Yesterday's One Year Bible readings included Exodus 8—9, a record of the contest between God and Pharaoh. God commanded Pharaoh to let Israel go free; Pharaoh refused. In this way, Pharaoh is like the devil, who refuses to free humanity so we might serve God. Pharaoh is also indicative of our own human nature: stubborn, … Continue reading Pharaoh vs. Little Children

Today's Old Testament reading from Genesis 44:16-34 reports Judah's confession of wrongdoing in regard to Joseph. Judah admits that God has caught up with the brothers of Joseph and then he offers to exchange places. Here is a powerful witness to the corruption of human nature and God's remedy for that when Jesus, a descendant … Continue reading Exchanging Places

In Matthew 10:39 Jesus says, "He who finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." These words are nonsense to a twenty-first century world convinced that the only real world is physical and bound in time. But what if God's creation reflects His image, in part, … Continue reading A New Perspective

The reading from Matthew for January 8 records many imperatives for us; all of them are based on God's gracious and abundant providence for our lives. Jesus commanded, "Stop worrying." How is that possible? Consider the birds and flowers; look at how God provides for them and they are of small value compared to you. … Continue reading Training our Eyes

Christmas depends on Jesus. Now that I think of it, so does everything: ". . . He upholds all things by the Word of His power . . ." (Hebrews 1:3). Many people make New Year's resolutions—promises to others or oneself to do better this year. What if we concentrated on the promises of Jesus … Continue reading New Year’s Resolution idea

"[The Son] is the radiance of the glory of God ... and He upholds all things by the Word of His power..." "... and in Him all things consist" (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:17). Christmas (like everything) depends on Jesus. You probably knew that. But knowing something is not the same as holding it in your … Continue reading Christmas depends on Jesus

What are ways that one can cope with loss, fear, and disappointment? Blame someone (or everyone) else?  Example: “… The woman You gave me, she gave me of the fruit and I ate…” (Genesis 3) Make success happen – but this means ... Those I blamed can never be right = I spend the rest … Continue reading An extraordinary gift for Christmas?

If you are reading the One Year Bible this month, you may find the New Testament reading from Revelation difficult to follow. Consider using the translation posted here to see if the meaning of Revelation becomes more evident.

Remember the contrast between salt and yeast from last week? Salt is good (cleanses), yeast is bad (puffs up). Yet in Matthew 13 and Luke 13, Jesus explains that the kingdom of heaven is like yeast. How can this be? Many words and what they describe are neither good or bad in themselves; they become … Continue reading Living and Active

Yeast and salt are contrary to each other, just like our flesh and spirit are contrary to each other (Galatians 5:17). Jesus warned about the yeast of the rulers, which is hypocrisy (Luke 12:1; Paul says the same in 1 Corinthians 5:6–8). Salt kills yeast; it deflates pride and exposes hypocrisy—two things that make us … Continue reading Yeast and Salt