Breaking Through

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! (Psalm 30:11-12) Read: Ezra 7:1 – 8:20, 1 Corinthians 4:1-21, Psalm 30:1-12, Proverbs…

1 Corinthians 1:25 (Beyond Understanding)

 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:25) Read: Ezra 1:1 – 2:70, 1 Corinthians 1:18 – 2:5, Psalm 27:7-14, Proverbs 20:22-23 Relate: “It is the duty of human understanding to understand that there are things that…

Fight The Noise

And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. (Romans 16:17) I do not spend time with liars or go along with hypocrites. I hate the gatherings of those…

Revelation 1:17-18 (I Died, but Look – I AM Alive)

Originally posted 12/9/13 Read: Joel 1:1-3:21, Revelation 1:1-20, Psalm 128:1-6, Proverbs 29:18 I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. (Revelation 1:17-18) Relate: He is the First (Alpha, al’Awwat) and He is the Last…

Romans 4:2-5 (Father Abraham)

If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” When people work their wages are not a gift, but something they have…

Romans 1:19-20 (Creation Reveals)

They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. (Romans 1:19-20)…

Acts 16:18-19 (Freedom Not Wanted)

This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her. Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged…

Proverbs 16:33 (Remember Switzerland)

We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall. (Proverbs 16:33) Read: 1Kings 7:1-51, Acts 7:30-50, Psalm 128:1-6, Proverbs 16:31-33 Relate: There is an episode of Star Trek where Captain Kirk and Spock are investigating a planet when they are captured by Klingons who have a base there. The two begin to plan an impossible escape and Spock,…

Psalm 127:1 (Building Instructions)

Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. (Psalm 127:1) Read: 1 Kings 5:1 – 6:38, Acts 7:1-29, Psalm 127:1-5, Proverbs 16:28-30 Relate: In some ways I might not fit into the traditional role of what a man should be able to know and do. Pop the hood of a car and have…

2 Samuel 20:9-10 (One Unguarded Moment)

“How are you, my cousin?” Joab said and took him by the beard with his right hand as though to kiss him. Amasa didn’t notice the dagger in his left hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach with it so that his insides gushed out onto the ground. (2 Samuel 20:9-10) Read: 2 Samuel 19:11…