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"Howl, fir tree, for the cedar is fallen." —Zechariah 11:2 Evening Thought When in the forest there is heard the crash of a falling oak, it is a sign that the woodman is abroad, and every tree in the whole company may tremble lest to-morrow the sharp edge of the axe should find it out. We...

"The myrtle trees that were in the bottom." —Zechariah 1:8 Morning Thought The vision in this chapter describes the condition of Israel in Zechariah's day; but being interpreted in its aspect towards us, it describes the Church of God as we find it now in the world. The Church is compared to...

Dear Lord, Thank You for Your provision. I pray my husband and I would steward our finances well. I pray You would guide us with how to use our money for Your Kingdom. I pray we would be in agreement with the way we handle our finances. I pray against selfish spending. I pray against debt. I...

[Jesus continued,] "The day is coming when you will see the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing where he should not be." (Reader, pay attention!) "Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out...

Hebrews 11:20-12:2 Dear Father, my trustworthy God, Give me faith like Moses, who loved your way more than the treasures of Egypt. Give me faith like the people of the Exodus, who were willing to walk through the sea at your bidding, but keep me from wavering and rebelling as they did. Give...

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did...

For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? —Luke 9:25 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... I once had a picture in my office of a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer with the caption, "Who says you can't take it with you?" While it is humorous, it...

"Just, and the justifier of him which believeth." —Romans 3:26 Morning Thought Being justified by faith, we have peace with God. Conscience accuses no longer. Judgment now decides for the sinner instead of against him. Memory looks back upon past sins, with deep sorrow for the sin, but yet...

"Who of God is made unto us wisdom." —1 Corinthians 1:30 Evening Thought Man's intellect seeks after rest, and by nature seeks it apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Men of education are apt, even when converted, to look upon the simplicities of the cross of Christ with an eye too little...

Dear Lord, Thank You for my marriage. I am so blessed to be married to my best friend. I pray that we always make time to have fun together. We are so good at planning and doing and rushing through life. Help us to slow down, to play more, to laugh more, and to just be close. I pray we tickle...

[Jesus continued,] "And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." —Mark 13:13 NLT Key Thought Even when our situation makes us feel like everyone is against us, we can endure ... we must endure ... we will endure. When we are...

Hebrews 11:8-19 Holy Father, in whom all faith is safe, I cannot imagine what it would be like to be asked to do what you asked Abraham to do. He was willing to sacrifice the very son you had promised to him, the son through whom you promised to make a great nation. He believed that you could...

The Spirit told Philip, "Climb into the chariot." —Acts 8:29 MESSAGE Key Thought I am not sure that I have ever heard a command uttered this clearly by the Spirit of God. But I do know, however, that the Spirit has led me to deep conviction about sin in my life and given me answers to...

...I am the LORD which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. —Jeremiah 9:24 (KJV) Thoughts on Today's Verse... Two truths are equally crucial for us to understand in this passage. First, God is kind, just and...

"For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him." —Ezra...

"I sleep, but my heart waketh." —Song of Solomon 5:2 Evening Thought Paradoxes abound in Christian experience, and here is one-the spouse was asleep, and yet she was awake. He only can read the believer's riddle who has ploughed with the heifer of his experience. The two points in this...

But first, I need to tell you about the online marriage retreat! Awesome Marriage is hosting an online marriage retreat that begins October 14 and includes a session from me on 5 Steps to Better Sex. Early bird registration is open NOW. Early Bird: $39 (9/23-29) Regular: $49 (after 9/29)...

Dear Lord, Please help me to love my husband today. Inspire my heart to do something nice for him, to help him solve a problem, to encourage his heart, or to serve him joyfully. I pray the other women in my life would spur me on to show my husband great love. I pray I would respect him with my...

[Jesus continued,] "A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed." —Mark 13:12 NLT Key Thought Jesus warned that those loyal to him could find themselves having to choose between...

Then the Spirit lifted me [Ezekiel] up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. —Ezekiel 43:5 NIV Key Thought The Spirit of God gets us to the places we need to be to minister to others in the name of Jesus. The Spirit also leads us to the places —...