“God, God of my master Abraham, make things turn out well in this task I’ve been given.” Genesis 24:42 MSG Stepping out in faith can be frightening because it requires us to tread into the unknown. Often the tasks set before us from God feel that way. They are given with the soul purpose of teaching us dependence on Him. He doesn’t give us all the answers or details because part of the task is learning to trust that those will be given when they are needed. In today’s passage, Eliezer was given the task of finding a wife for Isaac, Abraham’s son. He was sent to Abraham’s home country…

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:28-30 I have a process when I read my daily passages. I first read it from the NIV translation, then read the same passage from the Message translation and finally read the study notes from the Life Application Study Bible. Sometimes the NIV version is a bit difficult to understand so reading the Message version simplifies it and then…

Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. God will be the sure foundation for your times. God keeps your days stable and secure— salvation, wisdom, and knowledge in surplus, and best of all the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33: 2, 6 NIV/MSG I woke up the other morning feeling worn out and tired, but the moment that I read today’s passage I began to feel strength and peace. What a beautiful way to start the day, hearing God’s Word tell me that He will be my strength when I don’t feel that I have any and that He…

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21 I’ve been watching Little House On The Prairie reruns and one episode came to mind when I read this verse. There was an old blind man who lived on a mountain with his son. Charles and Laura had been hunting and he was shot by accident when his loaded gun was tipped over. It was up to Laura and the old man to go for help since the man’s son was away checking traps. Laura had eyes to see and the old man had…

But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you.    He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you.God takes the time to do everything right—everything.    Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones. Isaiah 30:18 MSG I feel like today’s bible study was a successful treasure hunt. When I came across this passage I re-read it a few times while slowing my mind down to really take it in. In this fast paced world it can be difficult to wait, and for me, a person who hates procrastination, it can be excruciating waiting for outcomes. Many times I’ve acted impuslively and shortly after realized that if had just waited a…

God, the Master, The Holy of Israel,    has this solemn counsel:“Your salvation requires you to turn back to me    and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.Your strength will come from settling down    in complete dependence on me—The very thing    you’ve been unwilling to do. Isaiah 30:15 MSG Today’s passage has been on my memory verse list for several years. I purposely ommited the last statement when I would rehearse the passage because I didn’t like the thought of rejecting God’s promises. In the NIV translation it reads, “but you would have none of it.” In the story that is presented for this passage, the Israelites were unwilling to allow God to lead them.…

True wisdom and real power belong to God;    from him we learn how to live,    and also what to live for. Job 12:13 MSG If you are feeling a bit uneasy about the current circumstances throughout the world, I would suggest reading Job 12: 13-25 in the Message version of the bible. It is a reminder that God is fully aware of everything that is taking place and that He is in complete and total control. God is sovereign which means that He is the supreme ruler who possesses ultimate power. He sees all, knows all and in His perfect timing, will bring all things into perfect order. So rather than feel…

 Blessed is ___________ if she is a peacemaker, for she shall be called a daughter of God. – Matthew 5:9 If it is possible, ______________, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. – Romans 12:18 So ________________, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.            Matthew 7:12 __________ take note of this: You should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. – James 1:19-20 _____________, your gentle answer turns away…

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9 God’s desire is that all people be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth and that truth is that there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people.  Jesus laid down His life to make peace between God and sinners making Him our Prince of Peace and when we carry that message to others, we are participating in the ministry of reconciliation.  This ministry carries on the work of Jesus by bringing reconciliation to broken relationships through sharing…