Topic:Up a Tree May 22, 2018 Read: Jonah 2:1–10 | Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 16–18; John 7:28–53 In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. Jonah 2:2 My mother discovered my kitten Velvet atop the kitchen counter, devouring homemade bread. With a huff of frustration, she scooted her out the door. Hours later, we …
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Topic:A Prayer of Forgiveness May 21, 2018 Read: Luke 6:27–36 | Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 13–15; John 7:1–27 Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27–28 In 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges was the first African-American child to integrate an all-white public elementary school …
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Topic:A New Community May 20, 2018 Read: Acts 2:1–12, 42–47 | Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 10–12; John 6:45–71 All the believers were together and had everything in common. Acts 2:44 My friend Carrie’s five-year-old daughter, Maija, has an interesting approach to playtime. She loves mixing together dolls from different playsets to come up with a new community. In …
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Topic:Even If May 19, 2018 Read: Daniel 3:8–18 | Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 7–9; John 6:22–44 The God we serve is able to deliver us from [the fire] . . . . But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods. Daniel 3:17–18 Sometimes life deals us …
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Topic: Overflowing May 18, 2018 Read: Romans 15:4–13 | Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 4–6; John 6:1–21 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. Romans 15:13 “No! No! No! NO!” I screamed. It didn’t help. Not one bit. My brilliant solution for our plugged problem—flushing again—accomplished exactly the opposite …
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Topic: Goodness May 17, 2018 Praising God’s Read: Psalm 136:1-15 | Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 1–3; John 5:25–47 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1 Someone in our Bible-study group suggested, “Let’s write our own psalms!” Initially, some protested that they didn’t have the flair for writing, but after some …
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Topic:Free to Follow May 16, 2018 Read: Matthew 11:25–30 | Bible in a Year: 2 Kings 24–25; John 5:1–24 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29 My high school cross-country coach once advised me before a race, “Don’t try to …
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Topic:God at Work May 15, 2018 Read: Hebrews 13:20–21 | Bible in a Year: 2 Kings 22–23; John 4:31–54 May he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:21 “How have you seen God at work lately?” I asked some friends. One replied, “I see Him at work as I read the Scriptures each morning; …
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Topic:Not What It Seems May 14, 2018 Read: 2 Kings 19:29–37 | Bible in a Year: 2 Kings 19–21; John 4:1–30 Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. 1 John 4:1 “Listen!” my wife said to me over the phone. “There’s a monkey in our yard!” She held up the phone …
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Topic:Treasure in Heaven May 13, 2018 Read: Matthew 6:19–21 | Bible in a Year: 2 Kings 17–18; John 3:19–36 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 When I was growing up, my two sisters and I liked to sit side-by-side on top of my mother’s large cedar-lined chest. My mom kept our wool sweaters …
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