Loved Before Life

Read  Genesis 1:1 through 4:26 The young family—Mom, Dad, and two girls, had a surprise for visiting grandparents. They presented them with a small scroll, tied with a ribbon. Inside, the seniors found the ultrasound photograph of a new life that would be born. The seniors decided to bathe this new life in prayer. He would be loved before he …

A Royal Crossroads

Read  Haggai 1:1 through 2:23 Have you ever felt like you were running hard but getting nowhere? Zerubbabel probably felt that way. He was governor in Jerusalem over the first wave of returnees from the Babylonian captivity. A rush of excitement had initiated the rebuilding of the temple, but opposition, economics, and fatigue had caused a halt to the construction. …

Ever-Present Power

Read  2 Chronicles 36:1–8; Daniel 1:1 through 4:37 King Nebuchadnezzar demanded that his sorcerers and astrologers tell him what he had dreamt, then interpret it. How quickly their pride in their supposed superhuman abilities was humbled. These “wise men” said only the gods could tell dreams, not man! Though they had pagan “gods” in mind, the magicians were right—only a …

Gifts for Overcomers

Read Revelation 2:1 through 3:22 The best gifts received this Christmas cannot compare to the gifts reserved for those who overcome. Four times Jesus says, “To him who overcomes, I will give” (Revelation 2:7,17,26; 3:21), or similar words. The gifts given are beyond our imaginations. Gifts, such as a crown of life (Revelation 2:10), authority over nations (2:26), the morning star …

Almighty

Read  Revelation 1:1–20 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). The Scriptures declare that God is “the Almighty.” If we break this word up into two words, we discover the words “all” and “mighty.” This more than just merely implies that we …