Before They Were Famous

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of…

Faithful With The Now

Read: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22, Corinthians 6:1-13, Psalm 46:1-11, Proverbs 22:15 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Relate: Five dollars a day. I’m 40(ish) years old. If I were to put away five dollars a day every day into an account like an IRA or 401K, by the time I was…

Promise Kept

I’m not sending you in because you are so good but rather because the current inhabitants were that bad and they need to go. Oh yah, I am also sending you in to keep a promise I made over four hundred years ago.

Just Like Always

But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. (Daniel 6:10) Read: Daniel 6:1-28, 2 Peter 3:1-18, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 28:21-22 Relate: Way back…

Not Yet

All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. (Hebrews 11:13) Read: Ezekiel 24:1 – 26:21, Hebrews 11:1-16, Psalm 110:1-7, Proverbs 27:14 Relate: I had a vision for what…

Just Five Minutes

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. (Hebrews 5:7) Read: Ezekiel 7:1 – 9:11, Hebrews 5:1-14, Psalm 105:1-15, Proverbs 26:28 Relate: I think it was my junior year in…

Dare To Hope

I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore,…

Enduring Faithfulness

Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. (Psalm 89:2) Read: Joshua 21:1 – 22:20, Luke 20:1-26, Psalm 89:1-13, Proverbs 13:15-16 Relate: This might come as a bit of a surprise to those who know me now but growing up I was a bit girl crazy. Most guys can remember about…

John 2:1-2 (Love and Hate)

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. (John 2:1-2) Daily Bible Reading: Exodus 10:1 – 12:5 Relate: About six months after their wedding the bride met her husband for his lunch break. “I have some…