Daniel 1:1–7 The Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. ... Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. Read the context They changed their names and took away their homes and culture. Daniel's name became Belteshazzar — a Babylonian...
1 day ago • 1 min read
Psalm 96 Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; — bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; — tremble before him, all the earth. Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; — he will judge the peoples with equity. Read the context It's the USA's 250th birthday. It's a patriotic day. I bet you'll...
2 days ago • 1 min read
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Read the context When's the last time you arm wrestled? By the end your arm is shaking from the effort. You can't give in. The way the Christian views things is like a wrestling match against the world. Don't give in. The world wants you to conform to thinking it's about you. But what is...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Daniel 3:17–18 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Read the context "Even if he does not..." Three men faced death, but their allegiance to God wasn't contingent. They simply trusted. I often set up guard rails for serving the Lord — "If he gives me...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Joshua 24:15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Read the context Walking with the Lord can often sound like the harder way. Why wouldn't you choose something easier? Don't forget this though — everyone serves something. That's what Joshua wanted...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Exodus 32:25–26 Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him. Read the context The Israelite camp was a mess. Not long after crossing the Red Sea... the people were worshiping an idol. Moses called them to make a stand. There will be moments where it feels you're the only one...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Matt. 10:38–39 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. Read the context In high school, two of my friends trained for the Marines by running in a weighted vests after class. I jogged along uninhibited. I remember thinking: drop the weight... it'll be easier. But that was the point. The Christian life is that kind of training. Jesus said so himself... take up your...
7 days ago • 1 min read
1 Tim. 6:11–12 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Read the context If you walk against a crowd... expect to bump into people. That's the reality of the Christian life — it's a call to live differently. Is it worth it? Paul says this fight of faith is...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 27 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Read the context Everything is instant in our world today. Groceries, movies, even the ability to see someone via video chat. I don't want to wait. "Patience is a virtue" I don't desire. But faith is a waiting game. When life drags on, when health makes days feel like years, the waiting is real. But the Lord is coming. He...
9 days ago • 1 min read