Category: Genesis to Revelation

  • A GOD WHO IS PRESENT

    Connect The Testaments2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28; 1 John 1:5-10; Psalm 103:1-14 It’s sometimes difficult to grasp that the Creator of the universe cares about us—that He bothers with miniscule people like us. Because we tend to forget about others and focus on our own tasks and needs, we’re prone to think that God isn’t concerned with…

  • DISCIPLINE

    Reflections on Hebrews I spent a significant portion of my teenage years looking after other people’s children. I quickly discovered that the easiest way to end bickering and prompt students to do their homework was to give the kids whatever they wanted. I turned in my discipline card after a vegetable showdown with a 7-year-old…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    If God had willed it, each of us might have entered heaven at the moment of conversion. It was not absolutely necessary for our preparation for immortality that we should tarry here. It is possible for a man to be taken to heaven, and to be found meet to be a partaker of the inheritance…

  • WHEN GOD DOESN’T ACT

    Connect The Testaments2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28; 1 John 1:5-10; Psalm 103:1-14 When Jehoram ascended to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself and murdered all his brothers with the sword, and even some of the princes of Israel.… And he did evil in the sight of Yahweh. But Yahweh was not willing to destroy the…

  • WHEN FRIENDS ARE NOT FRIENDS FOREVER

    Reflections on Philemon I grew up as a peace-loving middle child. Although raised in a relatively peaceful household, I still worked to resolve conflicts between siblings—and sometimes even parents. But when I found myself playing the role of “bridge” between two spatting friends, I was at a loss. I wasn’t their mother or their middle…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Some Christians are sadly prone to look on the dark side of everything, and to dwell more upon what they have gone through than upon what God has done for them. Ask for their impression of the Christian life, and they will describe their continual conflicts, their deep afflictions, their sad adversities, and the sinfulness…

  • BADLY ALIGNED

    Connect The Testaments2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37; Titus 3:12-15; Psalm 101:1-8 Like a car with bad alignment, we are prone to drift off course when we’re not focused on steering our faith. Often, we use intellectual pursuits to disguise our drifting. It’s easier to argue an opinion than to respond faithfully. It’s stimulating to have a theoretical…

  • WISDOM FROM A CACTUS

    Reflections on Titus When my husband and I were newly married, we were given a cactus, which we named Maurice. I had never owned a plant, but the cactus-giver assured me that it would be easy. I carefully avoided novice mistakes, like forgetting to water it, not giving it enough sunlight or allowing the neighborhood…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Warrior, fighting under the banner of the Lord Jesus, observe this verse with holy joy, for as it was in the days of old so is it now, if the war be of God the victory is sure. The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh could barely muster five…

  • THE FORGOTTEN CHRISTIAN VIRTUE

    Connect The Testaments2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34; Titus 3:8-11; Psalm 99:1-100:5 An unfortunate effect of our emphasis on God’s grace is our dwindling focus on the connection between obeying God’s will and receiving His blessings. If we’re not living in the primary will God designed for us, then we will not be in the right place at…