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They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. Wh...
Keep ReadingWhat good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ...
Keep Reading"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lampand put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good worksand give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:13-16 NIV). If you attended college, do you re...
Keep ReadingGod saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT). For the past 6 or so year...
Keep ReadingBut Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him (1 Corinthians 15:20-23 NIV). Have y...
Keep Reading[T]hat he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared ...
Keep ReadingI have seen you in the sanctuary, and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watche...
Keep ReadingAnd the Lord said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." And the Lord said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on wh...
Keep Reading1 Samuel 1 2 On a warm summer day, a woman is walking downtown around lunchtime. There is a slight breeze, she can hear the birds chirping, and she can smell the freshly baked donuts about a block away. She thinks about how hungry she is and how a freshly baked donut would fill her empty stomach. She decides that she is going to get that donut, no matter what, so she kee...
Keep ReadingTherefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to al...
Keep ReadingLuke 7:1-10 About a month ago, I was driving home one night after babysitting; it was only around 7:30 pm, but it was pitch black outside. I crossed over a small bridge and noticed two people sitting there, one of them obviously in some sort of distress, and the other with their arm wrapped around the hurting one. I could not stop, but the situation was tugging at my hear...
Keep ReadingJesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges,...
Keep ReadingOf the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:7 ESV) At the beginning of this month, I ventured to eastern Tennessee with my senior class for a w...
Keep ReadingHe is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Colossians 1:15-17 ESV.) How do you remember your Driv...
Keep Reading"Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, "We are safe"safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching!" declares the Lord (Jeremiah...
Keep Reading1 Kings 12 One thing I particularly love about going to a classical Christian school is that we get to talk about difficult cultural issues that are not common topics but are still highly relevant today. In my Apologetics class, we are reading The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis. We are not very far into the book, yet, one point has stuck out to me, and it is this: kindness...
Keep ReadingIn the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2 NIV) If you are a book lover like I am, you likely have opened up to the last page of the book before you even began reading. Sometimes we're curious how many pages are i...
Keep ReadingYou are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 NIV) [Editor's Note: As we...
Keep ReadingWhen [Saul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed wit...
Keep ReadingWe are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV). Many years ago - almost 12, to be exact - Santa gave me the Christmas present that led me to be the person I am today: my first horseback riding lessons. One day, I was riding Walnut the lesson pony when ...
Keep Reading"When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their ...
Keep Reading"But go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the Lord and tell him: 'This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you have just heard: You were sorry and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this city and its people. You humbled yourself and tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have inde...
Keep ReadingJoshua 3:10-13 ESV How many times do you think you've signed your signature on something? Maybe it was on a check at a restaurant, or the paperwork for a car, or simply just the closing of a Happy Birthday letter to a friend. Every time you go to sign your signature though, do you notice that it is always a teeny tiny bit different than last time you did it? Or maybe you...
Keep Reading"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on ...
Keep ReadingBlessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. (Proverbs 3:13-16 ESV) As we've learned over the past couple of ...
Keep Reading"'Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But s...
Keep Reading"The Lord possessed me [Wisdom] at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water. Before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills, I was brought forth, before he had made the earth with its ...
Keep Reading"Roll the stone aside," Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man's sister, protested, "Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible." Jesus responded, "Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?" So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I sa...
Keep ReadingThen Jesus told him, "I entered this world to render judgmentto give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind." Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, "Are you saying we're blind?" "If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty," Jesus replied. "But you remain guilty because you claim you can see" (John 9:39-41 NLT). Br...
Keep ReadingThen Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. "I am the one who needs to be baptized by you," he said, "so why are you coming to me?" But Jesus said, "It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires." So John agreed to baptize him And a voice from heaven said, "This is my dearly loved Son, who ...
Keep ReadingLet love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality (Romans 12:9-13 ESV). When ...
Keep ReadingNow a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by th...
Keep ReadingEditor's note: there are two Connect Devotionals this morning! We hope you enjoy both pieces from Bella and Lana. ******************** Promises Joy Bella Segnere Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, t...
Keep Reading"After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star thatthey had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the placewhere the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary, his mother, and they fell downand worshiped him. Then, opening their treas...
Keep ReadingAnd when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, "Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me." But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, "Why have you torn your clot...
Keep ReadingThe eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable pa...
Keep ReadingDo nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself...
Keep ReadingLet love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13 ESV) Life ...
Keep Reading"When you were young, you were able to do as you liked and go wherever you wanted to; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and others will direct you and take you where you don't want to go." Jesus said this to let him know what kind of death he would die to glorify God. Then Jesus told him, "Follow me." (John 21:15-19 TLB) Swoosh! "Ooooooo!" the crowd ch...
Keep ReadingAs Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "Truly I tell you," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (Luke 21:1-4 NIV) Would you ever g...
Keep Reading"And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: the tent of meetin...
Keep ReadingMoses ordered Joshua: "Select some men for us and go out and fight Amalek. Tomorrow I will take my stand on top of the hill holding God's staff." Joshua did what Moses ordered in order to fight Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. It turned out that whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek was ...
Keep ReadingIs anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Theref...
Keep ReadingNot many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the s...
Keep ReadingYou do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: "Love others as you love yourself." But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it. You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law and ignoring others. (James 2:8-10 MSG) Recently, I went into town wi...
Keep ReadingAfter these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, s...
Keep ReadingAs Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. "Who touched me?" Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, "Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you....
Keep ReadingEditor's note: this week, a very different set of Connect Devotionals because this week is unlike all others. Each writer this week will invite you to explore a different passage: the "cleansing of the Temple" (Monday), the argument about paying taxes to Caesar (Tuesday), the "great commandment" (Wednesday), the Last Supper and Gethsemane (Thursday), and the culmination of...
Keep ReadingI thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.Psalm 118:21-24 ESV In the third book of her widely popular trilogy, Divergent, Veronica Roth wrote: "Since I was yo...
Keep ReadingAnd when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, "Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son's days I will b...
Keep Reading2 Samuel 11 The past few weeks, Mosaic, the middle school youth group, has been studying a series called "This or That," which is all about comparison. It shows how comparing ourselves with others pulls us away from our relationship with God. As I thought about the youth group study and this week's passage, I felt that the topics of comparison and jealousy fit hand-in-han...
Keep ReadingHe said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:7-8 ESV) Holy Spirit, you are welcome here; Come flood this place and fill the atmosphe...
Keep ReadingBella Segnere Jesus wept. So the Jews said, "See how he loved him!" (John 11:35-36 ESV) "Everything is bigger in Texas!" "Go big or go home!" "The bigger the better!" All of these popular sayings emphasize just how much our world (especially America) values the greater/larger things in life. Larger wealth, greater fame; the list goes on and on. We all need to make the sh...
Keep ReadingFor through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.Galatians 2:19-20 ESV Have you ever watched a court trial, participated in a mock trial, or read about one...
Keep ReadingThe eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and his ears toward their cry When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles (Psalm 34:15, 17 ESV). When you hear someone crying, it's common to instantly wonder, "Are those tears of sadness, joy, anger, or laughter? Are they crying for some other reason?" A lot of times, we cry be...
Keep ReadingThis, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory.And his disciples believed in him (John 2:11 ESV). I have not been to many weddings in my life, but I have participated in a handful of school dances, both in middle school and in high school. They mainly consist of line dances, and one that I have done many times is the "Cha-Cha Slide." ...
Keep ReadingOn the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest (Ezekiel 17:23). [Editor's Note: We started writing this week's Connect Devotionals when it appeared that we'd be in our new building on December 5. We...
Keep ReadingGive thanks to the Lord, for he is good to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt ... and brought Israel out from among them with a strong hand and an outstretched arm to him who divided the Red Sea in two and made Israel pass through the midst of it but overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea to him who led his people through the wilderness Give thanks to ...
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