and would have remembered Jesus growing up with his family.  Read More

Highlight This is the only glimpse of Jesus as a boy. Scholars have a few different ideas as to why Luke added this story in his Gospel - to show Jesus’ comfortableness in the Temple, with the language of God as “Father,” Jesus’ awareness of who He is. But another importance this story points out is Joseph and Mary’s fidelity in holding true to all of the Jewish laws and customs.  Read More

Highlight Joseph’s role as “father” to Jesus was to protect his family. After the visit from the wise men, an angel warns Joseph to flee to Egypt in order to protect Jesus from King Herod. Joseph’s immediate action is to safeguard his family and specifically Jesus. “So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt” (v14). Scholars note that this phrasing of “the child” first is not typical. But it highlights the choice Joseph made to trust in God’s plan and protection of their - God’s and Joseph’s - son.  Read More

Highlight Luke was a doctor, a close friend of Paul, and a Gentile Christian. While writing his letters, he focused on an audience that was like him - a gentile. Luke is the only Gospel writer to include world history events in his account. By doing so he authenticated the events that happened.  Read More

Highlight Out of the four Gospels, Matthew and Luke are the only two to give accounts of the birth of Jesus. Mark and John jump right into the action of Jesus’ ministry. But Matthew and Luke take the time to set the stage for their audiences. Matthew focuses on Joseph and Luke focuses on Mary, because they were writing to two different audiences.  Read More

Welcome to Week Five of the Dark Horses: Overlooked Heroes Reading Plan! This reading plan is designed to partner with Compassion Christian Church’s sermon series of the same name, which you can find information about right here. A unique, and perhaps unexpected theme of the historical accounts compiled in the Bible is what appears to be God’s particular affinity for the underdog. Throughout Scripture we see God choose unlikely people to become His primary tool to impact the outcomes of seismic events in Israel’s history, and in turn the history of our world.  Read More

Highlight “But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance” (45:7). Where did Joseph get this perspective? Where did he get the strength to forgive his brothers?   Read More

Highlight Have you ever experienced one of those moments when something does not go quite to plan and you wonder if it is because of that one thing that happened years ago? Joseph’s brothers felt that in these chapters, because “They said to one another, ‘Surely we are being punished because of our brother.’ (42:21).” Their task was simple - go to Egypt and buy grain  Read More

Highlight Daniel 4 recounts another dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, which Daniel interprets. The dream predicts the king's downfall due to his pride and subsequent restoration after he acknowledges God's sovereignty. True to the dream, Nebuchadnezzar is driven from his throne and lives like an animal for seven years until he humbles himself before God and repents.  Read More

Highlight Here again we see the favor Joseph often receives from others. Three positive moments of “finding favor in his eyes” are with the Lord (v. 2), Potiphar (v. 4), and the prison warden (v. 21). Each of these positive favors bring Joseph success, influence, and power. All things that build his character and his reputation.  Read More

Highlight In the opening of Joseph’s story we see the author highlighting two themes that will carry throughout his story. The first theme is that Joseph is often favored. It sounds odd because choosing favorites is a sticky business. But Joseph’s father “loved Joseph more than any of his other sons'' (v. 3), and this is brought up repeatedly throughout the narrative. Later in the week, we will also read that he finds favor in others' eyes, some that are beneficial and others that are not.  Read More

A unique, and perhaps unexpected theme of the historical accounts compiled in the Bible is what appears to be God’s particular affinity for the underdog. Throughout Scripture we see God choose unlikely people to become His primary tool to impact the outcomes of seismic events in Israel’s history, and in turn the history of our world. Social outcasts, economically disadvantaged, struggling with disability or illness, lacking influence or even agency to make change in their own lives, much less in the lives of their community or nation.  Read More

Highlight We end this week on the most well-known story of Daniel. Under King Darius, Daniel rises again to a position of great authority, provoking jealousy among other officials and ending with him in the lions’ den.  Read More

Highlight In Daniel 5, we see the fall of Babylon under King Belshazzar, Nebuchadnezzar’s son. When Daniel is called in to read the writing on the wall he’s now near ninety and it’s clear from his interaction with Belshazzar that his time of influence in the Babylonian Kingdom has passed with Nebuchadnezzar.  Read More

Highlight Daniel 4 recounts another dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, which Daniel interprets. The dream predicts the king's downfall due to his pride and subsequent restoration after he acknowledges God's sovereignty  Read More

Here we find the famous story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace. King Nebuchadnezzar erects a massive golden statue and commands everyone to worship it. The three friends refuse, declaring their unwavering faith in God, even under the threat of death.  Read More

Highlight The book of Daniel begins with the story of four young men—Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—who are taken captive from Judah to Babylon. We know from the account that these four were chosen for specific reasons.   Read More

A unique, and perhaps unexpected theme of the historical accounts compiled in the Bible is what appears to be God’s particular affinity for the underdog.  Read More

Highlight The people gather to hear the Word of God, and as it is read and explained, they are moved to tears and repentance. The Israelites, removed by generations from the law given by God to their ancestors, are suddenly struck by its meaning afresh. That feels familiar. How often do we read Scripture as if it was written for someone else?  Read More

Highlight Despite the schemes of external enemies who attempt to intimidate and distract Nehamiah from his work, he remains focused and completes the wall in fifty-two days. It’s important to note that just because Nehemiah is working in the name of the Lord, he is not protected from the pressures and persecution of the broken world around him.  Read More

Highlight Despite his good intentions, Nehemiah faced significant external opposition from surrounding enemies who sought to intimidate and stop the work of rebuilding the walls. Even still, he remained steadfast and encouraged the people to trust in God. In addition to the outside pressure and ridicule, Nehemiah has internal issues as well, addressing injustices within the community and ensuring that the poor were not exploited  Read More

Highlight Nehemiah approaches the king with a request to go to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls. Approaching the king was risky, he could have faced severe consequences if the king had not been favorable, even death for his audacity. Nehemiah admits his fear, but his compassion for his people compels him to step out in faith.  Read More

Highlight Nehemiah's story is part of a larger narrative of the return of the Israelites from exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The book of Nehemiah, along with Ezra, chronicles the efforts to restore the community and the city, emphasizing themes of renewal, repentance, and God's faithfulness  Read More

Welcome to Week Two of the Dark Horses: Overlooked Heroes Reading Plan! This reading plan is designed to partner with Compassion Christian Church’s sermon series of the same name  Read More

Highlight We end our story of Esther with perhaps more questions than answers and we’re left to wrestle with the moral ambiguity of Esther and Mordecai’s actions in response to their new found power. The very violence that they feared they exact on their own enemies. And of course throughout the story we see both Mordecai and Esther engage in morally questionable behavior.  Read More

Highlight The faith of Mordecai and Esther has changed the fate of an entire nation in captivity. The Jews are given the freedom to be autonomous, not just protected by the King and his empire, but free to defend themselves against evil. Their dignity is restored. Their identity is so changed that where there was grief and mourning there is now rejoicing and victory. Sound familiar?  Read More

Highlight And so it begins. The tides are starting to turn in a dramatic way. Who could have seen this coming, certainly not Haman! God is on the move on Esther and Mordecai’s behalf. He responds to the prayers and fasting and saves both their lives in seemingly miraculous ways by working in the heart of King Xerxes.  Read More

Read Esther 3 & 4 Highlight In contrast to Esther and Mordecai and their lack of position or power, we are introduced to Haman who has been given almost absolute power by King Xerxes. We also learn something vitally important about Mordecai and Esther. Although they have experienced extreme trauma, loss and grief, they are still faithfully serving God  Read More