Obadiah. He was, perhaps, the definition of a fire & brimstone prophet. His book is short but powerful as he addresses the nation of Edom (the descendants of Esau) and their abuse of their neighbors in Israel

Amos was a farmer and shepherd from the Southern Kingdom (Judah) sent to the heart of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) to speak truth to power. He held nothing back as he spoke powerfully to oppression, injustice, and deep immorality, calling people to genuine change and a real relationship with God. It's a message that rings as true for the world and the church of Christ as it did then.

Joel 2:13–14 (MSG)

"Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to GOD, your God. And here’s why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe he’ll do it now, maybe he’ll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all’s said and done, there’ll be blessings full and robust for your GOD!"

The Book of Hosea is a beautiful, poetic look into the heart of God for his people, Israel. It's also a heartbreaking look at the brokenness of our world, and how it weighs on God's own heart. Through it all, God's justice, mercy, and grace shine through.

This week James updated us on his recent work in Guatemala City, and spoke on Acts 8 and how we can learn from Philip how to share the good news of Jesus.

Esther proved to be a strong, capable, faithful, and courageous woman of faith. That faith and courage was, in part, due to her willingness to have and to listen to wise people around her.

Moses's story starts with such apparent promise, but very quickly goes off the rails. In a moment of anger and rage, he murders an Egyptian and loses the only life he'd ever known as he runs off to hide. For 40 years he hid until one day, by a voice in a burning bush, God came calling.

#Godisnotdonewithyou

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

"But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.'"

"In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?" (James 2:25, NIV)

Faith can be found in the most surprising hearts, and Rahab is a great example. She was a prostitute in a Canaanite city with a reputation for idolatry and ungodliness. Yet, news of God's deliverance and blessing of the Israelites had reached her ears, and she had come to believe in the Almighty God of Israel. That faith led her to protect His people, and in the process, save her own family.

At a time when Gideon saw himself and his people as powerless and hopeless, the Lord spoke triumph, courage, and valor to his life. We are all more than we think we are, because God sees all we become when we trust him.