As we begin our new series “Jesus and the People,” we are reminded that Jesus is the perfect image of the invisible God. Through His life, love, and sacrifice, He shows us what it means to live in God’s image. Each week, we’ll discover how looking to Jesus transforms our lives and calls us to reflect Him in the world.
Have you ever felt like God was silent? Like your prayers echoed into nothingness? God is not silent. He is working. He is speaking. He is saving.
When the exiles returned from Babylon, they rebuilt the temple before they rebuilt the city wall. It seems illogical—wouldn’t security come first? But this bold act of faith speaks volumes: they put worship before safety. Faith before fortress.
We’re diving into the powerful story of Esther—a woman of incredible boldness and wisdom who God used to deliver His people in a time of crisis. Esther’s courage reminds us that God calls each of us to stand boldly for what is right, not just in word but in action.
When we are attentive to what God is asking us to build—whether that’s a physical ministry, a spiritual culture, or a renewed commitment to His mission, even the shortest message, if Spirit-led, can change everything.
Ezekiel’s prophetic work wasn’t glamorous. If you looked at the stats of his ministry, they might seem discouraging. But the impact? Eternal. Because Ezekiel didn’t get to choose the times he lived in—he only got to choose how he responded. And he responded in obedience.
The world is always changing, but we know that God is the same “yesterday, today and forever.” As the world around us continues to shift priorities and values, wise leaders are able to hold onto God’s foundation while adapting the church to reach the ever shifting world. This is prophetic work!
God’s people were taken into exile, not just because of their disobedience, but specifically because they refused to rest. The Sabbath was never meant to be just another religious obligation—it was a gift, a rhythm designed to bring life, renewal, and trust in God’s provision. When we neglect rest, we don’t just burn ourselves out; we also fail to create space for God to move.
It is difficult to fathom the devastation that fell upon God’s people when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. The physical ruins were but a fraction of the sorrow. The deeper pain lay in the crumbling of hopes, dreams, and the very identity of Israel. Their place of worship, the symbol of God’s presence among them, was gone. How could they move forward?
It’s difficult to process the devastation that the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple had on God’s people. Surely, the physical disaster was only a small part of the pain that was felt. The hopes and dreams of Israel also crumbled with Jerusalem’s walls. So many of us face periods of crisis and even devastation.…
