Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV When we consider the nineteenth verse of these two scriptures, these scriptures have a...
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Genesis 1:26 NIV God’s creation reaches its pinnacle in...
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, anymore. The first things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 WEB The revelation John received on the island of Patmos concerns events that are yet to come. As mature Christians...
doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. Philippians 2:3-4 WEB With this statement, Paul continues his focus on unity in the church....
Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV Jeremiah wrote Lamentations in a time of great grief for the people of Israel. The book describes God’s judgment on the nation for...
Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong! Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 WEB As Paul begins to close his first letter to the Corinthians, he gives five commands to his readers. This is typical of good leadership. Paul is reminding the church of the...
Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. Matthew 7:7 WEB In chapter five of Matthew’s gospel, the author begins recounting Jesus’ sermon on the mount. The sermon continues here with Jesus’ teaching the attitude with which believers should pray....
Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27 WEB As Jesus traveled into Judea beyond the Jordan River, multitudes of people met with him to receive his teaching. Some sought the Lord in sincerity, others were curious,...
But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6 WEB This scripture highlights the difference between sincerity and insincerity. In it, Jesus instructs the...
Again, he began to teach by the seaside. A great multitude was gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea and sat down. All the multitude were on the land by the sea. Mark 4:1 WEB In the previous chapter of Mark’s gospel account, Mark describes a growing multitude of people from...
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. Psalm 13:5-6 NIV Faith in the unfailing love of the Lord is the greatest source of strength and joy possible. David begins this psalm in desperation, seeking the Lord...
In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:1-2 WEB The gospel of Matthew begins with genealogy from the house of David to the house of Joseph, engaged to the mother of Jesus. It then relates...
