How to Think and Act in Evil Days, Part 1

John 9 tells the story of Jesus healing a man who was blind from birth. Jesus spits on the ground, makes mud with the saliva, and applies it to the man's eyes, instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. After washing, the man gains his sight, leading to a confrontation with the Pharisees, who question the miracle because it was performed on the Sabbath. The healed man defends Jesus, leading to his expulsion from the synagogue. The chapter culminates with Jesus revealing himself to the man, who worships him.

Luke 4 details Jesus' forty-day temptation by Satan in the wilderness, followed by His return to Galilee where He begins teaching and performing miracles. It also includes His rejection in Nazareth and His healing of a man with an unclean spirit in Capernaum.

The Book of 3 John is a short epistle written by John the Apostle to Gaius, a Christian leader known for his hospitality to itinerant missionaries. The letter commends Gaius for his support of these missionaries and contrasts his behavior with that of Diotrephes, a church leader who refused to recognize John's authority and mistreated the missionaries. John also praises Demetrius for his good testimony. The letter emphasizes the importance of walking in the truth of the Gospel and practicing Christian hospitality.

The Book of 2 John is a short letter addressed to 'the chosen lady and her children,' which may refer to a local church or a prominent Christian woman and her family. The letter urges readers to walk in obedience to God's commandments, particularly the command to love one another. It also warns against deceivers who deny that Jesus came in the flesh, labeling them as 'the deceiver and the antichrist. ' The author, traditionally believed to be Apostle John, emphasizes the importance of sound theology and warns against participating in the evil work of false teachers.

The Book of Job is an Old Testament book that explores themes of suffering, faith, and the nature of God. It tells the story of Job, a righteous man who endures immense suffering despite his piety. The book features dialogues between Job and his friends, who attempt to explain his suffering, and between Job and God. It raises profound questions about the relationship between God and humanity, the problem of evil, and the meaning of life. The Book of Job is considered a literary masterpiece, known for its poetic language and philosophical depth. It remains a source of reflection and inspiration for readers grappling with the complexities of faith and suffering.

The Book of Isaiah is a major prophetic book in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It's attributed to the prophet Isaiah, who lived in Judah during the 8th century BCE. The book contains a collection of oracles, poems, and prophecies addressing various aspects of Judah's history and the future. Key themes include God's judgment on Israel's sins, the promise of a future messiah, and the restoration of God's people. Isaiah's powerful imagery and evocative language have had a profound impact on religious thought and literature for centuries.

1 Kings continues the narrative from 2 Samuel, detailing the end of David's reign and the succession of Solomon. It chronicles Solomon's wise and prosperous reign, including the construction of the Jerusalem Temple, and his later apostasy. The book also describes the division of Israel into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, and the early history of these two kingdoms. The narrative is interpreted history, aiming to explain the reasons for the exile of Israel and Judah, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's law and the consequences of disobedience. Key themes include God's judgment on disobedience, the fulfillment of prophetic words, and God's continued commitment to His people despite their failures.