O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble, to thee shall the nations come from the ends of the earth and say: “Our fathers have inherited nought but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit. Can man make for himself gods? Such are no gods!” (Jeremiah 16:19-20 … More The nations shall come and KNOW the Lord
Ray Stedman takes us on a tour of Jeremiah 14-15, the reading for today: The word of the Lord which came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: (Jer 14:2 RSV) He goes on to describe the land, how the cisterns have no water, the ground is dismayed, there is no rain on the land, the crops … More “Regardless of what we’re like, God, remember what you’re like.”
This also, I saw, is from the hand of God; for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? (Ecclesiastes 2:24b-25, verses 17-26 in our reading plan today) Ray Stedman comments, in a message, “Life in the Fast Lane” That is his second declaration, and that is the true message of this … More Enjoyment is a gift of God.
When the virgins were gathered together the second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. Now Esther had not made known her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had charged her; for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him. And in those days, as Mordecai was sitting at the … More God intended deliverance…for the king and for us
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
Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. And I said … More Standing Guard
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18, in our Bible reading plan today. Ray Stedman, in a … More Elders and Oxen
Ray Stedman, in a 1965 sermon, “Ezra:The Way Back” comments on the events of Ezra 6, in our reading plan today: The minute the people began to turn back to God, he also turned the hearts of the kings, Darius and Artaxerxes, and they issued the decree that started the temple work again. Finally the … More Celebrating fellowship with God
Ray Stedman helps us as we read Ezra 4-5 today: (from a sermon “Ezra: The Way Back”) The third factor in this return under Zerubbabel is the opposition that immediately develops, as we read in chapters 4 through 6. A force is at work in every human heart, as in world affairs, that immediately rises … More Beware so-called friends
Welcome to 1 Kings in our reading plan. Pastor Ray Stedman writes: First Kings is the gripping story of how to lose a kingdom. As we read these Old Testament books, the key to making them live and be vital in our lives is to see that they are visual aids by which God is … More How to lose a kingdom
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 