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
Earthly rulers and spiritual leaders – what’s the difference? How should we view them? Which is more important? Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 25-28; Hebrews, chapter 13 Hebrews 13:1-8 (CEB): Keep loving each other like family. Don’t neglect to open up your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it. Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them, and people who are mistreated as if you were in their place. Marriage must... Read more
“Extra baggage” weighs us down and hinders spiritual growth. Spiritual pride is the worst kind of “extra baggage.” How can we recognize it and throw it off? Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 22-24; Hebrews, chapter 12 Hebrews 12:1-2 (CEB): So then let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, and fix... Read more
Every day, voices tells us to be terrified – “what if this happens?” “How will we survive that?” Listen to God: “Don’t walk in the way of this people. Don’t be terrified!” Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 8-10; Hebrews, chapter 8 Isaiah 8:11-15 (CEB): The Lord spoke to me, taking hold of me and warning me not to walk in the way of this people: “Don’t call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy. Don’t fear what they fear, and don’t be... Read more
Our world tells us to “grab for all you can get.” God calls us to grasp the hope of his promise, “which is a safe and secure anchor for our whole being” (Hebrews 6:19)! Scripture: Micah, chapters 1-4; Hebrews, chapter 6 Hebrews 6:13-20 (CEB): When God gave Abraham his promise, he swore by himself since he couldn’t swear by anyone greater. He said, “I will certainly bless you and multiply your descendants.” So Abraham obtained the promise by showing patience.... Read more
Our world is marked by division, conflict, and strife. Where do we find encouragement? The psalmist tells us: “Know that the Lord is God!” Scripture: Hosea, chapters 13-14; Psalms 100, 102; Hebrews, chapter 5 Psalm 100 (CEB): Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with celebration! Come before him with shouts of joy! Know that the Lord is God – he made us; we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep of his own... Read more
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely.” How can we guard against the temptations of power? Scripture: 2 Chronicles, chapters 26-27; Isaiah, chapters 6-7; Philemon 2 Chronicles 26:3-5 (CEB): Uzziah was 16 years old when he became king, and he ruled for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the Lord’s eyes, just as his father Amaziah had done. He sought God as long... Read more
“Right is right, even if no one does it; wrong is wrong, even if everyone does it.” There is a slippery slope when we start calling evil good! Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 4-5; Psalms 115 and 116; Jude Isaiah 5:18-24 (CEB): Doom to those who drag guilt along with cords of fraud, and haul sin as if with cart ropes, who say, “God should hurry and work faster so we can see; let the plan of Israel’s holy one come quickly,... Read more
Many people – both believers and unbelievers – are fascinated by the topic of “the day of the Lord.” What will happen, and how do we prepare for it? Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 1-3; Titus, chapter 3 Isaiah 2:12-18 (CEB): The Lord of heavenly forces has planned a day: against all that is prideful and haughty; against all that is lofty, and it will be laid low; against all the cedars of Lebanon, high and lofty; against all the oaks of... Read more
There is no “my” truth, and “your” truth; there is simply truth. How – and why – do we speak the truth to those who don’t want to hear it? Scripture: Amos, chapters 1-3; Psalm 80; 2 Timothy, chapter 4 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (CEB): I’m giving you this commission in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is coming to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearance and his kingdom. Preach the word. Be ready... Read more
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