Joy (12/25/13)

Read: Zechariah 8:1-23, Revelation 16:1-21, Psalm 144:1-15, Proverbs 30:29-31 The streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play. (Zechariah 8:5) Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 144:15) Relate: There is just something about Christmas morning that just fills the soul with joy. Growing up, most…

Guilty As Sin (12/24/13)

Read: Zechariah 6:1-7:14, Revelation 15:1-8, Psalm 143:1-12, Proverbs 30:24-28 Don’t put your servant on trial, for no one is innocent before you. (Psalm 143:2) Relate: David knew a truth. He was guilty. I am guilty. You are guilty. Each and every one of us are as guilty as sin. There’s no getting around that fact. There is no escaping it. If…

Standing On the Outside (12/12/13)

Read: Amos 7:1-9:15, Revelation 3:7-22, Psalm 131:1-3, Proverbs 29:23 Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (Revelation 3:20) Relate: I love having guests over to my house. I love cooking for people. I love…

Listen here, you fat cow! (12/11/13)

Read: Amos 4:1-6:14, Revelation 2:18-3:6, Psalm 130:1-8, Proverbs 29:21-22 Listen to me, you fat cows living in Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, and who are always calling to your husbands, “Bring us another drink!” (Amos 4:1)   Relate: Every now and then I come across something in scripture and wonder, “How on earth did that make…

First Love (12/10/13)

Read: Amos 1:1-3:15, Revelation 2:1-17, Psalm 129:1-8, Proverbs 29:19-20 But I have this complaint against you. You have lost your first love. Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. (Revelation 2:4-5) Relate: I…

Opportunity Missed (12/7/13)

Read: Hosea 6:1-9:17, 3 John 1:1-14, Psalm 126:1-6, Proverbs 29:12-14 I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6) Relate: It’s the late 1920’s and a bad man, a really bad man, is having a crisis of conscience. Things haven’t gone well for him, he’s just seen some…

Prostitution and Adultery (12/6/13)

Read: Hosea 4:1-5:15, 2 John 1:1-13, Psalm 125:1-5, Proverbs 29:9-11 But why should I punish them for their prostitution and adultery? For your men are doing the same thing, sinning with whores and shrine prostitutes. O foolish people! You refuse to understand, so you will be destroyed. (Hosea 4:14) Relate: Maybe you’re better than me. Maybe you don’t tend to bring down shame and reproach…

Come Back Home (12/5/13)

Read: Hosea 1:1-3:5, 1 John 5:1-21, Psalm 124:1-8, Proverbs 29:5-8 Then the Lord said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them. (Hosea 3:1) Relate: Let’s put this in a modern context… Hosea calls…

Do You (12/3/13)

Read: Daniel 11:2-35, 1John 3:7-24, Psalm 122:1-9, Proverbs 29:1 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? (1 John 3:17) Relate: Do you have? React: Do you see? Respond: Will you act?

Never Sleeps (12/2/13)

Read: Daniel 9:1-11:1, 1 John 2:18-3:6, Psalm 121:1-8, Proverbs 28:27-28 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. (Psalm 121:2-3) Relate: The craziest thing happened to me last night. Well, it might be crazy for others, but unfortunately it seems to happen to…