Read Isaiah 45—48 See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10 The Jews had become comfortable and complacent in their Babylonian captivity. They had followed the counsel of Jeremiah (Jer. 29:4–7) and had built houses, planted gardens,...
Read Ecclesiastes 8:1–13 Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. Ecclesiastes 8:12 If there is no God, then we have nobody to blame but ourselves for what...
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1–28 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle. 1 Corinthians 15:9 One of the greatest witnesses of the resurrection was Paul himself, for as an unbeliever he was soundly convinced that Jesus was dead. The...
Read Philippians 3:4–7 Measuring Sticks But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. Philippians 3:7 Every Jew could boast of his own blood heritage. Some Jews could boast of their faithfulness. But Paul could boast of those things plus his zeal in...
Read 2 Corinthians 8:10–24 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it. 2 Corinthians 8:11 During my years of ministry, I have endured many offering appeals. I have listened to pathetic tales about unbelievable needs. I have forced...
Read Hebrews 2:3–9 Sins of the Saints This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. Hebrews 2:3 We have the idea that believers today “under grace” can escape the chastening hand of God that was so evident “under law.”...
Read Romans 9:14–33 Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Romans 9:14–15 Moses was a Jew; Pharaoh was a Gentile, yet both were sinners. In fact,...
Read 1 John 2:17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17 Every great nation in history has become decadent and has finally been conquered by another nation. Some nineteen world civilizations have slipped into oblivion. There...
Read Philippians 1:6–10 This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. Philippians 1:9–10 Paul found joy in his...
Read Colossians 4:2 Read Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 It has well been said that the purpose of prayer is not to get our will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth. Prayer is not telling God what to...