Read Numbers 5:1 through 6:27 âThe Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peaceâ (Numbers 6:24â26). Through Aaron and his sons, God invoked a blessing for the people of Israel. His blessings included His presence, protection, and peace. …
Read Leviticus 18:1 through 20:27; Matthew 26:6â30 Gloria, a retiree, met Rosalie, a recent college graduate. When Rosalie mentioned where she lived, Gloria began to relate her experiences living in that city. Gloria continued to talk about her past career, not sure if the young woman would be interested. To Gloriaâs surprise, Rosalie listened and asked questions. Gloria felt she …
Read Leviticus 8:1 through 10:20 What does it take to approach God? Is it good intentions? Or a proper effort through some sort of trial and error? Nadab and Abihu discovered that disobedience can be deadly. Moses then said to Aaron, âThis is what the Lord spoke of when he said: âAmong those who approach me I will be proved …
Read Exodus 1:1 through 3:10; Matthew 13:24â26 The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob (Exodus 2:23â24). Joseph saved Egypt from famine and death. He should have been …
Read Genesis 42:1 through 44:34 While a child, Cathy announced, âGod wants me to be a missionary in China.â As she grew up, Cathy was blessed with her familyâs encouragement. After she completed her college degree, she worked in accounting and researched entry options. Finally, she found the perfect missions organization. Twenty years to the month later, Cathy departed for …
Read Genesis 22:20 through 24:67; Matthew 7:1â20 A gnarled, old tree growing in the front yard of a house appeared worthless. The owners thought the tree was a fruitless species and planned to cut it down. Then, one spring, beautiful pink blossoms appeared on the branches of the tree. Soon it was covered in fruitâbig, golden peaches. The owners …
Read Genesis 1:1 through 2:25; Matthew 1:1â25 Jonathan and his son, Michael, walked together along the shore. They were happy. Waves made sounds with regular rhythm. The splashing water kept Michael stepping away from the water, then back toward the water. It was almost night, but the view was amazing. Sandy, Jonathanâs wife and Michaelâs mother, probably had …
Read Haggai 1:1 through 2:23 Frank left at 5:00 a.m. for a 9:00 a.m. flight out of Los Angeles. âSurely the traffic wonât be bad that time of morning. I should get to the airport by seven oâclock easy,â he said to his wife. The digital clock on the dashboard blinked 8:00 a.m. âLord Jesus, help. Boarding starts …
Read Ezekiel 47:1 through 48:35; 1 Peter 1:1â25 Water plays a vital role in the life of the earth. Godâs unique combination of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen meets many of mankindâs basic needs. The average adult human body is about 58 percent water. Without water, both plant and animal life suffer. Ezekiel foresaw a time …
Read  Ezekiel 37:1 through 38:23 Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off (Ezekiel 37:11). Have despair and hopelessness, those âtwinsâ of darkness, ever gripped you so tightly you thought you couldnât breathe? Sometimes life can be ferocious, and not many escape its fury. An accident takes a spouse or child. …