For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be...

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8: 31, NIV. Dear LORD, we want to believe that this is just as You said. Please help our unbelief. In the name of Jesus Christ we humbly pray. Amen. I believe that this is one of the most repeated texts in the Bible. I think we repeat it so often that it seems more like a "folk saying," than Scripture. There is nothing wrong with Scripture becoming that familiar, just as long as we do not lose faith in its message! There is something...

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4: 12, NIV. Gracious God, we are well aware that only with You in the family will we be able to survive the wiles of the evil one. Please show us how to unite our weakness with Your strength, that we may obtain the victory in all things. In the holy name of Jesus we pray. Amen. We have come to the greatest challenge of all, living together until death separates us. I am so grateful to God that these are only challenges, not...

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Ecclesiastes 4: 9-11, NIV. Merciful God, it was You who said, "it is not good that man should be alone." Thank You for pairing us up. As we look at the wedding vow, under the guidance of Your Holy Spirit, we pray that You will come very close and teach us...

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6: 6-9, NIV. Merciful God, as we meet to study Your Word, we invite Your Holy Spirit to be our teacher. Please help us to take from this study lessons that will help us to be better...

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. . . In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— . . . However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5: 25, 28, 29, 33, NIV. Gracious God, the love that You have for...

The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan. Exodus 16: 34, 35, NIV. Merciful God, today we come before You with grateful hearts. Please bless us as we study Your Word. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. God provides! My grandmother had a saying, which, no doubt, I have shared before in a devotional; that is, "God never sends birds without berries." I believe that. God, as the Parent par excellence, does provide for all of His creatures. Before He made...

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!" . . . And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him:  THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Matthew 27: 27-29, NKJV. Dear God, please open our eyes as we...

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. . ." Matthew 5: 23, 24, NIV. Dear God, please help us to accept that You always know what is best for us. And help us to always be willing to obey You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen. We hear a lot about forgiveness; and it is usually about granting and receiving forgiveness. The emphasis...

Elisha said, "Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria." The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, "Look, even if the LORD should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?" "You will see it with your own eyes," answered Elisha, "but you will not eat any of it!" 2 Kings 7: 1, 2, NIV. Holy God, how hard it is for...