Read: Ezekiel 20:1-49, Hebrews 9:11-28, Psalm 107:1-43, Proverbs 27:11 For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. (Hebrews 9:22) Relate: I have a friend who grew up on a farm. They used to raise cows and like most families that had animals, those cows were given names. Unlike the names you might give a cat or a…
Read: Ezekiel 16:42-17:24, Hebrews 8:1-13, Psalm 106:13-31, Proverbs 27:7-9 Sodom’s sins were arrogance, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. She was haughty and committed detestable sins, so I wiped her out, as you have seen. (Ezekiel 17:49-50) Relate: I can be arrogant sometimes. No, lets be honest, I can be arrogant most of the time.…
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: Ezekiel 3:16-6:14, Hebrews 4:1-16, Psalm 104:24-35, Proverbs 26:27 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we…
Read: Lamentations 1:1-2:22, Philemon 1:1-25, Psalm 101:1-8, Proverbs 26:20 I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs. (Psalm 101:1) Relate: There is something holy about the morning shower. I don’t know, maybe it is just me. Most of the time I don’t have the greatest voice in the world. I’m not saying…
Read: Jeremiah 51:54-52:34, Titus 3:1-15, Psalm 100:1-5, Proverbs 26:18-19 When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the…
Read: Jeremiah 14:11-16:15, 1Thessalonians 2:9-3:13, Psalm 80:1-19, Proverbs 25:1-5 Your ancestors were unfaithful to me. They worshiped other gods and served them. They abandoned me and did not obey my word. And you are even worse than your ancestors! You stubbornly follow your own evil desires and refuse to listen to me. (Jeremiah 16:11-12) Remove 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…
Read: Ezra 8:21-9:15, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, Psalm 31:1-8, Proverbs 21:1-2 Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough? (1 Corinthians 5:6) Relate: Compartmentalization. That’s a big word for a small idea. I mean small as in, I break my life into small chunks. Also different. For…
Read: 2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34, Romans 9:25-10:13, Psalm 20:1-9, Proverbs 20:2-3 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) Relate: I’m currently reading an excellent book by Stephen Prothero, a religious studies professor who describes himself as religiously…
