OchriO

Photo by Markus Winkler on UnsplashOur national political discourse seems to be dominated by conspiracy theories. In the midst of such doubt and suspicion, God reminds us to not be driven by fear, but by faith. Scripture: Isaiah, chapters 8-10; Hebrews, chapter 8 Isaiah 8:11-22 (NLT): The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said, “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they […]

Photo by Faith Crabtree on UnsplashOur relationship with God is made possible by God’s forgiveness. Jesus offers us cleansing and forgiveness through his “once and forever sacrfice” for sins! Scripture: Micah, chapters 5-7; Hebrews, chapter 7 Micah 7:18-20 (NLT): Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you […]

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash  July 7 is “International Peace and Love Day.”  Who doesn’t want more “peace” and “love”?  To move toward that goal, however, we need to understand what “peace” and “love” really mean. Love – A Self-Giving Commitment Whenever “church people” support policies that are deemed to oppose certain “rights,” we hear the common refrain: “God is love.”  To be sure, the Bible says that […]

Photo by Greg Jenkins on UnsplashIndependence Day Freedom!  Today is Independence Day. On this date in 1776, the leaders of the colonies issued the Declaration of Independence. The most familiar phrase from the Declaration states: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalieanable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”  […]

Photo by Melissa Laun on UnsplashGod has given us his word – Scripture – to guide us in his way.  Rejecting God’s instructions take us off his path, and leads us into danger! Scripture: Amos, chapters 1-3; Psalm 80; 2 Timothy, chapter 4 Amos 2:4-8 (NLT): This is what the Lord says: “The people of Judah have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished! They […]

Photo by Waldemar on UnsplashSometimes we read Scripture and wonder, “How did that happen?” A closer look usually reveals the answer. In today’s passage, deeper investigation shows that a confusing defeat actually made perfect sense! Scripture: 2 Kings, chapters 13-14; 2 Chronicles, chapter 25; New Testament reading: 2 Timothy, chapter 3 2 Kings 14:8-14 (NLT): One day Amaziah sent messengers with this challenge to Israel’s king Jehoash, the son of […]

Photo by Maksim Shutov on UnsplashWhose Spirit do we have? We know that we have the Holy Spirit if we are born again (see John 3:6), but how does that look? Do we reflect the spirit of Paul, or the spirit of Jonah? Scripture: Jonah, chapters 1-4; 2 Timothy, chapter 2 Jonah 1:1-3 (NLT): The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: “Get up and go to the […]

Photo by Lucas Ludwig on UnsplashSometimes we’re too eager to fight, rather than listening for God’s direction.  Today’s passage reminds us: The battle is not yours, but God’s! Scripture: 2 Kings, chapters 6-7; 2 Chronicles, chapter 20; 1 Timothy, chapter 3 2 Chronicles 20:10-17 (NLT): “And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left […]

Photo by Davide Cantelli on UnsplashAs we celebrate holidays that point to freedom (Juneteenth, Independence Day), let’s not forget that Jesus gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone! Scripture: 2 Kings, chapters 4-5; Psalm 83; 1 Timothy, chapter 2 1 Timothy 2:1-7 (NLT): I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray […]