In our Bible reading plan today, we come to Proverbs 17:3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. God tests us, tests our hearts. Repeatedy in the Bible, we read that HE refines us, tests us, just as precious metals are refined to remove impurities. Read … More The Lord tests hearts
Bob Deffinbaugh comments at Bible.org: A sleepless night for the king changed the course of history and resulted in the deliverance of the Jews throughout the Persian Empire. In reality, it was a divinely orchestrated sequence of events. Those events nullified the law wicked Haman had passed by deceiving the king and spared the lives … More Sleepless in Susa: a story with important lessons for us to learn
When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as … More Of grace, for others, and on mission—to the glory of God.
Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John … More Ryle: A downright untruth
“The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.”— Proverbs 16:33 “God’s dice always have a lucky roll,” said Sophocles, one of classical Athens’ three great tragic playwrights. Here’s what Charles H. Spurgeon has to say, in Morning and Evening: If the disposal of the lot is the … More The events of our lives are in His hands
On that night the king could not sleep. And he gave orders to bring the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, and they were read before the king. And it was found written how Mordecai had told about Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, and who had sought to … More Divine Insomnia
“The kindness and love of God our Saviour.”—Titus 3:4 (verses 1-8 are in our Bible reading plan today) C.H. Spurgeon, in Morning and Evening: HOW sweet it is to behold the Saviour communing with His own beloved people! There can be nothing more delightful than, by the Divine Spirit, to be led into this fertile … More How sweet is our Savior
John Piper, in a sermon, “O,That You Knew the Terms of Peace!” (Luke 19:41-44) Today in our Bible reading plan, read Luke 19:39-48. I want you to imagine a scene with me. There is a young doctor who has a wife and three small children. He volunteers to take a dangerous six-month mission assignment to … More Jesus knew the praise was shallow
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. —Proverbs 16:9 (included in our Bible reading plan today) Haddon Robbinson: Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans. Our lives are subject to detours and corrections that we never expected or imagined. Abraham and Sarah could testify to … More Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans.
Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, … More Esther: “better to die FOR my people than WITH my people”
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 