Read Psalms 54:1 through 61:8 Hiking the high-altitude volcanoes of Guatemala can leave a novice hiker gasping for air at the side of the trail after just a few minutes. The locals (who are used to the conditions) know this, so they run along with the group, leading horses to ride when a hiker cannot take another step. At first, …
The Answer to Fear
Read Psalms 34:1 through 38:22 Fear plagues most of us to one degree or another. There is healthy fear, of course, a fear of things that could cause us harm. Most of our fears, however, are irrational. People are afraid of many things—other people, being alone, high places, closed-in places, germs, dogs, even water. You name it, and there is …
Don’t Be Duped
Read 1 Corinthians 6:1 through 9:27 Flee from sexual immorality. . . . Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own (1 Corinthians 6:18–19). Sin defeats people because people lack understanding. They become engrossed in a sin, such as gossip, …
The Opening Lines
Read 1 Corinthians 1:1 through 5:13 Members of a writer’s group sat at their normal places. As usual, a debate erupted. One participant had read his new story to the group. They all loved it, but each person wanted a different opening. They felt the beginning was dull. They wanted drama, conflict, action. So, the group discussed various openings to …
Always The Same
Read Job 1:1 through 4:21 What do you think when you get really bad news? Job thought of God. Though his life had turned into a nightmare, He knew God was still in charge. At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “ . . …
Peace in the Chaos
Read Luke 21:1 through 22:71 Do we ever look at our world and ask, “What happened?” The moral climate seems to have plunged. Sin is rampant. Nuclear war threatens. A bad economy has become the new way of life. And what’s with all these record-breaking natural disasters? It’s easy to wonder if the end of world is near and become …
Facing Discouragement
Read 2 Chronicles 32:1 and 33:25 Most believers have never confronted an imposing army like King Hezekiah did. Still, Christians fight major battles every day. Some deal with harassing bosses or coworkers who accuse them falsely. Others face bills or debts that strike like a flurry of arrows, tearing holes in bank accounts and draining their funds. Secular teachings take …
The Value of One
Read Luke 14:1 through 16:31 Little Benjamin was visiting the nursing home with his father and was helping one of the residents put together a one-thousand-piece puzzle. They worked diligently for hours until they realized one piece was missing. Everyone in the place searched for the missing piece. With a loud cry someone exclaimed, “I found it!” Everyone rejoiced. “I …
Increasing Power
Read 1 Chronicles 10:1 through 12:40 Carroll was fifty-three years old when she began her missions work in Guatemala in 1999. Now, at the age of seventy, she still serves the orphanage that she cofounded. Although her body has not always been healthy, her spirit is strong and her ministry has grown. While serving the orphans, she also writes a …
Pain Prevention
Read 1 Chronicles 4:1 through 6:81 Have you experienced hurt as a result of another person’s decision? Often people do not consider the impact their poor decisions have on others. These choices cause pain that could have been prevented. Being named a pain by his mother, Jabez experienced hurt himself. He determined that he wanted something else for his life, …