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…

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…

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…

Wise Men Still Seek Him

People from many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem. (Micah…

The First Christmas Gift

Then I said, “O Sovereign Lord, please forgive us or we will not survive, for Israel is so small.” So the Lord relented from this plan. “I will not do it,” he said. (Amos 7:2,3) Read: Amos 7:1-9:15, Revelation 3:7-22, Psalm 131:1-3, Proverbs 29:23 Relate: How do you display mercy without compromising justice? This is the problem Amos was confronted with in…

Can You Imagine The Scandal?

When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.” (Hosea 1:2) Read: Hosea 1:1 – 3:5, 1 John…

Away In A Manger

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. (Psalm 121:3-5) Read: Daniel 9:1 – 11:1, 1 John 2:18 – 3:6, Psalm 121:1-8, Proverbs 28:27-28 Relate: Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,…

Fully God, Fully Man

In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an…

Even If

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21) Read: Ezekiel 47:1 – 48:35, 1 Peter 2:11-3:7, Psalm 119:49-64, Proverbs 28:12-13 Relate: I admit I have a bias. I have uprooted my life and moved into the Middle…

Hidden

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11) Read: Ezekiel 42:1-43:27, James 5:1-20, Psalm 119:1-16, Proverbs 28:6-7 Relate: The word “hidden” in Hebrew is tsaphan. It can mean to conceal in the sense of having something too valuable for common use (Job 10:13), something to treasure that is of great…