A Secure Future

Read Proverbs 5:1 through 6:35 Ty and Melanie listened intently as the financial planner explained how he could help make their future secure. “Make the right decisions today, and you will have peace of mind tomorrow,” he assured them. “You don’t want to reach the final season of life and have nothing to fall back on but regret.” At the …

He Watches Our Steps

Read Psalms 120:1 through 125:5 It was the day James had been awaiting for weeks. He finally had a Saturday free to hike a local mountain, and as the sun began to dawn, all signs pointed to a perfect autumn day. As the day wore on and he stopped occasionally for a drink or some food and a view of …

Compassion

Read Psalms 102:1 through 105:45 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him (Psalm 103:13). If a father sees his child stuck in a tree, he will help the crying child down. His compassion moves his heart to action. How many times do people find themselves stuck in difficult situations …

A Cup of Coffee

Read Romans 1:1 through 3:20 In hopes of reaching the postmodern generation, many churches have changed the way they conduct services today. Bistro tables, comfortable chairs, and the smell of coffee permeate the foyer. People stand, sit, talk, and mingle. Once inside, large screens project digital video, accompanied by lively music. Sermons present the gospel in a dynamic and relevant …

Reflection

Read Psalms 71:1–24; 89:1–52 In Psalm 71, the Psalmist reflects on who God has been to him during the course of his life. During his infancy the Psalmist learned of God’s reliance. In his youth, God revealed himself to the Psalmist as his hope, confidence, and teacher. At the age of his writing the psalm, the Psalmist saw God as …

Broken Before the Father

Read Psalms 46:1 through 53:6 When Jane was passed over for the promotion, her heart was broken. Because she trained the one who received the promotion, she felt betrayed. Crushed and lonely, she sought the solitude of home; however, this is the perfect time to seek the Father. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite …

Joyful Hearts

Read Psalms 10:1–18 and 33:1–22 You’ve heard the clichéd descriptions of life’s pain: “I’m so low I have to look up to see bottom,” “With friends like that, who needs enemies,” “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name (Psalm 33:21). God’s Word doesn’t …

Running with Purpose

Read 1 Corinthians 8:1 through 11:1 Have you ever watched the runners completing the Boston marathon, or the sprinters competing in the Olympic trials? It would be difficult to find an athlete at either event running aimlessly. Rather, you see men and women focused on running as purposely and directly to the finish line as possible. The apostle Paul used …

Always The Same

Read Job 1:1 through 4:21 What do you think when you get really bad news? Job thought of God. Though his life had turned into a nightmare, He knew God was still in charge. At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “ . . …

Power from Heaven

Read Luke 24:1–53 Electricity makes life in the modern world possible. Without it, lights don’t come on at the flick of a switch, microwaves and refrigerators don’t work. Radios and television sets can’t bring us the news or entertain us. Modern appliances can’t work without power, and neither can a Christian. As Jesus made His final address to His apostles, …