Job I: Heaven

And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, (Job 19:26, 27 ESV)

 Heaven’s Wonder

Our concept of heaven has been tainted by two things.  First, Christians seem to understand heaven based on pictures absorbed from the entertainment world.  Whether from medieval artists, 1980’s films, or popular non-fiction description, we seem to think heaven is a place centered around ourselves.  We like to wonder about new healthful bodies, age, and recognition.  These are fine things.  But our excessive wondering shows we might not understand heaven.

The second taint is connected to the first.  We, ourselves, are often the center of our attention.  We are selfish, now… and our consideration of heaven follows that vein.

But heaven is about God.

Job realizes that the decay of his body might seem depressing.  But when his body is gone, Job will be in the presence of God!  The actual, complete, fully experienced presence of God.

Sometimes we might be so earthly minded, we are no heavenly good.

Esther III: Resignation

Esther III

Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish. (Esther 4:16 ESV)

Resignation

I can imagine Esther making this pronouncement in a voice like Eeyore.  Sad, resigned, expecting the worst, but not really caring.

But better, I can imagine Esther saying these words with hope.

She knows her God.  She knows His character.  She knows His power.  She knows His reputation.  She knows His history.  She knows what He has ALWAYS done.

And so she knows what He WILL do.

Esther knows that God is lovingly in charge.

Esther knows that God is wisely in charge.

Esther knows that God is delightfully in charge.

EVEN IF things appear to go poorly, at first… if she perishes… things will be fantastic!

We know that, too.

Esther II: THIS Time

Esther II

And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14 ESV)

THIS time

The American Pioneer Daniel Boone was searching for his daughter.  She had been captured, and was SOMEWHERE in the vast Kentuckian wilderness.  He attempted to use reason, trail-craft, and geographical awareness to find her and her captors.

And one morning, he found them.

While he had been (as he later admitted) basically wandering around, so also was the party of men that were holding his daughter.  Two groups of people, wandering almost aimlessly.

And they ran into each other.  Boone’s daughter was rescued, and Boone was delighted.

He mused, years later, about the amazing knowledge, planning, and sovereignty of God. 

Two groups of people ending up at EXACTLY the right place, at EXACTLY the right time.

Esther was moved by God in a similar way.

JUST the right King.  JUST the right Esther.  JUST the right circumstances.  JUST the right timing.

And God’s people were rescued.

He does this all the time.  We are in just the right place for HIS plans.  We are with just the right people for HIS plans.  We are in just the right circumstances for HIS plans.

So do not despair, do not fear, do not lose faith.

God’s plans are great.

Esther I: Strange Circumstances

Esther I

Then the king gave a great feast for all his officials and servants; it was Esther’s feast. He also granted a remission of taxes to the provinces and gave gifts with royal generosity. (Esther 2:18 ESV)

Strange Circumstances

Esther was in a tough spot.  She was a stranger in a strange land, but was given the opportunity to transform that strange land.  She represented God and His people to a nation of enemies, hostiles, and pagans.

She lived in a harem.  She was unequally yoked.  She bowed to a king who was not her king.  Perhaps she ate food sacrificed to idols.

But God took those strange circumstances, and changed her world.

I do not know what to do with Esther’s un-Daniel-like activities.

But God knew what to do.  He used them.  He transformed them.  He centered His plan around them to save Esther, Mordecai, the Jews, and all of God’s people.

I am glad that God’s mind is bigger than mine.  I am glad that God takes the tainted and purifies it.  I am glad that God knows what He is doing, even when I do not.

Nehemiah IV: Guilt and Grace

Nehemiah IV

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10 ESV)

Guilt and Grace

As often happens, returning to God often brings feelings of guilt.  Here, when the ex-exiles returned to Jerusalem and heard again (perhaps after 40 years of quiet!) God’s Word, they grieved, mourned, and knew their guilt.

We would expect Nehemiah to scowl approvingly.  “FEEL GUILTY, YOU SCUM!!” we might imagine him proclaiming.

But Nehemiah does not say such things.  Seeing their awareness of their wandering hearts, and hearing their expressions of sorrow, Nehemiah responds with the gospel.

Their guilt is now a chance for partying!

Not silly partying… not drunken revelry… but joyful celebration because GOD BROUGHT THEM BACK TO HIMSELF.

It ties in with the Messiah to come… but His Grace is already present.

God forgives His people.

When we feel guilt, that is a good thing.  But it is good particularly when we move from sorrow to celebration… from tears to laughter… from weeping to rejoicing.

There is grace even in guilt.

Nehemiah III: Costly Obedience

Nehemiah III

As soon as it began to grow dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and gave orders that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. And I stationed some of my servants at the gates, that no load might be brought in on the Sabbath day. (Nehemiah 13:19 ESV)

Costly Obedience

Keeping God’s laws brings success.  That is not WHY we obey, but because God’s laws are practical, based on the creator’s knowledge, and based on God’s sovereignty, His laws will enable us as individuals to work the way were created.  His laws will enable us as a community to work the way we were created.  His laws will enable us as a civilization to work the way we were created. 

But God’s laws often go against what society thinks is common sense.

For Nehemiah’s newly returned Israelites, keeping the Sabbath was costly.

They had to turn down profit.

But Nehemiah knew that obeying God’s law, even the unpopular Sabbath, pleases God.

Even if it costs a bit of profit.

Our obedience, whether regarding the Sabbath, or telling the truth (and getting into trouble), or loving our enemy (even when they laugh at our foolishness), or trusting Jesus instead of chariots, bank accounts, or knowledge… will make us successful. 

Because His law works.

Nehemiah II: How to Pray

‘O Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who delight to fear Your name, and give success to Your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (Nehemiah 1:11a ESV)

How to Pray

Nehemiah was desperate.  He knew his people suffered under foreign rule, and exile.  He knew that God had promised a return to the Promised Land, and no evidence of that return was observed.  He knew that the people of God, already having wandered from God with the resulting exile, were now wandering further.

And so Nehemiah used his best strategy and tactics.

He prayed.

Particularly, he prayed humbly.  Nehemiah made no demands.  He did not glare at God, demanding God’s attention.  He did not push loudly… but Nehemiah prayed to God humbly, making the context of his prayer God Himself. “ Your” servant. “Your” servants, “Your” servant.

Particularly, he prayed personally. Nehemiah, even in his flowery language, spoke to God personally.  He had a conversation with God.  He expressed his fear, his hope, and his confidence in God. 

Particularly, he prayed clearly.  Nehemiah was not vague in his prayer.  Nehemiah outlined his relationship with God, his specific need from God, and his clear hope in God, and God alone.

Pray like Nehemiah.

Nehemiah I: Cupbearer!

Nehemiah I

 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who delight to fear Your name, and give success to Your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king. (Nehemiah 1:11 ESV)

Cupbearer!

Dramatic moments in movies, literature, and poetry could certainly hope to match the description presented here of Nehemiah.  The book that bears his name begins with a thoughtful set of desperate prayers, theological comments, and church-talk.  It is a good start for a Biblical book.

But then, out of the blue (unless we know the story) we see that Nehemiah was not a desert-dwelling prophet.  Nehemiah was not a thoughtful scholar teaching at Jerusalem Seminary.  Nehemiah was not a vague, unknown, hidden barely-historical figure.

He was the cupbearer to the King!  This was a close, intimate, important member of the royal household and staff!  In today’s world, he would be a talking head on the news, a billboard-present face, a well-known and publicly trusted bureaucrat.

But the irony here is that Nehemiah, as important as he was, was MORE important to His God.

Cupbearer to the King, but servant of the one true living God.

Cupbearer to the King, but God’s hands and mouth.

Cupbearer to the King, but a driving force in the plans of God for the restoration and salvation of His people.

Jesus was like that.  A member of Israel’s hidden royal line.  An important craftsman in Nazareth.  A rabbi, a teacher, a prophet…

But the Servant of the One True Living God.

And God’s Hands and Mouth.

And THE driving force in God’s Plan for the Restoration and Salvation of His People!

And we, when we walk in God’s path, and follow His way, and strive to work in Him, through Him, by Him, and for Him… are just as important to God.

Cupbearers? No… but God’s Servants!

Ezra II: The Whole World

Ezra II

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, (Ezra 1:1 ESV)

The Whole World

I used to sing in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, “He’s got the whole world, in His hands!”  but I I do not think I really understood what I was singing.

Cyrus probably was not a believer in God.  But he was stirred up by God.

Cyrus probably did not pray to God, submit to God, or follow God.  But God moved him as God willed.

Cyrus probably could not understand God’s actions, revelations, or Law.  But he was under the authority of God, whether he knew it or not.

We might mistakenly think that Sunday is the Lord’s Day, and the rest of the week is our own, or the world’s, or no one’s. 

But every day is the Lord’s.  Every atom is the Lord’s.  Every part of creation is the Lord’s.  Every king is the Lord’s.  Every servant is the Lord’s.

The whole world is His.

Ezra I: Focus

Ezra I

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. (Ezra 7:10 ESV)

Focus

Ezra changed his world.  He was involved in one of the most surprising restorations in the history of the world.  Israel, alone of the lands locked into the Persian empire, got to go home.  Exiled, they returned under Ezra’s staff.

And Ezra found the way to do that by focusing on God’s word.  More knowledge was known in the Persian empire than anywhere on earth at that time.  More military might was wielded in the Persian empire than anywhere in earth at that time.  More wealth had accumulated in the Persian empire than anywhere in the earth at that time.

And Ezra found his plans, his solutions, his strategy, his success no where but in God’s word.

His focus was on Scripture… and the rest followed naturally after.  

The same is true today.  Theology is not the merely the top tier of education. Nor is theology opposed to nuclear physics, geology, history, sociology, psychology, economics, ecology, or any hard or soft science.

Focus on God, true focus, is the foundation of all knowledge. 

Everything else derives from that.  Start right, and like Ezra, you’ll finish well.

II Chronicles II: Who??

II Chronicles II

Solomon the son of David established himself in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great. (II Chronicles 1:1 ESV)

Who?

Who is helping whom here? Solomon was the most famous, the most successful, the most wealthy, the most wise King.  But it is the Lord whose presence made those things happen, and who made Solomon exceedingly great.

But it seems to me that Solomon was not passive.  Solomon did not sit back and hope that God would do something.  Solomon established Himself as king.  In line with God’s law, in accordance with Godly wisdom, in submission to God… of course.

But Solomon figured out what to do, and did it.

The Bible is all about God’s sovereignty.  But God’s sovereignty, by His choice, is entwined with our actions.  God’s sovereignty, by His choice, is manifested in our decisions.  God’s sovereignty, by His choice, is noticeable through our presence in the world.

It is Him… but because He is amazingly gracious, it is through His people.

Weekly News

JEREMY CASELLA

Sunday June 8, 2025

11:00 Worship

7 PM Concert

Sing the Gospel!!!

Hymning, Humming, and Fellowship!

(Free Will offering during the evening concert)

II Chronicles I: Who?

II Chronicles I

… if My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (II Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

Who?

The One True Living God is a God of second chances!  We see this repeatedly in Scripture, often in places that go unnoted.

This verse is often used as a rallying cry for political activism in the form of prayer… but that is not the point here.

Without our usual labels and attachments, God simply gives hope.  If God’s people, in other words, Christians, turn back to Him after we have wandered, He will forgive and undo the effects of our sin.

This is not a battle cry for Americans, because while many Christians are American citizens, America is not God’s People.  It is similarly not a battle cry for Canadians, British, French, Russians, or Iranians. 

It is an offer of hope for Christians, God literally says, “my people.”

Even better, it refers not only to individuals, but to the church!  Because yes, even the church wanders and has ill effects from our sins… and when the church seeks God’s face instead of other things that have distracted us, He forgives and heals the ill effects of the church’s sins.

We err when we think the church is automatically in God’s favor.  We are only in His favor when we humbly seek His face, and reject the wickedness that slips in the back door.

But note… our God, because of Christ forgives us!  He heals us! He continues to love us!

I Chronicles II: The Presence of God

I Chronicles II

And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had. (I Chronicles 13:14 ESV)

The Presence of God

The people living in the Kingdom of Israel understood something that we seem to have forgotten.  Nothing is better than the presence of God.

Nothing solves problems better than the presence of God.

Nothing brings joy like the presence of God.

Nothing shines light like the presence of God.

Nothing works more effectively than the presence of God.

Nothing blesses like the presence of God…

In fact, nothing blesses OTHER than the presence of God!

For Obed-edom’s family, that presence was shown in the ark of the Covenant.

For us… it is the Holy Spirit!

I Chronicles I: Returning Gifts

I Chronicles I

And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.  “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. (I Chronicles 29:13,14 ESV)

Returning Gifts

When we give our offerings to the Lord, whether in the form of finances, material, time, or energy, it is easy for us to be proud.  Not in a bad way… but noting our willingness, our generosity, and our submission.

But in this verse, our attention and intentions are stretched.

Because since EVERYTHING belongs to our God, we give Him but His own.

Our bank accounts are filled with His funds.  Our stuff belongs to Him.  Our time is His to use.  And He alone is the source of all of our energy, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.

And that is a good thing.  It enables cheerful giving.  It enables trustful giving.  It enables honest giving.  It enables giving.

It is all His, anyway.  But we get to use it!

II Kings II: Behind the Scenes

II Kings II

Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (II Kings 6:17 ESV)

Behind the Scenes

I like to know the rest of the story.  I like to know what happened behind the scenes.  I like to understand the script, the back-story, the truth behind the illusions.

And Elisha’s servant Gehazi got to know those things.

With one quick mind-blowing peak behind the curtain.

Behind everything is the power of God.

Elisha knew it, and had peace in terrifying times.  Jesus knew it, and trusted His Father all the way through the cross to the empty tomb.  Stephen knew it, and was martyred with hope.

We know it…

Let that knowledge lift your timid expectations.  Let that knowledge give you nightly rest.  Let that knowledge lift the edges of your mouth in a smile.  Let that knowledge make you amazed at your God.

II Kings I: Prayer

II Kings I

When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. (II Kings 4:32,33 ESV)

Prayer

Elisha here encounters an impossible situation.  He encounters nothing less than death.  And he faces that death with a simple and powerful reaction.

He prays.

He prays because He knows that God can do all things.

He prays because He knows that God loves His children.

He prays because it is Elisha’s habit, his modus operandi, the regular solution to his life’s struggles.

This certainly is not the first example in Scripture where a child of God prays.  But here in II Kings we are reminded to pray.

Not because prayer is magic, or because we are superstitious, or because we have been guilted into closing our eyes and folding our hands.

But because prayer is how we talk to our God. 

I Kings II: Necessary Grace

I Kings II

For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. (I Kings 11:4 ESV)

Necessary Grace

Everyone has sinned.  Everyone sins.  Everyone needs grace.

Even Solomon, who was gifted wisdom beyond all humans, respect beyond all Kings, and a relationship with God that most would envy… sinned.

We cannot say, “If I can be smart enough, I will not need the gospel.”

We cannot say, “If I can be careful enough, I will not need the gospel.”

We cannot say, “If I can be wise enough, I will not need the gospel.”

The gospel is not for most people… the gospel is for everyone.

Solomon fell off his pedestal.  We need to get off our own.

I Kings I: Unique Amazing Grace

I Kings I

…and (Solomon) said, “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart; (I Kings 8:23 ESV)

Unique Amazing Grace

Most people prefer to think of ourselves as unique.  But we are not as unique as we think we are.  Not only do we each supposedly have physical doppelgangers somewhere out there, but our individuality is not as profound as we imagine.

We share sorrows, successes, failures, and joys.

The human condition is a shared state.

But there is no one like God.

Particularly, the most unique characteristic of God is His steadfast love.  His loving kindness.  His inexplicable patience. His unconditional love.  His amazing grace.

There is no one like Him in the universe.

II Samuel III: Sorrow

II Samuel III

The king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, “O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (II Samuel 19:4 ESV)

Sorrow

King David grieved.

And while the source of his grief was obviously the rebellious and deceitful actions of his son, Absalom, David understood something else.

The source of his grief was his own sin.

David’s earlier reactions led to Absalom’s treason against God and Israel.

But the thing to remember here is that David stops the blame game.  He does not argue about Absalom’s poor character, or the unfortunate series of circumstances that led to Absalom’s death, or who was the MOST to blame.

David grieved for his own sin.

And he did not try to avoid the responsibility.  Although he could have.  Absalom WAS more guilty here than David.  Some of David’s advisors were also to blame.  And the Israelites themselves were culpable.

But David grieved.  For his own sin.  For the effects of his own sin.  For the cost to his family and his kingdom. 

He was not feeling sorry for himself.  He was feeling sorry for everyone else for what HE had done.

That is what repentance looks like.

And such sorrow gives rise to the Psalms, to an honest relationship with God, and to the Messiah.