September 22 (Tuesday)
Dear Daughter,
Ruth gleaned what the reapers left behind, and it was enough to change her whole story.
Don't despise the leftover moments in your marriage — the short conversations, the tired 'I love you.' Gleanings can still feed a household.
Small gatherings add up to abundance.
'Let her glean… and do not rebuke her' (Ruth 2:15-16).
What 'leftover' moment with your husband might be worth more than it looks?
#DearDaughter #GleanTheGood #StrongMarriage
Dear Daughter,
Ruth gleaned what the reapers left behind, and it was enough to change her whole story.
Don't despise the leftover moments in your marriage — the short conversations, the tired 'I love you.' Gleanings can still feed a household.
Small gatherings add up to abundance.
'Let her glean… and do not rebuke her' (Ruth 2:15-16).
What 'leftover' moment with your husband might be worth more than it looks?
#DearDaughter #GleanTheGood #StrongMarriage
❤2
Sep 22 (Tue)
Trust is built brick by faithful brick! 🏛️❤️ Lean not on your own understanding today! Prov 3:5-6 💞
How will you build trust today? #StrongMarriage #September
Trust is built brick by faithful brick! 🏛️❤️ Lean not on your own understanding today! Prov 3:5-6 💞
How will you build trust today? #StrongMarriage #September
❤3
“New life,” biblically speaking, is eternal life in Christ, not a flowery promise of life improvement here on Earth.
❤2
If a preacher "steps on your toes" by preaching the Bible… Don't get mad at them, instead thank the Lord for them being faithful to the Word.
And, pray that the Lord would raise up more just like them.
And, pray that the Lord would raise up more just like them.
❤2
Church is not a country club.
All are welcome.
Church is not a fashion show.
God cares about your heart.
Church is not a Sunday thing.
Worship is a lifestyle.
Church is not for perfect people.
It’s for sinners in need of the Savior.
All are welcome.
Church is not a fashion show.
God cares about your heart.
Church is not a Sunday thing.
Worship is a lifestyle.
Church is not for perfect people.
It’s for sinners in need of the Savior.
❤3
When I don’t feel like praying is the time when I should probably be praying the most.
Have you ever felt contempt?
Not principled hate, but disgusted contempt?
“Herod with his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.” Luke 23:11
Not principled hate, but disgusted contempt?
“Herod with his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he sent him back to Pilate.” Luke 23:11
❤3
September 23: Beyond Measure
#Devotional
Zechariah 1:1–2:13; Acts 21:1–26; Job 28:12–28
When we say, “God is gracious; God is kind,” do we fully comprehend the extent of God’s graciousness and kindness toward us? We glimpse it in Zechariah: “You must say to them: ‘Thus says Yahweh of hosts: “Return to me,” declares Yahweh of hosts, “and I will return to you,” ’ says Yahweh of hosts” (Zech 1:2–3).
An astounding reversal is hidden in these words, couched in a dialogue expressing how terribly God’s people have treated Him (Zech 1:4–6). By relying on their ancestors’ wisdom, God’s people are marching toward their own destruction: “Your ancestors, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?” (Zech 1:5). Instead of wiping them from the face of earth or banishing them from relationship with Him, however, God acts graciously: “Return to me … and I will return to you” (Zech 1:3). It’s an incredibly generous offer, one that the people accept (Zech 1:6).
But this is not the end of the journey. Zechariah’s vision goes on to illustrate painful times on the horizon before moving once again to hope (Zech 2:1–13). Ultimately, Yahweh remarks: “Many nations will join themselves to Yahweh on that day, and they will be my people, and I will dwell in your midst. And you will know that Yahweh of hosts has sent me to you. And Yahweh will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and he will again choose Jerusalem” (Zech 2:11–12).
The one “that Yahweh of hosts has sent” is likely a reference to the Messiah. Here Yahweh moves from welcoming only the people of Israel to welcoming all people into His kingdom. Anyone can return to Him or come to Him—because that is what He desires. His graciousness and kindness are truly beyond measure.
What graciousness and kindness are you grateful for today?
#Devotional
Zechariah 1:1–2:13; Acts 21:1–26; Job 28:12–28
When we say, “God is gracious; God is kind,” do we fully comprehend the extent of God’s graciousness and kindness toward us? We glimpse it in Zechariah: “You must say to them: ‘Thus says Yahweh of hosts: “Return to me,” declares Yahweh of hosts, “and I will return to you,” ’ says Yahweh of hosts” (Zech 1:2–3).
An astounding reversal is hidden in these words, couched in a dialogue expressing how terribly God’s people have treated Him (Zech 1:4–6). By relying on their ancestors’ wisdom, God’s people are marching toward their own destruction: “Your ancestors, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?” (Zech 1:5). Instead of wiping them from the face of earth or banishing them from relationship with Him, however, God acts graciously: “Return to me … and I will return to you” (Zech 1:3). It’s an incredibly generous offer, one that the people accept (Zech 1:6).
But this is not the end of the journey. Zechariah’s vision goes on to illustrate painful times on the horizon before moving once again to hope (Zech 2:1–13). Ultimately, Yahweh remarks: “Many nations will join themselves to Yahweh on that day, and they will be my people, and I will dwell in your midst. And you will know that Yahweh of hosts has sent me to you. And Yahweh will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and he will again choose Jerusalem” (Zech 2:11–12).
The one “that Yahweh of hosts has sent” is likely a reference to the Messiah. Here Yahweh moves from welcoming only the people of Israel to welcoming all people into His kingdom. Anyone can return to Him or come to Him—because that is what He desires. His graciousness and kindness are truly beyond measure.
What graciousness and kindness are you grateful for today?
❤1
September 23 - Jesus Challenges Nicodemus: New Birth
#LifeOfChrist
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?’” (John 3:3–4).
Jesus’ shocking statement was far more than Nicodemus had expected. Incredulous, Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Nicodemus did not misinterpret Jesus’ words; he replied in the context of the Lord’s analogy. How could he start all over, go back to the beginning? Jesus was telling him that entrance to God’s salvation was not a matter of adding something to all his efforts but rather cancelling everything and starting all over again.
At the same time, Nicodemus clearly could not grasp the full meaning of what this meant. Jesus was making entrance into the kingdom contingent on something that could not be obtained through human effort. If spiritual rebirth, like physical rebirth, was impossible from human effort, then where did that leave this self-righteous Pharisee, since the system in which he had placed his hope was powerless to save?
Far from minimizing the demands of the gospel, Jesus challenged this most religious Jew to admit his spiritual bankruptcy and abandon everything he was trusting in for salvation.
Be sure as you proclaim the gospel that you challenge your listeners to give up what they think will get them to heaven.
Ask Yourself
On one hand, adherence to the law (as Nicodemus saw it) seems like a long-forgotten pursuit. But there are plenty of folks down the street or within the sound of your voice who are clinging to the hopes of their good works. How does this show itself? How can you counteract it as you witness to them?
#LifeOfChrist
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?’” (John 3:3–4).
Jesus’ shocking statement was far more than Nicodemus had expected. Incredulous, Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Nicodemus did not misinterpret Jesus’ words; he replied in the context of the Lord’s analogy. How could he start all over, go back to the beginning? Jesus was telling him that entrance to God’s salvation was not a matter of adding something to all his efforts but rather cancelling everything and starting all over again.
At the same time, Nicodemus clearly could not grasp the full meaning of what this meant. Jesus was making entrance into the kingdom contingent on something that could not be obtained through human effort. If spiritual rebirth, like physical rebirth, was impossible from human effort, then where did that leave this self-righteous Pharisee, since the system in which he had placed his hope was powerless to save?
Far from minimizing the demands of the gospel, Jesus challenged this most religious Jew to admit his spiritual bankruptcy and abandon everything he was trusting in for salvation.
Be sure as you proclaim the gospel that you challenge your listeners to give up what they think will get them to heaven.
Ask Yourself
On one hand, adherence to the law (as Nicodemus saw it) seems like a long-forgotten pursuit. But there are plenty of folks down the street or within the sound of your voice who are clinging to the hopes of their good works. How does this show itself? How can you counteract it as you witness to them?
Jesus, to those coming to arrest him:
“This is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Luke 22:53
My Father and I have agreed. You get this one hour.
“This is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Luke 22:53
My Father and I have agreed. You get this one hour.
❤4🔥2
God is to be trusted when His providences seem to run contrary to His promises.
Thomas Watson
Thomas Watson
❤2
They killed Jesus because He claimed to be God.
He rose from the dead because HE IS.
He rose from the dead because HE IS.
❤4
It's humbling to think that Jesus can already see my failures of tomorrow, and yet, still wants to be my Savior today.
September 23 (Wednesday)
Dear Daughter,
No one carries the whole harvest alone — there are reapers, binders, gatherers, and threshers, each doing one part.
Stop trying to carry your entire marriage's harvest by yourself. Let your husband carry his part; let community carry theirs.
Shared labor makes for a fuller barn.
'Bear one another's burdens' (Gal 6:2).
What part of the harvest have you been carrying alone that was never meant to be yours alone?
#DearDaughter #SharedHarvest #StrongMarriage
Dear Daughter,
No one carries the whole harvest alone — there are reapers, binders, gatherers, and threshers, each doing one part.
Stop trying to carry your entire marriage's harvest by yourself. Let your husband carry his part; let community carry theirs.
Shared labor makes for a fuller barn.
'Bear one another's burdens' (Gal 6:2).
What part of the harvest have you been carrying alone that was never meant to be yours alone?
#DearDaughter #SharedHarvest #StrongMarriage
Sep 23 (Wed)
Kindness costs little, gives much! 💌❤️ Be tender-hearted with each other today! Eph 4:32 🌿
What small kindness will you offer? #StrongMarriage #September
Kindness costs little, gives much! 💌❤️ Be tender-hearted with each other today! Eph 4:32 🌿
What small kindness will you offer? #StrongMarriage #September
Pastor, the beauty of expository preaching is that you don’t have to craft a “politically charged” sermon — the Bible already speaks directly to every issue we face.
❤3
The aim of all things for the ransomed is joy, Joy, JOY!
“The ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35:10
“The ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35:10
🙏2