Read Philippians 3:8–11 I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8 Remember Jim Elliot’s words: “He is no fool who gives what he...
Read 1 Corinthians 7:25–40 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:39 It is God’s will that the marriage union be permanent, a...
Read Philippians 2:1–8 But [Jesus] made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:7–8 Jesus did not pretend to be a servant;...
Read 1 Peter 4:1–3 Since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 1 Peter 4:1 Our attitudes are weapons, and weak or wrong attitudes will lead us to defeat. Outlook determines outcome, and...
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...