A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings […]
After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta (Acts 28:1, esv). I think we can all agree that this life—even the Christian life—is no merry-go-round at Disneyland. It’s generally hard, gets harder, and sometimes feels like it’s close to nearly blowing apart. Such was the experience of Paul, […]
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:1–2, esv). Have you ever seen the home of a hoarder? Some of us […]
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not […]
But the Lord said to David my father, “Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart. Nevertheless, you shall not build the house, but your son who shall be born to you shall build the house for my name” (1 Kings […]
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples” (John 8:31, esv). You probably can’t remember the last time you used the word abide in a conversation. Most of us don’t tell our kids, “If you abide in my house, you live […]
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit (James 5:17–18, esv). The greatest complaint I hear about […]
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. (2 Corinthians 12:7, ESV) God allows bad things to happen to good people. He doesn’t cause them, but He doesn’t […]
This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them (1 Timothy 1:15, hcsb). “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Mark 2:16, esv). That was the reaction of the religious when seeing Jesus interacting with the common rabble […]
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:17, esv). Can God’s Word get your attention? The verse above should have you reaching for your Bible. Ephesians 5:17 is basically saying, “Hey! Pay attention and don’t be foolish! Understand the Lord’s will.” We can be sure of this: […]