February 18, 2021 “Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. …I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Luke 3:8a and 16 ESV John’s exhortation to the crowd conveys three […]
Daily Focus: Foundational Work
February 17, 2021 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11 Often have I striven to lay a foundation by my own efforts, by my own strategy and strength. Whether it be in my earlier career as a banker and real estate appraiser or […]
Daily Focus: Words of Grace
February 16, 2021 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:60 ESV Stephens’ speech is remarkable and Spirit-led. His succinct recounting of the history of the patriarchs, and particularly of Moses’ prefigured attributes of […]
Daily Focus: Bearing Glory
February 15, 2021 Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Daniel 2:27-28a It […]
Daily Focus: Worthy Laborers
February 14, 2021 Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your associates the governors who are in the province Beyond the River, keep away. Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on […]
Daily Focus: Preserving Life
February 13, 2021 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. Genesis 45:5 There are a couple of interesting takeaways from this verse. First, there is a tone of concern for his brothers who had persecuted him. When Joseph realized […]
