Read Isaiah 58:1 through 60:22 Brian knew about darkness. By the time he was 12 he’d pocketed thousands of dollars dealing drugs. He quit school at 16 and filled his free time selling crack-cocaine, marijuana, PCP, and anything else he could get his hands on. By the time he was 28, he’d spent time behind bars—once for manslaughter and once …
Wait for It
Read Titus 1:1 through 3:15 We wait at the signal for the light to turn green. We wait in the lobby and then again in the examination room when we go to the doctor. We wait in line to make a purchase or pay a bill. Often, waiting is considered to be a negative part of life. On the other …
Overcoming the Fear Factor
Read Isaiah 28:1 through 35:10 According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, more than 19 million adults in the U.S. suffer from some form of anxiety. Specifically diagnosed disorders range from a general, undefined sense of uneasiness to outright panic attacks which leave victims debilitated and unable to function. The organization says that anxiety disorders are highly treatable using …
The Choice
Read Isaiah 5:1 through 8:22 The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread (Isaiah 8:13). Of all human fears, the fear of man is one of the greatest. The fear of man means being more concerned about what others think …
Who Is to Blame?
Read Obadiah 1:1–21; Jonah 1:1 through 4:11 Heaving waves! Surging seas! Such a terrible storm! Yet, as they dealt with it, the sailors on Jonah’s ship were sure the storm was caused by a vindictive god punishing someone on board. So who was it? Casting lots revealed the culprit, and it was Jonah! He answered, “I am a Hebrew and …
The Gospel Team
Read Philippians 1:1 through 4:23 It is great to be on a winning team. There’s nothing like working together with a group of people to accomplish more than we could as individuals. TEAM is a common acronym for Together Everyone Accomplishes More. Paul was thankful for his “team” at Philippi. I thank my God every time I remember you . …
The Big Why
Read Ecclesiastes 1:1 through 3:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1–28 What happens when a person seeks wisdom and understanding and finds only confusion and futility? Ask King Solomon. He determined to study and explore everything on earth. He wanted to answer the ultimate question—the why of everything. I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them …
Compassionate Prayers
Read Proverbs 9:1 through 12:28 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers (Proverbs 11:14). At times it seems like every nation on earth is about to collapse. Does that mean Jesus is returning soon? Of course! That’s what He promised (Revelation 3:11). Yet our definition of “soon” differs from God’s. It’s tempting to …
Help!
Read Psalm 143:1 through 150:6 Every language has a word people shout when they’re in trouble. A Danish fisherman being washed overboard yells, “Hjælp!” A fallen Indonesian dancer cries, “Bantuan!” A Romanian calls out, “Ajutor!” A Spaniard says, “Ayuda!” In every case, the word communicates an immediate need for assistance. When David called on God to save him from his …
Freedom in Christ
Read Psalms 112:1 through 115:18; Romans 8:1–17 Those who have ever experienced condemnation know it is not a good feeling. The Greek root word means “to judge one down.” That is exactly what condemnation does. It makes an individual feel guilty, doomed, and worthless. Condemnation can come from several sources. Most of the time, Satan will use it to discourage …