Rulers Remembered: the Just and the Unjust
Does it seem like evil rulers get away with murder while just ones are forgotten? Beware! For they will all answer to the Eternal Judge....
Keep ReadingMiracle in the Valley of Dry Bones
Ezekiel shows us the stunning contrast of spiritual death and God's power. His life-giving power overcomes even hopeless death....
Learning to Relish Isaiah
Isaiah challenges us, but we can learn to relish this prophecy. Here's why and how to glean much from the prophet Jesus quoted frequently....
Luke: the unlikely gospel writer
If we consider that the writer of the gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles was not Jewish but a Gentile and not a fisherman but a physician who never met Jesus in person (Colossians 4:14), we might expect his gospel to have a somewhat different flavor from the others. Our expectations will not be disappointed...
When Kingdoms Fall
Kingdoms fall. So what should we do? Wring our hands and weep? It happened to Israel and Judah. What can we learn from their history?...
Learning Contentment; Awaiting Glory
Our readings this week show that nothing in this world will ever completely satisfy us. But there is One who does fill our souls....
Good Lessons from Bad Kingdoms
Ever wonder why we read about the failed kings of Israel and Judah? Are there good lessons from bad kingdoms? Yes, indeed! Read on and see....
The Joy of Being in Christ
It is hard to exaggerate all the joy of life in Christ. Do you know what it means to be in Him? This theme runs through Paul's letters....
Reflections on Reading Poetry and Proverbs
Mary and I recently took a drive through a scenic part of our rural Virginia county on a beautiful late Spring afternoon. We drove as slowly as was prudent in order to drink in the sights and smells of newly mowed hay fields, wildflowers and honeysuckle, cows and calves, sheep and goats, rolling hills and mountain peaks....
David as King
The Bible gives us a rather in depth look at the life of David. We are fortunate in this because there are many great lessons to learn from one whose life would otherwise be an enigma....
Emotions and the Imago Dei
Our emotions can be troublesome leading us down paths we later regret, but should we attempt to escape them? Or can they be redeemed by God for a good purpose?...
Time Out
I hope you were able to complete our scheduled reading for last week in 1 Samuel 21-31 and Psalms 16-30....
God’s Providence in an Historic Moment
Many ask why certain occurrences happen. The Bible doesn't answer all our questions, but it does teach us what we need to know--that God is in control of the most personal details of human life as well as of the events at the highest levels of nations and empires....
God's Timing: does He schedule things?
Does God control both what happens and when? Jesus Christ's disciple knows that God orchestrates all of life down to the minutest detail. Timing included....
Keep ReadingChaos: the old normal
Chaos is not the new normal. It has happened before and it will happen again. But there is a wisdom and guidance from God for His people....
Keep ReadingThe Providence of God
God providence acts at all times in the lives of all people preserving, guiding, correcting, or punishing according to His wise counsels....
Keep ReadingManipulative Leaders
The problem of devious leaders is not new. Is there nothing we can we do about manipulative leaders? No. We can do more than just complain....
Keep ReadingAuthority: Rejected and Abused
Authority was an issue in David’s time and in Jesus’ day. In one case legitimate authority was abused and in the other legitimate authority was rejected....
Keep ReadingThe Hidden Consequences of Sin
Sin presents itself as an appealing, beautiful fruit hiding its deadly consequences. Are you learning to detect those consequences?...
Keep ReadingThe God Who Surprises Us
God often surprises us by His decrees and His ways. Read on to find out how God stunned a king and a social outcast with His grace and mercy....
Keep ReadingThe Cost of Following Christ
The one who would follow Christ must prepare himself to lose everything, even the most precious relationships in this world. Are you prepared?...
Keep ReadingPrayer in the Face of Injustice
Injustice abounds in this world, but God gives His people prayer so that they may call upon Him rather than to lose heart....
Keep ReadingHis Kingdom is Forever
No king and no kingdom have lasted for long. But we now know the identity of the King whose reign will last forever. Do you know Him?...
Keep ReadingThe Danger of Presumption
Presumption is behavior perceived as arrogant and disrespectful. Presumption may not be a common word, but today's reading shows it is a common failure....
Keep ReadingHeeding a Timely Warning
A person’s life and eternal destiny depends on a willingness to heed the warning. Here we see examples of one who heeded and one who refused....
Keep ReadingWho’s Your Master?
A single-minded person knows whom he serves. She will be clear-sighted to make wise split second decisions. Do you know who your master is?...
Keep ReadingUgly Ungratefulness
Today we meet two ungrateful men. If we have softened hearts, we can learn a lesson from them about being thankful for God's mercy....
Keep ReadingPeople who Please God and Rock the Boat
Once while under arrest the apostles said, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). That is true and simple but not easy nor comfortable....
Keep ReadingMercy for Limping Cross Bearers
Can we ever hope to be accepted by a holy God? Not on the basis of our perfect lives but there is acceptance for believers in the One who is Perfect....
Keep ReadingThe Importance of Humility or Who's on your guest list?
Lack of humility brings disaster. Today we meet a king with great potential until he grew arrogant. His reign failed not due to invaders but to his pride....
Keep ReadingWhat does it mean to die well?
We all must die, but will we die well? What does that mean and how can we prepare to die well? We can learn from biblical examples in today's reading....
Keep ReadingWhen Suffering Doesn’t Make Sense
God providentially controls our suffering. But why He sends suffering is not always obvious to us. How do we handle such situations?...
Keep ReadingThe Importance of Being Faithful and Responsible
Being faithful and responsible with the resources and vocations that God has given us is very important. It even became a matter of life and death for some....
Keep ReadingFear: when is it good and when it is not?
Fear may be good or bad depending on the cause of that fear. Jesus explains the difference for all who are His disciples....
Keep ReadingSomething Greater
Life is filled with choices. When we walk by faith, it changes our priorities so that we end up choosing something greater than mere earthly treasures....
Keep ReadingWhat to do while longing for the Kingdom
It's natural and good to be longing for the full arrival of the kingdom of God. But Jesus gave us an assignment while we are waiting. Do you know what it is?...
Keep ReadingThe Cost of Loving Your Neighbor
It's easy to say, “I will love my neighbor as myself,” but it is quite another thing to do that. Read on to meet two contrasting examples....
Keep ReadingWhy do only little children see?
It is not the worldly wise or the politically powerful that understand the times but the little children who get it. It's always been so. Do you know why?...
Keep ReadingHow God Uses Evil for Good
All things are not good but because God is wise and sovereign He uses all things for good. Some of those things are unspeakably evil....
Keep ReadingThe Power and Authority of God
Despite what we may hear, truth is on the side of those who believe in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has all authority and power....
Keep ReadingDarkness or Light?
Why do we run from the only Source of all that is true, good, and beautiful? The answer is sin makes us love darkness. But In Christ there is hope....
Keep ReadingFacing the Truth
God's word calls us to quit believing lies and deceiving ourselves. Jesus tells us why the time is now to begin facing the truth....
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