“I will praise you, LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:1,2 When someone offends or hurts you with words or actions, what’s your most likely response? To show grace or fume with anger? For many of us, too often, we react with anger. In our Bible reading for today, the author says that God was angry with ...
Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” Genesis 11:1-4 The people seeking to build this tower had ...
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17 You just discovered the perfect little place to relax. It is quiet. It is beautiful. No one seems to know about it. Here’s the dilemma: Do you share this information with others, or do you keep it to yourself? Sometimes, we like to keep information like this to ourselves. We are afraid that if too many people ...
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9 When you think of heaven, who do you see there? Is it full of grandmas and grandpas walking down golden streets? Are there white hair harpists floating on clouds everywhere? Are there angelic choirs singing God’s praise from on high? Sometimes, cartoons paint our ideas of heaven more than ...
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interest but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationship with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3-5 How has your attitude been lately? Have you gotten short-tempered with your children, spouse, or employees? Have you been disrespectful to your parents, teachers, or boss? Have you been a little self-righteous and unconcerned about the people around you? How has your attitude been toward the people you run ...
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:8 We’ve all seen love fail. Marriages end. Friendships break. Families fall apart. Promises are broken. Hearts hurt. So, when the Bible says, “Love never fails,” it might sound more like a wish than a truth. But it is true—because it’s not talking about the kind of love the world knows. It’s talking about God’s love. Our love fails. Often. We lose patience. We say unkind things. ...
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 It’s easy to measure success by ...
Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them ...
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Revelation 7:17 When was the last time you cried? Our tears can flow for so many different reasons. Perhaps the pain of serious injury was so overwhelming that you could not help but cry. It could be that the recent loss of a loved friend or family member has left you in such a state that the tears seem to pour out at the smallest of memories. Maybe a broken relationship has left you crying tears of loneliness. And sometimes, we cry for no apparent reason ...
“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 It is amazing how often the word love is used. It is equally amazing for what it is used. People can love just about anything. From pets to food, from houses to cars, and especially other people—all of these can be preceded by the word love. It is unfortunate the word love has become so diluted. It is difficult to determine whether a person only prefers something or if there is a willingness to ...
