Read Psalms 87:1 through 92:15 Every person on the earth has struggles, but the Christian’s battle can be attributed to far more than worldly cares. The powers of darkness aim to diminish God’s light by attacking God’s people when they’re most vulnerable. Thankfully, a solution is stated repeatedly in the Bible. It is good to praise the Lord and make …
The Night Season Read
Psalms 62:1 through 68:35 George A. Young, a bivocational preacher in the 19th century, ministered mainly to rural churches while he supplemented his income as a carpenter. After many years of struggle he was able to build a home for his family with his own hands. While away from home in ministry, some who disagreed with his preaching burned his …
Riding to the Top
Read Psalms 54:1 through 61:8 Hiking the high-altitude volcanoes of Guatemala can leave a novice hiker gasping for air at the side of the trail after just a few minutes. The locals (who are used to the conditions) know this, so they run along with the group, leading horses to ride when a hiker cannot take another step. At first, …
The Answer to Fear
Read Psalms 34:1 through 38:22 Fear plagues most of us to one degree or another. There is healthy fear, of course, a fear of things that could cause us harm. Most of our fears, however, are irrational. People are afraid of many things—other people, being alone, high places, closed-in places, germs, dogs, even water. You name it, and there is …
Don’t Be Duped
Read 1 Corinthians 6:1 through 9:27 Flee from sexual immorality. . . . Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own (1 Corinthians 6:18–19). Sin defeats people because people lack understanding. They become engrossed in a sin, such as gossip, …
The Opening Lines
Read 1 Corinthians 1:1 through 5:13 Members of a writer’s group sat at their normal places. As usual, a debate erupted. One participant had read his new story to the group. They all loved it, but each person wanted a different opening. They felt the beginning was dull. They wanted drama, conflict, action. So, the group discussed various openings to …
Always The Same
Read Job 1:1 through 4:21 What do you think when you get really bad news? Job thought of God. Though his life had turned into a nightmare, He knew God was still in charge. At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “ . . …
Peace in the Chaos
Read Luke 21:1 through 22:71 Do we ever look at our world and ask, “What happened?” The moral climate seems to have plunged. Sin is rampant. Nuclear war threatens. A bad economy has become the new way of life. And what’s with all these record-breaking natural disasters? It’s easy to wonder if the end of world is near and become …
Facing Discouragement
Read 2 Chronicles 32:1 and 33:25 Most believers have never confronted an imposing army like King Hezekiah did. Still, Christians fight major battles every day. Some deal with harassing bosses or coworkers who accuse them falsely. Others face bills or debts that strike like a flurry of arrows, tearing holes in bank accounts and draining their funds. Secular teachings take …
The Value of One
Read Luke 14:1 through 16:31 Little Benjamin was visiting the nursing home with his father and was helping one of the residents put together a one-thousand-piece puzzle. They worked diligently for hours until they realized one piece was missing. Everyone in the place searched for the missing piece. With a loud cry someone exclaimed, “I found it!” Everyone rejoiced. “I …