Psalm 21:13 (Ordinary Resurrections)

Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts. (Psalm 21:13) Read: Genesis 50:1-26, Exodus 1:1-2:10, Matthew 16:13-17:9, Psalm 21:1-13, Proverbs 5:1-6 React: Jacob dies. Joseph dies. A new Pharaoh comes to power who isn’t a big fan of the Hebrew people. Slavery ensues. Four hundred years of oppression follows. Things…

Matthew 14:10 (He Lost His Head)

So John was beheaded in the prison, (Matthew 14:10) Read: Genesis 42:18-43:34, Matthew 13:47-14:12, Psalm 18:16-36, Proverbs 4:7-10   Relate: What names would come to mind if I were to ask you who was the godliest people of our generation? Who best has modeled integrity, sacrifice, holiness, etc? For me, two names immediately jump to the forefront at…

Matthew 12:36 (Rambling On)

And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. (Matthew 12:36) Read: Genesis 37:1-38:30, Matthew 12:22-45, Psalm 16:1-11, Proverbs 3:27-32 Relate: I love to talk. I know, I know, that might come as a surprise to some of you but… well, actually it probably won’t. Sometimes I…

Genesis 32:28 (Wrestling)

“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” (Genesis 32:28) Read: Genesis 32:13-34:31. Matthew 11:7-30, Psalm 14:1-7, Proverbs 3:19-20 Respond: Israel. Yitzra-el. Fights God. I’m not a fan of watching fighting. I don’t like MMA or…

Matthew 10:16 (Snake’s Wits, Dove’s Eyes)

Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16) Read: Genesis 30:1-31:16 Matthew 10:1-23 Psalm 12:1-8 Proverbs 3:13-15 Relate: Columbidae. Dove. Pigeon. Technically, there’s 310 species of the bird and in English the two words are used interchangeably. Too bad. I love doves. I…

Matthew 9:6 (The Power To Forgive)

So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” (Matthew 9:6) Read: Genesis 26:17 – 27:46, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 10:16-18, Proverbs 3:9-10 Relate: Jesus knew what they were…

The Die Is Cast

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Read: Genesis 23:1 – 24:51, Matthew 8:1-17, Psalm 9:13-20, Proverbs 3:1-6 Relate: 2064 years ago today the world drastically changed. Most likely it was…

Genesis 17:1 (Never Too Old)

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. (Genesis 17:1) Read: Genesis 16:1 – 18:15, Matthew 6:1-24, Psalm 7:1-17, Proverbs 2:1-5   Relate: In 1934 Harry had a short story published in a magazine and decided that he wanted to make a living as…

Matthew 4:16 (God Remembers)

The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. (Matthew 4:16) Read: Genesis 8:1-10:32, Matthew 4:12-25, Psalm 4:1-8, Proverbs 1:20-23 Relate: It’s all gone. Everything. The entire world is just… gone. It’s all covered in water and being tossed about by storm. There are no people left.…