Read: Genesis 45:16-47:27 Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” (John 1:24-25) Relate: React: The Pharisees ask why John is baptizing and in the gospel of John gives a shortened version. In John’s response to this question in the…
John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’” (John 1:23) Read: Genesis 42:1-45:15 Relate: As I was chewing over this verse, the image kept coming back to me of a man with a trumpet who would blare it in the center…
This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.” (John 1:19-20) Read: Genesis 37:1-39:23, 1 Chronicles 2:3-8 Relate: I recently finished reading a very dry, academic work called Christian Missions and the Enlightenment. For some…
Read: Zechariah 8:1-23, Revelation 16:1-21, Psalm 144:1-15, Proverbs 30:29-31 The streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls at play. (Zechariah 8:5) Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 144:15) Relate: There is just something about Christmas morning that just fills the soul with joy. Growing up, most…
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: I love having guests over to my house. I love cooking for people. I love…
Read: Daniel 11:36-12:13, 1 John 4:1-21, Psalm 123:1-4, Proverbs 29:2-4 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect… We love each other because…
Read: Daniel 2:24-3:30, 1 Peter 4:7-5:14, Psalm 119:81-96, Proverbs 28:15-16 During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever. (Daniel 2:44) Relate:Have you ever been to Italy? Have you ever been to Rome?…
Read: Ezekiel 14:12-16:41, Hebrews 7:18-28, Psalm 106:1-12, Proverbs 27:4-6 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. (Hebrews 7:26) Relate: When the writer of Hebrews wrote, “since death prevented…
Read: Jeremiah 1:1-2:30, Philippians 4:1-23, Psalm 75:1-10, Proverbs 24:17-20 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6) Relate: OK, but first… They were in trouble. Haman, one of the most powerful bureaucrats in the world decided it was time to rid the planet of the…
Read: Nehemiah 1:1-3:14, 1 Corinthians 7:1-24, Psalm 31:19-24, Proverbs 21:4 Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches. (1 Corinthians 7:17) Relate: Marriage, circumcision, slavery. Paul gives three different points of reference…
THE RIVER WALK 