January Prayer Guide 2021
SOUTH SUDAN — Pray for the production and reception of a series of programs titled, “Peace Building and Conflict Resolution.” Our local leadership in South Sudan is encouraging listeners to focus on the example of Christ, our Prince of Peace. They also ask for continued prayer support regarding efforts to combat COVID-19 in their country, […]
Moses Seeks Favor and God Relents
In this series, we will explore God’s free will to deviate from what he has set in motion. We don’t normally think of God in these terms, but the Bible is clear—there are times when God responds to his people in surprising ways. Scripture refers to this ability using words such as “relent,” “regret,” “turn,” or even “repent” (in the King James Version).
It’s Okay
Read: 2 Corinthians 5:16–6:2 In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (v. 19) The car in front of me grabbed the last spot in the parking garage while a steady rain pelted and wind swirled outside. Parking in the […]
Savor the Good
Read: Isaiah 25:1-9 Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. (v. 9) I love a feast. We mark the holidays by gathering with friends and family to share a […]
Our Past, Present, and Future God
Read: Revelation 1:1-8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (v. 8) After my woman’s Bible study group spent a year studying the book of Revelation, we came away convinced that God gave his people this book to be […]
How Reckless, How Amazing
Read: Matthew 18:1-14 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. (v. 13) Imagine that you are a shepherd with 100 sheep, and after counting you realize that one of them is missing. You don’t know where that sheep went, […]
Foreshadowing
Read: Hebrews 2:10-18 . . . he, for whom and by whom all things exist . . . (v. 10) Even after four decades, I still remember when I learned in college about foreshadowing. We were reading John Steinbeck’s classic novel Of Mice and Men, and our professor showed us how the story’s tragic conclusion […]
What Shall I Render?
Read: Psalm 116 What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me? (v. 12) This psalm reflects on a narrow escape from death. An illness (maybe a disease as deadly as COVID-19) almost slayed the psalmist. The sting of death was felt, the victory of the grave imminent. Through every restless […]
The Coming of the Lord
Read: Luke 2:1-21; Zechariah 2:10-13 And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. (v. 11) The day is here. Christmas. During Advent, we’ve longed for […]