2025 Bible Reading Plan Thots...

20250201 Reading Plan

Hey Bible Readers!  We are on Day 32 of our Chronological Reading Plan through the Bible. Today we are reading through Exodus 7-9.  Here are few highlights from today’s reading…

Exodus 7 – God provides His plans to Moses and Aaron.  They are to go to Pharaoh and speak all that God has commanded them. But, God tells them, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you”. (vv.3-4) When Moses appeared before Pharaoh, his heart was hardened and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said. (v.13).  God them tells Moses to go to the Nile before Pharaoh and touch the water and it will turn to blood. Pharaoh was unimpressed and returned to the palace.  Seven days passed after the Lord had struck the Nile.

Exodus 8 – Moses comes again to Pharaoh and repeats God’s message and command. This time if Pharaoh refuses, frogs will cover the land. Pharaoh refused to comply, and the frogs came. The Egyptian magicians could do this like they did the blood. What they couldn’t do was make the frogs disappear. To show that God is sovereign and all powerful, Moses cries out to God and the frogs died and the land stand.  When Pharaoh saw this, he hardened his heart again and would not listen to them.  As a result of this, God also visited the land with gnats and flies. Pharaoh weakens for a moment and tells Moses the people can go and sacrifice. God removes the flies and, once again, Pharaoh hardens his heart and did not let the people go.

Exodus 9 – God’s next plague was to strike all of Pharaoh’s livestock. God would make a distinction between Pharaoh’s livestock and the Hebrews.  Once again, the heart of Pharaoh was hardened and he did not let the people go. The sixth plague was boils.  The plagues have moved from the earth to the people now. The boils were horrible and no one could stand before Moses because of the boils. But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh and he did not listen to Moses. The Lord then strikes the land with hail. Once again, Israel was not affected in Goshen but there was nothing that survived outdoors anywhere in Egypt. Once again, the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people of Israel go, just as the Lord had spoken through Moses.

Here’s my God thot – Pharaoh saw the overwhelming power of God and yet he chose to not believe or ignore and disobey. He thought he was on the same level as God since the Egyptians considered him to be a god.  Sometimes, he hardened his heart and other times God hardened his heart.  The bottom line – when God speaks, we need to listen.  If not God may harden our hearts as well.

Redeemed by God...

Redeemed by God

Paul’s letter to the churches in Rome is packed with deep insights into the nature of God, the power of Jesus’ work on the cross, and how that shapes how we live our lives. In the beginning of the letter, Paul gives his readers a few summary statements before diving in.

In Romans 1:16-17, Paul begins to discuss one of the main central ideas in the letter to the Romans.

He begins with the gospel. The gospel message is that while humanity was enslaved to sin, Jesus came and lived a perfect human life, and died on the cross in our place. He took on the punishment that we deserved, and paid the price in full.

Now, true life and salvation is available to everyone who believes in that gospel message. It is only through the message of the gospel that we can be truly saved.

Additionally, everyone has the same access to salvation. Nobody has special privilege or status before God to attain salvation first. Every single person on earth can receive salvation from God by believing in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Paul says that this message originally came to the Jews first, as Jesus’ mission on earth began with the people of God. However, this message spread through Jesus and the apostles to the Gentiles as well. Thus, everybody has access to the saving power of God through Jesus.

If this message is new to you, spend some time each day in God’s Word learning about the message and hope of the gospel. Thank God that He sent Jesus to make salvation available to all people, including yourself. Now, live in the assurance that you are saved and redeemed by God.

Hearing vs. Listening...

Hearing vs. Listening

Throughout the pages of Scripture, there’s a word that gets repeated:
"hear," or a related word, "listen." In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "Shema" translates into English as "hear" or "listen" and is often used to emphasize the act of listening, understanding, and obeying.

Today’s culture places value on doing many things at once; we often try to listen while focusing on other tasks, which divides our focus. The sound of someone’s voice might come into our ears, but if we’re also scrolling social media, doing schoolwork, or making a meal, we might not fully understand their words.

But in the biblical context, "hearing" does not simply include sound reception; it also involves active obedience and an effort to understand.
In Mark 4:9, Jesus invites us to listen—to hear and obey, encouraging us to pay careful attention to His words: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Jesus isn't just asking us to audibly hear His words and carry on with our personal agenda; He's urging us to actively listen and obey, to live by His truth. Listening and obeying are what build our faith in Jesus Christ. Hearing the Word of God should lead to a transformed life marked by fruitfulness.
As you reflect on the idea of listening in Scripture, consider your heart and spiritual receptivity. Are you attentive to God's Word, allowing it to transform your life, or is your hearing divided, causing you to resist His call?

Mobile Mountain Communities...

Mobile Mountain Communities

Imagine a community where honest people work together to fix brokenness. Every person you meet loves you authentically, and you love them in the same way. How would living in such a community change the way you think, feel, and act?

Jesus invites us into that kind of community. In Matthew 5:14, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”

The Greek word for “hill” can also mean “mountain,” and in the ancient imagination, mountains were places where Heaven and Earth intersected—where people could encounter the gods. The ancient Hebrews understood mountains as unique spaces where God meets with humanity and where both dwell together as partners.

Abraham experiences divine testing and blessing on a mountain. God invites Moses up a mountain to receive instruction. And the prophet Isaiah uses mountain imagery to dream of a day when the Heaven-on-Earth space will expand beyond the mountain, filling the world with God’s Kingdom and vanquishing the darkness of evil.

This makes Jesus’ teaching truly wild! He’s saying that Heaven and Earth reunite through people—through us. When Jesus calls his followers a “city on a mountain,” he’s saying they will bring the mountaintop experience to the world. He’s inviting us to become mobile mountains, creating pockets of Heaven on Earth wherever we go.

We do this by letting go of the old ways of fighting our enemies and picking up the practices of Jesus—feeding the hungry, living justly, and loving people patiently. When this happens, the light of God’s way that leads to true life shines through us, piercing the darkness. So let’s find ways to be mobile mountain communities and participate in making God’s Kingdom shine brightly on Earth as it is in Heaven.

The Empty Pursuit of More...

The Empty Pursuit of More

Greed.

It wears like an invisible cloak, blending seamlessly into the fabric of modern culture. It silently seeps into our desires, clouds our judgment, and distorts our values. Greed always seeks more—more validation, more status, more comfort, more things.

But the irony of greed is this: the more earthly possessions, status, or validation we gain, the more we are left dissatisfied.

In Luke 12:15, Jesus warns how this illusion of fulfillment through relentlessly collecting more blinds us to true contentment and purpose and is an empty pursuit:

“Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'”

True fulfillment doesn’t happen when we store up possessions or pursue unending comfort. True fulfillment is found when we’re anchored in contentment, gratitude, and a deep relationship with God that leads to seeking His kingdom and righteousness (Luke 12:31).

Where do you have an endless craving for more—more validation, more comfort, more possessions? Are there areas of your life where the constant pursuit of more might be overshadowing the pursuit of God’s kingdom and His righteousness?

Loving God's Word...

Loving God’s Word

When we want to learn a new skill, we take care to learn everything we can about that subject.

Artists try different supplies and techniques to enhance their art. Musicians practice their music measure by measure, note by note, in order to memorize and perfect the song they are learning. Architects and engineers memorize and practice advanced math in order to design and build safe structures.

We give our time and minds to things so that we can use them well.

King David wanted to know God. He knew in order to know God, he would need to know God’s Word, because he knew that Scripture would keep him from sinning against God. He even wrote:

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.”
Psalm 119:15 ESV

This is a valuable lesson for us to learn as well: if we want to know God, to know Jesus, then we need to know God’s Word.

Just as we give our minds to the study of history or math, or we practice an instrument in order to play it well, we must also give our minds and time to knowing God’s Word. We should meditate on Scripture and fix our eyes on what Jesus has taught us. When we do this, we store up His wonderful Word in our hearts and it keeps us from sinning against Him.

We can know exactly what God wants and desires for us by reading Scripture.

His Word gives us boundaries, guidance, and direction. His Word shows His purposes and character. His Word reveals to us who He is, and we get to respond with joy and obedience. So today, what will you give your time to? In what ways will you store up God’s Word in your heart?

Even There...

Even There

David, who was Israel’s king around 1000 BC, is the contemplative soul who wrote our verse for the day:

“… even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭139:10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Note: Any time a verse seems to start mid-sentence, it’s wise to investigate the broader context of the story. In this case, David is exploring the mind-blowing fact that he can never escape God’s presence.

David realizes that it doesn’t matter if he’s sitting down or standing up, traveling abroad or resting at home, up in heaven or down in the grave, speaking his mind or keeping his thoughts to himself, or even if he somehow ends up next to the most remote ocean on earth.

It’s then that David continues:

“… even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”

Even there, even here, even everywhere—God is always present to lead and guide, to strengthen and support.

Even if we try to avoid God, or run from His calling on our life, He’s patient to pursue us, to correct us, to direct us.

One thing is certain: He will never leave us.

So, when you’re scrubbing dishes, scrolling on your phone, or sorting through a difficult decision; when you’re hard at work, lazy at home, or soaking up time with the people you love; when you’re heartbroken, when you’re joyful, when you’re doubtful, when you’re hopeful, and even when you’ve made a horrible decision …

“… even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.”

Wherever you find yourself today, know that you’re not alone. You’re not stuck. You’re not without someone who cares, and who’s able to save. Thank God, there’s no escaping His presence.

Learn from the Wise...

Learn From the Wise

Wisdom is gained when knowledge meets experience. That is why those who are older tend to also be wiser—they have more life experience to learn from.

It is necessary in life to learn from those who have more wisdom and experience, because they can help us see things that we don’t notice. Even though culture tells us that we should live our own truth and do whatever we think is best, it is this type of thinking that leads us into trouble.

Our capacity for wisdom is limited to our experiences. This is why Scripture tells us not to be wise in our own eyes.

True wisdom comes from fearing God. This means we should have a high regard for God’s Word and His instructions to us. He knows all things, including what is best for us.

We can also gain wisdom from other people. When we can learn from the mistakes and experiences of others, we’re better equipped to not make the same mistakes. However, if you think you’re the only one who knows best, you are bound to repeat the same errors.

Make a commitment today to listen to the wisdom and guidance of God in His Word each and every day before you listen to anything else. Then, commit to listening to the wisdom of trusted Christians in your life. Resolve not to go through life alone, but rather in community with others.

Breaking Hard Ground...

Breaking Hard Ground

Imagine yourself as a farmer, and your life is a vast field. You sow seeds on soil sparingly, and these seeds represent your intentions, choices, and actions.
Hosea uses a similar analogy in Hosea 10:12 to describe God’s people. Israel had sown seeds of sin and unrighteousness, causing the soil of their hearts to become unreceptive to God's commands. And right as God's people were about to reap a harvest of God’s judgment, the prophet Hosea spoke with urgency:

"Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."
Hosea 10:12

Just as a farmer reaps far more than they sow, our God promises that we, too, will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-9). But, this verse also shows us it’s not enough to sow righteousness. We must also break up the uncultivated ground (Hosea 10:12).

Our hearts become like idle ground when we allow it to grow hard and stubborn—resisting God's Word and work in our lives. But God wants His people to prepare the soil of their hearts to receive the seed of His Word by seeking Him. Seeking the Lord is like the early rain in farming season; it’s that essential ingredient that softens the soil and readies it for growth.

Don't wait. Seek Him eagerly and expectantly today. Meditate on Hosea 10:12; let it move you to examine your own life: Are you sowing seeds of righteousness and reaping the fruit of unfailing love?

It is never too late to seek the Lord—turn your heart to the One who promises to shower His abundant mercy and grace upon you.

Calm in the Storm...

Calm in the Storm

One of the most well-known stories in Jesus' life is the calming of the storm (Matthew 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41, and Luke 8:22–25).

Think about the disciples hanging out on a boat with Jesus when a life-threatening storm erupts on the water. They’re unprepared to face it. Panicking, they realize they might die. The entire time this is happening, Jesus is sleeping peacefully.

Instead of looking at Jesus’ reaction to their situation, the disciples allowed their situation to dictate their reactions.

After begging Jesus to do something, He calms the storm … but not before asking them, “Why are you afraid?”

His gentle rebuke wasn’t because they didn’t believe Jesus could save them from the storm, but because they struggled to believe He would see them through it.

They knew Jesus was in their boat, they just didn’t understand what He was fully capable of doing.

Jesus was their strength through the storm and over the storm.
Jesus was their provider, protector, healer, and leader.  
Jesus was their source of peace and power.

And the same God who was with the disciples in the boat is with us. No matter what your current storm looks like—Jesus is near. There is not a situation you have gone through that Jesus hasn’t endured beside you.  

Jesus was, and is, and is to come. He was there at the beginning of time, and He will be there at the end of it. He has seen every event in human history, and He has not forsaken anyone who cries out for Him and trusts in Him.

Nothing is impossible for God, and His character never changes. He is for you, and not against you—that’s why you have nothing to fear. And that is why today, you can make Isaiah 41:13 your own personal promise:

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

The Ruler of Everything...

The Ruler of Everything

If you were to look at a map of the world, you would see many different countries divided by territory lines. Each of those countries has a ruler who is responsible for what happens in those borders. Ever since the beginning of creation, humans have had ownership as rulers over portions of land.

It can be easy to look at the world and think those rulers alone have ultimate control over what happens within their land. As we look at Scripture though, we see that even though humans rule over various countries—it is God who truly rules over everything.

While many leaders have power over their land and people, God’s Word tells us that only God has true power. He is the One who created everything that exists, so He is the only one who is truly great and powerful.

Everything on earth and in heaven ultimately belongs to God, and regardless of what happens in the world, God is still the ruler over everything. No matter what earthly rulers decide, God is ultimately in control of everything. This is why God is deserving of all praise and glory for His greatness and power.

So take some time today to think about the greatness of God who made everything that exists, and yet still desires a relationship with His people. God is not some lofty ruler who makes decisions in a far off place, but He is present in the lives of those who call Him Lord.

Learning to Fight the Good Fights...

Learning to Fight Good Fights

When we became Christians and first believed in Jesus, we began a journey of faith. We committed to becoming a disciple of Jesus, who follows His commands, and trusts in Him.

The apostle Paul, in his instructions to Timothy, encourages him to fight the good fight of faith. This implies that the journey of faith will often be difficult. It will sometimes be messy, hard, and harrowing. Paul’s words serve as a reminder that sometimes—faith looks like a fight.

However, rather than a fight against people, this journey of faith is a fight for goodness, beauty, and faithfulness. We are fighting against our own broken natures, but also against God’s enemies within the spiritual realm.

Fighting often looks like making the right decision even if it’s not the easiest decision. It might mean being gentle when we want to be harsh. It might mean choosing love when it would be easier to be selfish.

Fighting well means remaining faithful to Jesus over the course of your life. You were called to a new life in Christ when you came to faith, and you are called to remain faithful over the course of your life.

So how do you remain faithful? One of the ways you can cultivate faithfulness is by reading God’s Word every day. When you regularly spend time with Him, you begin to love what God loves, and hate what He hates.

But as you seek God in this way, it’s also important to have friendships with people who can encourage you. Having two or three people in life who can help keep you accountable is a necessary part of your faith journey. As you consider what next steps you need to take to fight well, remember that you do not fight alone. God is with you—and when you draw near to Him, He will empower you with the strength you need to finish your faith journey well.

Seeing God Today...

Seeing God Today

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t see God? In John 9, we meet a man who was born blind. While others were seeing the miracles of Jesus, watching Him and following Him, this man saw nothing. That is, nothing until Jesus touched his eyes and opened them. After this miraculous healing took place, the man was brought in for questioning by the religious leaders. He didn’t shy away from declaring the truth of the healing he had experienced. The religious leaders didn’t like that, and they threw him out.

But this man’s journey with Jesus wasn’t over. After hearing that the religious leaders cast him out, Jesus sought him out and asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (John 9:35 NIV). A term used as a name for the Messiah, the man asks Jesus who the Son of Man is. Jesus responds, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you” (John 9:37 ESV).

Jesus is telling this man that He Himself is the Messiah. In one glorious miracle, this man goes from being lost in blindness to not only seeing the world around him, but seeing the Messiah Himself.

There are times in life where all of us are blind. Maybe we can’t see with our physical eyes. Maybe we’re walking with God, but are struggling to see His hand in our everyday lives. Or maybe we aren’t walking with God yet, and are therefore living in darkness. This story shows us how Jesus wants to open our eyes. He wants to help us see.

Oftentimes, our transformation depends on what we’re looking at. Every time we open God’s Word, we have the opportunity to see Jesus. Truly looking at Jesus will transform all of us. Like the man given sight, we too can attest to the healing hand of God in our life.

The great news? Jesus is as invested in our transformation as we are.

Every day, keep your eyes on Him. God is faithful to reveal Himself to us. If you look for Him, you will find Him.

The Road to Scripture...

The Road to Scripture

Every time we open God’s Word, we hold a treasure in our hands.

Scripture has led many generations of God's people—uncountable lives, times, and cultures have been influenced and transformed by God’s Word throughout history. God’s Word is a treasure—a treasure we have at our fingertips.

Sometimes, all the richness of God’s Word may come with a challenge. How can we comprehend the nuances, the context, all the many stories and teachings within God’s Word?

“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” Acts 8:35

In Acts 8, Philip, a follower of Jesus, crossed paths with an important official from Ethiopia who was reading the book of Isaiah, but struggling to understand it. Philip kindly helped him understand that the passage he was reading (Isaiah 53:7-8) was referring to Jesus and the death He would die for the sins of all. Philip shared the Gospel with this man, showing him how the prophecies of the past pointed to the Messiah, Jesus, and all He would do to save and redeem humanity.

Philip showed him that from the books of the law to the prophets, every part of Scripture points to our Savior. The man didn’t understand what he was reading, and God used that as an opportunity to open his eyes to the Gospel.

When you read the Bible, ask yourself: do I understand what I am reading?

When this man opened himself to understanding Scripture, he encountered Jesus and His love. He believed in him with his whole heart, and his spirit was transformed forever.

The transformation he experienced can be yours as well. Remember that:

1. The Bible tells the story of redemption through ‌Jesus and each book of the Bible points to Him in a beautiful way.

2. Jesus is alive and faithful to reveal himself to an open heart.

3. You aren’t alone on your Bible journey. Just like God sent Philip to teach the man from Ethiopia, he often puts people around us who we can learn from.

Today, take a moment to intentionally dive into Scripture. As you do so, seek Jesus in the text. Ask God what it says about His character. And ask yourself: how can this be applied to my life? How can it transform me?

At the end of today’s verse, the Bible says that the man from Ethiopia went on his way rejoicing. How can we not, when we realize how great God’s love is upon us?

Who Are You Living For?

Who Are You Living For?

Saul had it all. He knew the right people, had the right job, and came from the right place. Only one problem—He was a violent opponent to the followers of Jesus. He’d specifically seek them out to imprison or kill them.

One day, Saul was traveling to the city of Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus and bring them to Jerusalem. Suddenly, a bright light appeared before Saul. Falling to the ground, he heard Jesus ask, “Why do you persecute me?” After this encounter, Saul was blind for three days. God instructed Ananias to restore Saul’s sight.

Saul’s encounter with Jesus began a radical transformation in His life. No longer was he interested in making life difficult for ‌followers of Jesus, but he was eager to join them! Eventually, Saul became known as the Apostle Paul—who traveled great distances to share the Gospel. He also wrote a large portion of the New Testament.

Paul’s new life was very different from the one he left behind. Instead of holding an important religious position, he was a wandering street preacher. Instead of being highly regarded by important people, he was often falsely accused and sent to prison.

God’s transforming power took a strong opponent to Jesus and made him a strong advocate for the Gospel! Paul no longer cared about gaining the approval of important people or being highly regarded. In fact, he wrote, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done” (Philippians 3:7 NLT).

Do you ever feel like you struggle to change? Today, remember that the same God who transformed Saul into Paul is alive and active! And, He wants to help you. Bring the areas where you’re struggling to change before Him in prayer—and watch God work!

A Transformed Person...

A Transformed Person

Have you ever felt like you needed to have a do-over? If so, you’re in good company. Peter did as well.

Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, invited by Jesus Himself to leave his life as a fisherman and join Him during His ministry on earth. On the night that Jesus was betrayed, Peter followed Him to the sham trial. The people in the area were openly and aggressively hostile to Jesus. Imagine what that must have felt like, to be surrounded by people who may choose to treat Peter the way they were treating Jesus at that very moment.  

In Matthew 26 and Luke 22, we see that Peter chose to keep a low profile. He wanted to go unnoticed by the angry mob. That didn’t work for long, though—three different people recognized him as a follower of Jesus and asked him about it. Each of the three times, Peter denied ever knowing Jesus.

If we skip ahead in Scripture, though, we find Peter doing the exact opposite. In Acts 2, Peter is standing in front of a big crowd, filled with people who may persecute him. Rather than denying knowing Jesus, he proclaims the secret to life: repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and receive the Holy Spirit.

This is risky. What will people think? What if they turn on him the way that they did Jesus? Yet, he was bold anyway. He was a transformed person compared to who he had been earlier in the story.

How did Peter transform? He was restored by Jesus. He also received the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Two major things happened between these passages of scripture: Jesus visited Peter, and with grace, restored him. Secondly, the Holy Spirit came down from heaven for the followers of Jesus. With the Holy Spirit came power, empowering the believers to live bold, transformed lives (Acts 2).

Many of us face moments like this: moments where the right answer is boldness for Jesus, but the easy answer is to keep our heads down. What will people think? What will they do?

Here’s some great news: we’re never alone. We don’t have to be bold on our own. The Holy Spirit is with us every day, giving us the power to be bold and transformed. We can walk out our newness each day with His help.

You can start today. Boldness is now. The Holy Spirit is ready to walk with you.

Transformation...

Transformation

Do you want to be new?

All around the world, humans long for change. We long to throw off old habits and ways of thinking if they aren’t serving us anymore. Thousands of self-help books, podcasts, articles, all kinds of media exist for this very reason. We want to change! And yet, it can feel impossible! Paul, one of Jesus’ disciples, shares this powerful truth in Romans 12:2 (NIV):

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Transformed by the renewing of our minds. What does this mean?

Transformation is a massive change. It’s thorough. Complete. A total difference. Like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly, transformation brings an end to the old and a beginning to the new.

Paul is showing us that transformation isn’t work we do from the outside in. Transformation happens from the inside out. It begins with our mind. And for our minds to change, we need Truth to grab hold of.

God’s Word is this Truth.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God…”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 NIV

“... Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:4 NIV

God’s Word guides us when we are lost, strengthens us when we are weary, challenges us when we are compromising, and encourages us when we are overwhelmed. God’s Word changes everything.

And this very moment, you hold God’s Word in your hand. Transformation is in your grasp. Read the Bible closely, dig into its verses, wrestle with its teachings, and treasure what you discover about the love and grace of God.

The best place to bring your desire for newness is to God and His Word. God’s Word renews our minds. Transformation inside-out begins here.

The Place to Start...

The Place to Start

There are so many places that we can go to learn about something new and grow in knowledge. Books are full of free access to learn anything you can dream up. The internet is packed full of content and ways to learn about any subject imaginable.

While those are great places to start when building knowledge, Scripture tells us that the beginning of all knowledge is fear of God. This means that while we can learn things from anyone, the beginning of true knowledge begins with God.

What does it mean to fear God? One thing it means is that we should live our lives in awe of Him. We do this first by recognizing who He is. He is the creator and source of all things. He is all-powerful and all-knowledgeable. God’s Word says He holds the power of life and death in His hands. These are certainly attributes that should cause us to be in awe of God.

Scripture also tells us that God is loving, gracious, and merciful. Even though we, His own creation, previously abandoned Him and rebelled against Him, God graciously gave us access back to Himself through His Son, Jesus. The God who created the universe loves each and every one of us.

Knowing God rightly and being in awe of who He is and what He has done is the beginning of all knowledge.

We would be foolish to turn away from such a powerful and gracious God. While we can learn a lot about many different things through a book or the internet, the most essential and important knowledge begins with God, His Word, and how we view Him.

Spend some time with God in prayer, thanking Him for who He is and what He’s done for you. Begin a habit of reading Scripture regularly so that you can come to know Him more and more.

Trusting God's Story...

Trusting God’s Story

Imagine Mary and Joseph getting ready to become parents. They probably asked a lot of the same questions expectant parents do today: Is the baby healthy? Are we prepared to care for this child? Where will we have the baby? Are we ready for the birth?

Near the end of Mary’s pregnancy, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that everyone within the Roman world return to their hometown for a census (Luke 2:1-4). This meant that Mary and Joseph had to leave their home in Nazareth to take the four-day journey to Bethlehem, the city of David, who was Joseph’s ancestor.

Because of the census, Bethlehem’s inns were full of people making the journey home. And so, when the time came, Mary gave birth to Jesus in the only place available to them: a stable. She placed him in a manger—a feeding trough—because that’s all there was. Surely this was not the birth that Mary would have planned for her firstborn child.

And yet, it was exactly what God had ordained. God showed us a lot about His Kingdom through the circumstances around the birth of His Son.

He showed us that Jesus is humble. Jesus was born in a stable and placed in a manger. The King of all Creation, yet such a humble beginning.

He showed us that the Kingdom of God is accessible. This King wasn’t tucked away in a castle or a mansion, separated from His people and surrounded by luxuries—shepherds and wise men alike were able to come visit Him.

He showed us that we can trust the story. Mary had to trust God’s story. Joseph had to trust God’s story. Imagine how the story would have been different if Mary and Joseph had demanded that room be made for them in an inn, shouting, “This is the Messiah, people! Make room!” But they didn’t do that. They accepted the situation in front of them, trusting God’s story regardless of how strange or undesirable the setting seemed.

And from that surrendered posture and strange set of circumstances, God brought forth His Son, exactly as He had planned.

We can trust the story because God is the Author. Jesus’ humble birth was not an accident—it was a message, a picture to all of us of what God’s Kingdom is truly like. It’s also an invitation for us to surrender our plans, our ideas of how the story should be, and trust the trustworthy hand of God in our lives. We can trust God.

The Story God is Writing...

The Story God is Writing

Mary had quite the unique journey to motherhood. An unmarried virgin, she carried the Son of God. Mary could have easily felt lonely or isolated, but she was not alone in the story God was writing.

For decades, Mary’s relative Elizabeth and her husband Zechariah prayed and asked God for a child. After many years, God answered their prayers. When an angel told Mary she would give birth to Jesus, the Savior of the world, she went straight to Elizabeth, who was a few months along in her own miraculous pregnancy.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting upon her arrival, the baby in her womb leapt and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaiming, “​​Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!” (Luke 1:42 NIV).

Keep in mind, Mary had only just found out about her pregnancy. It would have been so easy, so understandable to be overwhelmed, afraid, or distressed. Mary hadn’t even married her husband, Joseph yet. And yet, watch the trust and confidence in her response:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Luke 1:46-47 NIV

They celebrated the work of God together. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months. Imagine the conversations they must’ve had: prophecies fulfilled, the future of the Kingdom of God, what would their sons’ lives look like?

Mary made a choice to rejoice in the story God was writing, a story of trust and celebrating the work of God.

Today, how does Mary’s story encourage you to trust God? What is your response to the story God is writing in your life? Take a moment to reflect on how you can glorify in the Lord and rejoice in God today.