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). . . .
Study
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 18 | Lord of Judgment
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Jesus came as a Savior the first time. When he returns, he will come as our judge. In fact, all judgment has been given to Jesus by the Father so that all will honor the Son (John 5:22-23). He is Lord of Judgment. The diamond of the gospel shines brightest on the black cloth of judgment.
December 11 | Lord of Creation
Reading Time: 4 minutes
There are five miracles in this lesson text—the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus walking on water, Peter walking on water, the calming of the storm, and the healings at Gennesaret. Only the Lord of Creation could demonstrate his power over that creation.
December 4 | Lord of the Harvest
Reading Time: 4 minutes
The only thing the God of the Bible enjoys more than planting is harvesting. He is both Lord of the Sabbath (Matthew 12:8) and Lord of the harvest (Matthew 9:38). He works very hard in his field, and he invites others to join him there.
November 27 | A Heart Full of Thankful Praise
Reading Time: 4 minutes
The giving of thanks and praising God should not just be seasonal. The two psalms in today’s lesson will spotlight hearts full of thankful praise.
November 20 | A Heart That Is Strong and Courageous
Reading Time: 4 minutes
King David challenged Israel to be like Joshua—without naming him—in Psalms 23 and 27.
November 13 | A Heart That Is Humble
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Psalm 8 and Psalm 131 can easily be juxtaposed. Psalm 8 celebrates the worth and dignity of humankind as cocreators, while Psalm 131 celebrates the humility of humankind. . . .
November 6 | A Heart That Seeks God
Reading Time: 4 minutes
The theme of seeking God unites sections of Psalms 63 and 105. In strong parallelism and with beautiful pictures, the psalmists told us where God could be found and what that would mean for the whole world.