Read Obadiah 1:1–21; Jonah 1:1 through 4:11 Heaving waves! Surging seas! Such a terrible storm! Yet, as they dealt with it, the sailors on Jonah’s ship were sure the storm was caused by a vindictive god punishing someone on board. So who was it? Casting lots revealed the culprit, and it was Jonah! He answered, “I am a Hebrew and …
The Gospel Team
Read Philippians 1:1 through 4:23 It is great to be on a winning team. There’s nothing like working together with a group of people to accomplish more than we could as individuals. TEAM is a common acronym for Together Everyone Accomplishes More. Paul was thankful for his “team” at Philippi. I thank my God every time I remember you . …
The Big Why
Read Ecclesiastes 1:1 through 3:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1–28 What happens when a person seeks wisdom and understanding and finds only confusion and futility? Ask King Solomon. He determined to study and explore everything on earth. He wanted to answer the ultimate question—the why of everything. I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them …
Compassionate Prayers
Read Proverbs 9:1 through 12:28 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers (Proverbs 11:14). At times it seems like every nation on earth is about to collapse. Does that mean Jesus is returning soon? Of course! That’s what He promised (Revelation 3:11). Yet our definition of “soon” differs from God’s. It’s tempting to …
Help!
Read Psalm 143:1 through 150:6 Every language has a word people shout when they’re in trouble. A Danish fisherman being washed overboard yells, “Hjælp!” A fallen Indonesian dancer cries, “Bantuan!” A Romanian calls out, “Ajutor!” A Spaniard says, “Ayuda!” In every case, the word communicates an immediate need for assistance. When David called on God to save him from his …
Freedom in Christ
Read Psalms 112:1 through 115:18; Romans 8:1–17 Those who have ever experienced condemnation know it is not a good feeling. The Greek root word means “to judge one down.” That is exactly what condemnation does. It makes an individual feel guilty, doomed, and worthless. Condemnation can come from several sources. Most of the time, Satan will use it to discourage …
Victory in Praise
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 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 …