Read: Matthew 6:9–15 The Lord is near to all who call on him. Psalm 145:18 In August 2010, the attention of the world was focused on a mine shaft near Copiapó, Chile. Thirty-three miners huddled in the dark, trapped 2,300 feet underground. They had no idea if help would ever...

Read: Matthew 2:1–12 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Psalm 95:6 Many manger scenes depict the wise men, or magi, visiting Jesus in Bethlehem at the same time as the shepherds. But according to the gospel of Matthew, the only place...

Read: Genesis 3:8–17 The Lord God called . . . “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 My young son loves to hear my voice, except when I call his name loudly and sternly, followed by the question, “Where are you?” When I do that, I am usually calling for him because...

Read: 1 John 4:20–5:5 Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 John 4:21 When a woman in Karen’s church was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), things looked bad. This cruel disease affects nerves and muscles, eventually leading to...

Read: 2 Kings 6:8–17 Don’t be afraid . . . . Those who are with us are more than those who are with [the enemy]. 2 Kings 6:16 Don is a border collie who lives on a farm in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. One morning, he and his owner, Tom, set...

Read: Romans 11:33–12:2 Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 The weeks after Christmas are the busiest time of year in the US for merchandise returns as people trade unwanted gifts for what they really want. Yet...

Read: Psalm 23 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. Psalm 23:6 Wanting to mature in her spiritual life and become more thankful, Sue started what she called a Thanks-Living jar. Each evening she wrote on a small piece of paper one thing...

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:18–6:2 I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Our preschool-age granddaughter Maggie and her kindergarten-age sister Katie hauled several blankets to the backyard, where they proceeded to build a blanket tent in which to play....

Read: Matthew 14:13–23 [Jesus] went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Matthew 14:23 It was a busy morning in the church room where I was helping. Nearly a dozen little children were chattering and playing. There was so much activity that the room became warm and I propped...

Read: Haggai 2:15–23 “I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,” declares the Lord. Haggai 2:23 When I first made the acquaintance of a new friend from abroad, I noticed his posh English accent and that he wore a ring on his little finger. Later...

Read: Romans 8:31–39 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106:1 In June 2015, the city of Paris removed forty-five tons of padlocks from the railings of the Pont des Arts pedestrian bridge. As a romantic gesture, couples would etch their initials onto...

Read: 2 Peter 1:12–21 We did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 2 Peter 1:16 Raucous laughter marked the guests in my father’s hospital room: Two old truck drivers, one...