Acts 7:55–60 Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. ... While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried...
1 day ago • 1 min read
2 Timothy 4:6–8 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Read the context Sitting in a jail cell, awaiting his death, Paul could easily loathe his reality or regret his...
2 days ago • 1 min read
2 Timothy 4:1–3 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 91 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. Read the context The world is a dangerous place. Disease shortens lives. Disaster wrecks homes and lives. Believers are not immune from suffering in this world. In fact, Jesus says you will suffer because you follow him. But you're not...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Num. 27:15–18 Moses said to the Lord, “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. Read the context The Israelites needed another man to step in. God had spoken to the people...
5 days ago • 1 min read
1 Cor. 4:7–8 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! Read the context As a kid it's easy to share what you have. Money? Food? You got it from a parent who has more to give. God wants you to...
6 days ago • 1 min read
1 Cor. 4:1–2 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. Read the context When you borrow something, you tend to treat it well. You don't want to be known as the one who broke something borrowed. Paul talks about sharing God's word in the same way. The message isn't his — it belongs to God. It's both a blessing and a challenge to treat...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Isaiah 6:5–8 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Matt. 9:35, 10:7–8 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Read the context Before Jesus ever sent his disciples out, he had already gotten his own hands dirty: healing the sick,...
9 days ago • 1 min read