What differentiates a believer and a skeptic? How do we act and live out our lives when we submit to God as our master instead of ourselves? In Proverbs 30 we see this explored… GOD? WHO NEEDS HIM? 1-2 The skeptic swore, “There is no God! No God!—I can do anything I want! I’m more animal […]
Jesus lays dead in a tomb. His followers are distraught. One betrayed him, another denied him three times. They keep their distance, riddled with anxiety about their fate. But not all hide away; women who had been with him since Galilee prepared burial spices and returned to the tomb after resting on the Sabbath… LOOKING […]
There can be no Easter without death. There is no resurrection, in all it’s death-defying glory, without the pain and injustice of the cross. But even in His moment of greatest suffering, Christ reassured and saved. Darkness will come, but we belong to a savior that defeated it… and will do so again. 33 When they […]
Haggai’s message doesn’t sound very spiritual. Instead of “repent” he says “rebuild”. Instead of focusing on our own homes and ambitions, he calls us to realign our priorities. It is a practical directive that will lead to essential growth. A Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies: “The people procrastinate. They say this isn’t the right time to rebuild my […]
Ecclesiastes reminds us that life is beautiful and fleeting. Don’t sit around waiting for life to happen to you, make it happen! You answer to God for your actions (or inaction); work hard and enjoy the life He has given you! Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don’t hoard your […]
John the Baptist was a faithful servant of the Lord and actively lived out his faith even when he experienced persecution. Like John, you will be challenged in your faith, and how you respond is a true test of faith. 1-2 While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called “the Baptizer,” was preaching in […]
In Philippians, we read about Paul and his unwavering faith in the Lord’s provision. We learn that God blesses those who believe in him, and how we can receive generosity and see it work throughout a community of faith. 15-17 You Philippians well know, and you can be sure I’ll never forget it, that when […]
As people, we are constantly learning, growing, and evolving. In 2 Corinthians Paul challenges us to lean into growth and strengthen our minds, bodies, and emotions to embrace and follow the way of Jesus. In doing so, we are growing closer to God. 8-9 I know I distressed you greatly with my letter. Although I […]
We are all leaders in our own way, but Peter reminds us that it is humility that makes us great. To be a great leader, we must first remember to be humble, and then we must remember who we are representing. 1-3 I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it’s like […]
The beginning of Revelation is full of John’s letters to churches. In turn he acknowledges their strengths and then calls out their missteps. But the final church in Laodicea receives a stirring critique and then a clear promise of presence for those who knock… Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, […]