Daily engagement with Scripture is a core practice of abiding in Christ. We should be able to see the Bible not as an obligation or academic exercise, but as a living, life-giving means of growing in our relationship with Jesus. As God’s Word dwells richly in us, we are shaped, taught, and directed in our everyday faith.
In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, today we ask, how might we grow spiritually this year? How do we worry less and pray more? The “Gospel Hardware” is Jesus. He stated that He is the true vine; you are clean because of the words He has spoken. Apart from Him you can do nothing. “Abide in me,” Christ said. (John 15:1-11). Abide is a verb relating to where you live. Where is your permanent spiritual address? Live in constant…
The prophet Jeremiah was the messenger that told Judah they were going to be in exile for generations Jeremiah 29:4-14. Though this seems like defeat, it is under God’s design and under His direction. In Ezekiel 10 is a description of God abandoning the temple and he goes into exile with His people. That is sacrifice, that is love. In Jeremiah’s letter of Lament he states that God’s Love never ceases (Lamentations 3:22-23). The Hebrew word used there is “hesed;”…
God gave King David a promise. God would establish a kingdom and on the throne will be a David’s son (1 Chronicles 17:1-15). David waited. He waited many years. In his humble poem (Psalm 27), from experience David states, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let our heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” He wanted to honor God and build a temple, but God said no, that will be the task of his son (1 Chronicles 17:16-27). Still,…