MONDAY Reading for Today: Luke 23:13-25 Hebrews 9:1-10 Proverbs 25:15-28 Isaiah 40–41 Isaiah 40–41 Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” Did you notice it doesn’t say, “Do not fear, for I will protect you”? God didn’t promise to keep bad […]
Week 37 Study | Justification: Christ Liberates Me
Here is the bad news: we really need a savior. Here is the good news: Jesus is a wonderful Savior. The only solution to sin (the last two weeks’ lessons) is a Savior (the next three lessons). Christ our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30) has entered the human dilemma (the fallen world) and has liberated us […]
Week 37 Application | Adopting a Posture of Grace
When I was a boy my parents told me, “Sit up straight. Don’t slouch.” It was wise advice. Physically, good posture improves blood flow and fends off back pain. Socially, it communicates alertness and confidence. Spiritually, what is our posture toward God? Do we turn our backs to him? Avert our eyes from him? Try […]
Week 37 Mission | At Your Fingertips
When I was a junior in college, a professor invited me to join him and a few of my classmates in meeting together weekly. As we met he shared what he had learned about following Jesus. He brought us along when he traveled to nearby cities to teach. He poured his life and learning into […]
Week 37 Character | No More Guilt
I love Mafia movies for many reasons. One of those is the hypocritical yet dramatic juxtaposition of a hardened, swaggering gangster going to Catholic confession. He seeks absolution for his guilty conscience only to leave and sin again, typically by murdering a family opponent. A child in one of my favorite Mafia movies encapsulated this […]