Read Luke 12:22–48 In Luke 12 Jesus spoke to His followers about their values. He first consoled those who needed confirmation of their worth in God’s sight. He then addressed the wealthy and the sin of greed. To summarize the topic, He differentiated between worldly and eternal treasures. “Seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as …
Seek His Face
Read 1 Chronicles 13:1 through 16:43 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always (1 Chronicles 16:11). King David wanted to bring the ark of God back to Jerusalem. The first attempt to move the ark was disastrous because he didn’t follow God’s commands for transporting it. Putting the ark on an oxen-drawn cart was all wrong. …
Mission Possible
Read Luke 7:11–35 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother (Luke 7:15). This verse is a powerful reminder of God’s incredible power. If you ever wonder if God can help you through a troubling circumstance, the fact that He can raise the dead puts to rest any concern over God’s …
Peace, Be Still
Read Mark 4:1 through 5:43 Jesus and His disciples got into a boat heading for the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Exhausted from ministering to crowds of people all day, Jesus lay down in the back of the boat and went to sleep. About halfway across the lake, a violent wind came up. Though the disciples had watched …
Place of Refuge
Read Joshua 18:1 through 21:45 “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses” (Joshua 20:2). When the Israelites settled in the Promised Land, God made a point to provide safe havens for certain members of the population. Anyone who unintentionally killed a fellow citizen could go to a city of refuge and escape …
Sound Advice
Read Exodus 16:1 through 18:27 Kathryn complains, “I feel like I’m always rushing around, always stressed. With family, work, church—my life is so busy! And I can’t seem to say ‘no!’” In some circles, stress has almost become a status symbol. However, there are times that it is necessary to “cut back” on one’s responsibilities to maintain health and peace …
A Sure Word
Read Genesis 45:1 through 47:31 Most people are apprehensive about making changes in their routines. Starting a new job, enrolling in an unfamiliar school, or moving to a different city can easily push stress levels higher. But try relocating to a country where the customs are strange and the language is foreign. Local markets do not accept your money. Best …
Four Brothers
Read Genesis 34:1 through 36:43 A tale of four royal brothers is told in India. Each brother decided to acquire a special ability. The first brother learned to create flesh from the bone of any creature. The second could create skin and hair from the flesh. The third could create limbs from what his brothers had created. And the fourth …
Voice of Affirmation
Read Genesis 15:1 through 17:27 Sam came from a family that had little. He learned to work hard, but battled demeaning thoughts: You are a failure. You will always be a failure. You are a small, inadequate person! Though he was a Christian, and prayed every morning, when he went out his front door he was overwhelmed by feelings of smallness and …
Bow Before Your Maker
Read Genesis 1:1 through 3:24 John contemplated the breathtaking view before him with a sense of wonder. Turning to his wife, he voiced his thoughts aloud. “Surely the Rocky Mountains are among God’s most magnificent creations! How can anyone view them and not believe in God the Creator?” Phyllis squeezed his hand. “And consider that God is not only the …