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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 […]

Photo by Tim Mossholder on UnsplashIt’s easy for us to get distracted by “side issues.”  Paul reminds us in today’s passage: Don’t miss the point! Scripture: 2 Kings, chapters 1-3; Psalm 82; 1 Timothy, chapter 1 1 Timothy 1:3-11 (NLT): When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. Don’t let them waste their time in […]

Photo by Andrea Zanenga on UnsplashGod gives us a confident hope through our new life in Christ. That hope is confirmed and supported by the presence of the fruit of a changed life. Scripture: 1 Kings, chapter 16; 2 Chronicles, chapters 15-16; Colossians, chapter 1 Colossians 1:3-6 (NLT): We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we have heard […]

Photo by Dylan Freedom on UnsplashWe live in a world of conflict, but we can experience God’s peace by fixing our thoughts on what is true, honorable, and right. Scripture:        1 Kings, chapter 15; 2 Chronicles, chapters 13-14; Philippians, chapter 4 Philippians 4:2-9 (NLT): Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help […]

Photo by Andrea Zanenga on UnsplashPoliticians and governments ask us to pledge allegiance to them. Today’s passage reminds us of the danger of serving earthly rulers. Scripture:        1 Kings, chapters 13-14; 2 Chronicles, chapter 12; Philippians, chapter 3 2 Chronicles 12:7-12 (NLT): When the Lord saw their change of heart, he gave this message to Shemaiah: “Since the people have humbled themselves, I will not completely destroy them and will […]

Photo by Hannah Morgan on UnsplashWhat Should I Wear to Church? When I was growing up, it was common to hear people talk about their “Sunday best,” referring to their “best” clothes that they wore to church.  While people still understand that phrase, the idea of wearing our “best” clothes to church is no longer common.  But is that a bad thing?  Where did we get the idea that we […]

Photo by Joao Branco on UnsplashSo many times, we allow ourselves to become frustrated and overwhelmed by life’ “requirments.”  As the Teacher of Ecclesiastes reminds us, enjoying life is a gift from God! Scripture:        Ecclesiastes, chapters. 4-6; Psalm 18; Ephesians, chapter 3 Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 (NLT): Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!  The more you have, the more people come […]

Photo by John Fowler on Unsplash.  God said, “You will be a wanderer and a drifter on the earth” (Genesis 4:12).Yesterday, we looked at the story of Cain and Abel, and how God was working even in that horrible situation (“The Story of Cain and Abel: What You Should Know“). Today, we look at Cain’s punishment, and what it tells us about our relationship with God. Genesis 4:8-17 (NASB) Cain […]

Photo by yang miao on Unsplash.  In God’s family, all violence is “brother on brother!”We all know the core of the story of Cain and Abel: Abel’s offering to the Lord was accepted, Cain’s was not, and Cain responded by killing Abel.  But if that’s all that the story says to us, it doesn’t say much, does it?   So what else is there in this story that might instruct us? […]