The Kingdom’s Advance (4/9/13)

Read: Deuteronomy 33:1-29, Luke 13:1-21, Psalm 78:65-72, Proverbs 12:25 He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” (Luke 13:20-21) Relate: A couple months back I…

Following Is Serious Business (4/2/13)

Read: Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30, Luke 9:51-10:12, Psalm 74:1-23, Proverbs 12:11 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) Relate: Following is easy these days. I’ve got about 350 followers and follow about 250 people myself. That’s only because I cut off…

The Fortress Stands Strong (3/19/13)

Read: Numbers 28:16-29:40, Luke 3:23-38, Psalm 62:1-12, Proverbs 11:18-19 I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62;1-2) Relate: 1565 was a turning point for the growing spread of Islam in the Mediterranean. They had pretty much taken over everything…

Matthew 14:30 (First Response)

But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. (Matthew 14:30) Read: Genesis 44:1-45:28, Matthew 14:13-36, Psalm 18:37-50, Proverbs 4:11-13 Relate: Sometimes I think Peter gets a bad rep undeservedly. Of course there’s other times where he certainly deserves it, but sometimes when I hear…

December 18 – His Glory (Week of Christmas #2)

Read: Habakkuk 1:1-3:19, Revelation 9:1-21, Psalm 137:1-9, Proverbs 30:10 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.          (John 1:14) Relate: What does glory look like? “We have seen His glory.” When…

December 17 – A Voice Is Heard

Read: Nahum 1:1-3:19, Revelation 8:1-13, Psalm 136:1-26, Proverbs 30:7-9 A cry was heard in Ramah – weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead. (Matthew 2:18) Relate: All week I’m going to be grabbing verses out of the Christmas story as my verse of the day rather than something from the daily reading. While…

December 12 – He Stands Knocking

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: If you ever heard an altar call, been a part of an evangelistic outreach, or…

December 4 – The Antichrist

Read: Daniel 11:36-12:13, 1 John 4:1-21, Psalm 123:1-4, Proverbs 29:2-4 But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here… Those people belong to this world,…

December 1 – A Season of Love

Read: Daniel 8:1-27, 1 John 2:1-17, Psalm 120:1-7, Proverbs 28:25-26 And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commands. (1 John 2:3) Relate: The end has come. Jesus’ time on this earth is passing, and he knows it. Just a short while ago he came into Jerusalem riding on a donkey with thousands shouting his…

November 29 – On the Job

Read: Daniel 6:1-28, 2 Peter 3:1-18, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 28:21-22 Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. (Daniel 6:4) Relate: He was a Jewish exile. No, not Daniel. Peter. When he was…