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....
2 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...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Genesis 3:14–15 So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,“Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals!You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers;he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Read the context The Bengals are taking on a local high school. Who do you think will win? Sometimes you don't need to see the battle to...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Genesis 3:1–3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” Read the context His tactics have never really changed. When the devil tempted Adam & Eve,...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Matthew 4:1–4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Read the context Experts always make it look easy. But that doesn't mean it was. Jesus' victory over temptation looks...
6 days ago • 1 min read
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...
7 days 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...
8 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...
9 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...
10 days ago • 1 min read