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Songs of Solomon emphasizes the holiness and beauty of marriage through the story of a bridegroom who is in love with his bride. It can also been seen as an illustration of Christ’s love for the Church. Listen to this love poem and get a taste of how marriage paints a perfect picture of the Gospel.

When God led his people out of Egypt, his work in their lives was not complete. God had a plan to transform his people to be recognized as distinctively his. The Israelites were called to be set apart and to be holy, but living a life of holiness is no walk in the park. Follow the Israelites as they strive to live apart from sin by following a daunting list of regulations and laws.

When all of the men in her family die, Ruth is left a widow, and her mother-in-law, Naomi, is left helpless. Ruth, a very loyal daughter-in-law, decides to stay with Naomi, hunting for food to help them survive. The widow unexpectedly meets a wealthy man named Boaz, who takes an interest in her. Could this man be God’s rescue plan for Ruth and Naomi?

There is an inseparable link between our faith and how we live our lives. In his letter to his coworker, Titus, Paul gives us practical instruction on godly living as well as qualifications for Church leaders. While Paul paints a picture of what a healthy Church looks like, he also emphasizes the Gospel as the source of godliness: "...he saved us not because of works done by us in righteousness but according to his own mercy...."

The Gospel is counterintuitive to humans. We are used to earning almost everything in our lives. In the book of Romans, Paul makes it clear that we cannot earn our way to God; in fact, even the “good” deeds we do are like filthy rags before the Lord. Listen to Paul as he teaches us that we are more sinful than we could ever imagine but also more loved than we could ever imagine.

Israel has not repented from their ways, and in turn God has punished them. Lamentations refutes any idea that suffering must be passive and private. This book contains poems filled with deep sorrow in response to the capture of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple. Listen to the speaker as he refuses to be silent in the face of suffering and as he waits on the Lord to bring restoration.

If you could ask God for anything in the world, knowing it would be given to you, what would you ask for? Solomon asked for wisdom. For many this sounds like a silly request, but Solomon knew wisdom was everything he needed in order to successfully carry out the assignment God gave him. In this book we can learn the importance of habitually looking to God, the giver of all good things.

As Christians we have a hope that withstands all trouble. In fact while many strive to avoid suffering, believers can actually rejoice in it. Why? Because God will vindicate his people. We can rest in God's salvation now and look forward to the day he will bring full redemption. This letter, written by the Apostle Peter, points us to Christ in times of tribulation and encourages us to persevere in the midst of suffering.

Giving practical advice for showing hospitality and having a charitable heart toward others, the Apostle John focuses on living life in a way that displays one's love for God. Another vital aspect of this book is John's warnings about false teachers. These individuals "have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist" (2 John 7).

Many called Jeremiah the "Weeping Prophet" and, as shown in this book, he has every reason to mourn. Jeremiah's ministry is primarily concerned with preaching the word of God to an idolatrous people. When he comes to realize the Israelites' refusal to repent, Jeremiah begins to describe a future judgment. Interestingly enough, even today the words of this prophet provide us with a study of our own sinfulness.

Paul protests against the perversion of the Gospel. Many are teaching the Galatians that they can be justified by works, and, as a result, they’ve abandoned the truth. Listen to the book of Galatians and rest in the fact that we are justified by grace through faith.

This letter was written by Paul while he was imprisoned Rome. The apostle was experiencing persecution for his faith, but this was no surprise to him, nor was it stealing his hope. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). He was writing this letter to encourage Timothy, his coworker, to be strong in the Lord in spite of suffering. He called on him to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, as we should all strive to be ourselves.

God tells Jonah to preach repentance to Nineveh, a ruthless and idolatrous nation. Jonah, a prophet who does not like the Assyrians, wants Nineveh to be destroyed. Instead of following God’s call, Jonah rebels and sails in the opposite direction, deliberately fleeing from God. Stubborn Jonah ends up in the belly of a fish. Listen to the story of this prophet as God disciplines him for his disobedience and teaches him that he loves all people, even the enemies of his chosen ones.

Like many of us, the Thessalonians need to be reminded of the reality of Christ's second coming. In this book Paul encourages believers to look forward to the second coming as the final accomplishment of God's promise to save his people. In light of the Thessalonians' false sense of security, Paul addresses the timing of the second coming only by saying, "...the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night" (1 Thes. 5:2).

The apostle John shares with us his main goal: "...that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). John states that Jesus is the son of God whom the Father sent to us to accomplish something no one else could. Follow John as he prepares the way for the one who is the only way to eternal life.

The Church has always been in danger of “secret agents” who gain entry into the Christian community and thwart the Gospel, consequently leading believers astray. We see this in Jude’s letter as he tackles the same issues Peter did in his second letter. Unfortunately, believers in the Church are using God’s grace as a ticket to sin freely. The author insists that Christians must defend the true Gospel aggressively for the sake of the church’s well-being.

The Israelites are returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. In many ways this story resembles the life of a Christian who repents from sin and rebellion and turns around to find God welcoming them into his unfailing love. The Book of Ezra is a record of hope for those who are weighed down with discouragement. No sin is too big for God’s grace.

The Gospel does not discriminate. We see this in Paul’s letter to Philemon as he asks him to take back his runaway slave, Onesimus, not as a slave but rather as a beloved brother in Christ. Onesimus ran away from his master, Philemon, and escaped to Rome. On his journey he ran into the Apostle Paul and became a Christian. In Paul’s letter to Philemon, it becomes evident that the Gospel can transform lives and unite two unexpected people as brothers.

In this popular Old Testament book, we learn that God will unleash judgment on a rebellious Israel but also that he will redeem his people with deep compassion. The prophet Isaiah encourages the Israelites to repent from their sinful ways and to live a life of obedience to the Lord.

The book of Psalms is filled with sad songs of lamentation, raw prayers pleading for mercy, poetry about the work and nature of God, and beautiful hymns of praise. Many believers have found these prayers of Israel to be a source of comfort and hope and especially helpful in their own prayer lives. Although this is Israel’s book of prayers, it is also an enduring prayer book for God’s people forever. Listen to the Psalms and be astounded by each poem’s relevancy to your own life.