January 4 We expect that Jesus would minister to God’s covenant people—the Jews. However, we rarely think about Jesus’ ministry outside of the Jewish household of faith. John 4 records Jesus’ outreach to both Samaritans and Gentiles, giving us an early glimpse of the Gospel’s universal reach and God’s ultimate plan. Jesus Ministers to a…
In today’s Bible reading*, we see two witnesses given authority to prophesy/preach against the people’s sins for a period of time. During their allotted time, they are immortal; no one can harm them. At the end of the allotted time, people martyr the witnesses and leave their bodies on the street until the witnesses are resurrected…
In today’s Bible reading*, Jesus warns the Laodicea Church against its lukewarm walk with Jesus. Jesus tells the church that He would rather a church — or an individual, by implication — be either piping hot or stone-cold as opposed to being lukewarm. One of my favorite scenes in the Christian Movie War Room features Miss Clara serving…
With today’s Bible reading, we begin reading 1 John. One thing that strikes me from the very beginning of the letter is that John says that he and the other Apostles aren’t just passing along folk tales. They aren’t just passing along what other people told them. John says, “What was from the beginning, what we have…
In today’s Bible reading, Peter reminds us that God’s promise is sure: Jesus will return. He says that scoffers will come, trying to discourage God’s children by pointing out that Jesus has yet to return. “Where is the promise of His coming He predicted?” (2 Peter 3:4) There will always be nay-sayers. There will always be scoffers. There…
At the end of today’s Bible reading, we see Paul being left in a Roman prison for two years as Governor Festus attempts to do the Jews a favor. (Acts 23:27) What might seem to be a bad situation, God uses for His glory and for Paul’s good. Dr. Luke tells us that Paul was put…
