Matthew 22:15-22 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. Read the context They thought they had Jesus trapped. Trapped...
1 day ago • 1 min read
Romans 13:1–2 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. Read the context The World Cup. America's 250th. There's a lot of attention on our nation right now. Citizenship carries mental weight: pride, frustration,...
2 days ago • 1 min read
Daniel 1:8, 12–13 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” Read the context The name change didn't bother Daniel, but the food did. Why? Because this...
3 days ago • 1 min read
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...
4 days 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...
5 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...
6 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...
7 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...
8 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...
9 days ago • 1 min read