Hebrews 11:10-12 For [Abraham] was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. Read the context Abraham never fully called a place "home". He'd end up living out...
2 days ago • 1 min read
Galatians 3:6–9 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. Read the context Abraham couldn't have imagined it. People from different nations and times in...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Romans 4:1–5 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Genesis 12:1–2 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. Read the context The boxes are packed. The truck is loaded. You don't know a soul where you're going. Why would Abram choose to move? Because while he didn't know the place he was going to, he knew the one who promised. By faith he stepped out...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Matthew 4:1–4 [Nicodemus] came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Read the context Nicodemus was one of Israel's most educated men, and he still couldn't swim in the deep end. He couldn't understand who Jesus what his purpose was. But Jesus didn't meet...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 121:3–4 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Read the context My days of pulling all-nighters are over. Even if I once thought I could be productive at 3AM... I never really was. Your God does not get drowsy. While you sleep, he's watching. While you're awake and anxious, he's still watching. He won't drift off and miss the moment you need him. God never rests... so you can. Whatever...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Romans 5:6–8 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Read the context A friend can inconvenience you... but an enemy? You're not budging. We're hardly even willing to make small sacrifices for people that we like. The cross is the...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Romans 5:3–5 We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Read the context A little hardship isn't a bad thing. It's human to want to pain. But Paul says suffering actually produces something: perseverance... then character... then hope. It's not your's to seek out....
9 days ago • 1 min read
Romans 5:17–19 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the...
10 days ago • 1 min read