I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” Revelation 1:9-11 Imagine you’re on a Mediterranean island with limestone cliffs and deep sapphire waters. ...
“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:27 Here’s a question. Can you say the names of your great-great grandparents? Unless you have a passion for genealogy, you will likely have to give that question some research. And yet, that’s only four generations in the past. Four generations. Your great-great grandparents lived, laughed, worked, and cried on this earth only a short time ago. Which leads to another question. Four short generations from now, how many people will remember your name? Once again, unless someone in your future ...
[Jesus said] “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:18 Keys are small. Their importance is not. We don’t give keys much thought until we need them or lose them. Have you ever misplaced your keys? There’s a feeling of frustration and fear when you lock yourself out of your car or house. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they lost the key ...
She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7 I have never met the President of the United States. I am guessing that you haven’t either. I have seen one of them in person. In fact, I was less than fifty feet from him! But I didn’t shake his hand or have any personal interaction with him. The President doesn’t know me. I don’t have his phone number. I don’t have any sort of access ...
Hope does not disappoint us. Romans 5:5 Of all the different kinds of pain you and I can experience in life, the pain of disappointment crushing hope can be one of the worst. Examples from life? A parent tells you that you cannot go to the amusement park as planned. Your first romantic relationship comes to a heartbreaking end. Your dream of flourishing in a certain field does not come true. Your move to a new city does not pan out. A child with great promise grows up to make some destructive life decisions. Your retirement ...
This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:9,10 To live forever. That has been the goal of many a man throughout history. You might think back to your school days and reading about Juan Ponce de Leon and his quest for the Fountain of Youth. Maybe you think of the nightmarish tales of vampires and the immortality they seek. ...
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 1:9 With what are you struggling today? Maybe you don’t deal with stress in the healthiest way? Bills pile up, you can’t make ends meet at the end of the month, and your boss is far too demanding. So, you find yourself being short-tempered with your family. Maybe there are even times you grab for pills, or the bottle and you tell yourself, ‘It’s just to take the edge ...
We also rejoice in our sufferings. Romans 5:3 In the brief span of two or three lifetimes, God has chosen to lavish upon us a staggering number of technological and medical advancements. But as I live my life day-to-day, awash in all these marvels. I can begin to presume that my life is supposed to be convenient. I can begin to presume that my life is supposed to be comfortable. I can begin to presume that my life is supposed to be smooth, easy, trouble-free, and without pain. That presumption can even start to afflict my ...
[Jesus said] “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.” Luke 10:5,6 Most often, when I hear the word “peace,” I think of war between two nations coming to an end. I know that in church, “peace” is more often a reference to having a good relationship with God because of what Jesus has done. But it’s rare that I think of peace like Jesus uses the word in this Bible verse. Maybe ...
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36,37 Something I try to instill in my children is a good work ethic. Notice what needs to be done and do what you can without complaining. God has blessed you with gifts to serve. Use them. Besides, a task is more enjoyable when you see it as an opportunity and privilege rather than as ...
