Read Hebrews 5:7–8 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Hebrews 5:7 Every Old Testament high priest had to minister...
Read Galatians 1:11–12 I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. Galatians 1:11 “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist,” wrote Emerson. Many others agree with him. The English art critic John Ruskin said, “I fear uniformity. You...
Read Philippians 2:19–21 I have no one else like [Timothy], who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:20–21 A reporter in San Bernardino, California, arranged for a man to lie in the gutter on a...
Read 2 Corinthians 7 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 Because of God’s gracious promises, we have some spiritual responsibilities. We must cleanse ourselves once and for all...
Read 1 Corinthians 12 If one part [of the body] suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:26 Diversity in the church body is an evidence of the wisdom of God. Each member needs the other members, and no...
Read 1 Timothy 2:8–15 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. 1 Timothy 2:8 The late Peter Deyneka Sr., my good friend and founder of the Slavic Gospel Association, often reminded me, “Much prayer, much power! No prayer, no power!” Prayer was...
Read 1 Timothy 1:3–11 Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. 1 Timothy 1:6 It is tragic when professed Christians get off course because they refuse “sound doctrine” (1 Tim. 1:10). Paul also called it “the doctrine …according to godliness” (1 Tim. 6:3 KJV), “sound words”...
Read Job 21:7–34 Their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stand aloof from the counsel of the wicked. Job 21:16 The saddest thing about the wicked is the way they leave God out of their lives and still prosper (Job 21:13–15). The wicked take credit for their...
Read 1 Timothy 6:11–21 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.1 Timothy 6:11 There are times when running away is a mark of cowardice. “Should such a man as I flee?” asked Nehemiah (Neh. 6:11 KJV). But there are...
Read Galatians 4:1–7 You are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:7 We do not enter God’s family by adoption the way a homeless child would enter a loving family in our own society. The...