Posts with the category “all-things-new”

Lord, who can dwell in your tent? Who can live on your holy mountain? (Psalm 15:1) We've spent considerable time discussing that righteousness comes through trusting God and not ourselves. Then, today...  Read More

He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, because he was fully convinced that what God had promised he was also able to do. (Romans 4:20–21...  Read More

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6) At this point in the story, Abram has heard the promise of God, obeyed His call, and walked with God to an unfamilia...  Read More

May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him. (Psalm 67:7) As we've noted before, we seem to have a bend towards turning things in on ourselves. We pray for our own churches...  Read More

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad. (John 8:56) For the Jews of Jesus' day, there were few things which would infuriate them more than for someone to claim an inappropr...  Read More

For he remembered his holy promise to Abraham his servant. (Psalm 105:42) In Genesis 12 we saw the promise, the covenant of God to Abraham. Galatians 3 reminded us just how far reaching that promise r...  Read More

Consequently, those who have faith are blessed with Abraham, who had faith. (Galatians 3:9) There's a saying that says "Go big, or go home". This idiom comes to mind when I think of the call of Abraha...  Read More

All the peoples on earth will be blessed through you. (Genesis 12:3) As we look to this week's readings, it is fitting the transition from a groaning creation to dawning plan of redemption come just a...  Read More

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the trash heap. (Psalm 113:7) From an emotional standpoint, this has been a tough week of devotions! Creation is groaning, our own hearts are ...  Read More

Jesus wept. (John 11:35) The story of Lazarus is arguably one of my favorites in all the Bible, but probably not for the reasons you think. Most people identify with the triumph of Lazarus being raise...  Read More

My days are like a lengthening shadow, and I wither away like grass. (Psalm 102:11) At this point, it's pretty clear; all of creation is groaning. Our hearts are longing for more. This Psalm gives us ...  Read More

He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Yesterday we saw all ...  Read More

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. (Romans 8:22) In this life there are times when we become keenly aware deep in our bones that things aren't w...  Read More

Praise the LORD, all nations! Glorify him, all peoples! (Psalm 117:1) If dynamite comes in small packages, this Psalm packs quite the wallop. It's the shortest chapter in the Bible but the vision it p...  Read More

Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled. (Luke 4:21) This entire week has all been about the Mission of God. It's an old mission, one set in motion in the Garden of Eden and while sidet...  Read More

Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples. (Psalm 96:3) Human beings have a strange ability, and might I way a tendency, to take in information, intellectually process ...  Read More

All the ends of the earth have seen our God’s salvation. (Psalm 98:3 As humans, we have a tendency to see the glass half empty, the world darker than it is, and the future uncertain. Yesterday we reme...  Read More

I will also make you a light for the nations, to be my salvation to the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6) After the nations were dispersed at Babel and Abram (eventually God's people the Israelites) it...  Read More

Blessed be the LORD, my rock who trains my hands for battle and my fingers for warfare. (Psalm 144:1) Strength comes in many forms, but in the Kingdom of God, it has a very particular form and feel to...  Read More

A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him. (Mark 1:27) By now we've well established the fact that the conflict and resistance in the cosmos exists in both...  Read More

I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  (Psalm 121:1–2) For two days now we have discussed the reality of spirit...  Read More

"Very well,” the LORD told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, do not lay a hand on Job himself." (Job 1:12) I know too many people who, as they begin to be exposed to the reality of...  Read More

When heaven feels silent and the battle feels hidden, Daniel 10 reminds us that God hears, God sends help, and unseen resistance never means He has abandoned His people....  Read More

The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the LORD. (Psalm 24:1) "Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD of Armies, he is the King of glory." I love the way this passag...  Read More

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. (Ephesians ...  Read More

While rebellious nations and rulers still rage against God, their defiance is futile because the true King is already enthroned and the nations will ultimately belong to Him....  Read More

Psalm 82 sheds light on the unseen realm and brings us into the courtroom of the Most High, where corrupt spiritual rulers stand condemned before the Judge of all the earth....  Read More

Babel did not simply scatter humanity across the earth, it also marked the beginning of a deeper spiritual division that would shape the story of the nations from that point forward....  Read More

Scripture shows that God sovereignly transforms humanity’s rebellion into redemption, turning the chaos of Babel into the global unity of worship where all creation rejoices in the righteous reign of ...  Read More

Jesus’ Great Commission reverses the rebellion of Babel by sending His followers outward to disciple the nations, transforming humanity’s prideful attempt to ascend to heaven into a global mission gro...  Read More

Blessing has never been about us, but about sharing that blessing with the nations....  Read More

Isaiah changes our perspective on our greatness....  Read More

In today's culture, making a name for yourself has become the norm, but it's not a new problem....  Read More

I will sing about the LORD’s faithful love forever; I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 89:1) In today's reading, we once again visit Psalm 89. If you recall, we spent a littl...  Read More

For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in him. (2 Corinthians 1:20) Throughout my life, my word has always been very important to me. It is just how I was raised. I may not have two nickels to rub t...  Read More

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. (Psalm 28:7) This past Sunday, Pastor Mike spoke about our family, saying we were an example of what it looked like to s...  Read More

This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants — not only to the one who is of the law but also to the one who is of Abraham’s faith....  Read More

As the flood waters receded, God offers humanity a fresh start, renewing the mandates of Eden....  Read More

One thing we must remember, whether in judgment or in grace, His faithful love endures forever....  Read More

The normalcy of life can often make us less attentive to the things of God than we should be, just as it did in the days of Noah....  Read More