John’s Gospel uses misunderstanding as a teaching tool. So how can we better understand Jesus? By knowing Scripture, and by listening to the Spirit of truth! Scripture: Jeremiah, chapters 45-47; Psalm 104; John, chapter 21 John 21:20-25 (CEB): Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. This was the one who had leaned against Jesus at the meal and asked him, “Lord, who is going to betray you?” When Peter saw this disciple, he said to... Read more
Through his willing submission and death, Jesus says, “I have conquered the world.” He also calls us to “be encouraged.” How do we do that? Scripture: Jeremiah, chapters 16-17; Psalm 96; John, chapter 16 John 16:25-33 (CEB): “I’ve been using figures of speech with you. The time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in such analogies. Instead, I will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I’m not... Read more
The world is a troubling place; fear and despair grips people. Jesus gives us a powerful promise: The Spirit will be with you! Scripture: Jeremiah, chapters 10-12; John, chapter 14 John 14:15-17 (CEB) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion, who will be with you forever. This Companion is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world can’t receive because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. You... Read more
“Why doesn’t God do something?” Habakkuk asked that question, and another: “Why would God do that?” What can we learn from God’s response? Scripture: Habakkuk, chapters 1-3; John, chapter 8 Habakkuk 1:12 – 2:1 (CEB): Lord, aren’t you ancient, my God, the holy one? Don’t let us die. Lord, you put the Chaldean here for judgment. Rock, you established him as a rebuke. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you are unable to look at disaster. Why... Read more
The people of Judah drifted far from God and into idolatry. How did they get there? The same way we do – one step at a time. Scripture: 2 Kings, chapter 23; 2 Chronicles, chapter 35; John, chapter 7 2 Kings 23:4-9 (CEB): The king then commanded the high priest, Hilkiah, the second-order priests, and the doorkeepers to remove from the Lord’s temple all the religious objects made for Baal, Asherah, and all the heavenly bodies.... Read more
Sin separates us from God; it has done so since our first parents disobeyed in the Garden of Eden. But that doesn’t have to be the end of the story! Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 57-59; Psalm 103; 2 Peter, chapter 3 Isaiah 59:1-4 (CEB): Look! The Lord does not lack the power to save, nor are his ears too dull to hear, but your misdeeds have separated you from your God. Your sins have hidden his face from you so that... Read more
How do we “inherit a blessing”? Peter tells us: follow the example of Jesus, rather than our world’s way. Don’t return evil for evil or insult for insult; seek peace! Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 40-42; 1 Peter, chapter 3 1 Peter 3:8-17 (CEB): Finally, all of you be of one mind, sympathetic, lovers of your fellow believers, compassionate, and modest in your opinion of yourselves. Don’t pay back evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, give blessing in return. You... Read more
So many people call us to question or challenge authority. Jesus points to a different way. How do we submit like Jesus did? Scripture: 2 Kings, chapter 20; Isaiah, chapters 38-39; Psalm 75; 1 Peter, chapter 2 1 Peter 2:13-25 (CEB): For the sake of the Lord submit to every human institution. Do this whether it means submitting to the emperor as supreme ruler, or to governors as those sent by the emperor. They are sent to punish those doing... Read more
What does it mean to think clearly about God? Peter says, “Place your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:13). Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 36-37; 1 Peter, chapter 1 1 Peter 1:13-23 (CEB): Therefore, once you have your minds ready for action and you are thinking clearly, place your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Don’t be conformed to... Read more
James 1 calls us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to grow angry.” So why should we do that? More importantly, HOW do we do that? Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 29-31; James, chapter 1 James 1:19-27 (CEB): Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry. This is because an angry person doesn’t produce God’s righteousness. Therefore, with humility, set aside all moral filth and the... Read more
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