Showing results by author "James King" in All Categories

Have you ever questioned God's goodness because of all the evil and suffering in the world? Habakkuk can relate. The prophet laments to God about the injustices he is allowing among his people. Habakkuk even argues with God, claiming that his decisions are unfair. Watch as the Lord teaches this prophet that he uses even the evil things of this world for his good and holy purposes.

In the Bible, the prophetic are books written by people chosen by God to deliver messages from him about his people, the future, and the events that he would allow to happen throughout eternity. These prophetic books are important for many reasons. These books give a good understanding of what God’s people were thinking about and focusing on throughout major events of history, while also giving context to the New Testament, and giving the writers of the New Testament prophecies through which to analyze events throughout the life of Jesus.

This insightful novel follows Bill Warrington, an elderly Korean War veteran and widower, on his quest to reconcile with his three grown children. When his fifteen-year-old granddaughter, April, runs away from home, Bill obliges her wish to drive from Ohio to San Francisco, where she hopes to become a rock singer. As the unlikely pair head west, he leaves clues intended to force April’s mother and uncles to overcome their grievances and mutual distrust and work together to find them.

Israel has not repented from their ways, and in turn God has punished them. Lamentations refutes any idea that suffering must be passive and private. This book contains poems filled with deep sorrow in response to the capture of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. Listen to the speaker as he refuses to be silent in the face of suffering and as he waits on the Lord to bring restoration.

The prophet Micah scolds Israel and Judah for their idolatry and injustice to the poor. The Assyrians are about to invade, and the two Jewish nations will have to suffer for their sinfulness. Thankfully God's judgment is seasoned with mercy, and he will not break the covenant with his people. Watch as God comes through to preserve "the remnant of Israel" (Micah 2:12) despite their faithlessness.

Listen as Major James King explores the new world on which he mysteriously appears. James has no idea where he is or how he got there. All Major King knows is that this place definitely isn't the command center to which he was supposed to be transported.

The word Gospel means "good news", and this is just what the Apostle Mark shares with us in the second book of the New Testament. Mark tells us that Jesus has two natures: fully divine and fully man. Jesus was human with emotions, and yet he was also God in the flesh. But why did God need to become man? Why did he lower himself when he is the highest in the universe? Listen to the Gospel of Mark as he gives us the answers to these questions.

This letter was written by Paul while he was imprisoned Rome. The apostle is experiencing persecution for his faith, but this is no surprise to him, nor is it stealing his hope. "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Tim. 3:12). He is writing this letter to encourage Timothy, his coworker, to be strong in the Lord in spite of suffering. He calls on him to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, as we should all strive to be ourselves.

The Israelites have not been pursuing holiness as they should be. Rebellious and sinful, the people are in need of a savior. The prophet Malachi plays an important role in Israelite history. God warns Israel through Malachi. He tells them to repent and speaks of future restoration, foreshadowing the coming Messiah. Listen to Malachi as he warns the people while still managing to remind them of God's endless love.

The prophet Hosea has much to say about the sinfulness of Israel, but he also has much to say about the faithfulness of God. As the Israelites worship other gods and move further away from their Creator, God's judgment comes upon them. After judgment, however, God displays acts of mercy as he acts tenderly to his people, like a loving parent would. Listen to Hosea as he reminds Israel of God's faithfulness and speaks prophesies concerning the redemption to come in latter days.

Giving practical advice for showing hospitality and having a charitable heart toward others, the Apostle John focuses on living life in a way that displays one's love for God. Another vital aspect of this book is John's warnings about false teachers. These individuals "have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist" (2 John 7).

There is an inseparable link between our faith and how we live our lives. In his letter to his coworker, Titus, Paul gives us practical instruction on godly living as well as qualifications for Church leaders. While Paul paints a picture of what a healthy Church looks like, he also emphasizes the Gospel as the source of godliness: "...he saved us not because of works done by us in righteousness but according to his own mercy...."

The Israelites are returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. In many ways this story resembles the life of a Christian who repents from sin and rebellion and turns around to find God welcoming them into his unfailing love. The Book of Ezra is a record of hope for those who are weighed down with discouragement. No sin is too big for God’s grace.

The day of the Lord is coming. This means total destruction of creation. Zephaniah’s message of judgment on all nations is not complete without his message of hope. God will vindicate the righteous, and he blesses those who repent and trust in him. Listen to the prophet Zephaniah, and be encouraged as we too wait for the final redemption in Christ’s second coming.

Imagine marching hundreds of miles across the wilderness in order to get to a land flowing with abundance, filled with lush meadows and beautiful flowers. In Numbers, the Israelites are headed to the "promised land” of Canaan. This journey may take longer than expected. Will they remain faithful to the God who brought them out of Egypt?

While there is suffering, evil, sickness, and death in this world, the book of Joel reminds us that we have an everlasting hope through it all. Joel warns the people of Judah as a horrifying locust plague has come upon them. He urges the people to repent and return to God, predicting that this is just the beginning of their judgment. Thankfully Joel's prophecies do not end there.

After finding out that the Corinthian church was filled with pride and committing sexual immorality, Paul teaches believers about the dangers of abusing freedom. The real problem is that the believers have a misunderstanding of grace. The Corinthian church was basing its faith on cheap grace. Cheap grace is grace without the cross, grace without repentance, and grace without cost.

Just like in Galatians, Paul teaches the church in Colossae to beware of men who add unnecessary elements to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Anything added to the Gospel results in "no Gospel at all" (Gal. 1:7). The main reminder given in this book is that Jesus is king over all. This means that we must trust in him alone and not in "the tradition of men" (Col.2:8). Listen to Paul's letter to Colossae, and be reminded of the superiority of Jesus, who is our only hope.

Songs of Solomon emphasizes the holiness and beauty of marriage through the story of a bridegroom who is in love with his bride. It can also been seen as an illustration of Christ’s love for the Church. Listen to this love poem and get a taste of how marriage paints a perfect picture of the Gospel.

In light of Jesus' second coming, we should not be compelled to hide out until his return; rather, we should be actively participating in his restoration plan for the world as we wait in anticipation. Paul teaches the Thessalonians that the second coming should not paralyze believers from doing work for the kingdom. Instead it should motivate them to live in a way that is pleasing to God. We all have duties to complete before Jesus' return, so we should "...not grow weary in doing good" (2 Thes. 3:13).