Psalm 46:7–11 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; — I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Read the context When you look out at a world of chaos, does it feel like God is nearby? The...
1 day ago • 1 min read
2 Samuel 12 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the Lord lives, the man who did this must die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! ... Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. Read the context No one likes to be told they're wrong. Whether your boss, spouse, or...
2 days ago • 1 min read
Luke 18:13–14 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Read the context No one wants to admit they need help. You wait until the last moment to call a specialist because it hurts your pride to admit you're...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 51:4–6 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight;so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Read the context "The only things promised in life are death and taxes." I'm not sure about the taxes part, but the death part is a given. Why? Sinfulness. A heart that rebels against God is what you inherited. Even before you took your first breath, you were marked by...
4 days ago • 1 min read
2 Peter 1:16–18 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. Read the context "I promise! The story is true!" — There...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Exodus 24:9–12 Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank. The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Matthew 17:2–5 There [Jesus] was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 2:7–8 He said to me, “You are my son;today I have become your father. Ask me, — and I will make the nations your inheritance,the ends of the earth your possession. Read the context As Jesus stands on the top of the mountain, his glory is revealed. God's power is clear for the disciples to see. But this had been God's plan all along. Psalm 2 prophesies the Father declaring the Son as King over all nations. Jesus... the humble carpenter... the suffering servant... is also the eternal King...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Matthew 6:2–4 So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Read the context The celebrity hands over a giant check with cameras...
9 days ago • 1 min read