Category: Bible (Page 251 of 425)

After the conquest of Judah, four young men entered the service of the king of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar chose the best and brightest of his new subjects to work for him, creating closer ties and infusing new blood into the leadership of his growing empire.

God blessed these young men—Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel—with health and vigor and best of all, knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning.

Like students everywhere, desperate to salvage my grades I prayed God, help me with the answers on this test! In Babylon, however, the Lord blessed these scholars so that they would in turn bless others. The heavenly tutoring served everyone around them, including their fellow Jews and their captors, Nebuchadnezzar included.

I never received any divine intervention when I failed to study. Seems the Lord allowed me to learn better lessons from my lack of preparation.

But when the Lord chooses to bless, he will use whatever means at his disposal, especially bright young people ready to follow Him.

Daniel 1 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Roman Mager

Warranties on major appliances eventually expire, as they do with automobiles and all major purchases. You might find a life-time warranty on socks, an item cheap to replace, but once that pair gets lost in your drawer it’s hard to remember the promise attached.

Jesus left his disciples with a promise with no expiration: I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

This promise still applies to Jesus’s disciples today—both aspects. Those who follow Jesus will indeed face trials and adversity. But in the midst of such challenges we may take comfort in knowing the Jesus stays in control.

Keep this promise close to heart. Jesus overcame the world a long time ago, and you and I are with Jesus.

John 16 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya

Jesus spent intimate time with his disciples before entering the ordeal on the cross. During these hours with those closest to him on this earth, he blessed them in a powerful way:

I no longer call you servants, because a servant no longer knows his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

No more merely servants, grown beyond student, these mentorees discovered a friendship with Jesus.

A friendship reveals deeper levels of relationship. I talk with friends with an ease and comfortability I shy away from with others. As I person who guards his comments with most people, a friend allows for an open dialogue. Trust can be counted on.

Jesus opens this friendship to his disciples today. I speak to Jesus, and I listen for Jesus as well, because as a friend he has things to say to me. I bring my frustrations and my excitements, heartaches and joys without holding back.

In my prayers, I approach Jesus without worrying about saying all the proper words—because there’s no need for formality with a friend.

John 15 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Harli Marten

As I drive toward Denver’s airport, I see multiple new warehouses with more under construction. Most of these ginormous buildings, stretching for acres, are distribution centers filled with all the stuff I could possibly want.

When I think on their enormity, I remember that the Lord keeps his winds in storehouses—I wonder how far those stretch?

I imagine colossal buildings filled with swirling winds. One sections holds tropical breezes, another hot, languid desert air, and a third cool mountain kisses to your cheek. But beware opening the massive door to the hurricanes and tornados—enter at your own risk!

I understand this is merely metaphor—the Lord uses weather patterns to create any wind he wishes. But the imagery points me to the truth that God created everything around us, including the winds we cannot grasp or see. He built the earth and set all its pieces in place.

Those winds are his to do with as he wishes, wherever he keeps them tucked away.

Psalm 135 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Khamkéo Vilaysing