Waiting for a Messiah

Ancient Jews were waiting for a Messiah - we see some of what they were looking for in Mary's Magnificat. If her hymn of praise reflects what God intended to accomplish through her son Jesus, what does that tell us was we await Jesus's return?

We're in Trouble

Zephaniah 3 starts with a depiction of the trouble Jerusalem and God's people are in. They've sinned and rejected God. Judgment is coming. They're in trouble. Yet the deepest truth is God's love and mercy for them. God will preserve a remnant.

Spiritual Warfare

Though we often start with Ephesians 6 when thinking about spiritual warfare, the specific armor imagery found there originates in Isaiah 59. From that context we see clearly that what we call "warfare" looks more like Jesus on the cross than a soldier taking up arms.

Happy New YEar?

The first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the Christian year. Why do we start our year with the message of John the Baptist issuing a call to repentance?