Luke 3:15-18 When John began to preach in the wilderness, crowds flocked to see Him. He baptized those who confessed their sins but rebuked the pious religious leaders for their self-reliance (Matthew 3:7-10). After 400 years without a prophet, people rushed to John, wondering if he might be the Christ, the one for whom they…
Palm Sunday: The Loving Act
As the time drew near for Him to ascend to Heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem… But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because He was on His way to Jerusalem. — Luke 9:51, Luke 9:53 NLT Palm Sunday marks the first day of Holy Week, the day we celebrate Jesus’s…
In My Weakness
My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. — 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV The Scriptures don’t provide the specifics, but we know that the apostle Paul struggled with what he referred to as a “thorn in [his] flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7). Whatever the problem was, it was so bothersome…
Restoration
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast…
Peace in a Day of Trouble
Peace in a Day of Trouble May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high! — Psalm 20:1 NASB Unemployment, wars, terrorism, natural disasters, leaders’ poor decisions — times are hard. But as our older relatives will tell us, hard times…
3 Scriptures That Will Help Draw You Near to God
This is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. — 1 John 5:14-15 Have you ever shared something deeply…
Forgiveness Makes a Difference
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. — Colossians 3:13 The Bible doesn’t tell us if Daniel struggled with forgiving those who inflicted pain in his life: betrayal, injustice, unfairness, slander, accusations, and even persecution. The list would have been a lengthy…
Scrubbed Clean
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean. — Ezekiel 36:25 KJV My Maggie is an artist; she likes to draw. Being the exuberant soul she is, she prefers larger surfaces. A big white wall is irresistible; tabletops are attractive too. In a pinch Maggie will draw on herself if indelible markers are available. Maggie’s…
5 Bible Stories, 5 Prayers
The Best Answer to Prayer The word of the Lord came to [Abraham]… “A son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars — if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall…
There’s Dumb and There’s Death
“THERE WAS NO REMEDY” The Lord sent word to [His people] through His messengers again and again, because He had pity on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked God’s messengers, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against His people and there…