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...
Read Hebrews 7:1–28 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God [Melchizedek] remains a priest forever. Hebrews 7:3 There is no record of Melchizedek’s genealogy in the Old Testament. This is significant because it was important that the priests...
Read Ecclesiastes 7:9–12 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. Ecclesiastes 7:10 An Arab proverb says, “Watch your beginnings.” Good beginnings will usually mean good endings. The Prodigal Son started with happiness and wealth but ended with...
Read Ecclesiastes 11 Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Ecclesiastes 11:1 When I was a boy, I practically lived in the public library during the summer months. I loved books. One summer I read nothing but true adventure stories written by...