Monday, September 4 Ephesians 4:1-3 “Lead a life worthy of your calling” This chapter depicts the church in action, living its calling. Verse 1marks a transition from the prayerful description of God’s grace and salvation in the first 3 chapters to an explanation of the consequences of grace in chapters 4-6. If God’s love… Read more about Live Worthy of God’s Call
The Inspired Word of God
Monday, August 28 2 Timothy 1:1-7 “I remember . . .” Paul gives a pattern of words about remembrance. First, Paul remembers Timothy in his prayers. He does so constantly, and he does so night and day. In other words, during his frequent times of prayer he never fails to pray for the young… Read more about The Inspired Word of God
People of God: Esther
Monday, August 21 Esther 1:1 – 2:18 “He set the royal crown on her head and declared her queen” The theme of power – who has it, who receives it, who loses it – will recur throughout the story of Esther. In the first chapter, the all-powerfulness of Xerxes (in Hebrew, Ahasuerus) is revealed… Read more about People of God: Esther
People of God: Nehemiah
Monday, August 14 Nehemiah 1:1 – 2:20 “Send me to Jerusalem to rebuild the city” After Cyrus and the Persians conquered Babylon in 539bc, the king issued a decree that commanded the Jews, who had been in Babylonian exile since 586bc, to return home and rebuild the Temple. Their initial efforts to rebuild the… Read more about People of God: Nehemiah
People of God: Elijah
Monday, August 7 1 Kings 17:1-24 “You are a man of God, and the Lord speaks through you” The prophet Elijah appears on the scene abruptly. Apart from his name, he is identified only as being from Tishbe. He addresses his prophecy to Ahab, king of Israel, who has married Jezebel, a devotee of… Read more about People of God: Elijah
Summer Psalms
Monday, July 31 Psalm 23 – 24 “The Lord is my shepherd” The flock is secure and also provided for, because their shepherd is faithful in his care for it. So it is for a human being who has the Lord as shepherd. To be Lord means to be the God who is faithful,… Read more about Summer Psalms
David (Part Two)
Monday, July 24 2 Samuel 13:1-39 “David mourned many days for his son Amnon” God’s covenant promises to David in 2 Samuel 7 is the spiritual highpoint of David’s life. Then, David’s abuse of power resulted in adultery and murder, and threatened the promises of the covenant. The narration of David’s sins in chapters… Read more about David (Part Two)
David (Part One)
Monday, July 17 1 Samuel 16:1-23 “The Lord said: ‘This is the one; anoint him’” God has finally and officially rejected Saul as Israel’s anointed king because he rejected the Lord’s authority structure for Israel’s kingship. David will become the ideal anointed one because he accepts God’s authority in principle and genuinely repents when… Read more about David (Part One)