Read Colossians 1:28–29 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. Colossians 1:28 A more literal translation of the first part of Colossians 1:29 is “For this I labor to the point of exhaustion, agonizing.” What a picture of...
Read Job 22 Is not your wickedness great? Are not your sins endless? Job 22:5 What should have been an encouraging discussion among friends had become an angry and painful debate. Eliphaz had assumed the office of prosecuting attorney and turned the debate into a trial. It was three against...
Read Philippians 4:6–9 Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 Paul balanced four activities: “learned” and “received” and “heard” and “seen.” It is one thing to learn a truth,...
Read Isaiah 29 Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 29:19 Isaiah asked the people to consider what God had planned for them. They had turned things upside down, but God would one day turn everything around...
Read 1 Peter 2:13–25 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17 True Christians submit to authority because they are first of all submitted to Christ. They use their freedom as a tool to build with and not as a...
Read Philippians 2:22–30 Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. Philippians 2:22–23 Timothy knew the meaning of sacrifice and...
Read James 1:5–11 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. Why do we need wisdom when we are going through trials? Why not...
Read Philippians 4:13–23 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 God has not promised to supply all of our “greeds.” When we are in the will of God, serving for the glory of God, then we will have every need met. Hudson Taylor often said,...
Read James 1:23–27 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:23–24 When we look into the mirror...
Read Isaiah 40:27—44:28 Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 The word wait in the King James Version of Isaiah 40:31 means “to hope,”...