By Mike Kemper
Retired Baptist Pastor & Director of Missions

Focal Passage: II Chronicles 17:1-13

Living life that sets a good example for others, especially for your own children and family is a worthy effort. King Asa, though he had his failures, had sought to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

He had acted with courage strengthening himself and his people commanding religious reform, destroying idols and renovating the temple. The result was blessings from God, giving victory over enemies and a time of peace and prosperity.   [Read more…]

By Mike Kemper 

Focal Passage:  II Chronicles 16:1-13 

In review, we have learned that King Asa was the third king of Judah, the first “good” king. He had determined to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, torn down idols, renovated the temple and commanded the people to seek the Lord. As a result, Asa and the people of Judah had times of peace and they strengthened themselves and prepared for future enemies. 

When the Ethiopian enemies came against them, they were greatly outnumbered, and Asa did the right thing by calling on the Lord God to “help.” Indeed, God did help and gave them victory plus the spoils of victory.  [Read more…]

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, Asa obviously felt the need to “take it to another level.”

The timing was right, as it was time for the Festival of Weeks also known as Pentecost.  By “seeking the Lord” they had been blessed with peace and plunder over enemies, so they had every reason to worship God and express their gratitude by sacrificing to the Lord.  [Read more…]

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 message from God, “The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you.”   [Read more…]

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 this lesson, pray that your own dependence on the Lord will be strengthened. The God of King Asa is also our God.  [Read more…]

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 right.  While it is true that we, as believers, live in this world, we should not be of this world, not so much like the world. 

The next six lessons explore the life of King Asa. Most of the kings of Judah were not “good” kings, but Asa was one of the “good” ones, and he did what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord God.  [Read more…]

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 that kind of person.  We were captivated by his charisma, his simple yet powerful messages, his consistent, faithful ministry and personal life. Many attended his crusades, watched him on television, bought his books, read his biography. And even now that he has gone on to live in heaven, his mentoring qualities are still impacting millions!  [Read more…]

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 taking this route.

At Jacob’s well, the disciples are away. Jesus meets “a woman of Sychar” and He asks her for a drink of water. A simple request, but the woman is completely surprised that a Jewish man would even speak to her, much less ask the favor of a drink of water. [Read more…]

 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 that our attitude and practice of giving demonstrates our faith and trust in Christ.

As a large crowd was gathering around Jesus and His disciples, suddenly someone calls out, asking Jesus to instruct “my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus makes it clear that He is not there to “be a judge or arbitrator.” Jesus does not address the surface issue, but uses this question to teach and get to the root of the question, that of greed.  [Read more…]

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 actions. David also demonstrates mercy and grace. From both Abigail and David, we see traits of Jesus, taking upon Himself responsibility for our actions, demonstrating grace and mercy for our forgiveness and salvation.

Samuel’s death must have been hard for David. Samuel was a source of wisdom and support for David, acting with God’s authority to inform King Saul that his kingship would be taken away, anointing David as Saul’s successor.  [Read more…]