SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 17 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I see several glimpses of Jesus in this passage. As Elijah was sent into the wild, and cared for, with the ravens, so Jesus was cared for in the wild: At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan….
update from Haiti (Jan 14)
The following is an email from Mary DeKoter. They are not presently together, Mary was in the US when the earthquake struck. Mary shares some news from Tony and the school! I finally had an email from someone at the school that had a message from Tony. Phones are not always working at the moment….
sin like a virus
SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But Omri did evil in the eyes of the LORD and sinned more than all those before him. [1 Kings 16:25] Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the LORD than any of those before him. [1 Kings 16:30] It seems that each subsequent generation increases the pattern set by their parents….
update from Haiti
As you know, Tony and Mary DeKoter live and work in Haiti with Quisqueya Christian School (QCS) in Port au Prince. We have word that Tony is ok, Mary is in the States right now. The following comments were made by Els Vervloet who works at QCS. Please keep all of Haiti in your prayers….
a lamp still burns
SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 15 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Nevertheless, for David’s sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by raising up a son to succeed him and by making Jerusalem strong. [1 Kings 15:4] Again and again we hear that, for David’s sake, God always keeps hope alive for a better future – a lamp in Jerusalem. This…
unwilling
SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 14 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Judah did evil in the eyes of the LORD. By the sins they committed they stirred up his jealous anger more than their fathers had done. [1 Kings 14:22] Today’s reading gives a picture of things going from bad to worse, and God’s judgment against the people. I think it is helpful to remember…
warning
SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Most of the time I can find something in the passage that connects, through which the Lord places a message in my heart. Most of the time I can find a connection to Jesus. But I am having a hard time today. Yes, when the Lord tells us to say or do…
how much more!
January 10, 2010 SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 12 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The king answered the people harshly. Rejecting the advice given him by the elders, he followed the advice of the young men and said, “My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions. [1 Kings 12:13-14]…
the fruit God desires
SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 11 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. [Matthew 21:43] This chapter shows both God’s justice and mercy. Solomon’s sin results in the eventual breakdown of Solomon’s kingdom. But the kingdom is not totally destroyed –…
money, sex, power
SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 10 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. [Luke 12:15] Jesus’ warning was one piece of wisdom Solomon forgot. This chapter sets the stage for the fall that follows. We see his great success, fame and power, yet…