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...
1 day 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...
2 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...
3 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...
4 days ago • 1 min read
John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Read the context Maybe you're brave, but I wouldn't explore Mammoth Cave on my own. I want to know where I'm going in the dark. I need a guide. Walking through this life without a guide is no different. Darkness fills this sin-stained world with dreariness. Follow Jesus. He gives the light you need in his word. He guides your...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Isaiah 43:16–19 This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: “Forget the former things; — do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! — Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Read the context What's the...
6 days ago • 1 min read
2 Cor. 4:4–6 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. Read the context There are few...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Eph. 5:11–14 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Read the context There are things about you that you'd rather no one saw: the ugly decisions... shameful sins... But nothing is hidden from...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Isaiah 42:18–20 “Hear, you deaf; — look, you blind, and see!Who is blind but my servant, — and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one in covenant with me, blind like the servant of the Lord? You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen.” Read the context God's Old Testament people — the Israelites — often failed to listen to his commands... Sound familiar? When you look at God's law and listen to his word, you notice your...
9 days ago • 1 min read