Scripture Reading — Romans 13:1-7Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.— Romans 13:1I have never met a president or a prime minister. (I did see Queen Elizabeth II of England from a distance on two occasions, though!) As
Scripture Reading — Leviticus 19:33-34“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself. . . .”— Leviticus 19:34The Bible includes a number of stories about God’s people fleeing their homes to find refuge elsewhere. Abram and Sarai took refuge in Egypt beca
Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 3:10-15If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.— 1 Corinthians 3:14My wife is an accomplished pianist. On occasion we attend a local symphony. When possible, she arranges for us to sit in a location that gives a clear view of the pianist’s
Scripture Reading — Luke 16:1-15“Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”— Luke 16:9The parable of the shrewd manager is one of Jesus’ most puzzling teachings. It can seem confusing because the dishonest manager is comm
Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:19-21“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”— Matthew 6:20Some people have called this the greatest investment tip of all time.Jesus tells his followers to store up treasures in h
Scripture Reading — 2 Timothy 2:15-26Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who . . . correctly handles the word of truth.— 2 Timothy 2:15A woman from a local church volunteers three hours each Wednesday with our campus ministry. She gives grandmotherly advice, prays with
Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:9-13“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”— Matthew 6:9-10When we pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we are asking God to help us follow the example of the angels and other cr
Scripture Reading — Matthew 6:9-13“This . . . is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. . . .’”— Matthew 6:9-10Most of us face many, many choices each day. What clothes will I wear? What will I have for breakfast? What route will I take to work? What do
Scripture Reading — Micah 6:6-8What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.— Micah 6:8The prophet Micah spoke out for the Lord against the unjust practices of his day.He pictured people asking how they might please God with offerings in order t
Scripture Reading — Amos 8:1-14“When will . . . the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?”—skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales. . . .— Amos 8:5Many of Israel’s rich and powerful merchants and other leaders despised God’s rest and justice. For them, the
Scripture Reading — Hebrews 3:12-4:11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.— Hebrews 4:11Justice requires that debts be paid. God created us to love him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. He also inst
Scripture Reading — 1 Kings 21:1-19Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden. . . .” But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.”— 1 Kings 21:2- 3When God gave Israel the land he had promised them, each clan receive
