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 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 …