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Photo by Avery Evans on Unsplash There is no “my” truth, and “your” truth; there is simply truth. How – and why – do we speak the truth to those who don’t want to hear it? Scripture:        Amos, chapters 1-3; Psalm 80; 2 Timothy, chapter 4 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (CEB): I’m giving you this commission in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is coming to judge the […]

Photo by Carlos Magno on Unsplash What does “evangelism” mean? Sharing the good news! Or, as Paul says in 2 Timothy 1, “promote the promise of life in Christ.” Scripture:        Joel, chapters 1-3; 2 Timothy, chapter 1 2 Timothy 1:1-7 (CEB): From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, to promote the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus. To Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and […]

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash Our culture is driven by conflict. The Apostle Paul warns against “a sick obsession with debates and arguments.” Can debates and arguments hinder our spiritual growth? Scripture:        2 Kings, chapters 11-12; 2 Chronicles, chapter 24; 1 Timothy, chapter 6 1 Timothy 6:3-10 (CEB): If anyone teaches anything different and doesn’t agree with sound teaching about our Lord Jesus Christ and teaching that is consistent […]

Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash Not everything that sounds biblical is biblically sound. How can we avoid being “distracted by talk that doesn’t mean anything”? Scripture:        2 Kings, chapters 1-3; Psalm 82; 1 Timothy, chapter 1 1 Timothy 1:3-11 (CEB): When I left for Macedonia, I asked you to stay behind in Ephesus so that you could instruct certain individuals not to spread wrong teaching. They shouldn’t pay attention […]

Photo by Evi Odioko on Unsplash How do we reflect Jesus’ presence and work in our lives? “Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight…” Scripture:        1 Kings, chapter 22; 2 Chronicles, chapters 18-19; Colossians, chapter 4 Colossians 4:1-6 (CEB): Masters, be just and fair to your slaves, knowing that you yourselves have a master in heaven. Keep on praying and guard your prayers with thanksgiving. At the […]

Photo by Sapan Patel on Unsplash God promised to defeat Israel’s enemies so that “then you will know that I am the Lord.” How can we guard ourselves against missing God’s purposes? Scripture:        1 Kings, chapters 20-21; 2 Chronicles, chapter 17; Colossians, chapter 3 1 Kings 20:26-30 (CEB): So in the spring of the year, Ben-hadad assembled the Arameans and marched up to Aphek to fight with Israel. Now the […]

Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash “God is the one who enables you both to want at to actually live out his good purposes.” But what does it mean to “live it out” God’s way? Scripture:        1 Kings, chapter 12; 2 Chronicles, chapters 10-11; Philippians, chapter 2 Philippians 2:12-18 (CEB): Therefore, my loved ones, just as you always obey me, not just when I am present but now even more […]

Photo by T L on Unsplash In Ephesians 2, Paul warns us against “a destructive spiritual power” at work in the world. How can we avoid this destructive power and walk in God’s way? Scripture:        Ecclesiastes, chapters 1-3; Psalm 45; Ephesians, chapter 2 Ephesians 2:1-10 (CEB): At one time you were like a dead person because of the things you did wrong and your offenses against God. You used to […]

Photo by marianne bos on Unsplash Our culture is marked by anger and hatred. Proverbs tells us that there is a connection between the mind and the mouth. What comes out of the mouth reflects what is in our hearts and minds. Scripture:        Proverbs, chapters 10-12; Romans, chapter 10 Proverbs 10:6-14 (CEB): Blessings cover the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of […]