Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2–4, ESV Consider this statement made by James, the half-brother of Jesus: “for […]
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Psalm 27:13, NASB Don’t you love David’s honesty? Here was the only man called “a man after [God’s] own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14, ESV). He was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be king […]
Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:14–15, esv Woven […]
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council […]
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6 esv The most beloved Psalm in the Bible, Psalm 23, closes with the familiar, comforting words, “I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” To help us understand […]
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1, esv God is very personal. Consider the word formed (v.1)—it’s so intimate. God may have spoken the universe into […]
Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?” John 18:11, nasb “When the going gets tough . . .” What happens next? “The tough get going,” right? I suppose this partially explains why Peter, a fisherman, happened to be packing […]
So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Matthew 26:44, esv We tend to think of prayer as asking for things—prayers of petition. And that’s a biblically valid function of prayer. But sometimes prayer is not so much about getting something from God, as much […]
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV When you’re overwhelmed by a problem […]
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV When we study Scripture, we don’t want to get buried in […]