July 5 Paul begins 1 Corinthians 7 talking about sexual intimacy in marriage. While he prohibits sexual immorality (all sexual behavior outside the context of a one-man-one-woman covenant marital relationship), Paul encourages sexual intimacy within a covenant marital relationship. In fact, he says that giving yourself to your spouse is your conjugal duty. And it’s…
January 16 There are several Marys mentioned in the Gospels, and sometimes it’s easy to get confused distinguishing between them. The Mary in today’s Bible reading is Mary of Bethany—the sister of Martha and Lazarus (the friend Jesus raised from the dead in John 11). This Mary is not to be confused with Mary Magdalene;…
I have said several times in the past that the Psalms can be models for our prayers. Today’s Bible reading* includes a Psalm that I am using today as my prayers for Afghanistan and the Taliban who took over that country. Joe Carter at The Gospel Coalition wrote a great piece that may be helpful…
We complete our readings in the Song of Solomon with today’s Bible reading*. The lovers continue their love song. Solomon and his wife exchange compliments and express their desires for each other. As I said the day before yesterday, we should celebrate this gift that God has given us! And celebrating this gift — singing…
Seven times in today’s Bible reading,* we encounter the term “valiant warriors” (CSB), “mighty warriors” (ESV, LEB, NLT), “mighty men” (KJV), “fighting men” (NIV), “warriors” (MSG). The word translated as warriors/men refers not only to their fighting occupation but to their strong/noble character. One Hebrew lexicon says, “Although [the book of Chronicles] generally uses the…
One of the most common mental images of a Biblical woman is that of Proverbs 31. Proverbs 31 describes a woman who takes care of her husband and family while also earning a living in the marketplace. In today’s Bible reading* we see another picture of a Biblical woman. Deborah and Jael are mentioned in…
