By Brent Moore
Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville

Focal Passage: Haggai 1:1-11; 2:5-9

It is so hard to do what you are told when you want something else. Kids have a hard time obeying their parents when they really want the new toy. Husbands have a hard time fixing the leaky faucet when their truck needs to be washed. All of us tend to believe our own excuses for not doing what we know we need to do. The people listening to Haggai the prophet are no different. They want acceptable things before doing what God called them to do; build a new temple. [Read more…]

By Brent Moore
Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville

Focal Passage: Habakkuk 3:1-6, 11-13, 16-19

Habakkuk comes to terms with God doing what He wants to do in the world. At one level Habakkuk’s problem is a human problem. We want to be God and we want to be in control. However, God is His own interpreter and orchestrator of His work. God has creator rights and that includes judgment of His creation. Habakkuk submits to the plan of God which leads to awe of the Lord and His deeds. [Read more…]

By Brent Moore
Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville

Focal Passage: Habakkuk 1:1-6, 12-13; 2:1-4

Have you ever found yourself in a situation you thought was bad, and suddenly you hear it is going to get worse? Maybe it was a sickness turned deadly. Maybe you discovered the job is about to be “phased out.” Maybe your troubled kid turns up in jail. Whatever the predicament is, the outlook is bleak. Then you are like Habakkuk; a man who carried a burden of the suffering of his people.

Habakkuk had questions for God. Not merely questions but complaints. He wanted to know why things were falling apart around him. When Habakkuk considered his surroundings, violence and oppression were everywhere. Strife was ongoing and conflict was escalating. Israel was tearing itself apart from the inside. Wickedness was having a “field day” and it looked like true justice was gone. In the midst of this terrible situation God announces to Habakkuk that things are going to get worse. God is going to use the pagan Chaldeans to enact destruction on Israel. The Chaldeans are swift, merciless, and proud. But they will be allowed to wreak havoc on the people of God. [Read more…]

By Brent Moore
Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville

Focal Passage: Zechariah 13:1-9

Have you ever found yourself in a place hazardous to your health? Maybe it is an unsafe neighborhood, an emotionally unhealthy job, or just someplace you feel you are in imminent physical danger. Then you in some small way can identify with the false prophets in Zechariah’s day. God was cleansing the house of David from sin and impurity and if you found yourself on the side of unrighteousness you were running for cover. False prophets were lying about their occupation, hiding evidence of their craft, and even their own parents would turn on them. These prophets were being judged for their deception; making way for God to enact His own refining work on the people of God. [Read more…]

By Brent Moore
Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville

Focal Passage: Luke 24:19-35

Many people have experienced the anticipation of waiting for something. As a child I did not receive presents at just any time. I had to wait for either my birthday or Christmas for something I wanted. Being a young one this seemed like eternity. As an adult I have also experienced the longings for a certain job or spouse. Results did not seem to come quickly. [Read more…]