Matthew 21:1–11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you,gentle and...
1 day ago • 1 min read
Psalm 24:7–10 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory. Read the context Roads shut down to celebrate victory. The streets flood with people. Everyone wants to see a champion - a...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 24:3–4 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, — who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. Read the context The temple sat upon Mt. Zion in Jerusalem... but it wasn't the hike that overwhelmed God's people: It was the height of his power and glory. Churches come in all different looks today, but the reverence is the same: How can we possibly approach God in worship? Only with clean hands from...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 118:15–17 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” I will not die but live, — and will proclaim what the Lord has done. Read the context Death's win/loss record is astonishing. Have you noticed? It can claim victory over billions across centuries. But death cannot claim victory in the camp of God's people. For the believer, death is...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Ezekiel 37:4–6 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” Read the context The fossils in a museum aren't coming back. Neither are the bones in a casket....
6 days ago • 1 min read
Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Read the context There are days when your mortality is most noticeable: New wrinkles appear in the mirror. You lose energy quicker during the day. Your life on this earth has a set number of days. Who knows how long? But for the believer, life does not end. Death is reversed. While you might...
7 days ago • 1 min read
2 Kings 4:32-35 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord... As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. Read the context The prophet could not have done it on his own. Doctors might be called miracle workers, but...
8 days ago • 1 min read
John 11:43–44 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Read the context Everyone's wearing black. The whole family stands near the casket. What should you say? Death has a loud voice at a funeral. It reminds everyone that this world is broken and painful. But another voice drowns out death. The voice that raised Lazarus from the dead speaks at the Christian...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 130:1–4 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. — Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, — so that we can, with reverence, serve you. Read the context There are many moments you could label as "rock bottom" in your life, but there's one pit that's common to everyone: Death. The grave is an unavoidable, overwhelming reality that waits at the end of this life. But you...
10 days ago • 1 min read