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...
1 day 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...
2 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...
3 days ago • 1 min read
1 Cor. 4:1–2 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. Read the context When you borrow something, you tend to treat it well. You don't want to be known as the one who broke something borrowed. Paul talks about sharing God's word in the same way. The message isn't his — it belongs to God. It's both a blessing and a challenge to treat...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Isaiah 6:5–8 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Matt. 9:35, 10:7–8 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Read the context Before Jesus ever sent his disciples out, he had already gotten his own hands dirty: healing the sick,...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Matthew 9:36–38 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Read the context Lawns left uncut. Carafes crusted with old coffee. Laundry sitting in the dryer for a week. We're experts at noticing problems and saying "Someone should really do something...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 100 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.Know that the Lord is God.It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Read the context Sheep. Not shepherds. We didn't choose the Lord... HE chose us and made us. It wasn't because of who you are, but because of who the Lord is. You are his sheep. That's something worth singing about! Come before the Lord with gladness knowing that you are...
8 days ago • 1 min read
1 Kings 19 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life... He went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life." All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said,...
9 days ago • 1 min read