Everything We Need
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. —2 Peter 1:3 Father, Son, and Spirit are great givers. For an exhilarating experience, read through your New Testament and highlight the gifts of the Holy …
Be Gracious
Let your conversation be gracious. —Colossians 4:6 Four-star General Peter Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, attended a formal White House dinner in dress uniform. A senior advisor to President George W. Bush mistook the general for a waiter and asked him to get …
Raise Your Hand
I confessed my sins to you. —Psalm 32:5 The St. Olaf Choir, a 75-voice a cappella choir in Northfield, Minnesota, has been producing beautiful music for more than a century (since 1912), performing in venues around the world. Choir members exercise strict self-discipline: when someone makes a mistake …
Contrasting Value Systems
Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. —Luke 14:13 The media that invade my space display our culture’s value system: if you’re good looking, you’re valuable; if you’re productive, you’re valuable. Runway-model gorgeous. CEO of the Year. Hall of Fame nominee. It’s all about appearance and performance. Tough …
One-Word Answers
I have been with you a long time now. Do you still not know me? —John 14:9 Here’s a riddle for you. What is greater than God and more evil than Satan? The poor have it, and the rich need it. That one stumped me, even though it has …
Remember Me
Do this in remembrance of me. —1 Corinthians 11:24 It was a memorable moment when Jesus broke the bread, picked up the cup, and said to his disciples, “This is my body . . . my blood.” In the coming days, when you eat the bread and sup the cup, …
The Race of Your Life
Run your race to win. —1 Corinthians 9:24 You are in the race of your life. The stakes are high, and the prize is priceless. “In a race, everyone runs but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny [yourself] many things that …
Owned and Used
I have called you by name; you are mine. —Isaiah 43:1 Sir Winston Churchill ran World War II from a heavily bunkered underground fortress in London dubbed “The War Rooms.” My visit to “The War Rooms” was mesmerizing—seeing the chair …
You Are the Only You There Is
Do not neglect your gift. —1 Timothy 4:14 You are the only you in the world. There is no one else like you: never has been; never will be. You are an original—one-of-a-kind. That’s who God made you—and he doesn’t make mistakes. You are exactly who God wants you to be—you! You …
Be A Volunteer
The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. —Matthew 9:37 The apostle Paul wanted to visit his brothers and sisters in Rome, but God put that trip on hold, so he wrote them a letter. But there …