The Blog

Read  Psalms 66:1 through 68:35; Acts 21:1–26  “God bless you!” Many people can not count the number of times someone has said these words to them or the number of times they have said those words to someone else. And, that’s not surprising. It has become a common expression— almost a cliché—among Christians. Not so for the Psalmist. May God …

Read  2 Corinthians 1:1 through 4:18 Marlene had taken her friend, Carol, to the doctor for treatment after her latest surgery. They noticed a woman sitting in the waiting room. The woman’s breathing sounded loud and ragged. It was evident she was in pain. Marlene whispered to the receptionist that the woman appeared to need attention immediately. Carol took a …

Read  Psalms 27:1 through 33:22 Christians live in a troubled world. We face trauma, stress, and challenges. We even worry about the con­cerns of loved ones. God did not promise that His people would not have difficulties in this life. He did promise, however, that He would help turn those difficult times into times of joy and dancing! You turned …

Read  Psalms 1:1 through 10:18 During World War II, many young American men went off to war in both Europe and the Pacific, leaving behind family and loved ones to wait for their return. As days turned into months, and months turned into years, the waiting must have been a very difficult season of life for those who were left …

Read  1 Corinthians 1:1 through 5:13 Peter Marshall, former chaplain of the United States Senate, said, “Today’s Christians are like deep-sea divers, encased in suits designed for many fathoms deep, marching bravely forth to pull plugs out of bathtubs.” He was speaking of Christians who are focused on outward development yet remain shallow. Even small disagreements and tasks require all …

Read  1 Thessalonians 1:1 through 5:28 The common phrase, “Some people are so heavenly-minded they are no earthly good,” was coined in the 1800s by physician Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., referring to the inaction of some Christians on social issues. This phrase may describe some of the Thessalonians who—believing the return of Christ was imminent— had abandoned their professions and …

Read  2 Kings 6:1 through 9:37; Luke 22:14–38 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:31–32). Simon Peter didn’t think he could deny Christ, but he did. Ryan never thought he would deny Christ either, but he did—twice. First he fell …

Read  Luke 14:1 through 16:31 Little Benjamin was visiting the nursing home with his father and was helping one of the residents put together a one-thousand-piece puzzle. They worked diligently for hours until they realized one piece was missing. Everyone in the place searched for the missing piece. With a loud cry someone exclaimed, “I found it!” Everyone rejoiced. “I …

Read  1 Chronicles 28:1 through 29:30 God is the true king over all people and particularly over Israel. Solomon was chosen and anointed by the Lord to be king over the nation of Israel, to sit “on the throne of the Lord.” He was set apart to reign as God’s regent over His people. So Solomon sat on the throne …

Read 1 Chronicles 7:1 through 9:44 It was a great privilege and honor to be one of the men chosen to be gatekeepers at the entrance to God’s house. Even more awesome was the responsibility of four principal gatekeepers who guarded the rooms and the treasuries. They would spend the night stationed around the house of God, because they had …