I’m a follower of Jesus, wife, mom, and Mimi to 8 grandbabies here and 5 grandbabies I’m waiting to meet in in heaven. I live in the Twin Cities and serve as the Minister for Women‘s Ministry at The North Church in Mounds View, MN.
As we begin reading Esther in our read-through-the-Bible plan, here is an article by Donald Curtis, “Irony and Providence,” with insights on the structural elements of the book of Esther: Paired Events Nearly every event in Esther happens twice, the second time being a variation of the first. In the first chapter, there is a … More Irony and Providence
August 20 Titus 2:1-10 (ESV) Teach Sound Doctrine 2:1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound [1] doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what … More August 20 Titus 2:1-10
August 20 Luke 19:11-27 (ESV) The Parable of the Ten Minas 11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself … More August 20 Luke 19:11-27
August 20 Proverbs 15:1-17 (ESV) 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. 3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4 A gentle [1] tongue is a … More August 20 Proverbs 15:1-17
August 20 Esther 1 (ESV) The King’s Banquets 1:1 Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, 2 in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the capital, [1] 3 in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials … More August 20 Esther 1
They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. Titus 1:16 (part of our Bible reading plan today) David Guzik comments at EnduringWord.com: b. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him: These difficult people Titus had to deal with were … More Spiritual facade
J.C. Ryle has some insights on Jesus and Zacchaeus, in our Bible reading in Luke 19:1-10 today: These verses describe the conversion of a soul. Like the stories of Nicodemus, and the Samaritan woman — the story of Zacchaeus should be frequently studied by Christians. The Lord Jesus never changes. What He did for the man … More No one is beyond the power of Christ’s grace
In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. (Proverbs 14:26) David C. McCasland (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI) wrote the following reflection on Proverbs 14:26 (in our reading plan today) and Psalm 46. It was quoted at preceptaustin.org. Erma Bombeck wrote a column … More Do you want your children to have a refuge?
Since we have just finished reading Ezra and Nehemiah, this article by John Piper will help you apply what you have read: Here’s another reason I am joyfully committed to expository exultation, that is, preaching. Look at this amazing statement of what biblical exposition is like when it’s done well—in the power of God’s Spirit … More Understanding and rejoicing in the truth
How prone are we to self-deception? Are we really able to be honest with ourselves as we talk with God? Do we remember daily the true source of our righteousness? Here is a devotional (on Nehemiah 13, our reading for today) by Elaine Stedman, inspired by one of Ray Stedman’s sermons: Remember me with favor, … More Remember me with favor, O my God
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 