PSALM 119:14,33-40 Many people have developed the mindset that if they had money, all of their difficulties in life would be solved. Wealth in itself is not bad, but it has the ability to trick us into believing that it is the solution to all of our problems. The psalmist presented an alternative viewpoint (Psalm 119:14,16). … [Read more…]
1 CORINTHIANS 3:1-9, HEBREWS 12:2 I once overheard a woman refer to someone with so much pride as her “disciple.” Everyone of us who follow Christ has the responsibility of making disciples—teaching others about Christ and assisting them in developing their spiritual lives. Although it can be easy to put Jesus aside and concentrate on ourselves. Concerned … [Read more…]
ISAIAH 49:13-18; PSALM 103:13 Several mothers of young children were sharing encouraging spiritual experiences. But one woman claimed that she felt selfish for bothering God with her own problems. “My difficulties must seem small to Him,” she said, “compared to the enormous needs God addresses around the world.” Later, her young boy came crying to his mother … [Read more…]
PROVERBS 3:1-18 Academic institutions hold ceremonies each year to celebrate students who have earned their certificates or completed their studies. Graduates will face challenges in the world they enter after leaving the classroom. The mere possession of academic knowledge will not be enough. Using what they have learned wisely will be the key to success … [Read more…]
TITUS 3:1-8 Many of us get a lot of emails and texts in a regular week reminding us of events or appointments or asking us to pray for others. Those are all necessary reminders. Paul urged Titus in his “papyrus mail” to remind the believers of specific matters (3:1). Paul’s word choice suggests that he had previously … [Read more…]
2 PETER 3:1-13 When I dropped my friend off one day at a nearby bus terminal, I observed the conductor looking around for stragglers. From the parking lot, a woman with wet hair dashed into the bus. A man in a dark suit then made his way to the platform and boarded. While a few more … [Read more…]
EXODUS 15:1–2,13–18 John Philip Sousa, a composer and band conductor widely regarded as “The March King,” wrote music that has been played by bands all around the world for more than a century. Beethoven is to symphonies what Sousa is to marches. He understood the ability of music to inspire, uplift, and motivate people. Israel’s people were … [Read more…]
LUKE 18:1-8 The saying, “The squeaky wheel gets the oil,” is popular. I used to ride far on my bicycle as a teenager, and the squeaky sounds of the wheels alerted me to the necessity of lubricating them. The widow in Luke 18 kept asking the judge for justice against her enemy, sounding like a “squeaky … [Read more…]
MARK 4:35-41 During a storm, a retired pastor and his wife left their home and headed to a shelter. They went back to their house after the storm had passed to get a few items, but all they could find floating in the water were a few family photos. Then, as he removed his father’s photograph … [Read more…]
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