By Mike Kemper Focal Passage: II Chronicles 15:10-19 As King Asa began his rule he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. However, before his time, worship and an obedient relationship with God had been token if at all.  King Asa repeatedly insists that the people “seek the Lord.” Though Asa had been successful to a degree, turning the hearts of the people back to their God,

By Mike Kemper Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer Focal Passage: II Chronicles 15:1-9  Honoring and obeying God always brings blessings and benefits. Good King Asa had initially done what was right by bringing spiritual reforms. Blessings came. But, consistency in doing right things for the entire nation of Israel had always been “off and on,” sometimes yes, sometimes no.  The prophet Azariah went to King Asa with a reminder

By Mike Kemper Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer Focal Passage: II Chronicles 14:9-15 How thankful we are for the many encouraging examples of the power and greatness of the Almighty God we know and serve! Such encouraging verses give vivid examples, and our own experiences with God continue to resound over and over as living testimonies to the power and greatness of God. As you read and meditate on

By Mike Kemper Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer  Focal Passage: II Chronicles 14:1-8  How can followers of Christ live godly lives in an ungodly world? This lesson makes the point that as followers of Christ we must make God the focus of our lives. The ungodly world around us continually blurs and distorts efforts of living godly lives. We must make willful decisions to live and do what is

By Mike Kemper Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer Focal Passage: II Timothy 2:1-2; 3:10-17 Most of us can recall someone who has been a valued example for us in life, someone we recognized as “having it all together,” someone who has made right decisions, accomplished things that we ourselves would like to accomplish. Someone we desire to pattern our own life after. For many of us, Billy Graham was

By Mike Kemper Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer Focal Passage: John 4:10-18, 28-30 The shortest distance between Jerusalem and Galilee was to travel through Samaria. However, in order not to be defiled, many Jews preferred detouring, going the long way to avoid the Samaritans. By the time Jesus came this way there was a strong hatred between Jews and Samaritans.  Evidently Jesus felt He must confront this hostility in

 By Mike Kemper Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer Focal Passage: Luke 12:13-21; 21:1-4 Luke tells us about Jesus’ confrontations with the Pharisees while pointing out to His disciples the problems of hypocrisy and greed, and by illustrating the value of good stewardship of possessions and sacrificial giving. By looking at these two contrasting stories —  the rich fool who stores and the poor widow who gives — we discover

By Mike Kemper Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 25:2-3, 14-17, 23-28, 32-35 The lesson of Abigail and David demonstrate character qualities which are important to take to heart and to emulate. Nabal, the rich husband of Abigail, acts in a harsh and insensitive, foolish manner. Abigail is discerning and takes steps to avert further harm and sure death by taking the blame for her husband’s

By Mike Kemper Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 1:1-2, 9-11, 17-18, 26-28; 2:1-3 The sincere, heart motivated prayers of Hannah for a son are exemplary and truly made a great impact on the course of Israel’s future. Prayer is not a last resort, but prayer can and does make a difference. Prayer is like a “power house” for God’s people. Yes, God does hear the

By Mike Kemper Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer Focal Passage: Joshua 2:1-14 Now that Joshua has assumed leadership for leading the Israelites on to the Promised Land, the city of Jericho was one of the first obstacles just across the Red Sea. Joshua sends two spies to “scout the land.” They went and came to the house of “a prostitute named Rahab.” They were not there for the wrong