Speaking in Parables | Psalm 78:1–2

“O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past.” (Psalm 78:1–2 NLT) Jesus’ twelve disciples had front-row seats to the most amazing three years in human history—the years of Jesus’ pub…

The Power to Heal | Isaiah 35:5–6

“And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!” (Isaiah 35:5–6 NLT) In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord, ate the forbidden fruit, and brought sin into God’s perfect crea…

Good News for the Poor | Isaiah 61:1–2

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor…

The City of David | Micah 5:2

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.” (Micah 5:2 NLT) The Bible speaks of the future with absolute certainty. That is because God is eternal. He can se…

Born of a Virgin | Isaiah 7:14

“All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” (Isaiah 7:14 NLT) Isaiah 7 tells the story of Ahaz, the king of Judah. In the cycle of good kings and bad kings…

The Seventy Sets of Seven Prophecy | Daniel 9:25

“Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times.” (Daniel 9:25 NLT) Daniel 9 b…

The Vision of the Four Beasts | Daniel 7:14

“He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:14 NLT) Like Joseph before him, Daniel had the ability to i…

The Suffering Servant | Isaiah 53:5–6

“But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5–6 NLT) Isaiah was …

Words to Live By | 1 Chronicles 28:9

“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” (1 Chron…

When God Says No | 1 Chronicles 28:3

“But God said to me, ‘You must not build a Temple to honor my name, for you are a warrior and have shed much blood.’” (1 Chronicles 28:3 NLT) What is your purpose in life? I think for some people it’s just long life. That’s not a bad thing to aspire to, but long life is not the objective. Fulfilli…