DAILY, WEEKEND, AND HOLIDAY INTERNET EVANGELIZE TO THE WORLD MINISTRY

  January 9: Noteworthy Stories Genesis 16–17 ; Matthew 12; Ecclesiastes 3:16–22 When God’s promises are lavished on Abram in Genesis , we can’t help but feel a bit surprised. It seems undeserved—mainly because we know nothing about Abram. We haven’t had a chance to weigh his wisdom or foolishness, something Ecclesiastes endorses. Yet God promises to make Abram’s children as numerous as the stars in the sky (a blessing in the ancient Near East). “I will make your name great,” He says. “I will make you a great nation.” He also promises protection: “I am your shield.” Even after the fact, God doesn’t disclose why He wants to bless and protect Abram. The greater context of the Genesis narrative shows that God’s blessing is certainly not just about Abram. Just before God promised to give Abram a great name, a nation, and land in Gen 12, He had scattered the countries over all the earth. At the Tower of Babel, God dispersed those grasping for a relationship with Him on their own te...

  December 30: The Proverbs 31 Woman Lamentations 3:1–66; Romans 15:22–33; Proverbs 31:1–19 A Proverbs 31 woman is hard to find, but it isn’t for lack of effort. She’s been the topic of more than a few Bible studies. She can be recognized by her many positive traits—strong, courageous, and trustworthy. She is hardworking, discerning, giving, dignified, business savvy, wise, and kind. If we’re looking for vice or an Achilles heel, we’ll have to turn to another passage in the ot (we’re sure to find more failures than achievers within its pages). As we look through the list of qualities, though, it’s hard to check them all off, even for Type-A personalities. But the key to understanding the list of characteristics isn’t found in what we can attain. It’s located in the last verse—the crux of the poem. The crown of the woman’s wisdom isn’t her charm, beauty, or even ability to “get things done.” It is her fear of Yahweh. This relationship with God guides all of her actions. God’s ...