YOU PLUS GOD IS A MAJORITY The inscription over this psalm states that David wrote it during the time he was hiding from King Saul in the land of Ziph, where the locals sought to reveal his hideout. It seemed that no matter where he hid, even strangers sought to have him killed. But God… Read more »
One Year Bible Devotions
All One Year Bible devotions are based on the One Year Bible Online Reading Plan
“What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter” (Isaiah 5:20 NLT).
UPSIDE-DOWN MORALITY—THE SIGN OF IMPENDING WOE The Lord declared impending judgment on Judah through the prophet Isaiah for their rejection of His law and the confounding of His Word. For their thinking had become so warped by sin that they called evil— good, darkness— light and bitterness— sweet. A nation with such an upside-down morality… Read more »
‘“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool”‘ (Isaiah 1:18 NLT).
BRING YOUR SINS TO THE LORD Isaiah begins his prophecy with a terrifying appraisal of Israel’s sin. Yet before he even finishes the first chapter, he offers this hope of forgiveness and covering from the Lord. For the Lord invites us to come to Him and “settle” our sin problem. Though our sins are deeply… Read more »
“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14 NLT).
TRUE PARTNERSHIP REQUIRES SAME FAITH Paul’s warning does not mean separatism. He is not advising that we avoid unbelievers. In the previous chapter, Paul had just written about being entrusted with the “message of reconciliation,” so this requires engaging with lost people. What he is warning against is being partners with them. This should inform… Read more »
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV).
IN CHRIST WE ARE A NEW CREATION Christianity is not self-improvement. It is an invitation to come and die, that we might be born again. It is not incremental nor partial, but drastic and total. By believing and receiving Christ, we are found in Him. Our old nature we count crucified with Christ. Our new… Read more »
“We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you” (2 Corinthians 4:14 NLT).
WHAT WE CAN KNOW ABOUT RESURRECTION “We know.” This faith we have is based on the historical resurrection of Jesus. We look at this fact, believing it, and this faith becomes like confident knowledge. Believing that God raised Jesus in the past, we also believe that He will raise us with Jesus in the future…. Read more »
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 43:5 NLT).
QUESTIONS OF THE HEART There are at least two ways of reading this Scripture. The first is to view the psalmist as truly questioning the source of his feelings of discouragement and sadness. He knows that he is discouraged, but he is not sure why. So, he is lifting up his heart to the Lord… Read more »
“I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food” (Job 23:12 NLT).
DO YOU TREASURE GOD’S WORD? Job lived during the time of the patriarchs before the written Word was given. Yet he knew the commands and words of the Lord. He lived by them and “treasured” them more than food. We have been given all that Job had and much more. For we have the… Read more »
“How can your empty clichés comfort me? All your explanations are lies!” (Job 21:34 NLT).
OFFERING COMFORT THAT COMFORTS On top of all of Job’s grief he had to suffer the “empty clichés” of his so-called friends. Job had lost his children, his wealth and even his own health, yet those who came to pay their respects had no real comfort to give him. They even began to argue with… Read more »
“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!” (Job 19:25-26 NLT).
DO YOU KNOW THAT YOUR REDEEMER LIVETH? Long before Christ came to redeem us from our sin, Job already hoped for such a “Redeemer.” Job placed his hope in Messiah as one peering through a veil. For the Book of Job is one of the oldest in the Bible. Yet, he knew not only that… Read more »