Kingdoms  fall. So what should we do? Wring our hands and weep? It happened to Israel and Judah. What can we learn from their history? [Note: This blog post is based on last week’s reading: 2 Kings.] Two Kingdoms in Ruins What do you make of this history of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah and the ignominious demise of them both?  There is little to celebrate here from a human point of view.  Men, including kings, are fallen creatures who sin.  Most of the kings chronicled he

Three verbs capture much of what the life in Christ is about for His people of all the earth–walking, serving, fearing. Do they describe you? Today’s Reading Micah 4-5; Revelation 11 Selected Verses And many nations shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” Micah 4:2 The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged

God rules over all things including us. He promises blessings as we flee idols and honor and submit to Him willing. If not, great suffering will be ours. Today’s Reading Jeremiah 17-19; First Timothy 6 Selected Verses Then the word of the Lord came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.” Jeremiah 18:5-6 He who is the blessed and only Sov

When God is ignored or rejected, the vacuum left is filled with something else, something which usurps the glory due to Him. Today’s Reading Jeremiah 14-16; First Timothy 5 Selected Verses Can man make for himself gods?  Such are not gods! Therefore, behold, I will make them know, this once I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the Lord. Jeremiah 16:20-21 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. First Timot

The final Psalms and the Lord’s Supper prepare us for the coming grand finale of praise to God when Jesus Christ returns in all His glory for His people Today’s reading Psalms 148-150; First Corinthians 11:16-34 Selected Verses Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.    Psalm 148

Why do we exist? Is there a reason for being that is great enough and noble enough to command our hearts, minds, and wills from cradle to grave? Yes! Today’s reading Psalms 103-104; Romans 14 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.   Psalm 104:33 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in h

God is too holy to be described in human words, but we must try. When we have exhausted our efforts, we worship Him by ascribing to Him all glory forever. Today’s Reading Psalms 93-95; Romans 11:22-36 Selected Verses Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!  Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore.  Psalm 93:4-5 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of G

When current events are perplexing, bewildering, and maddening, we do well to stop and consider the wisdom and faithfulness of God. He always wins. Today’s Reading Psalms 88-89; Romans 10 Selected Verses If his children forsake my law and do not walk according to my rules, if they violate my statutes and do not keep my commandments, then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes, but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or b

Praise of God and growth in faith build on each other. Praise builds faith and faith fuels praise even when all seems lost. Today’s Reading Psalms 70-72; Romans 4 Selected Verses My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.  Psalm 71:23 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why hi

Mankind is divided into two lifestyle groups according to a basic issue of world view. Both are vividly contrasted in today’s readings. Which one is you? Today’s Reading Psalms 62-64; Romans 1 Selected Verses My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.  Psa

Does the biblical claim that God is our Creator to Whom we owe our lives and praise thrill you or irritate you?  Stop and consider who and what we are. Today’s Reading Job 35-37; Acts 14 Selected Verses Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God.  Job 37:14 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.  Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying

The life of faith is not a cold, intellectual exercise.  The presence of God manifested by His mighty works brings deep emotional engagement to the believer. Today’s Reading Nehemiah 1-3; Acts 2:1-13 Selected Verses O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”  Nehemiah 1:11 And at this sound the multitude