What does “evangelism” mean? Sharing the good news! Or, as Paul says in 2 Timothy 1, “promote the promise of life in Christ.” Scripture: Joel, chapters 1-3; 2 Timothy, chapter 1 2 Timothy 1:1-7 (CEB): From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, to promote the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus. To Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I’m grateful to God, whom I... Read more
Our culture is driven by conflict. The Apostle Paul warns against “a sick obsession with debates and arguments.” Can debates and arguments hinder our spiritual growth? Scripture: 2 Kings, chapters 11-12; 2 Chronicles, chapter 24; 1 Timothy, chapter 6 1 Timothy 6:3-10 (CEB): If anyone teaches anything different and doesn’t agree with sound teaching about our Lord Jesus Christ and teaching that is consistent with godliness, that person is conceited. They don’t understand anything but have a sick obsession with... Read more
Not everything that sounds biblical is biblically sound. How can we avoid being “distracted by talk that doesn’t mean anything”? Scripture: 2 Kings, chapters 1-3; Psalm 82; 1 Timothy, chapter 1 1 Timothy 1:3-11 (CEB): When I left for Macedonia, I asked you to stay behind in Ephesus so that you could instruct certain individuals not to spread wrong teaching. They shouldn’t pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. Their teaching only causes useless guessing games instead of faithfulness to... Read more
How do we reflect Jesus’ presence and work in our lives? “Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight…” Scripture: 1 Kings, chapter 22; 2 Chronicles, chapters 18-19; Colossians, chapter 4 Colossians 4:1-6 (CEB): Masters, be just and fair to your slaves, knowing that you yourselves have a master in heaven. Keep on praying and guard your prayers with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray for us also. Pray that God would open a door for the word... Read more
God promised to defeat Israel’s enemies so that “then you will know that I am the Lord.” How can we guard ourselves against missing God’s purposes? Scripture: 1 Kings, chapters 20-21; 2 Chronicles, chapter 17; Colossians, chapter 3 1 Kings 20:26-30 (CEB): So in the spring of the year, Ben-hadad assembled the Arameans and marched up to Aphek to fight with Israel. Now the Israelites had already been assembled and provisioned, so they went to engage the Arameans. The Israelites... Read more
“God is the one who enables you both to want at to actually live out his good purposes.” But what does it mean to “live it out” God’s way? Scripture: 1 Kings, chapter 12; 2 Chronicles, chapters 10-11; Philippians, chapter 2 Philippians 2:12-18 (CEB): Therefore, my loved ones, just as you always obey me, not just when I am present but now even more while I am away, carry out your own salvation with fear and trembling. God is the... Read more
In Ephesians 2, Paul warns us against “a destructive spiritual power” at work in the world. How can we avoid this destructive power and walk in God’s way? Scripture: Ecclesiastes, chapters 1-3; Psalm 45; Ephesians, chapter 2 Ephesians 2:1-10 (CEB): At one time you were like a dead person because of the things you did wrong and your offenses against God. You used to act like most people in our world do. You followed the rule of a destructive spiritual... Read more
Our culture is marked by anger and hatred. Proverbs tells us that there is a connection between the mind and the mouth. What comes out of the mouth reflects what is in our hearts and minds. Scripture: Proverbs, chapters 10-12; Romans, chapter 10 Proverbs 10:6-14 (CEB): Blessings cover the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked rots. The skilled mind accepts... Read more
In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul gives us 15 guidelines for holy living – concrete action steps that keep us open and available to God. Scripture: 1 Kings, chapter 1; 1 Chronicles, chapter 28; Psalm 91; 1 Thessalonians, chapter 5 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 (CEB): Brothers and sisters, we ask you to respect those who are working with you, leading you, and instructing you. Think of them highly with love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. Brothers and... Read more
“What is God’s will for me?” People often ask this question. Scripture gives us a direct answer: God’s will is for us to be holy. But what does that mean? Scripture: 1 Chronicles, chapters 25-27; 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 (CEB): So then, brothers and sisters, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to keep living the way you already are and even do better in how you live and please God – just as you... Read more
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