August 25 – Friend or Foe?

Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; (Job 16:19-20) Read: Job 16:1-19:29, 1 Corinthians 16:1-24, Psalm 40:1-10, Proverbs 22:1  Relate: Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God. This…

August 23 – God On Trial

“Yes, I know all this is true in principle. But how can a person be declared innocent in God’s sight? If someone wanted to take God to court, would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times? For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully?…

August 22 – Do Not Forbid

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. But be sure that everything is done properly and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:39-40) Read: Job 4:1-7:21, 1 Corinthians 14:18-40, Psalm 37:30-40, Proverbs 21:27 Relate: Pretty much every major church father up through the fourth century did it. In the 5th century,…

August 20 – Worth Fighting For

  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:7) Read:  Esther 8:1-10:3, 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13, Psalm 37:1-11, Proverbs 21:23-24 Relate: I have a guilty pleasure. I like to read a lot. No, that isn’t the guilty pleasure. It is just setting the stage. If you jump down…

August 19 – My Fancy Stick

When he saw Queen Esther standing there in the inner court, he welcomed her and held out the gold scepter to her. So Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter. (Esther 5:2) Read: Esther 4:1-7:10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-26, Psalm 36:1-12, Proverbs 21:21-22 Relate: This is my fancy stick. OK, so it isn’t really mine and…

August 17 – Men, Women, Authority, and Hair

    Isn’t it obvious that it’s disgraceful for a man to have long hair? And isn’t long hair a woman’s pride and joy? For it has been given to her as a covering. (1 Corinthians 11:14-15) Read: Nehemiah 12:27-13:31, 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, Psalm 35:1-16, Proverbs 21:17-18 Relate: When I first read this scripture, my immediate thought…

August 16 – Don’t Take My Word For It

You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true. (1 Corinthians 10:15) Read: Nehemiah 11:1-12:26, 1 Corinthians 10:14-33, Psalm 34:11-22, Proverbs 21:14-16  Relate: The greatest theologian of the twentieth century was Karl Barth. Some might argue this. Personally, my favorite was Dietrich Bonhoeffer, but that has more to do with his life…