What does the wisest man on earth say about life?
In this clip, Pastor Mark discusses the timeline of King Solomon, from the Song of Songs all the way to Ecclesiastics.
Reading the Bible Together Can Change Your Life
Song of Songs 1:16a – Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly delightful. This is an excerpt from the new book “Real Romance: Sex in the Song of Songs”. To purchase the book, click here, and to access the sermon series that accompanies these devos and this book, click here. I (Grace) had enough conviction left to … Read more
How is Jesus the hero of the Bible?
The opening line of Scripture introduces us to its Hero, God, who is revealed throughout the rest of the pages of Scripture. In the closing line of the New Testament we are reminded that our hope is in “The grace of the Lord Jesus”. Thus, the written Word of God reveals to us the incarnate … Read more
The Ground War of Ministry
Nehemiah 8:9 – And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. In … Read more
The Air War of Ministry
Nehemiah 8:4a – And Ezra stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. Ezra’s lengthy sermon summarized the Pentateuch (meaning book in five parts), the first five books of the Bible written by Moses. Listening to the sermon were every man and woman who was old enough to understand what was … Read more
Parenting Lessons from Deceitful Laban
Genesis 29:19 – Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” In Genesis 29, Laban shows us as parents how not to act when it comes to your adult children and, from this passage, we can learn seven parenting … Read more
6 Stages of Maturity
Genesis 29:28 – Jacob did so, and completed her week. Then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. 1 Corinthians 13:11 – When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. … Read more
10 Signs of Controlling Parents of Adult Children
Genesis 29:19 – Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to any other man; stay with me.” In this story in Genesis 29, we see Laban meddling in his adult daughters’ lives, creating pain, problems, and perils that last a lifetime. He tricks Jacob into … Read more
Tricking the Trickster
Genesis 29:25 – And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” In yesterday’s devo, we read how Jacob finally arrived at his uncle Laban’s house, seemingly free and … Read more
A Seven-Year Promise
Genesis 29:18 – Jacob loved Rachel. And he said, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” After beginning his relationship with God on the way, Jacob finally arrives at the home of his uncle Laban, who is the brother of his mother, Rebekah. There, Jacob is welcomed into the family. What transpires … Read more
God’s Presence Makes a Place Sacred
Genesis 28:16 – Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” In Genesis 28, Jacob has left home, running for his life from his brother, Esau, who wants to kill him because Jacob tricked him out of their father’s blessing. He stops … Read more
The Place You Need to Be is Often the Place You Don’t Want to Be
Genesis 28:10-11 – Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. In Genesis 27, Jacob and his … Read more