by Shannon Tillman | Dec 18, 2025 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
A promise given during the threat of war surprisingly became a beacon of eternal hope. The promise was originally given to an evil king of Israel. However, his descendant Joseph saw the fulfillment of the promise seven hundred years after it had been spoken. The original promise seemed out of context at the time but only made sense hundreds of years later with the birth of Jesus. I wonder if Joseph understood that the word given to his great, great, great, great, and many more greats grandfather was being fulfilled in his day. Matthew, the gospel writer, knew. He put the pieces together that were hundreds of years apart. One stemmed from unbelief, the other chose to believe. Joseph, unlike his ancestor Ahaz, acted in faith and experienced the answer to the promise.
Matthew 1:18-24
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “THE VIRGIN WILL CONCEIVE AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON” (which means “God with us”).
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. (emphasis mine)
The promise fulfilled was about Immanuel. This promise was given to the ancestor of Joseph, a king of Israel named Ahaz. The hopeful promise came during an unlikely time in the midst of potential war. King Ahaz was afraid.
Isaiah 7:1-2
When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it.
Now the house of David was told, “Aram has allied itself with Ephraim”; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.
War was on the horizon. The people and the king were shaking with fear. The Lord told the prophet Isaiah to go and deliver a message to Ahaz.
Isaiah 7:4, 7, 9b
Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah…Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘It will not take place,
it will not happen…
If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.’”
Isaiah assured King Ahaz that the enemy would not overtake them. And the Lord encouraged Ahaz to stand in faith, to believe what God had told him. The Lord even went on to give a further opportunity to build up faith in Ahaz for what He had already promised to do.
Isaiah 7:10-12
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”
But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.”
It sounded spiritual but the truth was that Ahaz was defying the Lord. God commanded the king to ask for a sign. This sign was to be a visible reminder of the promise to come. Ahaz, however, was a wicked king. Isaiah saw through his spiritual pretense to his evil heart.
Isaiah 7:13-17
Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: THE VIRGIN WILL CONCEIVE AND GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND WILL CALL HIM IMMANUEL. He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste. The Lord will bring on you and on your people and on the house of your father a time unlike any since Ephraim broke away from Judah—he will bring the king of Assyria.” (emphasis mine)
In the context of impending war, this promise made little sense. However, in the scope of time and history, God was declaring the time of the Messiah. It would be after the fall of these other nations as well as devastations of war from Assyria. It was a promise for a distant future. Yet, the Lord had Isaiah declare this promise to Ahaz because it would be his descendant, Joseph, who would finally receive the fulfillment of this word.
A promise given by the Lord is a promise kept. A wicked king could not stop a promise of God. Evil nations rose and fell, but God’s word took place just as He had said. Time passed by but the promise came exactly on time. What He says He will do, He WILL do. He promised that Immanuel would be with us and Immanuel was given to us. His promise is a guarantee. We can trust the words the Lord speaks into our lives because Immanuel, God with us, came just as promised, so we know all the promises He has spoken will be fulfilled.
by Shannon Tillman | Dec 11, 2025 | Blog, Thoughts
I would like to think that I would say “yes” to God. Yet, when I look at Scripture at some of the actions the Lord told His people to take, I may be more honest to say I would probably shrink back. I would not be bold enough. Honestly, I would just be embarrassed.
Joshua was asked to march his army around the city of Jericho. This is weird. I know the end of the story, the victory, but I would have felt awkward giving those instructions for a military campaign. Isaiah was asked to walk around naked as a sign to Israel’s future punishment for idol worship. That would have received a big “no way, Lord” from me. Ezekiel had to be tied down with ropes and lay on his side for months to picture the captivity of Israel. Not only that, he had to cook his food over animal poop! Hosea was called to marry a prostitute who would often be unfaithful and leave him for other men.
Then, we come to Mary. She was a young girl, pledged to be married. She received the request of heaven to bear the long-awaited Messiah. But to do this she would have the Spirit of God impregnate her. She would be tainted as “pregnant out of wedlock” all of her days. A reputation ruined while obeying God. Without hesitation, she said yes.
Why do we think our call to obedience is without cost today? Why do we think God is only asking us to do easy or comfortable things? He calls us to a strange obedience in this world, which only makes perfect sense in the heavenlies. We are told to leave our reputation behind as we follow the Lord’s guidance to sometimes humiliating situations. Would we rather say “yes” to our pride? Often, I do. I think of what others may say about me, or how their opinion of me might change, or even how I might be treated differently. But in that, I miss the victory of God.
Jericho fell and Joshua became a military legend. Isaiah received specific prophecies of the messiah hundreds of years before they took place and wrote Scripture that will be fulfilled in the future. Ezekiel saw the throne of God, the glory of God. Hosea gave a picture of forgiveness to any person or nation that wanders from the Lord and the redemption God brings to us.
And, of course, there is Mary. She birthed the Savior of the world.
It is time for us to say “yes” no matter how strange the request. For a strange obedience brings a miraculous response from God.
by Shannon Tillman | Dec 4, 2025 | Bible Study, Blog, Theology, Thoughts
I did not want to pray again. It felt ineffective. Years of prayer but no answers. The enemy taunted me.
“God will not answer your prayer. The promises in His Word are not for you. The words were taken out of context. You just want them to apply because you are so desperate in your situation.”
The lies kept coming. I felt weary. It had been so long. I think some of my friends tired of hearing the same prayer requests. Yet, a list of names in the Bible roused me to pray again. These names were of King David’s mighty warriors. One of these soldiers jumped off the page and encouraged me to stand firm.
2 Samuel 23:9
Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated…
The Israelite soldiers turned to run. They were being defeated by the enemy. Lives were on the line. The people of Israel would be impacted. However, one man stood between an invading army and the people of the land he loved.
2 Samuel 23:10a
…but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword.
While the rest of the soldiers retreated, Eleazar stood his ground. He was not assured a victory; he could have been killed at any moment. However, he chose to keep fighting although his fellow soldiers left him and the enemy outnumbered him. As enemy after enemy came upon him, Eleazar struck each one down. The physical toll was evident; his hand fused to the sword. Despite the impact on his body, he would not give up.
There are times when we will stand alone. The people we thought would be with us during difficult times leave. We feel deserted as we face a spiritual enemy that is larger than us. We, too, can choose to flee, to take cover, to protect ourselves. We can decide to take the easier route, what everyone else is doing, and hide.
Or we can stand alone.
Ephesians 6:10-13
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
The enemy comes against us. We can pretend we are not in a spiritual battle, only to be destroyed. We can run from the spiritual battle, only to the harm of ourselves or others. We can talk about the battle amongst ourselves, how difficult it is, only to convince each other to stop fighting. Or we can stand. And in our stand, we must fight. We, like Eleazar, have a sword.
Ephesian 6:17a,c
Take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
The Word of God is our weapon. The enemy will come with lies, deceit, doubt, manipulation, difficult circumstances, and anything else in his arsenal. We fight back with the Word of God. Each attack of the enemy is struck down. It takes time; it is hard work; it seems impossible. But we must hold onto the word until it has fused into us. And there we will stand victorious as the enemy lays defeated at our feet. The victory is not ours, but the victory belongs to the Lord.
2 Samuel 23:10b
The Lord brought about a great victory that day.
Eleazar knew a miracle had taken place that day. Because Eleazar stood, even stood alone against an army, victory was achieved. God does not need a crowd, but just one person willing to stand firm, willing to obey the King’s command to fight and to keep on fighting until the enemy is defeated.
Eleazar stood alone, but God’s victory belonged to everyone.
2 Samuel 23:10c
The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.
The troops returned, not to help in the fight but to help with the plunder. Because Eleazar stood his ground, others benefited from the victory. You may be alone in the battle you face, but others will experience the benefits of victory because of you.
Do not stop fighting. Do not stop praying. Do not stop wielding the word of God in your circumstances. The enemy is relentless, but he will be defeated. Stand firm and soon we will see the victory of the Lord.
by Jessica Hensley | Nov 27, 2025 | Blog, Thoughts
Who would have ever thought that a song or a scripture verse or even a poem could impact a life forever?
I’m living proof and a life changed by powerful, positive encouragement. Words and rhythms have influenced my life for many, many years and I can feel the power of love, joy, and peace radiate from songs, scripture verses, and poems. We are moved by words. Even scripture tells us that life and death are in the power of our tongue. Every word that flows from us matters.
I titled this blog entry, “Made For More”, for good reason. This song recently spoke life to my spirit in a time of life when I was experiencing hardship and desperation. I had never heard the song before. A dear friend introduced it to us one Wednesday night in choir practice at church. Both she and I have experienced loss of family and hardships. Despite the heartaches of life, she and I enter the presence of God when we worship, surrender, and pray. Through it all, we lay all that we have at the feet of Jesus. Just as another song says: “He is our way-maker, our miracle-worker, our promise-keeper, our light in the darkness…our God…that is who He is.” We press on through the struggles, and He sustains, He protects, and He heals. We have seen that wonder-working power in the blood. Hope isn’t lost even in our times of desperation. God is right in the pit with us as he was with Joseph in the Bible when his brothers abandoned him and he was left to fend for himself…all alone…but still, God is greater. God is right with us in every fight of our lives, as he was with young shepherd boy (Anointed King) David who victoriously defeated the nine foot nine inch tall Philistine giant named Goliath. God never leaves us. He never forsakes us. We are loved, comforted, and protected by our Almighty Sovereign God at all times and in every situation. Whatever you may be going through, just speak his name: “Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.”
I am learning in my life that prayer, surrender, obedience, and faith in God are the “secret sauce” ingredients to getting closer towards transformation and miracles. However, we cannot bypass the hardships, the pain, and the difficulties. There is always a wilderness before a promised land. There’s always a cross before a resurrection. There is always a Red Sea needing to be parted by the Great I Am before we can rise up like Lazurus and be made alive again through the power of God’s resurrection power He has gifted to us. We must have faith that is not shaky or uncertain. As we read in the book of James, we must completely believe that God will come through. Pray like you believe that He will answer your prayers. As Hebrews 11:1 states: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.” We usually do not see the miracle until the moment it happens, but God has a perfect time and you can trust that He is faithful to keep every promise He has given to us.
There is a song I grew up hearing at my home church in Georgia. My Pastor’s wife, Mrs. Kathy, would sing, “He’ll Do It Again.” The lyrics state, “You may not know how…you may not know when…but he’ll do it again.” Whatever that “it” is in your life, God is faithful. He will come through. He will meet your needs according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus. That song, “He’ll Do It Again”, was exactly what little Jessica needed to hear when she was six years young and she struggled to learn how to read in first grade after her Mom passed away unexpectedly. On top of that, she got lice bugs in her hair that was “the worst case of a lice infestation” her principal, Mr. Jones, had ever seen. They say when it rains it pours; and my little tiny self was emotionally, physically, and spiritually drained and feeling helpless, hopeless, and all alone despite having a lovely, dear, God-fearing family and church family. Life can knock us down and the enemy will continue hurling darkness without a second thought. Life is hard, but God is greater.
To help me to learn, my family kept me busy reading out loud all of the time. Eventually, I did learn to read and now I love to read. My Uncle Jojo laminated my very first 100 spelling test and I cherish it still. God’s faithful to answer prayers, especially of a hurting little girl. And for those little critters in my hair, my Grandma and Dad cleared my head and everything in the house, ensuring that others did not get infectected. Some of the hardships ended, others endured; but through it all, I experienced the faithfulness of God.
Through the years, I have written songs of God’s faithfulness. I will continue to share His great love and faithfulness as long as I am alive. I have seen His hand time and time again. I am thankful for God’s faithfulness in all of my life and I pray you always remember the goodness of God, too. Reach out and seek him fervently. He is near to the broken-hearted. He saves the crushed in spirit.
Great is thy faithfulness Lord unto me.
by Shannon Tillman | Nov 20, 2025 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
You are in a battle. The enemy wants to take you out. You are outnumbered, out resourced, out maneuvered. You are on the losing team and you know it. Lives will be lost. Enslavement is a real possibility. Families will be torn apart. Cities will be pillaged; women and children will be brutally harmed. What is your response? To sing a love song of course!
This is exactly what Jehosophat, the king of Judah, did when going into battle. First, let us look at the army that came against the nation of Judah.
2 Chronicles 20:1-2a
After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat.
Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea.
Two nations plus others are coming to attack Judah. Jehosophat knew the situation was impossible. He did the only thing he could do and that was to pray.
2 Chronicles 20:3-4
Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.
In the midst of their prayers, God gave them assurance of victory.
2 Chronicles 20:15-17
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”
The next day, they would be facing a huge enemy army. Yet, God told them they would not have to fight, instead they were to believe in God’s deliverance. Jehosophat and his men went to the place the Lord told them to go.
2 Chronicles 20:20
Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.”
Jehosophat encouraged his men. Yet, that did not seem enough. He wanted them to hold onto faith. That is when he strategized his military position.
2 Chronicles 20:21
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
“Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.”
Jehosophat decided that the best strategy for warfare was a love song to the Lord. While the enemy army was appointing men to fighting positions, Jehosophat appointed his men to sing. The enemy put their greatest warriors in the front of the line. Jehosophat put the greatest worshippers in front. The enemy had a sword. Judah had a song. In the natural, it seemed the enemy had a better plan. In the supernatural, Judah’s victory was at hand.
2 Chronicles 20:22-24
As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.
A complete victory accomplished by the enemy to the enemy. A love song paved the way for God’s deliverance.
I do not know what you may be facing right now. However, I can tell you that I am in the midst of an impossible situation. The enemy has come against me on every side. I have prayed and cried out in fear of more loss, more trauma, more pain. God has given me promises of deliverance, restoration, hope. Despite this, I still have to look at the enemy seemingly gaining ground.
Today, I want to choose a different strategy, a love song to the Lord. I want to choose that today because I did not choose it yesterday. I sat in the middle of a worship service and cried. I cried in pain and even anger that the promises remain unanswered, that the enemy still taunts me, that the situations are unresolved, that the hurt runs even deeper during the holidays. Today is a new day. Today, I can choose the way of Jehosophat and choose worship.
Jehosophat told his men to worship the Lord for the splendor of His holiness. Because He is holy, He can be perfectly trusted. The Lord can never do us wrong. His ways, His timing are perfect. Today, I can trust His plan even though I do not understand.
Jehosophat not only had his men worship God’s holiness but to also proclaim:
2 Chronicles 20:21
“Give thanks to the Lord,
for his love endures forever.”
These words echo the lines from Psalm 136. This Psalm declares the past acts of God, such as how He created the universe:
Psalm 136:1, 4-9
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever…
to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.
This Psalm also proclaims the power of God who struck down the enemy, delivered His people, and guided them in the direction they were called to go:
Psalm 136:10-16
to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel out from among them
His love endures forever.
with a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
His love endures forever.
and brought Israel through the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;
His love endures forever.
to him who led his people through the wilderness;
His love endures forever.
God also provided for His children in miraculous ways:
Psalm 136:21-26
and gave their land as an inheritance,
His love endures forever.
an inheritance to his servant Israel.
His love endures forever.
He remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.
and freed us from our enemies.
His love endures forever.
He gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.
Jehosophat was calling his people to remember what God had done in the past, to believe Him for the future deliverance, and to stand and sing to the Lord during the present enemy attack. God not only gave victory, He abundantly blessed His people.
2 Chronicles 20:25-27
So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.
The valley of the enemy’s attack became the “Vally of Berakah”. The word “Berakah” means “blessing”. The place of pain, the place of loss, the place of fear, the place of devastation became the place God blessed.
Today, I will choose to stand and praise. I can look back on my life and praise His creative power, miracles, deliverance, and provision for me. Focusing on what He has done, will give me hope for what He will do. One day this enemy attack will become a blessing and I will testify to others with great joy.
2 Chronicles 20:27
Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the Lord had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies.
The enemy will be defeated. The Lord will be praised. Today.
by Kevin Tillman | Nov 13, 2025 | Bible Study, Blog, Thoughts
If you’re quiet enough, you can almost hear it … a whisper rising from the dusty pages of Ezra.
Not the whisper of a defeated people, but the whisper of a rebuilding God.
A God who steps into ruins and begins again.
Ezra is more than a story about returning home after exile. It is the story of a God who refuses to leave His people in pieces. Stone by stone. Prayer by prayer. Heart by heart. He gathers what’s been scattered
and restores what’s been scarred.
And maybe that’s why this ancient book feels so modern. Because we know something about ruins too, don’t we?
Not the kind shaped like broken walls … the kind shaped like broken hearts.
The relationship that cracked under the weight. The mistake you still replay. The disappointment that sits heavy in the corners of your soul. The spiritual drift you didn’t plan… but somehow lived.
Ezra reminds us:
God does His best work in places that look beyond repair.
When the people returned to Jerusalem, they didn’t arrive to triumph. They arrived to rubble. The temple was more memory than building. The city looked like a warzone. And the people looked like they’d forgotten how to hope.
But God hadn’t forgotten how to rebuild.
He stirred a pagan king to fund the work. He stirred a priest to teach the Word. He stirred a weary people to lift the stones.
And out of all that lifting and learning and leaning on Him, something beautiful began to rise.
Because rebuilding is never just about construction. It is about restoration. It is about a people returning not only to their land but to their Lord.
This is the heartbeat of Ezra:
When God’s hand is on you and God’s Word is in you, God’s work will flow through you.
Not perfectly. Not instantly. But faithfully… in the quiet, consistent, grace-filled ways that only God can orchestrate.
And maybe that’s the part we need today.
Because some of us are trying to rebuild things only God can raise. Some of us are sweeping up pieces when God is calling us to put the broom down and lift our eyes up.
Some of us are standing in front of ruins and forgetting that God specializes in resurrection.
Ezra whispers the truth we forget:
What sin breaks, God restores. What life dismantles, God rebuilds. What seems too far gone, God can redeem.
So if you find yourself standing among the rubble … of choices, of seasons, of circumstances … take heart.
Your Father is a Master Builder. He does not panic at ruins. He does not flinch at fractures. He does not back away from broken things.
He rebuilds them.
And in the story of Ezra … as in the story of your life … grace gets the final word.
