1 Kings 19:15-18 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. ...Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” Read the context Elijah ran away from the pressure of persecution. He was convinced he was...
1 day ago • 1 min read
Jer. 20:11-12 But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; — so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; — their dishonor will never be forgotten. Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous — and probe the heart and mind,let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause. Read the context Persecution was about all that Jeremiah knew. He was opposed by kings, priests, and the people for speaking the truth of God's word....
2 days ago • 1 min read
Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Read the context Sparrows were cheap. Nobody kept track of them. But God was. The world can feel hostile toward your faith: comments from friends, a culture that makes light of what you take seriously. It's easy to wonder: am I the punchline to God too?...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Acts 7:55–60 Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. ... While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried...
4 days ago • 1 min read
2 Timothy 4:6–8 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Read the context Sitting in a jail cell, awaiting his death, Paul could easily loathe his reality or regret his...
5 days ago • 1 min read
2 Timothy 4:1–3 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 91 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. Read the context The world is a dangerous place. Disease shortens lives. Disaster wrecks homes and lives. Believers are not immune from suffering in this world. In fact, Jesus says you will suffer because you follow him. But you're not...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Num. 27:15–18 Moses said to the Lord, “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. Read the context The Israelites needed another man to step in. God had spoken to the people...
8 days ago • 1 min read
1 Cor. 4:7–8 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! Read the context As a kid it's easy to share what you have. Money? Food? You got it from a parent who has more to give. God wants you to...
9 days ago • 1 min read