God’s creation shows forth his majesty and the majesty of humanity and of the Son of Man.

Starting the day by focusing on the LORD orients the entire day toward him.

Although the nations are constantly in rebellion against the Lord, he has established his Son as King over the whole world.

The first psalm describes the two ways to live and their results.

The imprecatory (cursing) psalms point to the triumph of God’s justice through judgment or salvation.

Within the final greetings in his letter to the Romans, Paul included a declaration about the final victory of the church.

Jesus has authority and power over all things and is bringing the powers of darkness down.

One of Paul’s purposes in visiting Rome was to receive help to get the gospel all the way to Spain.

Our little work of accepting each other in the church is part of the big work God is doing in the world.

There are two basic principles that enable Christians with differing convictions on debatable matters to live together in harmony in the church.

New life in Christ includes submission to governmental authorities, love for the other, and putting on Christ for all to see him.

In response to all of God‘s mercies described in the first 11 chapters, we are to present our bodies and be renewed in our minds.

The rejection of Jesus by many Israelites is God‘s plan for the salvation of the nations, and even of Israel itself.

Although many Jews did not believe the gospel and many non-Jews did, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

God is free to define Israel, to show mercy or wrath, and to add to Israel from the nations.

Although Christians may suffer much, and many things are against us, we will end up being hyper-victorious in Christ.

Because of the Holy Spirit, believers can live in a way that pleases God.

Although sin twists the law for evil purposes, the law itself is good.

Not only did Christ die and rise for his people, but they also died and rose with him, liberating them from sin to live new lives.

Adam was a type of Christ, each having the same role as the representative of his people, but with opposite outcomes.

Not only are believers in Jesus justified before God, but we also have peace, grace, hope, love, reconciliation, and salvation.

Abraham’s example proves that the only way to be right with God is through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works, ritual, law, or the what we can now see.

After ruling out the possibility of being right with God through the law, Paul presented the only way – through faith in Jesus Christ.

In the conclusion of his case against humanity, Paul demonstrated that all are under sin, which is why all need the redemption that is only in Christ.

Salvation is not a matter of racial identity or religious privilege but of true righteousness, which comes through the gospel.

Although God gave humanity up to our sins, he also gave up his Son for our sins.

The gospel is the power of salvation for all who believe because it reveals the righteousness of God that is by faith from first to last.

Paul began his letter to the Romans by explaining the gospel of God and its purpose to bring about the obedience of faith among the nations.

1 Samuel ends on a sad but hopeful note with Saul killed and David waiting in the wings, but even David and the rest of the kings of Judah were preparation for the ideal Messiah King.

The opposite results of David’s and Saul’s desperate measures hold lessons about how to live in the world while not being of the world.

Three incidents in the life of David illustrate the principle that believers should not pay evil for evil but overcome evil with good while trusting the Lord and letting his hand save.

God sent his unique Son in human flesh to be the propitiation for sins, Savior of the world, and life for all who believe.

God’s continued rescuing of David from Saul show that God always reserves a remnant of his people and ultimately saves his anointed one from death.

While David used desperate and even deceptive means of escape, God provided for him because of his grace and faithfulness.

As David’s covenant with David held firm through difficult times, so God’s covenant with us keeps us throughout our lives.

Although the first anointed king tried to kill the second one, the Lord protected his anointed, as he always does.

One of the best known stories of the Old Testament is not only about David and Goliath but also about the Lord and the Champion to come.

After the Lord rejected Saul as king, he chose a man with a heart oriented toward the Lord.

In response to King Saul’s second major error and his excuse, Samuel famously declared that to obey is better than sacrifice.

Saul’s two acts of foolishness contrasted with his son’s two acts of faith, and they changed the course of history.

God’s choice of Saul to be Israel’s first king anticipated the eventual arrival of the coming King and also Christians’ royal calling.

The Israelites’ demand for a king is a good reminder to us to trust in the Lord, the only one who can profit and deliver.

When the ark is captured, the Lord goes into exile for his people and fights their enemies. When his people repent, he gives them the victory.

The loss of the Ark from Israel anticipated the way of approaching God through Christ and also warns against faith that is merely outward conformity.

After a time of little communication with his people, God spoke again through his prophet Samuel, and he has spoken most clearly through his own Son.

The chief priest could not control his wicked sons, so God removed them all and raised up the one who could intercede between humans and himself.

After the dismal failures of Israel during the time of the judges, the restoration began with the birth of a son to a barren woman.

Disorderly members can wreck a church, but a firm and loving response by other members can save them and the church.

After relating terrible events that must happen before Christ’s coming, this text leaves believers with a simple message – Stand Firm!

The Thessalonian Christians show us what it looks like to live out God’s grace under persecution.

Although not exactly a parable, the judgment scene that concluded Jesus’ public teaching in Matthew brings together important themes of his parables of the kingdom.

The Parable of the Banquet illustrates the various responses to the generous invitation of the King.

Two parables directed against the religious leaders indicated why they would lose their management of the kingdom, and why others would take their place.

The early church produced several creeds that continue to exercise great influence over what Christians believe about Jesus Christ to this day. (Here is an accompanying presentation.)

To be ready for Jesus’ coming, we need to be doing what he has already told us to do.

Although we work for the growth of the kingdom, it grows mysteriously in ways that we cannot understand or control.

The parable of the workers in the vineyard reminds us that entering the kingdom of God is not about our work but God’s generosity.

Four short parables point to the surpassing value of the kingdom of God and the need to find it now.

Although the Kingdom of God started imperceptibly small, it will cover and fill the whole earth.

The parable often called the Wheat and the Tares gives hope that one day all will be made right.

This first parable from Matthew provides the key to understanding all the parables and to entering the kingdom of God.

Christians need to learn to speak with joy, listen with discernment, and grow in grace.

The Day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night but not for those who live in the light.

Although Christians will grieve the loss of loved ones, we have two solid reasons for hope.

No matter how long we have been Christians, we can always keep growing more and more in purity and love.

If we invest in making disciples, our lives become bound up with theirs to die and live together.

The Thessalonian believers followed the good example of their faithful ministers.

The church in Thessalonica not only followed worthy examples but also became one itself.

The same joy that the first disciples experienced upon seeing Jesus again is available to us.

These two psalms together provide a biblical view of the family.

Jesus announced that the hour had come for him to be glorified, but his glorification would begin with a cross.

In the triumphant conclusion of Exodus, God filled his dwelling and led his people, which he does today in a much greater way.

The construction of the tabernacle foreshadowed greater dwellings of God, which he keeps building by plundering the nations.

After God confirmed his covenant with Israel, and Israel broke it, God graciously renewed it again.

In response to Moses’ prayers, God promised to go up with his rebellious people after all, showing grace even to them as he does also to us.

The tragic incident of the golden calf serves as a warning to Christians and points to the necessity of an adequate satisfaction for our sins.

While forgiving is always costly, those who have been forgiven can and must forgive others in turn.

The garments and the consecration ceremony for the Aaron and his sons emphasize that the way to approach God is through a perfect priest offering a perfect sacrifice.

The detailed instructions for the construction of the Tent of Meeting held important lessons for Israel and also for us today.

The people could draw near to God only after the blood of the covenant was shed.

Believers can rejoice with shouts of praise, because God is the king over all the nations.

This section of Exodus is a combination of moral, ceremonial, and civil laws, which point us to Christ and/or guide our lives today.

Three simple but expansive habits will contribute to the Christian’s happiness.

Was the incarnation of the Son of God really necessary, and if so why?

God gave us The Ten Words, which show us how to live well and our need for Jesus Christ.

When Israel reached Mount Sinai, God showed that he would provide all they needed.

The LORD uses leaders to deal with threats to the welfare of his people, and he is the God who delivers them.

Even though his people grumbled and quarreled, the Lord satisfied their needs at his own expense.

At the Red Sea, the LORD triumphed gloriously, made himself known, and anticipated his greater triumph in the cross and resurrection.

The tenth plague was the death of the firstborn of Egypt, which was also the salvation of the people of Israel.

Moses and Aaron represented Yahweh, who took on Pharaoh along with the gods, goddesses, and magicians of Egypt during nine rounds of a ten round fight.

Even though it was hard for the Hebrew slaves to see it, and hard for us sometimes, God does care.

God delights to bring deliverance through unlikely people and in surprising ways.

In the encounter with Moses at the burning bush, God revealed himself and promised to show us more of who he is.

When it looked like God had forgotten his people, he remembered his covenant promises.

God fulfills his plan against human opposition and even through human suffering.

Prayer is the element that activates all the other pieces of the armor of God.

In order to be strong in the Lord’s strength, Christians need to put on the whole armor of God.

Instructions to slaves and masters orient all Christians toward commitment and service to the Lord Jesus.