Topic:Hope Is Our Strategy December 22, 2018 Hope Is Our Strategy Read: Micah 7:1–7 Bible in a Year: Micah 6–7; Revelation 13 But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Micah 7:7 My favorite football team has lost eight consecutive games as I write this. With …
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Topic:Following the Leader December 20, 2018 Following the Leader Read: Luke 9:21–24 Bible in a Year: Micah 1–3; Revelation 11 Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 In the sky over our house, three fighter jets scream through the sky—flying in formation so close together they appear …
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Topic:A Christmas Letter December 19, 2018 A Christmas Letter Read: John 1:1–14 Bible in a Year: Jonah 1–4; Revelation 10 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father. John 1:14 Every Christmas, a friend of mine writes a long letter …
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Topic:The Great Awakening December 18, 2018 The Great Awakening Read: Deuteronomy 34:1–8 Bible in a Year: Obadiah; Revelation 9 God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 I have a treasured memory of gatherings with family friends when our boys were small. The adults would talk into the night; our children, weary with …
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Topic:Mirrors and Hearers December 16, 2018 Mirrors and Hearers Read: James 1:16–27 Bible in a Year: Amos 4–6; Revelation 7 Whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it . . . will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25 When I emerged from my hotel in Kampala, Uganda, my hostess, who had come …
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Topic:Mosaic of Beauty December 15, 2018 Mosaic of Beauty Read: Luke 1:46–55 Bible in a Year: Amos 1–3; Revelation 6 My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1:46–47 Sitting in the courtyard of the Church of the Visitation in Ein Karem, Israel, I was overwhelmed with the beautiful display of sixty-seven mosaics containing …
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Topic:Heaven’s Love Song December 14, 2018 Heaven’s Love Song Read: Revelation 5:1–13 Bible in a Year: Joel 1–3; Revelation 5 We love him because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 In 1936, songwriter Billy Hill released a popular hit song titled “The Glory of Love.” Before long a nation was singing about the joy of doing even little things …
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Topic:The “Hope for a Baby” Tree December 13, 2018 The “Hope for a Baby” Tree Read: Lamentations 3:1–3, 13–24 Bible in a Year: Hosea 12–14; Revelation 4 His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22–23 After wrapping the tree with clear twinkle lights, I tied pink and blue bows on its branches and …
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Topic:Expect the Messiah December 11, 2018 Expect the Messiah Read: Matthew 13:53–58 Bible in a Year: Hosea 5–8; Revelation 2 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary?” Matthew 13:55 The repairman looked young—too young to fix our problem, a car that wouldn’t start. “He’s just a kid,” my husband, Dan, whispered to me, showing his doubt. His …
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Topic:Steadfast Love December 9, 2018 Steadfast Love Read: Psalm 136:1–9 Bible in a Year: Daniel 11–12; Jude Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 “I love you!” my dad called out as I slammed the car door and headed into school. I was in sixth grade, and for months we had played …
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