Read James 2:1–4 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism. James 2:1 The religious experts in Christ’s day judged Him by their human standards, and they rejected Him. He came from the wrong city. He was not a graduate of their accepted schools. He...
Read 1 Timothy 1:12–20 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:14 The grace of God turned the persecutor into a preacher, and the murderer into a minister and a missionary! So dramatic...
Read Colossians 3:1–2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2 How do we set our hearts on “things above”? The secret is found in a literal translation of verse 2: “Habitually set your mind—your attention—on things above, not on things on the earth.” Our feet...
Read 1 Timothy 2:1–7 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.… 1 Timothy 2:1 “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40 NKJV) is a basic principle for the conduct of the ministry of the church. Apparently,...
Read Isaiah 32—33 The LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us. Isaiah 33:22 A university professor posted a sign on his study wall that read, “The future is not what it used to be.” Since the...
Read Job 12—14 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Job 13:15 Job 13:13–17 is one of the greatest declarations of faith found anywhere in Scripture, but it must be understood in context. Job is saying to his...
Read Ecclesiastes 10:11–20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say. Ecclesiastes 10:20 The familiar saying “A little bird told me”...
Read Isaiah 54—56 Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters.… Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Isaiah 55:1 In the East, water is a precious ingredient, and an abundance of water is a special blessing. Wine, milk, and bread were staples of a...
Read Isaiah 30—31 Assyria will fall by a sword that is not of man; a sword, not of mortals, will devour them. Isaiah 31:8 Judah’s faith was in people, not in God. Why should the Lord fear the Assyrians? God would pounce on Assyria like a lion and swoop down...
Read 1 John 1:8–9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8 Dishonest believers lose fellowship with God and with God’s people. As a result, prayer becomes an empty form to them. Worship is a dull routine. They...