“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” — Matthew 2:1-2 Jesus was not born to become …

“But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us…”— Nehemiah 2:19 Just as the momentum is at its peak, opposition arises. Nehemiah’s critics, Sanballat and Tobiah, jeered at them, despised their efforts, and even make false claims. This is all in effort to keep them …

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.” And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the …

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” — John 5:39 Jesus taught that the entire Bible was about him. The New Testament is overwhelmingly evident that it is about Jesus. The Old Testament, however, can be much harder to notice this reality, therefore we …

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.” -Jeremiah 33:14 Advent is a tradition that has developed over the church’s history as a time of preparation for Christmas Day. It is a season in which we focus on the adoration of Jesus, …

“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” —1 Timothy 1:7 “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” — 1 Timothy 6:12 Fear and faith are both contagious. …

“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, …

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Christians should be the most thankful people on earth—not because we are better than anyone else, but because we recognize the mercy and grace of Jesus and have become recipients of it. We simply …

“Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory …

“They said to him, ‘We have only five loaves here and two fish.’ And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the …