Category: DEVOTIONALS

  • PATTERNS AND PROPHECY

    Connect The TestamentsIsaiah 9:1–10:19; Luke 3:1–38; Job 3:1–16 Luke sees the events surrounding Jesus’ life through the lens of Isaiah. For Luke, Jesus’ life is Isaiah’s prophecy made tangible and complete. Jesus is the anticipated Messiah, prophet, and savior. Even John the Baptist’s role in Jesus’ life is based on Isaiah’s prophesy. Luke repeats the…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    We know that all things work together for good to them that love God. — Romans 8:28 Upon some points a believer is absolutely sure. He knows, for instance, that God sits in the stern-sheets of the vessel when it rocks most. He believes that an invisible hand is always on the world’s tiller, and…

  • IN GRIEF

    Connect The TestamentsIsaiah 7:1–8:22; Luke 2:22–52; Job 2:11–13 It’s difficult to know how to respond to people suffering grief. Those brave enough to speak often attempt to rationalize another’s grief with ill-timed theological truths. Those who feel inadequate or awkward about reaching out to grieving people sometimes avoid them altogether. Job’s friends are well known…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    The people that do know their God shall be strong. — Daniel 11:32 Every believer understands that to know God is the highest and best form of knowledge; and this spiritual knowledge is a source of strength to the Christian. It strengthens his faith. Believers are constantly spoken of in the Scriptures as being persons…

  • THE ART OF DISCIPLINE

    Connect The TestamentsIsaiah 5:1–6:13; Luke 1:67–2:21; Job 2:1–10 Jesus didn’t die for us so that we could continue to sin—He sacrificed Himself so that we could have sinless lives. God is patient, but His patience does not last forever. We wouldn’t test His patience so often if we had not lost sight of the notion…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    The Lamb is the light thereof. — Revelation 21:23 Quietly contemplate the Lamb as the light of heaven. Light in Scripture is the emblem of joy. The joy of the saints in heaven is comprised in this: Jesus chose us, loved us, bought us, cleansed us, robed us, kept us, glorified us: we are here…

  • SMALL PLAYERS

    Connect The TestamentsIsaiah 2:6–4:6; Luke 1:39–66; Job 1:13–22 A priest should know better. A man representing the spiritual state of God’s people shouldn’t be so quick to question God’s promises. But for Zechariah, obedience became complicated. When the angel Gabriel told him he’d have a son, he responded with doubt: “By what will I know…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. — Ephesians 1:11 Our belief in God’s wisdom supposes and necessitates that he has a settled purpose and plan in the work of salvation. What would creation have been without his design? Is there a fish in the sea, or a fowl in the…

  • CONNECTING THE STORIES

    Connect The TestamentsIsaiah 1:1–2:5; Luke 1:1–38; Job 1:1–12 The connections between the Testaments aren’t readily apparent, but a closer reading—empowered by the Spirit—can reveal them. Such is the case with the connections among Isaiah, Luke, and Job. The authors of each of these books begin by introducing a person, and then they invite us into…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn. — Ruth 2:2 Downcast and troubled Christian, come and glean to-day in the broad field of promise. Here are abundance of precious promises, which exactly meet thy wants. Take this one: “He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax.”…