Not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. —Matthew 10:29-31 Our reading in Matthew today complements our reading in Exodus. … More Not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father

God intended this

“Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” Genesis 50:19-20, as we conclude reading Genesis today. D. A. Carson says in “For the Love of God, Volume 1, Feb 17 (free pdf here) … More God intended this

His Kingship

All the ends of the earth shall rememberand turn to the LORD,and all the families of the nationsshall worship before you.For kingship belongs to the LORD,and he rules over the nations. (Psalm 22:27-28, part of our reading plan for today) Charles Spurgeon, in The Treasury of David: As an obedient Son the dying Redeemer rejoiced … More His Kingship

Joseph’s story: God’s plan, providence and purposes

Sin.  Betrayal.  Evil.  Joseph’s brothers’ evil intentions to kill him shaped his life forever. The consequences from their actions are part of his history.  Joseph doesn’t excuse their behavior or act as if it never happened. BUT he sees God’s hand in his brothers’ treachery. He believes that God was working His purpose out through their sinful … More Joseph’s story: God’s plan, providence and purposes

Lord of all

John Piper, in a sermon, “Exalting Jesus so the Spirit Falls”– gives many ways in which Peter exalted Jesus in Acts 10:24-48, our reading today.  Here is just one point: Peter lifts up Jesus as the Lord of all. Verse 36 (at the end): “You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good … More Lord of all

Destroying the Dreamer

John Piper’s sermon, “The Sale of Joseph and the Son of God” concludes this way: The story of Joseph is the story of a righteous one who is sinned against and suffers so that tribe of Judah would be preserved and a Lion would come forth, and would prove to be a Lamb-like Lion, and … More Destroying the Dreamer

Jesus turns things around

John Piper in a sermon, “Jesus Still Turns Things Around” brings this encouragement from Acts 9, our reading for today: Luke drives this home by showing the persecutor becoming the persecuted. First, in verse 23 Luke tells us that the Jews in Damascus plotted to kill him. The hunter becomes the hunted. And he escapes … More Jesus turns things around