Tough Love

But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your coat is taken from you, give your shirt, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. (Matthew…

He Settled

One day Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai (his son Abram’s wife), and his grandson Lot (his son Haran’s child) and moved away from Ur of the Chaldeans. He was headed for the land of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran and settled there. (Genesis 11:31) Read: Genesis 11:1-13:4, Matthew 5:1-26, Psalm 5:1-12, Proverbs 1:24-28 Relate: The history…

Build A Boat

So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him. (Genesis 7:5) Read: Genesis 3:1-4:26, Matthew 3:7-4:11, Psalm 3:1-8, Proverbs 1:10-19 Relate: “Build a boat.” “But God, I don’t want to move. My family is pretty settled here and the coast is an awful long way off. They don’t even speak the same language down there.” “I didn’t tell you to…

Ask Bigger

Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. (Psalm 2:8) Read: Genesis 3:1-4:26, Matthew 2:13-3:6, Psalm 2:1-12, Proverbs 1:7-9 Relate: I don’t often get interrupted when I am praying. Even if someone else in my hearing might not be in “agreement” with what I am praying, I honestly can’t remember…

And It Was Good

And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:12, 18, 21, 25) Read: Genesis 1:1-2:25, Matthew 1:1-2:12, Psalm 1:1-6, Proverbs 1:1-6 Relate: This is the time of year when those new, New Year’s Resolutions come into effect. Maybe that’s a big thing for you. Maybe not. For me its huge. I love the ability to start new. I love the…

Starting Small

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. (Zechariah 4:10) Read: Zechariah 4:1-5:11, Revelation 14:1-20, Psalm 142:1-7, Proverbs 30:21-23 Relate: Small beginnings. Zechariah is talking about the beginning of the rebuilding of the Temple when God makes that prophesy through him. Those old enough were able to remember the former Temple. Those too young to…

Among You… Crazy As That Sounds

 The Lord says, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem,  for I am coming to live among you. Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord of Hosts sent me to you. (Zechariah 2:10-11)…

You Got Your Days Wrong

Think about this eighteenth day of December, the day when the cornerstone of the Lord’s Temple was laid. Think carefully. I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn. You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from…

Don’t be Afraid

On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, “Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid! For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Read: Zephaniah 1:1-3:20, Revelation…

In Silence

But the Lord is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him. (Habakkuk 2:20 NLT) Read: Habakkuk 1, Habakkuk 2, Habakkuk 3, Revelation 9, Psalms 137:1-9, Proverbs 30:10 Relate: In a crowd, silence is a rare experience. This is why it is so striking when it occurs. Walking through the Holocaust Museum…