Reflective Questions Matthew 3: How does John describe the one coming after him? What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire? Isaiah 39: How was King Hezekiah short-sighted? Where have you thought only of yourself and not those who come after you? Isaiah 40: This chapter starts the second half ..read more

Wednesday, September 18 Pray first Scripture: Isaiah 37-38, Proverbs 22, Matthew 2 Isaiah 37:14–15  Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: Isaiah 37:20-21 So now, O ..read more

Reflective Questions Matthew 2: Compare and contrast the response of King Herod, the Jewish leaders and the Magi to the birth of Jesus. Isaiah 37: What two things did King Hezekiah do in response to Assyria’s threats? How do you respond to threatening situations? Isaiah 38: What was Hezekiah’s response to the news of his ..read more

God is the only person in the universe worthy of our whole love and lives, and he is often the last one to get any of it, even among Christians. Why is that? We live in a world that is engineered to steal our love from God. How many of you have felt your attention and affection pulled from God by the world around us? And one of the greatest tools the world uses to steal our affection from God is hyper-sexuality. Where sex is in everything. Sex sells. This sermon isn’t just about sexuality, it’s ultimately about love for the world vs love for God. To people who want to love God with all we’ve g ..read more

Monday, September 16 Keep yourselves in the love of God Scripture: Isaiah 33-34, Psalm 110, Jude Jude 20–21 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to ..read more

Reflective Questions Jude: How does Jude describe the false teachers? What does he tell the Christians to do? Pray his doxology (v. 24-25). Isaiah 33-34: Isaiah 33:5-6 are hope in the midst of judgment. What does it mean that God will be “the sure foundation for your times”? Psalm 110: How did Jesus apply this ..read more

Reflective Questions 2 Peter 3: What does Peter say about the coming “Day of the Lord?” How should it impact our daily lives? What does God want for everyone? Isaiah 31: Where are you tempted to go for help rather than the Lord? Isaiah 32: What images does the prophet use to characterize the righteous ..read more

Reflective Questions 2 Peter 2: How does Peter describe the false teachers? What will happen to them? How can you discern true from false teachers? Any clues in this text? Isaiah 29: Compare 29:13 with Matthew 15:8-9. How does Jesus apply this passage to His contemporaries? How does it apply to us? Isaiah 30: What ..read more

Friday, September 13 Make every effort Scripture: Isaiah 27-28, 2 Peter 1 2 Peter 1:5–11 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with ..read more

Reflective Questions 2 Peter 1: How can you “make every effort” to add these qualities to your life? What does Peter say will be the result? Isaiah 27: Where in this chapter does God promise His blessing? His judgment? Why both? Isaiah 28: Israel’s refusal to listen brought God’s judgment. Where has God been speaking ..read more