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Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Heirs of God’s Salvation Bible in a Year : Deuteronomy 14-16, Mark 12:28-44 As long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. Galatians 4:1 Today's Scripture & Insight : Galatians 4:1-7 When Abigail’s parents died tragically in a car accident, she inherited a large real estate portfolio. She also learned that her parents had arranged to place the portfolio in a trust. For the time being, she could access only enough money for her university fees. The rest would come when she was older. Abigail was frustrated, but she later realised her parents’...More Monday, March 10, 2025 Working Together for Jesus Bible in a Year : Deuteronomy 11-13, Mark 12:1-27 We rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. Nehemiah 4:6 Today's Scripture & Insight : Nehemiah 4:1-9 During a trip to Brazil with a short-term missions team, we helped construct a church building in the Amazon jungle. On the foundation, already laid, we assembled the various parts of the church like a giant Lego set: supporting columns, concrete walls, windows, steel beams for the ceiling and tiles on the roof. Then we painted the walls. Some people were...More Sunday, March 9, 2025 Resting in Christ Bible in a Year : Deuteronomy 8-10, Mark 11:19-33 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things.” Luke 10:41 Today's Scripture & Insight : Luke 10:38-42 Several years ago, a study analysed the link between teenage depression and the amount of sleep teens received each night. After reading the study, a young woman commented on the results: “I never seem to know when to stop—I push myself so hard that I end up making myself sick from lack of sleep and stress.” Then she said she wanted to know what it really meant to manage her...More Saturday, March 8, 2025 The List Is Life Bible in a Year : Deuteronomy 5-7, Mark 11:1-18 These were the Israelites who came out of Egypt. Numbers 26:4 Today's Scripture & Insight : Numbers 26:1-4, 20-22 Hunched over a manual typewriter, Itzhak Stern worked through the night, tapping out names—1,098 in all. The names comprised a list of Jewish workers protected from the Nazis by factory owner Oskar Schindler. Clutching the document, Stern declared, “The list is an absolute good. The list is life.” Those named on its pages would survive the Holocaust. In 2012, it was estimated that the descendants of the...More Friday, March 7, 2025 Give Your Worries to Jesus Bible in a Year : Deuteronomy 3-4, Mark 10:32-52 Do not worry about your life. Matthew 6:25 Today's Scripture & Insight : Matthew 6:25-27 Nancy feared the future, seeing only trouble. Her husband Tom had fainted three times during a hiking trip. But doctors at a small nearby hospital found nothing wrong. At a larger medical centre, where doctors conducted additional tests, they also found no problem. “I was very afraid,” Nancy stated. As her husband was released, she questioned the cardiologist one last time, asking, “What do we do now?” He gave her words of wisdom...More Thursday, March 6, 2025 Not Easily Offended Bible in a Year : Deuteronomy 1-2, Mark 10:1-31 Sensible people . . . earn respect by overlooking wrongs. Proverbs 19:11 Today's Scripture & Insight : Proverbs 19:8-13 When I entered my church after several months of quarantine, I was excited to see members I hadn’t seen in a while. I realised that some members, especially older ones, just wouldn’t be back—some due to safety reasons and others, unfortunately, because they’d passed from this life. So I was quite excited when I spotted an older couple coming into the church and taking their normal seat behind me. I...More Wednesday, March 5, 2025 Unfathomable God Bible in a Year : Numbers 34-36, Mark 9:30-50 His understanding no one can fathom. Isaiah 40:28 Today's Scripture & Insight : Isaiah 40:25-31 In February 2023, the James Webb Space Telescope made another remarkable discovery. Beyond where humankind had previously been able to peer into the universe, it discovered six new galaxies. This discovery upended much of what we know about space. One astronomer remarked, “It turns out we found something so unexpected it actually creates problems for science.” An astrophysicist said almost apologetically, “There is nothing wrong...More Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Reading, Writing and Jesus Bible in a Year : Numbers 31-33, Mark 9:1-29 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. Acts 3:15 Today's Scripture & Insight : Acts 3:15-24 Moses with horns? That’s the way he’s depicted in Michelangelo’s masterpiece sculpture completed in 1515. Two horns protrude from Moses’ hair just above his forehead. Michelangelo wasn’t alone—many Renaissance and medieval artists depict Moses that way. Why? It has to do with the Latin translation of the Hebrew Bible available at the time, which described Moses’ radiant face after being in...More Monday, March 3, 2025 Extending God’s Love to Neighbours Bible in a Year : Numbers 28-30, Mark 8:22-38 Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:37 Today's Scripture & Insight : Luke 10:27-37 One winter day, a delivery man noticed an elderly woman shovelling snow off her driveway. He stopped and convinced the eighty-one-year-old to let him finish the job. Concerned that he’d be late delivering his other packages, she retrieved another shovel. They worked side by side for almost fifteen minutes as her neighbours watched from afar. “I’m thankful you helped me,” she said. “You’re God-sent.” During a...More Sunday, March 2, 2025 Clean Hands Bible in a Year : Numbers 26-27, Mark 8:1-21 Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart. Psalm 24:3-4 Today's Scripture & Insight : Psalm 24:1-4 The Queen, in her pristine white gloves, was a picture of elegance. Bobby Moore’s hands, by contrast, were covered in dirt. He had just captained the England football team to an historic World Cup win. But now it dawned on him that he was about to shake hands with his monarch. Sweat dripping, stress rising, he frantically wiped his hands on his grubby shorts. It’s a funny and very...More Saturday, March 1, 2025 Understanding the Bible Bible in a Year : Numbers 23-25, Mark 7:14-37 The word of God is alive and active. . . . [It] judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 Today's Scripture & Insight : 2 Timothy 3:14-16 How important is the Bible? It’s so vital that people in many countries risk their lives to translate it into their native languages. Often, these are ordinary believers in Jesus who face arrest for translating the words of Scripture into a heart language others can understand. One female translator from a country hostile to believers in Jesus said, “I must...More Friday, February 28, 2025 Peace of Christ Bible in a Year : Numbers 20-22, Mark 7:1-13 As members of one body you were called to peace. Colossians 3:15 Today's Scripture & Insight : Colossians 3:8-17 Would they win by arguing? Never, a small-town leader warned residents in Adirondack Park, where a pitched battle between environmentalists and small-business owners ignited the “Adirondack Wars.” The name described their fight whether to save the area’s pristine wilderness in Upstate New York or develop it. “Go back wherever you came from!” a local leader had shouted at an environmentalist. But...More Thursday, February 27, 2025 A Path Forward Bible in a Year : Numbers 17-19, Mark 6:30-56 Love [your wife] as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods. Hosea 3:1 Today's Scripture & Insight : Hosea 3 What do we do? Scott and Bree agonized over how to relate to friends and family members who’d chosen unbiblical ways of life. As they studied the Scriptures and prayed, a path forward emerged: First, they reinforced their love for their friends and loved ones; second, they expressed what was true and good about them based on God’s good design; and third, they shared how they would lovingly...More Wednesday, February 26, 2025 The Joy of Giving Bible in a Year : Numbers 15-16, Mark 6:1-29 Tabitha . . . was always doing good and helping the poor. Acts 9:36 Today's Scripture & Insight : Acts 9:36-43 On a five-hour flight, a woman vigorously crocheted a sweater. As she moved her hook in and out of her yarn, she noticed a five-month-old baby who was mesmerized by her motions. Then the woman got an idea: instead of finishing the sweater she was working on; she would make a hat for her little admirer. She had to finish the hat in the remaining time of the flight, however—just one hour! When the woman presented the...More Tuesday, February 25, 2025 Responding to Generosity Bible in a Year : Numbers 12-14, Mark 5:21-43 Give, and it will be given to you. Luke 6:38 Today's Scripture & Insight : Luke 6:31-38 When Lydia was gifted $10,000 by anonymous donors, she spent little of it on herself. Instead, she gave generous gifts to coworkers, family, flood victims, and charities. Lydia, unbeknownst to her, was part of a study following how two hundred people responded to a no-strings-attached gift of $10,000 through a bank transfer. That study found that more than two-thirds of that gifted money was given away. Sharing this story, Chris Anderson,...More Monday, February 24, 2025 Rainbows and God’s Promises Bible in a Year : Numbers 9-11, Mark 5:1-20 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Genesis 9:13 Today's Scripture & Insight : Genesis 9:8-17 While I stood watching the amazing power of Niagara Falls, I noticed that other tourists suddenly began taking photos. Looking in the same direction, I saw a rainbow had appeared—arching across the river. It seemed to begin at the base of the Horseshoe Falls, ending at the base of the American Falls. In reality, there’s no end to a rainbow. A rainbow is a...More Sunday, February 23, 2025 Planted by the Stream Bible in a Year : Numbers 7-8, Mark 4:21-41 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water. Psalm 1:3 Today's Scripture & Insight : Psalm 1 Bill is an older retired gentleman who lives alone and recently had to give up driving. He needs help to pick up groceries, prescriptions, and get to church on Sundays. “But you know what,” says Bill, “I love my days at home. I enjoy free worship music online and Bible teaching on the TV all day long.” Bill spends his days surrounded by Scripture, prayer, and praise. The habits we keep influence where our...More Saturday, February 22, 2025 Legacy of Love in Jesus Bible in a Year : Numbers 4-6, Mark 4:1-20 As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 13:31-36 In Sweden, there’s a concept known as döstädning. It literally means “death cleaning.” The idea is that as we grow older, we should stop accumulating “stuff” and begin to cut out the clutter we have amassed throughout our lives. “Swedish death cleaning” is actually a gift of love to children and friends, for it simplifies for them the task of wading through what we leave behind. As believers in Jesus,...More Friday, February 21, 2025 Getting Back Up Bible in a Year : Numbers 1-3, Mark 3 For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. Today's Scripture & Insight : Proverbs 24:15-22 As a teen, I was enthralled with the sport of figure skating. I loved the blend of artistry and athleticism on ice, with the fast spins, high jumps, and perfect poses. After watching many professional skaters perform, I finally got the opportunity to go ice skating and be part of a group lesson. Along with learning how to glide and stop, we learned some of the most important skills for a...More Thursday, February 20, 2025 The Simple Truth Bible in a Year : Leviticus 26-27, Mark 2 Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. Acts 16:31 Today's Scripture & Insight : Romans 10:9-11 When my wife and I go biking, we like to know how many miles we’ve pedaled. So, I went to a bike shop to buy an odometer and came home with a minicomputer that I discovered was a bit too complicated for me to program. I headed back to the bike shop, where the person who had sold it to me had it working in no time. I realized it wasn’t as difficult to understand as I thought. In life, new things and...More Wednesday, February 19, 2025 Finding Love in God Bible in a Year : Leviticus 25, Mark 1:23-45 The Lord saw that Leah was not loved. Genesis 29:31 Today's Scripture & Insight : Genesis 29:28-35 As a child, when asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Ben would say, “I want to be like Dave.” Ben’s older brother was athletic, sociable, and an honor student. Ben, on the other hand, says, “I was clumsy in sports, timid, and struggled with a learning disability. I’d always wanted a close relationship with Dave, but he didn’t. He called me ‘the boring one.’ ” Ben spent much of his life...More Tuesday, February 18, 2025 No Fake Ratings Bible in a Year : Leviticus 23-24, Mark 1:1-22 Put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Ephesians 4:25 Today's Scripture & Insight : Ephesians 4:17, 22-32 A ride-sharing customer shared that he had endured a driver eating the world’s smelliest fruit, another driver who was bickering with a girlfriend, and one who tried to get him to invest money in a Ponzi scheme. In each case, instead of a poor rating, he gave the drivers five stars. He explained, “They all seemed like nice people. I didn’t want them to be kicked...More Monday, February 17, 2025 Wise Restraint in God Bible in a Year : Leviticus 21-22, Matthew 28 Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them. Proverbs 29:20 Today's Scripture & Insight : Proverbs 29:4-11, 20 Following the South’s catastrophic loss at Gettysburg in the American Civil War (1863), General Robert E. Lee led his battered troops back to Southern territory. Heavy rains flooded the Potomac River, blocking his retreat. President Abraham Lincoln urged General George Meade to attack. But Meade’s men were just as weary as Lee’s. He rested his troops. Lincoln...More Sunday, February 16, 2025 Reflecting God’s Mercy Bible in a Year : Leviticus 19-20, Matthew 27:51-66 In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. Matthew 7:12 Today's Scripture & Insight : Matthew 7:7-12 A Finnish soldier in the three-month Winter War with Russia (1939-1940) lay wounded on the battlefield. A Russian soldier walked his way, pointing his rifle. The Finn was certain he’d met his end. However, the Russian handed him a medic kit, then kept moving. Remarkably, the Finn later found himself in a similar situation, only the roles were reversed—a Russian soldier lay wounded and helpless on...More Saturday, February 15, 2025 Perfectly Perfect Savior Bible in a Year : Leviticus 17-18, Matthew 27:27-50 We have a great high priest . . . who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:14-15 Today's Scripture & Insight : Hebrews 4:12-16 The interior designer on the home improvement show raved about the handmade ceramic tiles selected for the home’s new shower area. Different from commercially manufactured tiles, which are all identical, these handcrafted pieces were “imperfectly perfect.” The imperfections gave each tile unique beauty, adding to the charm and style of an otherwise...More |
Wednesday, February 12, 2025 Our Plans and God’s Plans Bible in a Year : Leviticus 13, Matthew 26:26-50 “Neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8 Today's Scripture & Insight : Isaiah 55:8-12 Many years ago, my husband decided to take a trip to Africa with a group of people from his church. At the last minute, the group was prevented from going on its journey. Everyone was disappointed, but the money they’d collected for airfare, lodging, and food was donated to the people they’d tried to visit. The people used it to construct a building that would shelter victims of abuse. Recently, at a...More Tuesday, February 11, 2025 God Runs After Us Bible in a Year : Leviticus 11-12, Matthew 26:1-25 The Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. Ezekiel 34:11 Today's Scripture & Insight : Ezekiel 34:11-16 For years, Evan struggled with an addiction that kept him from drawing close to God. How can I be worthy of His love? he wondered. So, while he kept going to church, he felt that there was an unbridgeable chasm that kept him separated from God. Yet, whenever Evan prayed earnestly for something, God seemed to answer him. God also sent people to encourage and comfort him in...More Monday, February 10, 2025 Fishing for Friends Bible in a Year : Leviticus 8-10, Matthew 25:31-46 [Jesus said], “I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19 Today's Scripture & Insight : Matthew 4:18-22 Patty spent the afternoon on the banks of a local river, using her fishing pole to cast bait into the water. Having only recently moved to the area, she wasn’t hoping to catch fish; she was angling for some new friends. Her line wasn’t baited with worms or any other traditional lure. Instead, she used her heavy-duty sturgeon rod to extend packets of cookies to people who were floating down the river in...More Sunday, February 9, 2025 Jesus Our Peace Bible in a Year : Leviticus 6-7, Matthew 25:1-30 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. Ephesians 2:17 Today's Scripture & Insight : Ephesians 2:11-18 Joan groaned when she saw Susan’s social media post. The photo showed ten church friends smiling around a restaurant table. For the second time this month, they were having a grand time—without her. Joan blinked away tears. She didn’t always get along with the others, but still. How strange to attend church with people who didn’t include her! How strangely...More Saturday, February 8, 2025 Caring in Christ Bible in a Year : Leviticus 4-5, Matthew 24:29-51 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 Today's Scripture & Insight : Philippians 2:1-11 Ms. Charlene, my friend Dwayne’s mother, is ninety-four years old, under five feet tall, and weighs less than a hundred pounds. Yet this doesn’t stop her from doing what she can to care for her son, whose physical health prevents him from caring for himself. Visits to their two-story home often find her on the second floor, where she resides. Slowly, she descends sixteen stairs...More Friday, February 7, 2025 Not Irrelevant in God’s Eyes Bible in a Year : Leviticus 1-3, Matthew 24:1-28 People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 Today's Scripture & Insight : 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-13 During the annual National Football League Draft, professional football teams choose new players. Coaches spend thousands of hours evaluating prospective players’ skills and physical fitness. In 2022, Brock Purdy was the last—262nd—pick and labeled “Mr. Irrelevant,” the nickname given to the last football player selected. No one expected he would play in a game during the upcoming season....More Thursday, February 6, 2025 A Cultivated Life in Christ Bible in a Year : Exodus 39-40, Matthew 23:23-39 There was no one to work the ground. Genesis 2:5 Today's Scripture & Insight : Genesis 2:4-9 When we built our home, it stood on little more than a muddy, empty lot at the end of a gravel road. We needed grass, trees, and shrubs to match the surrounding Oregon foothills. As I got out my lawn tools and set to work, I thought of the first garden waiting for humans: “No shrub had yet appeared on the earth and no plant had yet sprung up, . . . and there was no one to work the ground” (Genesis 2:5). The creation...More Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus Bible in a Year : Exodus 36-38, Matthew 23:1-22 [Jesus said], “These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” John 5:39 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 5:36-40 June’s eyes were fixed on the gray car beside her. She had to change lanes to exit the highway, but each time she tried to overtake the vehicle, the other driver seemed to speed up too. Finally, she managed to cut in front. Smug in her moment of triumph, June looked in the rearview mirror and smirked. At the same time, she noticed her destination exit passing her by. With a rueful smile,...More Tuesday, February 4, 2025 God’s Spacious Place Bible in a Year : Exodus 34-35, Matthew 22:23-46 You . . . have set my feet in a spacious place. Psalm 31:8 Today's Scripture & Insight : Psalm 31:1-2, 8-16 When theologian Todd Billings received a diagnosis of incurable blood cancer, he described his imminent mortality as like lights in distant rooms turning off or flickering. “As the father of a one- and three-year-old, I tended to think of the next few decades as an open expanse, assuming I would see Neti and Nathaniel grow and mature. . . . But in being diagnosed . . . there is a narrowing that takes...More Monday, February 3, 2025 Lowly but Loved by God Bible in a Year : Exodus 31-33, Matthew 22:1-22 Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud. Psalm 138:6 nlt Today's Scripture & Insight : Psalm 138 One day at church, I greeted a visiting family. I knelt next to their little girl’s wheelchair, introduced her to my service dog, Callie, and complimented her pretty, pink glasses and boots. Though she was nonverbal, her smile told me she enjoyed our conversation. Another little girl approached, avoiding eye contact with my new friend. She whispered, “Tell her I like her...More Sunday, February 2, 2025 Christ’s Visual Paradox Bible in a Year : Exodus 29-30, Matthew 21:23-46 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 Today's Scripture & Insight : Matthew 5:1-12 One of the great hymn writers of all time, Isaac Watts, wrote “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” In penning its lyrics, he used the poetic device of paradox to show a contrast in themes: “my richest gain I count but loss” and “pour contempt on all my pride.” We sometimes call these oxymorons, “words used in seeming contradiction to themselves”—like “awfully good” and “jumbo shrimp.” In...More Saturday, February 1, 2025 Our Father’s Love Bible in a Year : Exodus 27-28, Matthew 21:1-22 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1 Today's Scripture & Insight : 1 John 3:1-3, 16-24 Kim settled in by the window, bag packed, waiting eagerly for her daddy to arrive. But as the bright day darkened and then turned to night, her enthusiasm faded. She realized Daddy wasn’t coming—again. Kim’s parents were divorced, and she longed to spend time with her father. Not for the first time she thought, I must not really matter. He must not love...More Friday, January 31, 2025 Compelled to Tell Bible in a Year : Exodus 25-26, Matthew 20:17-34 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. Romans 1:16 Today's Scripture & Insight : Acts 20:17-24 “You know Jesus loves you. He really loves you.” Those were the last words of John Daniels. Just seconds after he’d given a homeless man money and shared those parting words, he was struck by a car and instantly killed. The printed program for the service that celebrated John’s life included these words: “He wanted to figure out how he could reach more...More Thursday, January 30, 2025 What Would You Ask Jesus? Bible in a Year : Exodus 23-24, Matthew 20:1-16 Let the little children come to me. Luke 18:16 Today's Scripture & Insight : Luke 18:9-17 “If Jesus were physically seated at the table with us this morning, what would you want to ask Him?” Joe inquired of his children at breakfast. His boys thought of their toughest questions. They decided they wanted to ask Jesus the most difficult math problems and have Him tell them how big the universe really is. Then his daughter replied, “I would ask Him for a hug.” Can’t you picture the love in Jesus’ eyes for...More Wednesday, January 29, 2025 Becoming Holy Bible in a Year : Exodus 21-22, Matthew 19 I am the Lord, who makes them holy. Leviticus 22:9 Today's Scripture & Insight : Leviticus 22:1-9 After viewing world-class ceramic sculptures at an art museum, I was invited to create my own “pinch pot” from air-dry clay. I spent two hours shaping a little bowl, engraving patterns, and painting. The result of all my hard work was underwhelming: a tiny, misshapen pot with uneven color. It wasn’t going to end up in a museum anytime soon. Living up to a high standard can be daunting. The Israelite priests experienced...More Tuesday, January 28, 2025 God—Our Sure Foundation Bible in a Year : Exodus 19-20, Matthew 18:21-35 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge. Isaiah 33:6 Today's Scripture & Insight : Isaiah 33:2-6 With a crumbling kitchen and sagging floors, our house needed renovation. After large sections of it were demolished, builders began digging a new foundation. Then things got interesting. As the builders dug, shovel loads of broken plates, 1850s-era soda bottles, even cutlery emerged. Were we built on an old garbage dump? Who knows, but as a result, our engineer...More Monday, January 27, 2025 Blessed to Be a Blessing Bible in a Year : Exodus 16-18, Matthew 18:1-20 They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 2 Kings 4:5 Today's Scripture & Insight : 2 Kings 4:1-7 During my years as a journalist, I enjoyed telling other people’s stories, but I was trained to not share my own opinions. So years after I had felt God call me out of my journalism career, when I increasingly felt God directing me to write a blog and speak about Him, I was a little nervous about sharing my thoughts, especially about my faith. As I started blogging, I was afraid I’d run out of things to say. But week...More Sunday, January 26, 2025 Reverent Fear Bible in a Year : Exodus 14-15, Matthew 17 If you look for [wisdom] as for silver . . . then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:4-5 Today's Scripture & Insight : Proverbs 2:1-11 Jeremy writes, “I know quite a bit about the fear of dying. Seven years ago . . . I felt intense, sickening, dizzying, overwhelming fear when I was told I had incurable cancer.” But he learned to manage his fear by leaning on the presence of God and moving from his fear of death to embracing a reverent fear of Him. To Jeremy, this means being in...More Saturday, January 25, 2025 God’s Perfect Care Bible in a Year : Exodus 12-13, Matthew 16 The life of my lord [David] will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the Lord your God. 1 Samuel 25:29 Today's Scripture & Insight : 1 Samuel 25:28-31 David Vetter died at age twelve after spending his entire life in a bubble. Nicknamed “The Bubble Boy,” David was born with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). His parents had lost their first son to the disease and were determined to protect their second-born. To prolong his life, NASA engineers designed a plastic protection bubble as well as a spacesuit so his...More Friday, January 24, 2025 Christ Matters Most Bible in a Year : Exodus 9-11, Matthew 15:21-39 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy. Colossians 2:8 Today's Scripture & Insight : Colossians 2:6-12 My wife and I like cheesy, feel-good romantic movies. I could say it’s her thing. But I like ’em too. Their charm and appeal lies in their predictable path toward happily ever after. Recently, we watched one that offered some questionable romantic advice. Love is a feeling, it said. Then, Follow your heart. Finally, Your happiness matters most. Our emotions matter, of course. But...More Thursday, January 23, 2025 God’s Promises Bible in a Year : Exodus 7-8, Matthew 15:1-20 What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 Today's Scripture & Insight : 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 It was painful to see my dad losing his memory. Dementia is cruel, taking away all the recollections of people until there’s no remembrance left of the life they lived. One night, I had a dream I believe God used to encourage me. In the dream, He had a small treasure chest in His hands. “All your dad’s memories are safely stored here,” He told me. “I’ll keep them in the meantime. Then one...More Wednesday, January 22, 2025 Recognizing God Bible in a Year : Exodus 4-6, Matthew 14:22-36 The Son is the . . . exact representation of [God’s] being. Hebrews 1:3 Today's Scripture & Insight : Hebrews 1:1-4 I flew to India, a land I’d never visited, and arrived at the Bengaluru airport after midnight. Though there’d been a flurry of emails, I didn’t know who was picking me up or where I should meet him. I followed the streaming mass of humanity to the baggage claim and customs, then out into the sticky night where I tried to spot a pair of friendly eyes among the sea of faces. For an hour, I walked back and...More Tuesday, January 21, 2025 The Gift of Trials Bible in a Year : Exodus 1-3, Matthew 14:1-21 The Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 1 Peter 4:14 Today's Scripture & Insight : 1 Peter 4:12-19 The two men conquered human flight, but the Wright brothers’ journey to success was never easy. Despite countless failures, ridicule, money woes, and serious injury to one of them, the brothers weren’t stopped by the trials they faced. As Orville Wright observed, “No bird soars in a calm.” The idea, according to biographer David McCullough, means that adversity can “often be exactly what you need to give you a lift...More Monday, January 20, 2025 Let My People Go Bible in a Year : Genesis 49-50, Matthew 13:31-58 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt.” Exodus 3:7 Today's Scripture & Insight : Exodus 3:1-10 The acclaimed painting Let My People Go by Aaron Douglas uses vibrant colors of lavender, green, and gold, along with traditional African imagery, to tell the biblical story of Moses and connect it with black Americans’ struggle for freedom and justice. The painting portrays God’s appearance to Moses in a burning bush when He revealed that He’d seen the plight of the Israelites in...More Sunday, January 19, 2025 Still Fruitful for God Bible in a Year : Genesis 46-48, Matthew 13:1-30 They will still bear fruit in old age. Psalm 92:14 Today's Scripture & Insight : Psalm 92:12-15 There’s an old folktale about a woman who carried water home every day from a river using two buckets at either end of a long pole—one bucket new and solid, the other much older and cracked. When the woman got home, the new bucket was still full, but the old bucket almost empty. The old bucket felt bad and apologized. The woman turned and pointed back down the road and asked the old bucket, “Do you see all those flowers,...More |
Friday, January 17, 2025 Don’t Lose Heart Bible in a Year : Genesis 41-42, Matthew 12:1-23 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 Today's Scripture & Insight : Galatians 6:7-10 Weary. That’s how Satya felt after nine months in his new job. As a believer in Jesus, he’d sought to follow God’s principles in the way he solved problems and directed the work. But people-related problems persisted, and little organizational progress seemed to have been made. He felt like throwing in the towel. Perhaps, like Satya, you’re...More Thursday, January 16, 2025 Easy and Hard Bible in a Year : Genesis 39-40, Matthew 11 God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” Exodus 13:17 Today's Scripture & Insight : Exodus 14:5-14 Mark was a promising young pastor. Then one morning his son, Owen, collapsed and died while kicking a ball with him. Mark was devastated and still grieves the loss. But through his pain he’s become a more compassionate pastor. I’ve mourned with Mark and wondered if his trial illustrates an insight A. W. Tozer noted: “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt...More Wednesday, January 15, 2025 A New Beginning with God Bible in a Year : Genesis 36-38, Matthew 10:21-42 While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 Today's Scripture & Insight : Romans 5:6-11 “Did your sin also put Jesus on the cross?” That’s the question Dutch painter Rembrandt seems to be asking in his 1633 masterpiece, The Raising of the Cross. Jesus appears in the center of the picture as His cross is lifted and put in place. Four men are doing the lifting, but one stands out in the light surrounding Jesus. His clothing is different; he’s dressed in the style of Rembrandt’s day, wearing a cap the...More Tuesday, January 14, 2025 Walking with God Bible in a Year : Genesis 33-35, Matthew 10:1-20 Enoch walked faithfully with God. Genesis 5:24 Today's Scripture & Insight : Genesis 5:21-24 For years, fitness experts have stressed the importance of running for cardiovascular health. But recent scientific studies have demonstrated that daily walking also has a range of health benefits. According to the US National Institute of Health, “Adults who took 8,000 or more steps a day had a reduced risk of death over the following decade than those who walked only 4,000 steps a day.” Walking is good for...More Monday, January 13, 2025 Scouting for Truth Bible in a Year : Genesis 31-32, Matthew 9:18-38 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 Today's Scripture & Insight : James 1:19-27 Reflecting on why people tend to be entirely convinced they’re right—even when they’re not—author Julia Galef suggests that it has to do with a “soldier mindset”—where we’re focused on defending what we already believe against what we see as threats. Galef argues a more helpful mindset is that of a scout—someone focused not primarily on eliminating threats but on seeking the...More Sunday, January 12, 2025 God Will Act Bible in a Year : Genesis 29-30, Matthew 9:1-17 Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 2 Timothy 4:11 Today's Scripture & Insight: Acts 15:36-41 A hardworking clerk, Erin always did her job well. But after she was accused of dishonesty, Erin was put on leave while being investigated. She felt like quitting in protest but was advised to wait it out. “Leaving suggests you’re guilty,” she was told. So Erin stayed, praying for God to give her justice. Sure enough, months later, she was cleared. John Mark may have felt the...More Saturday, January 11, 2025 Out of the Mouths of . . . Bible in a Year : Genesis 27-28, Matthew 8:18-34 Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me.” Numbers 22:34 Today's Scripture & Insight : Numbers 22:21-23, 31-35 What if you could understand what your dog was saying? New technology uses “bark” recognition to help determine canines’ feelings when they bark. The high-tech collars interpret dogs’ barks using data from more than ten thousand barks to identify the emotion they’re expressing. Though the collars don’t enable a word translation,...More Friday, January 10, 2025 What Scripture Reveals Bible in a Year : Genesis 25-26, Matthew 8:1-17 Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. 2 John 1:7 Today's Scripture & Insight : 2 John 1:4-11 In April 1817, a disoriented young woman was found wandering around in Gloucestershire, England, wearing exotic clothes and speaking an unknown language. Assuming she was a beggar, authorities placed her in prison. However, she convinced her captors that she was Princess Caraboo from the island of Javasu. For ten weeks, the community treated her as royalty until a...More Thursday, January 9, 2025 Better than Life Bible in a Year : Genesis 23-24, Matthew 7 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. Psalm 63:3 Today's Scripture & Insight : Psalm 63 After another unexpected health setback, I joined my husband and others during a retreat in the mountains. I trudged up the wooden staircase that led to the tiny church on the top of a hill. Alone in the dark, I stopped to rest on a splintered step. “Help me, Lord,” I whispered as the music began. I walked slowly until I stepped into the small room. I breathed through the lingering pain, grateful that God hears us...More Wednesday, January 8, 2025 A Deaf Heart Bible in a Year : Genesis 20-22, Matthew 6:19-34 [Jesus] too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of . . . the devil. Hebrews 2:14 Today's Scripture & Insight : Hebrews 2:9-18 To improve her sign language skills, Leisa immersed herself in the world of the Deaf. Soon she learned the problems they face. The Deaf are awkwardly ignored by hearing people, expected to lip-read flawlessly, and routinely get passed over for promotions at work. Most public events go uninterpreted. Leisa’s signing steadily improved to the point where...More Tuesday, January 7, 2025 Seeing God in Creation Bible in a Year : Genesis 18-19, Matthew 6:1-18 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Job 42:5 Today's Scripture & Insight : Job 42:1-6 Kenny stood before the congregation he’d left years before after he’d lost faith in God. He shared that his belief had been restored. How? God had touched his heart through the beauty and design he saw in creation. Kenny was in awe of Him once more through the witness of God’s general revelation seen in the natural world, and he now embraced the wisdom found in the special revelation of Scripture. After sharing his...More Monday, January 6, 2025 Little Town of Bethlehem Bible in a Year : Genesis 16-17, Matthew 5:27-48 Bethlehem, . . . out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. Matthew 2:6 Today's Scripture & Insight : Matthew 2:1-11 Phillips Brooks wrote the lyrics to the beloved carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem” after visiting Bethlehem. Brooks, pastor of a church in the United States, was so moved by his experience that he wrote this to his Sunday school students: “I remember . . . on Christmas Eve, when I was standing in the old church at Bethlehem, close to the spot where Jesus was born, when the whole...More Sunday, January 5, 2025 God Knows Everything Bible in a Year : Genesis 13-15, Matthew 5:1-26 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. Psalm 139:3 nlt Today's Scripture & Insight : Psalm 139:1-12 God truly knows all. But according to an article in The Wall Street Journal, the National Security Agency knows a great deal about us as well through our smartphone data trails. Everyone who owns a cell phone creates “metadata” that leaves a “digital trail.” While each individual crumb of data might seem insignificant, when it’s combined and analyzed, it provides “one of the most...More Saturday, January 4, 2025 Giving Back to God Bible in a Year : Genesis 10-12, Matthew 4 Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 1 Chronicles 29:14 Today's Scripture & Insight : 1 Chronicles 29:10-16 One year, the leaders of our congregation invited us to give gifts, in addition to our regular weekly offerings, to build a new gymnasium—a space we could use to minister to the families in our community. After prayerfully considering the medical expenses caused by living with a disability, I asked my husband, “Are you sure we can do this?” He nodded. “We’re not giving God...More Friday, January 3, 2025 Fear of the Unknown Bible in a Year : Genesis 7-9, Matthew 3 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 Today's Scripture & Insight : John 16:31-33 Fear woke me at 3 a.m. on the first day of the new year. The year ahead weighed heavily on me, overwhelming me with dread. Illness in the family had long wearied me, and now, thoughts of the future made me afraid. Will more bad things happen? I wondered. Jesus’ disciples understood the fear of bad things happening. Even though their Master had prepared and reassured them the day before He...More Thursday, January 2, 2025 God’s Promise Beyond the Ruins Bible in a Year : Genesis 4-6, Matthew 2 The heavens will vanish like smoke . . . . But my salvation will last forever. Isaiah 51:6 Today's Scripture & Insight : Isaiah 51:1-6 As Hurricane Laura raged through the Gulf of Mexico toward the US coastline of Louisiana, the warnings were dire. One sheriff, noting the 150-mile-per-hour winds, issued this jolting message: “Please evacuate. But if you choose to stay and we can't get to you, write your name, address, social security number, and next of kin and put it in a Ziploc bag in your pocket. Praying that it does not come to...More Wednesday, January 1, 2025 The Jesus Story Bible in a Year : Genesis 1-3, Matthew 1 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it. 1 John 1:2 Today's Scripture & Insight : 1 John 1:1-5 Most people have never heard of Kate Hankey, but she was a remarkable woman. A teacher, evangelist, school organizer, missionary, and poet, she faithfully served Jesus in 1800s England. In 1867, Kate contracted a serious illness. During her recovery, she penned a lengthy poem in two parts: “The Story Wanted” and “The Story Told.” The poem expresses in a very personal way her relationship with Jesus and the events of His...More |
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