READ: Zechariah 13, Acts 14, Revelation 20 TO FLEE OR NOT TO FLEE God’s Word is both a comfort in affliction (Psalm 119:50) and a source of persecution. Revelation 20:4 tells of the souls who were “beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God.” The Word of God both gets us […]
Region: Arab World
Abiding in Jesus: December 28
READ: Zechariah 12, Acts 12-13, Jude PIERCING WORDS God is continually pierced by the foolish things that come out of our mouths. Rather than grace and supplication (Zech. 12:10), we tend to speak the words of Herod–eloquent arrogance (Acts 12:23). We fall in love with the sound of our own voice and believe the flatterers who tell us […]
Abiding in Jesus: December 27
READ: Zechariah 11, Acts 10-11, 3 John BEAUTY AND BONDS Generosity of heart is a prayer that God answers (Acts 10:2, 4). A gracious heart takes the greatest joy when others walk and grow in the truth (3 John 4). A stingy heart restricts the ministry of others and seeks to minimize their influence. Barnabas […]
Abiding in Jesus: December 26
READ: Zechariah 10, Acts 7-9, 2 John LEAVING HOME We have made Christmas about coming home and being comfortable. Jesus’ approach to Christmas was to leave home and be uncomfortable. Christmas has become safe and cozy, a time to relax and give gifts to one another. The original Christmas involved God leaving the comfort of heaven to […]
Abiding in Jesus: December 25
READ: Zechariah 9, Acts 5-6, 1 John 5 GOD WITH US There are certain things we know. We know these things because God came near and lived with us, because He lives in us by His Spirit, because His Word is our counselor (Psalm 119:24). John tells us that we know we have eternal life, […]
Abiding in Jesus: December 24
READ: Zechariah 8, Acts 3-4, 1 John 4 TONGUES OF MEN AND ANGELS The filling of the Spirit always affects the tongue. First Corinthians 13 does not urge us to silence but to speak from love. Love in fact compels us to speak of Jesus. The most common hate crime committed by Christians is to […]
Abiding in Jesus: December 23
READ: Zechariah 7, Acts 1-2, 1 John 3 NOT FOR YOU TO KNOW Followers of Jesus love His promise of empowerment. Facing overwhelming odds with underwhelming strength, we cling to the lifeline of God’s promised power: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8). We are well versed with the […]
Abiding in Jesus: December 22
READ: Zechariah 6, John 21, 1 John 2 SIGNS AND WONDERS OF GOD In the mad rush of ministry that puts its hope in dramatic signs and wonders, we are in danger of missing the wonder of the great signs of God. There is no healing or miracle that can match the awesome and sequential […]
Abiding in Jesus: December 21
READ: Zechariah 5, John 20, 1 John 1 GOD’S CURSE Either God is a liar or we are. John warns us that we can make God a liar by saying we have no sin (1 John 1:10). He points out that if we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in darkness, we lie (v. […]
Abiding in Jesus: December 20
READ: Zechariah 4, John 19, 2 Peter 3 FINISHING WELL Finishing well requires the humility of small beginnings. Zechariah 4:10 reminds us not to despise the day of small things. When we reflect on a giant of the faith who passes to glory, we primarily tend to consider the accumulated achievements of his or her life. Great souls build […]
