Read: Genesis 50:22–26 I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid. Genesis 50:24 I will never forget sitting at the bedside of my friend’s brother when he died; the scene was one of the ordinary visited by the extraordinary. Three of us were talking quietly...

Read: James 1:1–12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life. James 1:12 Last winter while visiting a natural history museum in Colorado, I learned some remarkable facts about the aspen tree. An entire grove of slender,...

Read: Psalm 1:1–3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season. Psalm 1:3 The view from my airplane window was striking: a narrow ribbon of ripening wheat fields and orchards wending between two barren mountains. Running through the valley was a...

Read: Isaiah 43:1–9 You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you. Isaiah 43:4 To celebrate Winston Churchill’s eightieth birthday, the British parliament commissioned artist Graham Sutherland to paint a portrait of the celebrated statesman. “How are you going to paint me?” Churchill reportedly...

Read: Romans 14:1–12 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? Romans 14:4 When students from Southeast Asia met a teacher from North America, the visiting instructor learned a lesson. After giving his class their first multiple-choice test, he was surprised to find many questions left unanswered. While handing back...

Read: 1 Chronicles 17:1–4, 16–25 Do as you promised, so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. 1 Chronicles 17:23–24 David had drawn up the plans. He designed the furniture. He collected the materials. He made all the arrangements (see 1 Chron. 28:11–19). But...

Read: 1 Chronicles 16:8–27 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. 1 Chronicles 16:11 My four-year-old son is full of questions, and chatters constantly. I love talking with him, but he’s developed an unfortunate habit of talking to me even when his back is turned. I...

Read: 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 [Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:7–8 Her voice shook as she shared the problems she was having with her daughter. Worried about her teenager’s questionable friends, this concerned mum confiscated her daughter’s mobile phone and chaperoned her...

Read: Hebrews 13:1–2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers. Hebrews 13:2 The dinner where we hosted families from five nations remains a wonderful memory. Somehow the conversation didn’t splinter into twos, but we all contributed to a discussion of life in London from the viewpoints of different parts...

Read: Psalm 139:1–12 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. Psalm 139:4 Sometimes my wife and I finish each other’s sentences. In over thirty years of marriage we’ve become increasingly familiar with the way the other thinks and speaks. We may not even have to...

Read: John 16:19–24 Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22 Clutching two framed photographs, the proud grandmother showed them to friends in the church foyer. The first picture was of her...

Read: Hebrews 2:9–18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18 At the memorial service for Charles Schulz (1922–2000), creator of the beloved Peanuts comic strip, friend and fellow cartoonist Cathy Guisewite spoke of his humanity and compassion....