EverydayWord

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Ezra 7–9 introduces us personally to Ezra, the priest and scribe whose name is attached to this book.

Ezra was not simply a religious leader.

He was a man who had committed his heart to God’s Word.

Scripture gives us the secret of his life:

Ezra prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, to do it, and to teach it.

That order matters.

He sought God’s Word.

He practiced God’s Word.

Then he taught God’s Word.

Chapter 7 shows God opening another door through King Artaxerxes.

Chapter 8 shows Ezra preparing for the journey.

Chapter 9 then brings a painful surprise.

These chapters teach us to prepare our hearts before teaching others, trust God while acting responsibly, handle resources with integrity, refuse spiritual compromise, and confess sin honestly when God exposes it.

Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of

Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association!
 Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word.

Because as Scripture declares:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”
 — 2 Timothy 3:16

So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Ezra 5–6 shows what happens when a work that had been stopped begins again.

In Ezra 4, opposition had succeeded in bringing the Temple construction to a halt.

The foundation existed.

The people were back in the land.

But the house of God remained unfinished.

Then God sent His Word through the prophets Haggai and Zechariah.

Their preaching awakened the people.

Zerubbabel and Jeshua began rebuilding again.

Immediately, government officials questioned the work.

But this time the people did not simply quit.

They kept building while the matter was investigated.

A letter was sent to King Darius.

The Persian records were searched.

And something remarkable happened:

The original decree of Cyrus was found.

The very government authority that could have stopped the project instead ordered that the work continue.

More than that—

the government was commanded to help pay for it.

Then the Temple was completed.

It was dedicated.

Sacrifices were offered.

The priests and Levites were organized.

Passover was celebrated.

And the people rejoiced because the Lord had turned the heart of the king toward them.

These chapters teach us that a delayed assignment can begin again, God’s Word can restore courage, opposition should be answered with truth and integrity, God can use authority to protect His purposes, and what God calls us to rebuild should not remain permanently unfinished.

Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of

Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association!
 Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word.

Because as Scripture declares:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”
 — 2 Timothy 3:16

So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Ezra 3–4 shows us what happens when God’s people finally arrive home and begin rebuilding.

Chapter 3 begins with worship.

Before the Temple walls rise—

the altar is rebuilt.

Before the building is finished—

sacrifice begins.

Before everything looks restored—

the people gather before God.

Then the foundation of the Temple is laid.

Some people shout for joy.

Others weep because they remember the glory of Solomon’s Temple.

The same moment produces both celebration and sorrow.

Chapter 4 shows what often happens next:

opposition.

The rebuilding begins, and adversaries appear.

Some first offer to “help.”

When their offer is rejected, they discourage the workers.

They trouble them.

They hire counselors against them.

They make accusations.

They write letters to political authorities.

Eventually, the work is forced to stop for a season.

These chapters teach us that restoration must begin with worship, rebuilding takes patience, different generations may respond differently to change, not every offer of help is spiritually healthy, and opposition does not necessarily mean we are outside God’s will.

Sometimes opposition comes precisely because rebuilding has begun.

Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of

Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association!
 Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word.

Because as Scripture declares:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”
 — 2 Timothy 3:16

So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Ezra 1–2 begins a new chapter in Israel’s history.

Second Chronicles ended with Jerusalem destroyed, the Temple burned, and the people living in captivity in Babylon.

But God had not forgotten them.

The seventy years of judgment prophesied by Jeremiah were reaching their appointed conclusion.

Then God did something nobody in exile could have arranged for themselves:

He moved the heart of a king.

Ezra 1–2 teaches us:

God keeps His promises.

God can move powerful people.

God calls His people to respond.

Restoration requires sacrifice.

And rebuilding begins when ordinary people are willing to leave comfort behind and obey God.

Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of

Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association! Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word.

Because as Scripture declares:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16

So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Second Chronicles 34–36 brings the book of Chronicles to a powerful and sobering conclusion.

Chapter 34 introduces Josiah, one of Judah’s greatest reforming kings.

He begins seeking God while still young.

He tears down idols.

He repairs the Temple.

Then something remarkable happens:

The Book of the Law is found.

When Josiah hears God’s Word, he tears his clothes in grief because he realizes how far Judah has wandered from the Lord.

He humbles himself, seeks further understanding, gathers the people, reads God’s Word publicly, and renews the covenant.

Chapter 35 records Josiah’s great Passover celebration.

Worship is restored according to Scripture.

But the chapter ends tragically.

Josiah enters a battle God had not assigned to him.

He refuses a warning and is mortally wounded.

A godly king who had done so much right still made one disastrous decision.

Chapter 36 then records Judah’s final decline.

King after king does evil.

The priests and people become increasingly corrupt.

God repeatedly sends messengers because He has compassion on His people.

But the people mock His messengers, reject His prophets, and despise His Word.

Eventually, Jerusalem falls.

The Temple is burned.

The people are carried into Babylon.

Yet Chronicles does not end with destruction.

After seventy years, God moves the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to allow the people to return and rebuild the Temple.

Judgment is real.

But God’s covenant purposes are not finished.

These chapters teach us to seek God while we are young, return continually to His Word, respond humbly to correction, worship according to truth, avoid unnecessary battles, listen while God is still warning us, and never forget that God remains faithful even after seasons of devastating failure.

Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of

Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association! Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word.

Because as Scripture declares:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16

So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Second Chronicles 32–33 gives us two powerful lessons about the human heart.

Chapter 32 shows Hezekiah facing one of the greatest threats of his reign.

The Assyrian king Sennacherib comes against Judah with an enormous military force.

Hezekiah prepares wisely.

He strengthens Jerusalem.

He organizes the army.

He repairs the walls.

But most importantly, he reminds the people that Assyria’s strength is human while Judah’s help comes from the Lord.

When Sennacherib mocks God, Hezekiah prays.

And God gives extraordinary deliverance.

But after this great victory, Hezekiah faces a different danger:

pride.

God delivers him from an external enemy, but Hezekiah still must guard the enemy that can rise inside the heart.

Chapter 33 then introduces Manasseh, one of Judah’s most wicked kings.

He reverses much of Hezekiah’s reform.

He rebuilds idolatry.

He practices occult worship.

He places an idol in God’s Temple.

He even sacrifices his own children.

Yet when judgment comes and Manasseh is taken captive, something remarkable happens.

He humbles himself.

He prays.

God hears him.

God restores him.

And Manasseh begins removing the idols he once established.

These chapters teach us that no enemy is greater than God, success requires humility, pride can follow victory, and no sinner is beyond the reach of God’s mercy when genuine repentance occurs.

Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of

Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association!
 Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word.

Because as Scripture declares:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”
 — 2 Timothy 3:16

So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Second Chronicles 30–31 shows what happens after Hezekiah reopens the Temple and restores worship.

Chapter 30 focuses on returning to God.

Hezekiah invites people from Judah and even from the northern tribes of Israel to come to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover.

Some laugh at the invitation.

Some mock the messengers.

But others humble themselves and come.

The people celebrate the Passover with such joy that they voluntarily continue the celebration for another seven days.

Chapter 31 then shows that genuine revival produces practical change.

The people destroy idols.

Priests and Levites return to their responsibilities.

The people begin giving tithes and offerings.

Resources are organized.

Leaders are appointed.

Worship is supported.

And Scripture summarizes Hezekiah’s leadership by saying that he sought God with all his heart.

These chapters teach us that true spiritual renewal is more than emotion.

It begins with returning to God, but it continues through obedience, worship, generosity, accountability, and putting our lives back into godly order.

Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of

Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association!
 Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word.

Because as Scripture declares:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”
 — 2 Timothy 3:16

So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Second Chronicles 28–29 gives us one of the sharpest contrasts between two kings of Judah.

Chapter 28 records the reign of Ahaz.

Ahaz repeatedly rejected God.

He embraced idolatry, sacrificed to false gods, led Judah deeper into sin, shut the doors of the Temple, and looked to foreign powers rather than the Lord.

Even when trouble came, Ahaz did not repent.

Scripture says:

“In the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the LORD.”

Then chapter 29 introduces his son Hezekiah.

Hezekiah inherited a spiritually damaged nation.

The Temple doors were closed.

The lamps had gone out.

Worship had been neglected.

Sacrifices had stopped.

But Hezekiah did not simply complain about what his father had done.

He opened the doors.

He repaired the Temple.

He called the priests and Levites back to service.

He removed what had polluted worship.

He restored sacrifice, prayer, music, praise, and public worship.

These chapters teach us that spiritual decline can happen quickly—but restoration can begin when people humble themselves, remove what dishonors God, reopen what sin has closed, and return wholeheartedly to Him.

Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of

Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association!

Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word.

Because as Scripture declares:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”

— 2 Timothy 3:16

So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Second Chronicles 25–27 gives us the stories of three kings of Judah: Amaziah, Uzziah, and Jotham.

Each king experienced blessing.

Each king had opportunities.

Each king was given responsibility.

But their stories teach very different lessons about how people respond to success.

Amaziah began by doing what was right—but Scripture says he did not serve God with a loyal heart. After God gave him victory, he brought home the gods of the people he had defeated and began worshiping them.

Uzziah sought God and became extraordinarily successful. God helped him militarily, economically, and nationally.

But then Scripture gives a dangerous sentence:

“When he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction.”

Uzziah allowed success to produce pride.

Jotham presents a better example.

He became powerful, but Scripture says:

“Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.”

These chapters remind us that beginning well is not enough.

Receiving God’s blessing is not enough.

Becoming successful is not enough.

We must remain humble, obedient, teachable, and faithful when God allows us to become strong.

Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of

Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association! Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word.

Because as Scripture declares:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16

So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Second Chronicles 21–22 shows how quickly a godly legacy can be damaged when one generation turns away from the Lord.

Jehoshaphat had sought God, taught His Word throughout Judah, strengthened the nation, and led the people in prayer.

But his son Jehoram chose a very different path.

Jehoram murdered his brothers, followed the wicked practices of the house of Ahab, embraced idolatry, and led Judah away from God.

His son Ahaziah continued in much the same direction because he surrounded himself with ungodly influences and accepted wicked counsel.

These chapters are filled with rebellion, violence, judgment, family destruction, and political chaos.

Yet they also contain an important message of hope.

Even while wicked leaders were destroying almost everything around them, God preserved the family line through which His covenant promises would ultimately continue.

A young child named Joash was hidden and protected while Athaliah attempted to destroy the royal family.

These chapters teach us that a godly heritage must be personally embraced, wrong relationships can corrupt good foundations, leadership choices affect entire families and communities, and God remains faithful even when people become unfaithful.

Welcome to EveryDayWord — the daily podcast of

Derrick J. Dawkins Evangelistic Association!
 Here we open the Bible from Genesis to Revelation — reading it, breaking it down, and praying it through — all in a powerful 60-minute journey through God’s Word.

Because as Scripture declares:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”
 — 2 Timothy 3:16

So grab your Bible, open your heart, and let’s get into the Word!