Reading Time: 4 minutes
By this point in the book of Ezra, God’s people had their hope deferred. They came back from captivity with such high hopes . . . but then the wheels fell off. . . .
+The Lookout
January 8 | Application (‘Celebrate the Wins’)
Reading Time: 3 minutes
In life, as in sports, it’s important to stop and give thanks when things go well. Before we rush ahead and move on to the next event or activity, we should pause and celebrate the wins. . . .
January 8 | Discovery
Reading Time: 2 minutes
What area in your life are you hoping to build on with God’s help this year?Â
January 1 | It’s God’s Plan
Reading Time: 4 minutes
God had planned from eternity past to get his people back home and give them a fresh start. Ezra and Nehemiah tell of this new start (these books were once combined as one). . . .
January 1 | Application (‘Trusting God in the New Year’)
Reading Time: 3 minutes
As another new year begins, it’s good to remember that the Lord is the Master Craftsman. He’s an expert at making things new. He knows how to take our lives apart and put them back together again. Â
January 1 | Discovery
Reading Time: 2 minutes
What were God’s roles and what were the people’s roles in the Jewish exiles’ return to Jerusalem?Â
December 25 | Lord of All
Reading Time: 4 minutes
The babe of Bethlehem (and Messiah of Matthew’s Gospel) is Lord of all—even wise men. Matthew devoted only one verse to the birth of Jesus (1:25) even though he spent many verses tracing Jesus’ human and divine roots. Then, a good length of time after Jesus was born, the Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.
December 25 | Application (‘What the Mysterious Magi Can Teach Us About Faith’)
Reading Time: 3 minutes
We don’t know about much about the mysterious Magi, but they help to illustrate what it means to live by faith.
December 25 | Discovery
Reading Time: < 1 minute
How can the Magi be examples to you for how to radically pursue Jesus? Â