“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 NKJV).

February 14, 2020

A VALENTINE FOR THE BROKENHEARTED Not everyone will receive a Valentine today. Some have a heart still hurting from a broken relationship. Other hearts have slowly broken from a lifetime of loneliness. Yet, everyone who comes to the Lord with a contrite and humble spirit, admitting their broken hearts, will experience His presence and salvation.

“Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.” (Exodus 36:1 ESV).

February 13, 2020

RECOGNIZING THE SACREDNESS OF OUR WORK The modern separation between the sacred and the secular is not the wholistic view of faith and vocation that is seen in the Bible. Consider these two men whom Moses named in Exodus because of their God-given talent as craftsmen. He described Bezalel as being “called by name” (Ex.35:30)

‘When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”’ (Matthew 27:24 NKJV).

February 12, 2020

DO YOU THINK YOURSELF INNOCENT OF CHRIST’S BLOOD? Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor over Judea, made a show of washing his hands and declaring himself “innocent” of Christ’s blood. Yet in reality, he was fully responsible as the ranking representative of Roman law. How strange that the one who condemned the Innocent One to death

“But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly” (Matthew 27:14 NKJV).

February 11, 2020

THE SILENT SAVIOR WHOSE SACRIFICE SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS The Roman governor, Pontius Pilate marveled greatly at Jesus’s silence in the face of His accusers. Surely he had judged and condemned many a man, but never one like this. Who was this man that stood silent with such quiet dignity?   Neither Pilate nor the

“But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end” (Matthew 26:58 NKJV).

February 10, 2020

ARE YOU TRYING TO FOLLOW JESUS AT A DISTANCE? On the night when Jesus was arrested, Peter tried to blend in as one of the crowd, following Jesus at a distance. This, after following so close must’ve been unbearable for Peter. Yet, it only took a little distance before denial overtook him. For just as

“But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” (Matthew 26:32 NKJV).

February 9, 2020

DO YOU REMEMBER THE PLACE YOU FIRST FOLLOWED JESUS? Jesus said this to His disciples to encourage them. For He had already warned them that they would all stumble and scatter that very night. Yet He wanted them to look past His coming betrayal, crucifixion and death, and their own failure to stay with Him,

“My times are in Your hand” (Psalms 31:15 NKJV).

February 8, 2020

WHAT’S ON YOUR CALENDAR TODAY? David put his trust in the Lord, even in the timing of things. He trusted that the time of his birth, death, and every appointment in between was in God’s hands. Therefore, he was able to endure seasons of suffering and difficulty, knowing that every season has a beginning, a

“For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me” (Psalms 31:3 NKJV).

February 7, 2020

PRAYING ACCORDING TO GOD’S GREAT NAME David declared the Lord as his “rock,” the firm foundation on which he stood, and his “fortress,” the impenetrable protection that always surrounded him. It was this strong declaration of faith that led David to ask even more from the Lord. “Therefore,” David said. The word “therefore” is like

“And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord” (Exodus 24:4 NKJV).

February 6, 2020

HOW THE BIBLE CAME TO BE The first five books of the Bible were written by Moses under God’s inspiration. This is how the Bible came to be: God spoke and men wrote. Paradoxically both fully human and fully divine. The Bible contains sixty-six books written by over forty God-inspired human authors of various cultures

“Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 23:9 NKJV).

February 5, 2020

WHO IS A STRANGER? God inspired Moses to write this instruction, including an appeal to the memories of the Israelites. Namely, that they should remember how it felt to be oppressed as strangers in Egypt. This injunction has at least two motivating factors: First, obey because God said so, and second, obey because you know