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...
1 day 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...
3 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...
4 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...
5 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...
6 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...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Acts 10:36–38 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Read the context It started with the water of the...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Isaiah 42:1–3 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. Read the context The fire is just barely flickering. You carefully flow on the coals and add kindling to help. My heart often feels like a flicker of light. Moments of trust in my God meet constant...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Matthew 3:16–17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Read the context On the day of your baptism, heaven opened to you. God spoke the same words over you that He spoke over Jesus at the Jordan River. You don't need to chase God's approval through achievements or good behavior....
10 days ago • 1 min read