1 Thess. 5:14–15 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Read the context In an emergency room, if everyone gets the same response... things won't go well. The Church is made up of many people — some hurting, some needing encouragement, others celebrating. For each...
1 day ago • 1 min read
Romans 15:5–7 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Read the context DE-FENCE! The combined voices of the crowd distract the opposing team. When people shout or speak together, the impact is unmistakable. But first, they all...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Colossians 2:8–10 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. Read the context We often trick ourselves into thinking the more we know, the more secure we'll be. But head-knowledge meets its...
4 days ago • 1 min read
John 1:29–31 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” Read the context At the Baptism of Jesus, heaven opened up and the voice of God called down, "This is my beloved son..." Now that same son is marked...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Exodus 12:7 & 13 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes... when I see the blood, I will pass over you." Read the context The Israelites couldn't earn their safety... God provided it for them through the lamb's blood. You can't sacrifice your way to security either. Jesus, the Lamb of God, has already covered you. His blood marks your life with God's promise. In chaos, guilt, or fear, you're held... not by your preparations, but by His...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 40:6–8 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire — but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” Read the context For centuries God's people offered sacrifices on the altar. Sheep... Goats... Bulls... Their blood in payment for sin, but it would never be enough. All along God desired another sacrifice — a perfect...
7 days ago • 1 min read
John 3:1–3 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Read the context Stuck at the gate, the fan who forgot his ticket couldn't get in... that was until someone gave...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Col 2:12–14 ...having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. Read the context Two certificates mark a life — a birth...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Read the context The grass burns up during a draught. You get dehydrated in the heat. Living...
10 days ago • 1 min read