The Bible Is Not a Cheat Sheetby Ryan DuncanTeach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Psalm 119:33-34I have a confession to make. Back when I was still in school, I attended a chemistry class that I hated. The building was cold and smelled like chemicals. The lessons were slow, with ho...  Read More

We Never Face Our Battles Alone: A Reminder That God Is with Usby Debbie McDaniel“And the Lord answered, ‘I will be with you..." Judges 6:16Some days can seem hurried, pressured, and tense. We know God’s truth, we believe His goodness, and yet we still find ourselves struggling, minds racing, before our feet even touch the floor in the morning. Our focus gets blurred. We start listening to the lie...  Read More

Forward with Back to the bibleThe Antidote to Anxiety...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)ReflectHow does prayer and gratitude reduce worry in your own life?Ther...  Read More

Forward with Back to the BibleA Gentle ReputationRead Philippians 4:5 (NASB)Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near.ReflectWhat does it look like practically to display a “gentle spirit?”The world says if someone hits you, you hit back. If someone slanders you, get revenge. If you want to get ahead in life, it’s ok to be a little selfish. If you need to step on or over some...  Read More

Bearing With One Anotherby Sarah PhillipsBear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3: 13-14Sometimes I think the biggest stumbling block to living the Christian life exists in our interactions with other Christians. Those w...  Read More

Forward with back to the bibleProgress and JoyRead Philippians 1:25-26 (ESV)Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.ReflectWhy was Paul convinced that he would continue his work with the Philippians?Paul said, “to live is Christ,...  Read More

David JeremiahFaith That DefendsAbove all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Ephesians 6:16 The more movies that depict battle scenes between ancient armies, the more we see defensive tactics whereby hundreds of shields are overlapped together to prevent the incursion of arrows. It’s an impressive site and illustrates the value...  Read More

Daily DisciplesToday's Reading: Nehemiah 1; Acts 2:1-21Today’s Thoughts: The Power of TwosAs iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17A few summers ago, we wrote a Bible study on the Book of Ezra. I learned a lot like the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah used to be Ezra 1 and Ezra 2. These two men worked together for God’s common purposes. Ezra is not just about these two men thoug...  Read More

How I Came to Enjoy Raisinsby Shawn McEvoyWhoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. -- 1 John 2:10Worst advertising slogan ever: "Two scoops of raisins in Kellogg's Raisin Bran." Blech. But apparently it worked on my mother, who bought the stuff like it was going out of style, while referring to delicious breakfast desserts such as Lucky Charms ...  Read More

Creating Rainbowsby Katherine Britton"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." - Genesis 9:8On Friday night, I saw one of the most beautiful sights I will ever see. No, I wasn't hiking in the mountains or watching the sunset. I was in a very ordinary setting actually - just driving home through downtown Richmond in rush hour traffic. T...  Read More

John NorthJeremiah 17:8“He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”This must be an Australian tree—“no worries” in a year of drought!Have you ever seen trees in the desert? They are usually small, gnarled, and look like the...  Read More

Today’s Readings: 2 Chronicles 32; John 18:19-40Today’s Thoughts: The Arm of Flesh "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." 2 Chronicles 32:7-8Hezekiah was a king who...  Read More