Col 2:12–14 ...having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. Read the context Two certificates mark a life — a birth...
1 day ago • 1 min read
Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Read the context The grass burns up during a draught. You get dehydrated in the heat. Living...
2 days ago • 1 min read
Acts 10:36–38 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Read the context It started with the water of the...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Isaiah 42:1–3 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. Read the context The fire is just barely flickering. You carefully flow on the coals and add kindling to help. My heart often feels like a flicker of light. Moments of trust in my God meet constant...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Matthew 3:16–17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Read the context On the day of your baptism, heaven opened to you. God spoke the same words over you that He spoke over Jesus at the Jordan River. You don't need to chase God's approval through achievements or good behavior....
5 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 45:6–7 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; — a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; — therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. Read the context The "special China" held a prominent spot. It was set apart and only used for special events. Valuable things get special designations. There is no one and nothing more valuable than your Savior. Long before his...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Col. 1:15–17 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Read the context Gravity keeps the planets in place. The seasons change. The stars shine to give light. But something is behind all of it. Since the...
7 days ago • 1 min read
2 Cor. 4:5–6 What we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. Read the context The universe was dark. No sun or stars brought light. But with just a few words it all changed, "Let there be..." The miracle of creation mirrors what God did in your heart. The voice...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Luke 2:28–32 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, — you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Read the context The credits start to scroll across the screen. The lights turn on and the theater empties. It's time to go. Simeon had waited his entire life for this moment....
9 days ago • 1 min read