I hope you have enjoyed going through the Bible, book by book. I have five more books of the minor prophets to go. It took more time to really study the Bible outlines, notes and to find what interest me the most about each book. When I studied them, something happened inside me. During the afternoon, after work I would rest and eat and then watch good program. After the program is completed, the Holy Spirit pulled me into a new desire to know God more through the Bible. Especially when God says, “I am a jealous God.”
I understood clearly when we got our eyes off of Him and looked into other things that was easily distracted us. Sometimes, we focused on things that took our times away from Him, then God became jealous. The Holy Spirit try to convict us to get back to God because He is our Heavenly Father and wants to stay in union with us. Wow! He loves us that much! Isn't He wonderful?
As for news, I will be flying out to Mount Zion Retreat Center, Roaring Branch, Pennsylvania for Deaf Women Christian Retreat on October 2-4, 2009. If you happened to see this announcement and want to go to this retreat, you could contact by email to HShye@aol.com for information or VP at (866) 683-9574.
I really enjoy my very own Fresh Manna and am happy to share with you. I will return to Fresh Manna after October 7th so meanwhile, I encourage you to look into 2008 and 2009 devotions. They are so precious to me. I often go back when I need to be inspired by Holy Spirit who minister to my soul. God Bless you.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Nahum: The Nineveh Downfall
“This is the message for the city of Nineveh. This is the book of the vision of Nahum, who was from the town of Elkosh. The Lord is a jealous God who punishes; the Lord punishes and is filled with anger. The Lord punishes those who are against him, and he stays angry with his enemies. The Lord does not become angry quickly, and his power is great. The Lord will not let the guilty go unpunished” (Nahum 1:1-3a ncv).
The historians did not give the exact location where Nahum came from, but it was most likely that Nahum was a prophet in Judah. Between 663-612 B.C., Nahum predicts the downfall of Assyria’s capital city, Nineveh. Nineveh had repented under the preaching of Jonah more than one hundreds years ago, but the people had returned to their idolatry, cruelty, and oppression. The Assyrians had conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and were planning to destroy Jerusalem and Judah, but God would not allow their plans to be successful. Nahum comforted God’s people by telling them that God would destroy the Assyrians. Ninevah’s fall happened in 612 B.C. when it was conquered by coalition of the Babylonians. (Coalition means Babylonians had help with other nations).
Note: You might want to look into II Chronicles Greater Power 1 & 2 (August 6-7, 2009) because it fitted the story of King of Judah, Hezekiah who were challenged by Sennacherib, king of Assyria during 701 B.C. and how the angel of the Lord went out and killed 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp. The king of Assyria went back to Nineveh and he was killed.
What can we learn from this?
God is a jealous God and He is very protective of His people. He makes sure that the people of Israel would not be completely destroyed by any nations even though God had to punish His people for breaking His laws. Jeremiah, the prophet prophesied 70 years of Babylonians’ captivity of people from Judah, and God made sure that there would always be remnant of Judah who come in the line of the future Messiah. Ezra, Nehemiah, and Zerubbabel (descendants of David) and others came back and rebuilt the Altar, the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem between 538-516 B.C.
See Nahum 2 The Lord is good.
The historians did not give the exact location where Nahum came from, but it was most likely that Nahum was a prophet in Judah. Between 663-612 B.C., Nahum predicts the downfall of Assyria’s capital city, Nineveh. Nineveh had repented under the preaching of Jonah more than one hundreds years ago, but the people had returned to their idolatry, cruelty, and oppression. The Assyrians had conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and were planning to destroy Jerusalem and Judah, but God would not allow their plans to be successful. Nahum comforted God’s people by telling them that God would destroy the Assyrians. Ninevah’s fall happened in 612 B.C. when it was conquered by coalition of the Babylonians. (Coalition means Babylonians had help with other nations).
Note: You might want to look into II Chronicles Greater Power 1 & 2 (August 6-7, 2009) because it fitted the story of King of Judah, Hezekiah who were challenged by Sennacherib, king of Assyria during 701 B.C. and how the angel of the Lord went out and killed 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp. The king of Assyria went back to Nineveh and he was killed.
What can we learn from this?
God is a jealous God and He is very protective of His people. He makes sure that the people of Israel would not be completely destroyed by any nations even though God had to punish His people for breaking His laws. Jeremiah, the prophet prophesied 70 years of Babylonians’ captivity of people from Judah, and God made sure that there would always be remnant of Judah who come in the line of the future Messiah. Ezra, Nehemiah, and Zerubbabel (descendants of David) and others came back and rebuilt the Altar, the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem between 538-516 B.C.
See Nahum 2 The Lord is good.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Nahum 2: The Lord Is Good
“The Lord is good, giving protection in times of trouble.
He knows who trusts in Him” (Nahum 1:7 ncv). Nahum
gave hope to Israel those who put their trust in God.
THE LORD IS GOOD…
“He is our stronghold … He knows them that trust in Him.”
Nahum 1:7 kjv
Dorothy: This is a beautiful picture of God our Heavenly
Father who has an intimate knowledge about us. Really, God
loves us that much. Each of us is unique: yet God knows and
understands each personal character, our background, how we
grew up, how we act, how deeply we feel, and our needs, no
matter how great or small. Jesus said, “For your Father
knoweth what things ye have need of” (Matthew 6:8). Only
Jesus knew about Father because Jesus was there with Him.
Jesus is our witness that Nahum was right about ‘God knows
them that trust in Him.’
This reminds me of a song collection: Trust In the Lord
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart
and lean not to your own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him and
He shall direct thine paths (Prov. 3:5-6).
He knows who trusts in Him” (Nahum 1:7 ncv). Nahum
gave hope to Israel those who put their trust in God.
THE LORD IS GOOD…
“He is our stronghold … He knows them that trust in Him.”
Nahum 1:7 kjv
Dorothy: This is a beautiful picture of God our Heavenly
Father who has an intimate knowledge about us. Really, God
loves us that much. Each of us is unique: yet God knows and
understands each personal character, our background, how we
grew up, how we act, how deeply we feel, and our needs, no
matter how great or small. Jesus said, “For your Father
knoweth what things ye have need of” (Matthew 6:8). Only
Jesus knew about Father because Jesus was there with Him.
Jesus is our witness that Nahum was right about ‘God knows
them that trust in Him.’
This reminds me of a song collection: Trust In the Lord
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart
and lean not to your own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him and
He shall direct thine paths (Prov. 3:5-6).
Friday, September 25, 2009
Micah the Prophet
“Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.” Micah 7:7-8 kjv
Micah was a country prophet who condemned Judah corrupt rulers, false prophets, ungodly priests, dishonest merchants, and bribed judges. He preached against the sins of injustice, oppression of the peasants and villagers, greed immorality, and idolatry. He warned of God’s coming judgment if they practiced in their evil ways. Micah accurately predicted Israel’s downfall before it happened in 722 B.C.; and same destruction would come to Judah and Jerusalem because of their sins and rebellion against God.
This seems depressed as if there wasn’t any hope at all for Israel, yet God was merciful to give the prophetic message of hope: the coming Messiah and that Israel would rise again. God would bless His people again. (See Micah the Bethlehem)
Prayer to God: “There is no God like you. You forgive those who are guilty of sin; you don’t look at the sins of your people who are left alive. You will not stay angry forever, because you enjoy being kind. You will have mercy on us again; you will conquer our sins into the deepest part of the sea. You will be true to the people of Jacob, and you will be kind to the people of Abraham as you promised to our ancestors long ago.” Micah 7:18-20 ncv
Dorothy: Going through the Bible, book by book really envision who God is. What impressed me is that God always add hope of future Jerusalem after the judgment warnings to Israel. It is my prayer that we would grow to love our heavenly Father more and more. This is why God gave us the Bible to study.
At Billy Graham’s Museum in Wheaton, Illinois, I noticed one line of his biography which he said, “If I had to start over again with my life, I would have taken more time to study the Bible.”
Micah was a country prophet who condemned Judah corrupt rulers, false prophets, ungodly priests, dishonest merchants, and bribed judges. He preached against the sins of injustice, oppression of the peasants and villagers, greed immorality, and idolatry. He warned of God’s coming judgment if they practiced in their evil ways. Micah accurately predicted Israel’s downfall before it happened in 722 B.C.; and same destruction would come to Judah and Jerusalem because of their sins and rebellion against God.
This seems depressed as if there wasn’t any hope at all for Israel, yet God was merciful to give the prophetic message of hope: the coming Messiah and that Israel would rise again. God would bless His people again. (See Micah the Bethlehem)
Prayer to God: “There is no God like you. You forgive those who are guilty of sin; you don’t look at the sins of your people who are left alive. You will not stay angry forever, because you enjoy being kind. You will have mercy on us again; you will conquer our sins into the deepest part of the sea. You will be true to the people of Jacob, and you will be kind to the people of Abraham as you promised to our ancestors long ago.” Micah 7:18-20 ncv
Dorothy: Going through the Bible, book by book really envision who God is. What impressed me is that God always add hope of future Jerusalem after the judgment warnings to Israel. It is my prayer that we would grow to love our heavenly Father more and more. This is why God gave us the Bible to study.
At Billy Graham’s Museum in Wheaton, Illinois, I noticed one line of his biography which he said, “If I had to start over again with my life, I would have taken more time to study the Bible.”
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Micah 2 Bethlehem
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2 kjv
BUT THOU BETHLEHEM.
In the year between 740-710 B.C., Micah prophesies that a ruler would come out of Bethlehem who would fulfill God’s promises to His people. This verse was about Jesus the Messiah who would be born as a human being. Jesus walked on earth. Jesus gives peace with God, forgiveness of sin, and the assurance of eternal life to those who repent and receive Him by faith. Jesus was among His people, crucified, rose again and ascended unto heaven. The rest of Micah’s scriptures explained the coming Messiah will destroy all evil and Christ will be our everlasting peace. The Messiah will reign as a King of kings and Lord of lords. These encourage me to keep in prayer-union with our Lord and to look forward to His coming for His people, Israel in Jerusalem. I pray that it will encourage you to keep in tune with God and not give up just because the Lord’s coming seems slow.
Song: King of kings
He is the King of kings,
He is the Lord of lords.
The ever lasting One,
the dear beloved Son.
The Beginning and the End,
the sinner’s only Friend.
His name is Jesus, His name is Lord!
Lyrics and music: Sharon Steward Dyer
BUT THOU BETHLEHEM.
In the year between 740-710 B.C., Micah prophesies that a ruler would come out of Bethlehem who would fulfill God’s promises to His people. This verse was about Jesus the Messiah who would be born as a human being. Jesus walked on earth. Jesus gives peace with God, forgiveness of sin, and the assurance of eternal life to those who repent and receive Him by faith. Jesus was among His people, crucified, rose again and ascended unto heaven. The rest of Micah’s scriptures explained the coming Messiah will destroy all evil and Christ will be our everlasting peace. The Messiah will reign as a King of kings and Lord of lords. These encourage me to keep in prayer-union with our Lord and to look forward to His coming for His people, Israel in Jerusalem. I pray that it will encourage you to keep in tune with God and not give up just because the Lord’s coming seems slow.
Song: King of kings
He is the King of kings,
He is the Lord of lords.
The ever lasting One,
the dear beloved Son.
The Beginning and the End,
the sinner’s only Friend.
His name is Jesus, His name is Lord!
Lyrics and music: Sharon Steward Dyer
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Jonah Gets Second Chance
“But I will praise and thank You while I give sacrifices to you and I will keep my promises to You. Salvation comes from the Lord”
(Jonah 2:9 ncv).
Where was Jonah when he prayed this kind of prayer? Right in the stinking-smelling stomach of a big fish. Phew! Yet Jonah gave God thanks for his deliverance from the big fish by faith. God heard Jonah’s prayer. “Then the Lord spoke to the fish, and the fish threw up Jonah onto the dry land” (Jonah 2:10 ncv). God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh. His mission was to warn the people of God’s soon-coming judgment upon the city. Jonah hated the people of Nineveh for their cruelty to the people of Israel in the past. He also knew God’s great mercy to any people who would repent of their sins.
Jonah decided to escape from doing God’s mission by hiding in a ship by going into opposite direction away from Nineveh. The storm came and hit the ship for a few days. Jonah was thrown into the sea to appease God. The great fish swallowed Jonah and he stayed in its belly for three days. Then Jonah prayed the prayer founded in Jonah 2:1-9. The great fish could not stand Jonah being in his belly for three days. Yuck! The great fish threw him out of its belly.
Who was Jonah and where was he from? Jonah was a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel during the year of 760 B.C. He lived close to Galilee. Nineveh was about 500 miles northeast of Galilee. It would have taken Jonah several days to reach to Nineveh. Instead he got on a ship that would go to Spain and he didn’t make it. God gave Jonah the second chance to go to Nineveh to preach the warning judgment of God. What did the people do? Surprised! The king of Nineveh arose from his throne and announced to all 120,000 people of the city to fast and pray. The king encouraged everyone to turn from their evil way and from the violence in their lands. The people repented and God spared them from judgment. Wow! What a merciful God!
What can we learn from this? God is merciful. Like Peter said that God is not willing that any men should perish without Christ, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet.3:9). This devotion tells us who God is. Doesn’t this make you appreciate God who is not willing to bring quick judgment? He gives men time to repent and change their ways. “Heavenly Father, we appreciate You.”
(Jonah 2:9 ncv).
Where was Jonah when he prayed this kind of prayer? Right in the stinking-smelling stomach of a big fish. Phew! Yet Jonah gave God thanks for his deliverance from the big fish by faith. God heard Jonah’s prayer. “Then the Lord spoke to the fish, and the fish threw up Jonah onto the dry land” (Jonah 2:10 ncv). God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh. His mission was to warn the people of God’s soon-coming judgment upon the city. Jonah hated the people of Nineveh for their cruelty to the people of Israel in the past. He also knew God’s great mercy to any people who would repent of their sins.
Jonah decided to escape from doing God’s mission by hiding in a ship by going into opposite direction away from Nineveh. The storm came and hit the ship for a few days. Jonah was thrown into the sea to appease God. The great fish swallowed Jonah and he stayed in its belly for three days. Then Jonah prayed the prayer founded in Jonah 2:1-9. The great fish could not stand Jonah being in his belly for three days. Yuck! The great fish threw him out of its belly.
Who was Jonah and where was he from? Jonah was a prophet to the northern kingdom of Israel during the year of 760 B.C. He lived close to Galilee. Nineveh was about 500 miles northeast of Galilee. It would have taken Jonah several days to reach to Nineveh. Instead he got on a ship that would go to Spain and he didn’t make it. God gave Jonah the second chance to go to Nineveh to preach the warning judgment of God. What did the people do? Surprised! The king of Nineveh arose from his throne and announced to all 120,000 people of the city to fast and pray. The king encouraged everyone to turn from their evil way and from the violence in their lands. The people repented and God spared them from judgment. Wow! What a merciful God!
What can we learn from this? God is merciful. Like Peter said that God is not willing that any men should perish without Christ, but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet.3:9). This devotion tells us who God is. Doesn’t this make you appreciate God who is not willing to bring quick judgment? He gives men time to repent and change their ways. “Heavenly Father, we appreciate You.”
Monday, September 21, 2009
Obadiah: God Punished Edom
This is what the Lord God says about Edom...
“Edom, do not laugh at your brother Israel in his time of trouble or be happy about the people of Judah when they are destroyed. Do not brag when cruel things are done to them. Do not enter the city gate of my people in their time of trouble or laugh at their problems in their time of trouble. Do not take their treasures in their time of trouble. Do not stand at the crossroads to destroy those who are trying to escape. Do not capture those who escape alive and turn them over to their enemy in their time of trouble. The Lord’s day of judging is coming soon to all the nations. The same evil things you did to other people will happen to you; they will come back upon your own head.”
Obadiah 1:1b, 12-15 NCV
Who is Obadiah? Obadiah was a prophet to Judah. Why Obadiah wrote this message from the Lord? To whom was this message for? The Lord was very angry with Edomites, the neighbors who lived south of Judah. The Edomities were the people who came from Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. They were enemies of the Israelites. Edom helped many other countries attacking Israel. Edomites liked to rob and kill anyone they can steal things from Israel. Edomites lived in a rocky range of mountains. Their homes were on clefts, built on the walls of mountains. They were very proud of their homeland and they felt very safe and very powerful. No one could defeat them for a long time until God sent Babylonian armies to come and destroyed almost all of their homeland and everything they had. When Edom refused to help Israel, its neighbor and relative in time of trouble, Obadiah prophesied that God would bring destruction upon Edomites and He did.
What we can learn from the Book of Obadiah? God wants us to understand that the Lord God is the champion of the poor and the needy. He is the defender to them from those who have oppressed them and those who would not help them. God is concerned that His people who have received His help and mercy show mercy to others in their time of need. This shows me that God really cares about helping the poor and needy.
Today there are many organizations that are helping the people with foods, clothing, housing, and money to meet their needs. This is really a blessing and I am thankful that we have a caring God. Lots of people send money or clothes to help organizations to meet the needy people. God will bless us when we help others.
“Edom, do not laugh at your brother Israel in his time of trouble or be happy about the people of Judah when they are destroyed. Do not brag when cruel things are done to them. Do not enter the city gate of my people in their time of trouble or laugh at their problems in their time of trouble. Do not take their treasures in their time of trouble. Do not stand at the crossroads to destroy those who are trying to escape. Do not capture those who escape alive and turn them over to their enemy in their time of trouble. The Lord’s day of judging is coming soon to all the nations. The same evil things you did to other people will happen to you; they will come back upon your own head.”
Obadiah 1:1b, 12-15 NCV
Who is Obadiah? Obadiah was a prophet to Judah. Why Obadiah wrote this message from the Lord? To whom was this message for? The Lord was very angry with Edomites, the neighbors who lived south of Judah. The Edomities were the people who came from Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. They were enemies of the Israelites. Edom helped many other countries attacking Israel. Edomites liked to rob and kill anyone they can steal things from Israel. Edomites lived in a rocky range of mountains. Their homes were on clefts, built on the walls of mountains. They were very proud of their homeland and they felt very safe and very powerful. No one could defeat them for a long time until God sent Babylonian armies to come and destroyed almost all of their homeland and everything they had. When Edom refused to help Israel, its neighbor and relative in time of trouble, Obadiah prophesied that God would bring destruction upon Edomites and He did.
What we can learn from the Book of Obadiah? God wants us to understand that the Lord God is the champion of the poor and the needy. He is the defender to them from those who have oppressed them and those who would not help them. God is concerned that His people who have received His help and mercy show mercy to others in their time of need. This shows me that God really cares about helping the poor and needy.
Today there are many organizations that are helping the people with foods, clothing, housing, and money to meet their needs. This is really a blessing and I am thankful that we have a caring God. Lots of people send money or clothes to help organizations to meet the needy people. God will bless us when we help others.
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