Understanding God’s Timing For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT The first chapters of the book of Ecclesiastes confront us with the reality of life under the sun, reminding us that many of the things we strive for are temporary. King Solomon explores the nature of…
The Unquenchable Fire of True Love Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a…
El fuego inextinguible del amor verdadero Ponme como un sello sobre tu corazón, como un sello sobre tu brazo. Pues el amor es tan fuerte como la muerte, y sus celos, tan duraderos como la tumba. El amor destella como el fuego, ¡como la llama más intensa! Las muchas aguas no pueden apagar el amor,…
Exclusive Love But I would still choose my dove, my perfect one—the favorite of her mother, dearly loved by the one who bore her. The young women see her and praise her; even queens and royal concubines sing her praises. Song of Solomon 6:9 NLT The book of Song of Solomon is a song or…
Caring for Our Blossoming Vineyard Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming! Song of Solomon 2:15 NLT The book of Song of Solomon is a beautiful poem that illustrates the deep and romantic love between a husband and his wife, but it also…
A Joy Heard from Afar Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given the people cause for great joy. The women and children also participated in the celebration, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem could be heard far away. Nehemiah 12:43 NLT In the final chapters of Nehemiah, after…
Old Enough to Understand They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. Nehemiah 8:8 NLT In chapters 8 through 10 of Nehemiah, the people of Israel gather after having worked hard on rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem….
Fighting for Our Family and Purpose Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your…
Rebuilding the Ruined Walls But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” Nehemiah 2:17 NLT In Ezra 10 and Nehemiah 1 and 2, we see…
The Power of a Prepared Heart This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the Lord and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel. Ezra 7:10 NLT In chapters 7 to 9 of Ezra, we see the spiritual resurgence of God’s people after years of captivity….