Zeph. 2:3 & 3:11 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, — you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; — perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger. ... On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame — for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from you your arrogant boasters.Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill. Read the context It is not typically the humble who end up ahead. The person who says, "No, you first" is...
2 days ago • 1 min read
Matthew 5:3–5 “Blessed are the poor in spirit — for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, — for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, — for they will inherit the earth. Read the context The roof is caving in. The family never leaves the hospital. Would you call them "blessed"? The world says if your situation is positive, you're blessed. Jesus says the opposite. Why? Because the blessings he is talking about are eternal, not temporary. Temporary suffering can’t...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 27:4–5 One thing I ask from the Lord,—this only do I seek:that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,to gaze on the beauty of the Lordand to seek him in his temple. For in the day of troublehe will keep me safe in his dwelling;he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent — and set me high upon a rock. Read the context The church building was crumbling... but inside hearts were alive. People were hearing about the love of their God. Where God's people gather...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 27:1, 13-14 The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? ... I remain confident of this:I will see the goodness of the Lordin the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; — be strong and take heartand wait for the Lord. Read the context What are you most afraid of... The doctor's appointment with bad news? Your busy life running you over? You can't avoid those places of fear... but you can take God's word with...
5 days ago • 1 min read
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...
6 days 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...
7 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...
8 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...
9 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...
10 days ago • 1 min read