‘After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”’ (Genesis 15:1 ESV). After Abram had led an army to rescue his nephew Lot from captivity, and had refused to take his portion of the spoils, “the word
“And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord.” (Genesis 13:3-4 ESV). After God rescued Abram
“In the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried from off the earth. And Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and behold, the face of the ground was dry” (Genesis 8:13 ESV). How long did Noah, his family, and the
“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” (Genesis 6:8 ESV). Out of all the peoples of the earth, Noah “found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” The word “favor” might also be translated “grace” or “acceptance.” This “favor” says more about God than it does Noah. For although Noah was recorded
“Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it” (Genesis 3:6-7 ESV). Cain, the firstborn of Adam and Eve, was
“So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation” (Genesis 2:3 ESV). Nearly every measurement of time was set in motion by God from the beginning. Our clocks and calendars are only manmade tools to mark the “signs, seasons,
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star” (Revelation 22:16 NLT). As John reported the occasion and purpose of writing the book of Revelation in chapter one, so now at
“I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2 HCSB). John saw the “Holy City,” the “new Jerusalem,” come down. This is the very place that Christ went to prepare, saying, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If
“Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6 NLT). John saw a day when all those who share in the “first resurrection” would serve
“Then I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on the family of David and on the people of Jerusalem. They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son. They will grieve bitterly for him as for a firstborn son who has died” (Zechariah