A Bride for Isaac: Practical Teaching and a Picture Treasury from Genesis 24

Today’s Passage – Genesis 23 – 24 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 15 – 16; Proverbs 8; Psalms 36 – 40)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 34:6

Read the “0108 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “The Blessing of the Lord,” “Taker or Giver?,” “Praying for Clear Direction,” and “The Bride of Christ”

“4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. … 67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.” (Gen 24:4, 67)

Introduction

Chapter 24 is the longest chapter in the book of Genesis and it tells the very beautiful story of Abraham (through his servant) searching for and finding a wife for his son Isaac. This chapter is one of the great chapters in Scripture as it contains much in the way of practical teaching, but also is replete with types or pictures of Christ and His Bride, the Church.  As we have seen many times before in our study of Genesis, this chapter is all about the Lord Jesus. How amazing our God is that He can paint a marvelous portrait of Christ in a real, historical narrative of people living thousands of years before Christ. As we read this chapter, let’s look for these pictures of Christ and pictures of New Testament truth as they are woven throughout the story.

Practical Teaching

Simple Timeline Within the Story

Abraham commands the servant to go find a bride for his son in the land of Mesopotamia where Abraham was from. (vs. 1 – 9)

The servant sets out with gifts and provision for the trip, and finally arrives in the city of Nahor. (v. 10)

The servant prays unto the Lord to show him clearly the right woman for Isaac. (vs. 11 – 14)

The Lord brings the right woman to the servant. (vs. 15 – 21)

The servant gives gifts unto Rebekah and inquires of her family. (vs. 22 – 28)

The servant goes to the family and explains his purpose. (vs. 29 – 49)

After receiving gifts from the servant, the family agrees to allow Rebekah to go with the servant. (vs. 50 – 60)

The servant brings Rebekah back to Isaac. (v. 61)

Isaac takes Rebekah as his bride. (vs. 62 – 67)

Scriptural Teaching on Marriage

Abraham was very involved in the selection of his son’s bride.

    • Christian parents have a right and an obligation to assist and approve the choices of their children.
    • Christian couples should get the blessing of their parents and the counsel of their pastor(s) before getting engaged.

Isaac was not to marry one of the Canaanites which were known for their wickedness. God does not want us to marry someone who is not a Christian and who is not serving the Lord faithfully.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)

The Lord directed the servant to the right bride. If young people will wait on the Lord, He will direct them in His will regarding marriage.

Picture Treasury

Now let us look at the picture or types of Christ and His Bride (the Church) that we can see in this narrative. There are many more types in this passage than we will discuss here, but we will attempt to point out the obvious ones.  Remember, it is not wise to build doctrine solely on types, but these pictures do give us wonderful reinforcement of the doctrines plainly taught elsewhere in the Scripture, and they also remind us of the infallibility of the Word of God.

It is important to remember that this story takes place after the events in chapter 22, where Isaac is offered on the altar of sacrifice by Abraham at Moriah. Christ could only get His bride after He finished the work of redemption on the cross of Calvary.

Abraham is a type of God the Father.

Isaac is a type of God the Son.

Rebekah is a picture of the church, the bride of Christ. (Ephesians 5:22 – 33) Note – Even though God sovereignly directed this marriage, Rebekah still made a choice to be Isaac’s bride. 

The Servant is a type of the Holy Spirit.

    • He is un-named. 

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)

    • He guides and protects the bride until she gets to Christ.
    • He teaches the bride about Christ. Isaac became more real to Rebekah, the closer she got to him.
    • He gives gifts to the Bride. (v. 22; v. 53; 1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12)
    • He gives precious things to the world. (v. 53)

Laban is picture of the world. We will learn more about him in future chapters.

    • He is enamored with the spiritual gifts; but not with the Son. (v 30)
    • He attempts to hinder the work of the Spirit in the life of the Bride. (v. 55)

Sarah is a picture of the nation of Israel. (Jehovah’s bride)

    • Notice that Isaac gets his bride after Sarah is gone.
    • Notice also that the bride occupies the tent of Sarah. The church is not the Nation of Israel; but it occupies a special place of blessing in the eyes of God.  God will someday restore Israel; but not until after the church is removed from the earth. 

The camels are a picture of the grace of God. It is grace that brings the Bride on the long journey through the desert of this world to the Son.

Abraham’s country (v. 4) is a picture of the earth. (Matthew 28:18 -20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8)

The entire story is a picture of soul winning.  It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict a sinner of their need for the Saviour. 

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: (John 16:8)

 In this passage we see both the sovereignty of God; and the free will of man.  God directed the servant to a specific bride; yet she could have refused. (v. 8)

Genesis 24 is more than an ancient love story—it is a divine romance revealing God’s redemptive plan. Through the servant’s mission, Rebekah’s willing response, and Isaac’s joyful union, we see both a pattern for godly marriage and a glorious picture of Christ and His Bride, the Church. May we trust the Father’s choice, yield to the Holy Spirit’s direction, and, like Rebekah, lift our eyes in anticipation for the coming Bridegroom.

Questions for Reflection

  1. In Genesis 24, Abraham’s servant prayed specifically for God’s guidance (vs. 12–14). How specifically do you seek God’s direction when making major life decisions, such as choosing a spouse?

  2. Both Abraham and the servant refused to let Isaac leave the promised land to fetch a bride. Are there any “compromises” in your life or relationships that might take you outside of God’s promised will?

  3. The chapter ends with Isaac being comforted by Rebekah after his mother’s death (v. 67). How does your relationship with Christ (or your earthly marriage) bring comfort in seasons of loss or grief?


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God Will Provide Himself a Lamb: Abraham’s Test and the Shadow of Christ

 

Listen to today’s passage – Genesis 20 – 22 (audio)

Read along at Blue Letter Bible – Genesis 20

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 13 – 14; Psalms 31 – 35; Proverbs 7

Read the “0107 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Listen to today’s Scripture song – Psalm 34

“And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Heream I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” Genesis 22:7-8

Before I begin my thought this morning from today’s passage in the Scripture, let me say that I feel totally inadequate to even attempt to glean all of the depth and beauty that is contained in chapter 22. We are certainly treading on Holy Ground as we deal with the great test that God gave Abraham when He asked him to offer up his only son, Isaac. I strongly encourage you to prayerfully re-read this chapter, and ask God to open your eyes to the many wonderful pictures of the Lord Jesus Christ that we will see in this chapter. I will discuss some of these types of Christ from this passage in a minute, but first let me say, that God was definitely putting Abraham to the test by asking this of him. God had first promised Abraham a son twenty-five years before He actually gave him. Abraham had waited so long, but God finally delivered on His promise. To make matters worse, Abraham’s other son, Ishmael, who was born to a concubine had been sent away; so Isaac was all that Abraham had, and God was now asking him to give him back. Think now how you would respond to this. What if God were to ask you to sacrifice your only child? What if God were to ask you to let your child serve Him on a foreign mission field? We become very attached to the children God gives us, don’t we?

The Person of the Sacrifice

First, let us consider the person of the sacrifice. Before, we look at the pictures of Christ contained in chapter 22, let’s examine how the child, Isaac, is a picture of Christ. The birth of Isaac bears a striking resemblance to the birth of Christ in many ways making Isaac’s birth a type of the birth of our Lord.

A. W. Pink in his work, Gleanings in Genesis,points out the following:[1]

  • Isaac was the promised seed and son; and so was Christ. (Genesis 17:16; 3:5; Isaiah 7:14)
  • In both cases there was a long period of time between the promise of birth and the fulfillment of that promise. (Genesis 12:7)
  • In both cases the announcement of the birth to the mothers and the reception of the news were similar. (Genesis 18:12 – 14; Luke 1:34 – 37)
  • In both cases the name of the child was specified before birth. (Genesis 17:19; Matthew 1:21)
  • Both births occurred at an appointed time. (Genesis 21:2; Galatians 4:4)
  • Both births were miraculous. (Consider also the birth of Samuel and the birth of John the Baptist)
  • The name Isaac, which means laughter, was given by Abraham indicating the delight of the father.  So too did Jesus’ Father declare His delight, when He said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

These types, which are replete throughout the Book of Genesis, remind us of the infallibility of the Word of God. How could any human instrument paint such an accurate and beautiful picture of our Lord centuries before His birth.

The Place of the Sacrifice

Now let’s consider the place of the sacrifice. Did you know that this Mt. Moriah is the very same mountain that the Lord Jesus would be crucified on years later. By the way, it is also the place where David offers his sacrifice (2 Sam 24:18 – 25); and also the same mountain where the temple would be built.

The Pictures in the Sacrifice

Finally. let us look at some of the other pictures contained in this chapter:

  • They arrived at Moriah on the third day (v 4). For three days Isaac was thought to be as good as dead to Abraham. But on this third day, Abraham was given back his son alive.  Of course, the third day is the day of resurrection.
  • The wood for the sacrifice was placed upon Isaac (v. 6) and carried by Isaac to the place of the sacrifice. Remember that Christ carried the wood for His sacrifice as well.
  • In verse five, they leave the servants behind. This was between the father and the son. Christ also left the disciples at Gethsemane; and even the two thieves were excluded when the darkness fell when Christ was on the cross.
  • Notice in verse eight, “God will provide himself a lamb.” This is not a reference to the ram that was given later on in the chapter. This is clearly a reference to Christ.
  • The Ram was caught in a thicket. Thorns were upon the head of the Saviour.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

Questions for Reflection
  • What details in Genesis 22 most vividly point you to Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross?
  • Abraham trusted God to provide—even to the point of believing in resurrection (Hebrews 11:19). How does this encourage you when God calls you to surrender something precious?
  • Where in your life right now do you need to trust that “God will provide Himself a lamb”?
  • How does seeing Jesus as the ultimate substitute change your perspective on obedience and fear?
  • Spend a moment thanking God for providing the Lamb.

[1] Arthur W. Pink, Gleanings in Genesis (Chicago: Moody Press, 1922), 211.

Read related previous posts from today’s passage – “The Whole Truth,“ “When God Withholds You,” and “Waiting on the Will of God“

 


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A Friend’s Prayer for a Friend: The Power of Intercession

Today’s Passage – Listen to Genesis 17 – 19 (Audio link).

Read along at Blue Letter Bible – Genesis 17

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 11 – 12; Proverbs 6; Psalms 26 – 30)

Listen to today’s Scripture Song – Psalm 25

Read the “0106 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.“ (Jas 2:23)

“And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:” (Gen 18:3)

In our text today, we read about Abraham, the friend of God, interceding on behalf of his own friend and nephew, Lot.

Sweet Fellowship with the Lord

Genesis 18 is a wonderful account which tells of the communion that Abraham had with his God. In the passage, three “men” appear at the tent of Abraham. We are not sure who all of these “men” are. Some have concluded that one of them was the Lord, and the other two were angels, which is certainly a good possibility because the very next chapter begins with two angels going to rescue Lot from the destruction of Sodom. Others believe, however, that these three men were physical manifestations of the three members of the Trinity. I tend to agree with the former opinion but it is interesting that though there were three men, Abraham always only addresses them in the singular form as one. Nevertheless, the Lord and Abraham enjoy a sweet time of fellowship during this time. You get the feeling from the passage that they were not rushing to conclude their time together. A meal was prepared while the Lord waited.

Speaking of Waiting – God Reaffirms His Promise to Abraham

During this time, God, no doubt, spoke to Abraham about many things; but one thing that he told Abraham was that he would, in fact, have a son that would be born to Sarah. The miraculous thing about all of this is that Sarah and Abraham both are well beyond the childbearing years. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years from the time that God first promised them a child to the time when their son, Isaac, was finally born (see Gen 12:4 & 21:5). God is faithful to do all that He says that He will do in His time. During this afternoon of fellowship with Abraham, God reassures him again of the promise.

Abraham’s Concern for Lot

God reveals something else to Abraham during their time together. As Abraham was walking with the Lord as He was leaving, God shares with Abraham his planned destruction of the city of Sodom. God didn’t have to tell him, but He did. Of course, this got Abraham’s attention because he had a nephew in Sodom that he cared for. Abraham interceded for the city of Sodom, particularly for Lot and his family. He is begging God to spare the city, but his concern is really about Lot. The Bible tells us that Abraham was the friend of God, but here we see that he was also a good friend to Lot. God never promises to spare the city and interestingly, He never promises to spare Lot; but He did say that He would spare the city if He found ten righteous people there, which he did not find. However, God does spare Lot and the family members that were willing to listen to Lot’s warning of the coming destruction.

God Remembered Abraham

I want you to notice something very important, however:

“And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.” (Gen 19:29)

Did you catch it? It does not say that God spared Lot because he was righteous, though we know that the New Testament speaks of him as being “just” (justified – 2 Pe 2:7). It also does not say that God remembered Lot. It does say that God remembered Abraham. What did God remember about Abraham? He remembered Abraham’s intercession on behalf of his nephew, Lot. God spared Lot and his family because of the prayer of Abraham.

The Power of Intercessory Prayer

What a wonderful picture we have here of prayer. God communing in sweet fellowship with his child. God revealing something to that child that would be of concern to him. God giving that child an opportunity to intercede, to pray for that very concern. And then the best part: God answering the request of the child: not exactly the way he wanted it; but a wonderful answer none the less. Kind of causes you to want to spend a little time in prayer yourself, doesn’t it?

Questions for Reflection
  1. Have you ever experienced that kind of sweet, unhurried fellowship with God—like Abraham lingering with the Lord?
  2. What promises from God are you still waiting on, and how does Abraham’s 25-year journey encourage you today?
  3. Who in your life is a “Lot”—someone you care about who needs God’s mercy—and how is the Lord prompting you to intercede for them?
  4. When has God answered your prayers in a way you didn’t exactly expect, yet it was even better?
  5. If God “remembers” the prayers of His friends, what concern will you bring to Him in prayer right now?

Take a moment to pray for a friend today.

Read related previous posts from this passage – “Don’t Look Back,” “Abraham Did a Little Walking With God, Too,” “Walk Thou Before Me and Be Thou Perfect” and “God Knows You.”


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The Greener Grass Trap: What Lot’s Choice Teaches Us About God’s Will

Today’s Passages – Genesis 13 – 16 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 9 – 10; Proverbs 5; Psalms 21 – 25)

Read the “0105 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 119:105

Read previous posts from today’s passage – “Plain Stupid;” “Back to Square One – Almost;” “Balanced and Biblical Separation;” “Relationships are More Important than Riches;” “Who is Melchizedek;” and “Good Friends are Hard to Come By.”

Have you ever been tempted to move for a better job, bigger house, or more exciting city—only to wonder later if you left God’s best behind?

“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.” (Genesis 13:10)

“But the men of Sodom were wicked before the Lord exceedingly” (Genesis 13:13)

Returning from Egypt: Contrasting Desires

Have you ever been tempted to move for a better job, bigger house, or more exciting city—only to wonder later if you left God’s best behind?

The story of Lot is really a sad one. Lot came from the same stock as Abraham, lived in the same places, seemingly had the same training and influences; yet Lot had dreams and desires that were diametrically opposite to those of Abraham. In the account given us here in Genesis 13, we see Abraham and Lot both returning from a time of sojourning in Egypt. Egypt was certainly a busy place loaded with people. It had  culture, education, and more pleasures than Lot had ever seen. Abraham had his fill of the big city. He wanted to get back to the place in Canaan where he built an altar for the Lord; the place where God promised to bless him. You see, Abraham finally realized that he didn’t need all of the excitement of the big city – he just needed God.

Have you ever found yourself missing the ‘excitement’ of your old life before Christ?

Strife Over the Land

Not long after they returned to Canaan, the land of promise, it seemed that Lot and Abraham began to fuss about the size of land their cattle were grazing on and whether or not it was big enough to provide for both of their herds. These men were both already very wealthy, yet it seems that Lot wanted more. Maybe he was tired of living under the shadow of Uncle Abraham. Maybe he didn’t like all of those righteous rules that Abraham governed his home by. Lot missed Egypt. He missed the exhilaration of the city life. Abraham senses Lot’s frustration and offers to let Lot separate from him. I am sure he divided up the livestock and sent Lot away with plenty. He also gives Lot the pick of the surrounding land. He told Lot that if he chose east, he would go west. You see, Abraham didn’t need what this world could offer him: he only needed God. It seems that he had learned much from the errors of his previous move into Egypt.

The Lure of Sodom

Lot, however, decides that Sodom is the place he ought to raise his family. I believe that there were three attractions that lured Lot to Sodom:

1      There were lots of people in Sodom. Now there is nothing wrong with people. I love people and, more importantly, God loves people. Jesus died to save people. However, it seems that whenever you get a lot of people grouped together in one place, wickedness just pours right in. Verse 13 tells us that Sodom was an exceedingly wicked place. Lot should have been repulsed by it, yet instead he was enamored by it. By the way, his attraction to this large number of people was clearly not for the purpose of evangelizing them. We will learn later in chapter 19 that Lot influences no one in the city for God.

2      There was a lot of pleasure in Sodom. He said it reminded him of Egypt. The Bible tells us that there is pleasure in sin for a season; but the wages of that kind of pleasure is death. Lot was attracted to the fast life.

3      Thirdly, we see that Sodom was a place of wealth and prosperity. There was plenty of money in Sodom. It was well watered.  The livestock would do well there. Lot saw the chance to make some good money: maybe even a little more than ole Uncle Abe. Again, there is nothing wrong with money. I like what money can buy; but the love of money is the root of all evil. Lot wasn’t really concerned with the wickedness because all he could see was the dollars.

Which of these—people, pleasure, or prosperity—tempts you most today?

Don’t Chase Greener Grass

Through the years, I have seen a lot of saved people (remember, the Bible calls him “just Lot”) make the same mistake that Lot made. They leave the place of blessing where God is protecting them and providing for them, only to trade it in for a place where they think the grass is “well-watered.” My pastor in Bible College used to say that the grass may look greener, but it just might be artificial turf. Be very careful that you stay inside the perfect will of God. Don’t trade in the spiritual, eternal blessings for the temporary pleasures of this world.

This week, pray about any ‘Sodom’ temptations in your life—and share in the comments how God is speaking to you.


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Full Disclosure

Today’s Passage – Genesis 10 – 12 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 7 – 8; Proverbs 4; Psalms 16 – 20)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 89:1

Read the 0104 Evening and Morning devotion for today by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “Finding, Obeying, and Staying in the Place of God’s Will;” “Don’t Move Unless God Moves You;“ “The Beginning of Globalism; ”  “The Land Belongs to Israel;” and “The Earth was Divided.”

Have you ever lied to get yourself out of some type of trouble. In our text, Abram (Abraham) lied to Pharaoh by telling him that Sarai (Sarah) was his sister:

“10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. 11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: 12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. 13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. 14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. 15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. 17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife. 18 And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? 19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way. 20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.” (Gen 12:10-20)

Technically speaking, Abraham was accurate when he said that Sarai was his sister because she was his half-sister, the daughter of his father Terah. However, he was leaving out a big part of his relationship with Sarai and was not being completely truthful. The half-truth that Abraham told here and again in Genesis 20, this time to Abimelech, was the cause of many problems for Abraham’s family and for the people that he was lying to. Really, it represented a lack of faith on the part of Abraham to trust God to deliver his family from difficult situations even when he fully disclosed his relationship with Sarai. 

I have a few thoughts about this passage:

A Legitimate Fear

Abraham was right to be concerned about his family’s welfare in Egypt. Egypt was a dangerous place, and it certainly was a possibility that the Pharaoh would kill Abraham to steal his wife.

Have you ever faced a legitimate fear that tested your trust in God’s provision?

A Questionable Decision: Leaving Canaan

Abraham should not have gone to Egypt in the first place. He had just been told by God that Canaan was the land that God was going to give Abraham. When the famine came, however, Abraham’s faith in God’s ability to feed him through the famine was tested, and Abraham followed his own human wisdom instead and went into Egypt where food was more plentiful.

The Dangers Involved in Abraham’s Plan

Abraham premeditated and colluded with Sarai to not disclose to anybody in Egypt that Sarai was his wife. I wonder if Abraham would have allowed other men to sleep with his wife if he felt that was necessary for his own protection?

The Better Way: Trusting God’s Protection
  • Abraham did not have to volunteer any information regarding his relationship with Sarai, but when he was asked, he should have fully disclosed that she was his wife. God would have protected and blessed him anyway. God is more powerful than any earthly king.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Pro 3:5-6)

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” (Pro 21:1)

It used to be when people were summoned to be a witness in a court of law, they had to swear to “tell the whole truth.” They had to give a full disclosure of whatever they were called upon to be a witness to. It has been my observation that in our society there is a lack of transparency in most people. They are hiding things about themselves because they are afraid of the negative outcome that might be produced if people were to find out. I have discovered that it is best to be completely honest with people; to let them see the real you, even with all the flaws and warts. However, the good news is, even when our faith falters (and it will), God’s faithfulness doesn’t—He protected Abraham and Sarai despite the half-truth, just as He covers us in our weakness.

Have you ever been tempted to withhold part of the truth out of fear? What happened when you chose full honesty instead? I’d love to hear in the comments.

Share this post with someone who needs encouragement to trust God fully.


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Sealed in: The Blessing of Eternal Security

Today’s Passage – Genesis 7 – 9 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 5 – 6; Proverbs 3 ; Psalms 11 – 15

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 18:3 & 46

Read the “0103 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“15 And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. 16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.“ (Gen 7:15-16)

“30 … ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Eph 4:30)

The Judgment of the Flood

In our text today, we read that the ark, which took one hundred years to prepare, was finally finished and ready to provide safety for Noah, his family, and all the animals as the great judgment of water that God had promised was imminent. God had warned Noah a century before that He was going to destroy the earth through a worldwide flood because the wickedness of the earth had become so “great,” to the extent that God determined that he would destroy every air-breathing creature.

5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” (Gen 6:5-7)

The Ark of Grace

God promised, however, to spare Noah and his family because “Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8), and Noah was “seen righteous” (Gen 7:1) by God, meaning that because he was a man of faith; because he believed God, God saw him as positionally righteous. His sin was removed and the righteousness of Christ was imputed to him. This is what happens to believers when they receive Christ. They become the children of God and receive the righteousness of God:

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (Jhn 1:12)

“21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” (Rom 3:21-22)

This same principle of faith-righteousness applied to Abraham centuries later:

“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” (Gal 3:6)

The Sealed Door Providing Safety

Just as the rain was starting and after everyone had entered the ark, we are told that “the Lord shut [them] in.” It is interesting that the Scripture tells us that God was the one who sealed them within the ark. I am sure the ark was designed with water tight mechanisms that would have allowed Noah to close the door himself and keep the water out. Yet, it clearly states that God was the one who shut them in. Now, to be truthful, I am not sure how God did that, but I am sure that whatever seal God placed upon the door provided the needed protection against the rising water and also from the people who had initially refused Noah’s invitations and pleadings as a preacher of righteousness (2 Pe 2:5). As the water rose, I am sure that people were trying to figure out ways to get on board the ark.

The Pictures Provided of Salvation and Eternal Security

Though on the surface this passage is merely teaching that God provided safety and protection for Noah, his family, and all the animals so that they would one day be able to repopulate the earth, there is also some vivid pictures that we can see from it.

  • The Picture of Salvation

The door of the ark is a picture of salvation through Jesus Christ. Noah and his family had to choose to believe God, build the ark, and enter into it through the door. It was only inside the door that they would find safety. Jesus tells us that He is our door of salvation:

“7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (Jhn 10:7-10)

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (Jhn 14:6)

  • The Picture of Eternal Security

God shutting the door and sealing them in is a picture of eternal security. God sealed them into their place of safety:

“10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” (Pro 18:10)

“27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.” (Jhn 10:27-30)

“13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,“ (Ephesians 1:13)

“6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Phil 1:6)

Just as our salvation was a work of God’s Holy Spirit, apart from our own good works, our sanctification and eternal security are also works of God. We are completely secure in Christ. What a blessing it is to know beyond any doubt that there is a home awaiting me in Heaven and that my salvation is completely secure in Christ.

Have you entered through the Door—Jesus Christ? If you’re not yet sealed in Christ, trust Him today. Receive Him as your Savior—He promises eternal life.

Today, if you are trusting in Christ alone, rest in this truth: God has sealed you and nothing can separate you from His love:

“37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“ (Rom 8:37-39)

Read previous posts from today’s passage:


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Sin Lieth At The Door

Today’s Passage – Genesis 4 – 6 (Click on the reference to listen to the audio. Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 3 – 4; Proverbs 2; Psalms 6 – 10)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Joshua 1:8

Read the “0102 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “Walking with God,” “Instead of Abel: God’s Plan B;” “Shining Brightly in a Dark World,” “Respect,” and “Grieving God.”

“If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” (Gen 4:7)

“4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” (Heb 11:4)

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Rom 6:14)

In Genesis 4, we read the familiar story of the slaying of Abel by his brother Cain. The events leading up to Cain’s murder of his brother are very interesting. Cain and Abel each brought their individual offerings to the Lord. Cain offers to the Lord from “the fruit of the ground,” presumably something from his garden. Abel, on the other hand, offered an animal sacrifice to the Lord, which caught God’s attention because God “had respect unto … his offering,” which means he gazed upon it and considered it. By the way, the Bible does not say that God was angry with Cain’s offering or that Cain’s offering was somehow sinful in itself; it just says that God did not have “respect” for it, meaning that it did not cause Him to look or gaze upon it in the same way that his brother’s offering did. Cain’s offering represented the work of his own hands from his labor in the garden. Again, it was certainly right for Cain to give back to the Lord a portion of what the Lord had blessed him with, but it seems that Cain was offering this fruit as a means of obtaining God’s favor, and as an atonement for his sins. Hebrews 9:22 tells us that “without shedding of [Christ’s] blood is no remission.” God was very pleased with Abel’s offering because it was a blood sacrifice, which pictured the blood that the Lord Jesus would someday shed on Calvary for the sins of the world.

What does the phrase ‘sin lieth at the door’ mean?

There is a phrase in verse seven that has always intrigued me: “if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” What does this mean? There are some theologians who believe that the word “sin” in that verse means “sin offering.” The Hebrew word for sin in verse seven is chatta’ath, which has been translated into the phrase “sin offering” over 100 times in other Old Testament passages. This theory is very logical in that when people did sin, they could offer a sin offering, which served as a type or picture of Christ’s offering of Himself on the Cross. The sin offering represented a contrite and repentant offering that demonstrated an agreement with God about the seriousness of the sin and a willingness to turn away from it in the future.

However, in my opinion the phrase in Genesis 4:7 is not speaking about a sin offering, but rather it is alluding to a personification of sin that is waiting to pounce on us like a ravenous beast and put us in bondage if we yield to it. The Hebrew verb rāḇaṣ translated here as “lieth” is used one other place in the Old Testament to speak of a lion who “couched” (Gen 49:9). The Scripture speaks of Satan this way:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1Pe 5:8)

Cain was angry because God did not respect his offering as He did Abel’s, and that anger inside of Cain was driving him over the edge. Anger in itself is not a sin, but it can cause us to sin, and this is certainly what happened to Cain. His anger turned into wrath and in his wrath he murdered his brother. God was warning Cain that his anger, which was completely unjustified because it was directed against a righteous God, was going to lead him further down the road into sinful actions. Even though Cain’s anger was an emotion that he perhaps could not control, he should still have repented of the way he felt, recognizing that his emotions were not in agreement with God. And he could have asked God to help him deal with his emotions. Instead, however, he allowed his unjustified anger to cause him to go out the door of God’s will where sin pounced on him.

How does this speak to our lives today?

Don’t allow sinful thoughts or even irrational emotions to develop into actions that are in rebellion to the will of God. Think of ways that this could play out in life today. What would you do when a co-worker gets recognized, commended, or promoted for their work and you are not? Do you rejoice with that person (Rom 12:15) who was promoted or do you get jealous, angry, or bitter against either the boss or the person who was rewarded. Those feelings are powerful and could cause you to cross the line and say or do something that you will later regret.

What can you do:
  1. Recognize that your thoughts and emotions may very well be rooted in your sinful flesh and are thus, outside the will of God. Cain’s anger was a result of his jealousy. He was jealous of his brother because God was pleased with Abel’s offering, and “did not have respect” unto his own. He wasn’t thinking right to start with, which eventually lead to more irrational thinking.
  2. Restrain your thoughts, emotions, and actions. The last phrase in verse seven, “and thou shalt rule over him,” literally means that we must rule over our sinful thoughts and emotions – we must control them. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit of God, we can have victory over our sinful thoughts. Paul said in his letter to the Romans, “for sin shall not have dominion over you” (Rom 6:14) We can control what we think about (Phil 4:8), and we can “cast down sinful or irrational imaginations. (2 Cor 10:5)
  3. Repent and ask God to help you. Turn away from the sinful direction with which you were heading. Ask God to help you. I think God wants to help you do what pleases Him.

Don’t be like Cain. A sinful progression eventually caused him to murder his only brother. What a shame. It didn’t have to happen to him, and it doesn’t have to happen to us either.

Questions for Reflections

What sin is lying at your door today, and how can you rule over it through the Holy Spirit?

Have you ever allowed your emotions in the past to cause you to cross the line into sin?

What would you do today differently to keep that from happening again?


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Two Becoming One

Today’s Passage – Genesis 1 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 1 – 2; Proverbs 1; Psalms 1 – 5)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Deuteronomy 32:4

Read the “0101 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from today’s reading – “Not Finished Yet;” “In the Beginning;” “He Is Still Creating Me;” “Let There Be Light;” “Just Don’t Do It;” and “Subdue and Replenish“

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. … And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. … And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:7, 18, 21-24)

A Book of Beginnings

Genesis is a Book about beginnings. In these first three chapters, we discover the beginning of our universe and earth, with all of the living things, including men and women, created by God in those first six days, six thousand years or so, ago. Unfortunately, we also learn about the beginning sin in chapter three, which brought about physical death and a spiritual separation from God.

The Beginning of Marriage

In chapter two, we see the beginning of marriage. God actually created out of Adam’s own body the perfect spouse for him. Had sin not entered into the world, they would have experienced a perfect relationship and a perfect life together.

The Need for Companionship

Let’s notice a few things about this first marriage. First of all, notice that the woman was created to meet a need that God knew that Adam had. He was alone. All of the animals had mates, but Adam had no-one to experience life with. God states that Eve would be “an help meet (or suitable helper).” The word “help” is a noun, meaning helper, and the word “meet” means suitable or appropriate. God made Adam a suitable or qualified helper. She would be able to meet all of Adam’s needs. She would be his companion as well as his helper, and she would bear children for him.

An Unpopular Concept in Contemporary Culture

I fully realize that the description that I just gave is not popular in our culture today, but it is what is taught here in Genesis 2. While Eve was created to meet Adam’s needs, their union shows how husbands and wives are designed to complete and uplift one another equally in God’s plan.

Paul referred to this in his letter to the Corinthians:

“For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.” (1 Corinthians 11:8-9)

Now before you ladies get mad at me, let me say that I do not believe that God created Eve to be inferior in any way to Adam. Adam and Eve were designed to complete each other perfectly—meeting one another’s needs in companionship, support, and family. I believe that Adam, though created first, was designed to meet every need that Eve would have as well. Adam and Eve would complete each other. The man and the woman were each uniquely designed by God to fulfill the areas where the other may have lacked.

Intimacy within the Marriage Relationship

The second point that I would like to make regarding this first marriage is that these two individuals were created to become “one flesh.” This means so much more than just the physical relationship, though physical intimacy is an expression and a picture of the married couple’s being “one flesh.” But “one flesh” means so much more. It means that the couple is together in every area. Every decision is to be made together, or at least with consideration to the other’s wishes. True intimacy goes well beyond the physical relationship and includes our innermost thoughts. My wife and I can often finish each other’s sentences because we know each other so well. This “one flesh” relationship should supersede all other earthly relationships. No other relationship should be permitted to come between the husband and wife.  There should be no secrets in a “one flesh” relationship; no separate bank accounts; no prenuptial agreements, just in case things do not work out. Marriage is an “all in” relationship. That is why it should not be entered into lightly. It is the biggest earthly decision that you will make in this life.

Marriage is a Picture of Christ and His Bride – the Church

We should all resolve this year to have a marriage relationship that paints a beautiful picture of Christ and His Bride, the Church.

Consider what Paul stated about marriage in his letter to the Ephesians:

  • Mutual Submission

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

  • The Wife Does Her Part

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

  • The Husband Does His Part

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

  • The Great Mystery Pictured in the Marriage Relationship

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”(Ephesians 5:21-33)

Resolve This Year to Work at Having a Great Marriage

Today is the first day of a new year. Those of us who have been blessed with marriage should spend some time this year reflecting on the relationship that we have with our spouse. Ask yourself if your marriage relationship is a picture of what God intended by “one flesh,” or is it more of what the world would say marriage should be. This year, consider one specific way you can better ‘cleave’ to your spouse—perhaps through regular date nights, shared prayer, or open conversations about finances and dreams. How does your marriage currently reflect the ‘one flesh’ unity God intended? What one area could you both work on in 2026?

Lord, in this new year of 2026, help husbands and wives build ‘one flesh’ unions that reflect Your perfect design and the sacrificial love of Christ for His Church. Draw us closer to our spouses and closer to You. Amen.


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Resolve To Be Transformed in 2026

Romans 12_2

Today’s Passage – Your Favorite Passage

(Second Milers also read – Proverbs 31)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 4:7 & 8

Read the “1231 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

As we step into 2026 tomorrow, many are making resolutions—but here’s a better resolve: let God transform you from the inside out.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

Problem with Traditional Resolutions

Tomorrow begins the New Year, which is traditionally the time that people make all kinds of resolutions regarding things that they want to see changed in their lives. Some want to lose weight, others want to become more organized, and some want to quit some bad habit; the list is endless. In the past, I would make many resolutions but, unfortunately, was unable to keep many of them. This year, I have resolved not to resolve. You may be asking, “what do you mean by that preacher?” What I mean is that I have resolved to stop trying to fix the myriads of things in my life that need fixing. No, I have not thrown in the towel on trying to live the Christian life. On the contrary, I have discovered a better way to see the necessary changes take place.

God’s Better Way: Transformation from Within

This year, instead of exercising my will power to change things in my life, I have opted to turn the whole process over to God. I have figured out that the closer I get to Him, the more He will chip away at the things in my life that need to go. Let me give you a verse that has been on my mind a lot lately:

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

This verse tells me that God works with our will. Our will is really the problem, isn’t it? Paul said that the inside of him was no good thing, “for to will is present with [him].” Resolutions are about our will, but transformation is about the will of God. We may desire to see things fixed in our lives, but then our will changes and the fixing stops. However, when transformation takes place from the inside, God not only changes our will but also implements the changes that need to take place.

Your Part in God’s Process

You may be thinking: “what do I have to do?” This is too good to be true. I don’t have to do anything? God does all the work? Well, you do have to draw nigh to God. He says that if you do that, He will draw nigh (get close) to you. To get close to Him, you are going to have to spend more time with Him, reading His Word, and praying. You will also have to spend less time with the world. The world also desires to conform you to what it wants you to be. You see, the world will also mess with your will. If you spend enough time pursuing the things of this world, your thinking will also change; your desires will change. The same is also true with God. Get with Him. Saturate yourself in prayer and the Word, and God will begin to chip away at all the rough edges in your life, and you will gradually become a vessel more “meet” (fitted) for the Master’s use.

Things That You Can Do
  • Commit to a daily Bible reading plan
  • Set a goal to read the Bible through – follow the daily plan used on this site, which includes a regal daily reading through the entire Bible and also some “second miler” passages.
  • Set aside dedicated prayer time each morning
  • Keep a prayer list
  • Limit screen time or social media to reduce worldly influences
  • Join a discipleship program
Your Three Choices This New Year

This New Year, you have some choices to make. You can decide to do nothing: throw in the towel and wait out the return of Christ. You can also decide to make a long list of things that you want to see changed, goals that you want to see accomplished, etc., and set out through your will power, your tenacity, to implement those things. You may even be successful in fulfilling some of them. Door number three is the option that I am choosing. I am going to take some tangible steps this year to get as far away from the world and as close to God as I possibly can. Then I am going to sit back and watch what He does in my life. No goals this year, just God.

Questions for Reflection
  • What ‘worldly’ influence could you pull back from this year to make more room for God?
  • What is your plan for reading the Bible through completely this year?

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Out with the Old and In with the New: Reflections on Revelation 21:5

Today’s Passage – Revelation 20 – 22 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 146 – 150; Proverbs 30)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 3:1

Read the “1230 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from today’s passage – “The Great White Throne,” and “You’re Invited.“

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” – (Revelation 21:5)

As fireworks light up the sky and calendars flip to a new year, do you long for a truly fresh start—one that lasts forever? Our final Scripture reading for 2025 shows us that God will someday “make all things new.” It will truly be “out with old and in with the new.”

A New Jerusalem

The context of Revelation 21 is the unveiling of the heavenly city, New Jerusalem. This is the beautiful place that God has prepared for his Bride, the Church, to live in for all eternity. We will not get to move in until after the end of the 1000-year Millennial Reign of Christ on the earth, but I assure you, it will be worth the wait. As we read about the description given of this city in the chapter, we see that it is unlike any earthly city. It is a place of exquisite beauty. It also is unique in its dimensions. Apparently, it will be a perfect cube, which means that law of gravity will no longer be the same there. There will be no night there, and the light for the entire city will be the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. What a place! I can’t wait to get there.

A New You in Christ

As we consider the approaching New Year, the phrase in verse 5 is especially relevant: “Behold, I make all things new.” God is a master at putting away the old and creating something new. The chapter above speaks of the passing away of the old heaven and earth, and the revealing of the new. People who have trusted Christ as Saviour are said to be “new creatures” in Christ (2 Co 5:17; Gal 6:15). God gradually purges out the old unprofitable us and recreates us into His image, and someday, we will have a glorified new body to spend eternity in.

A New Year to Live for Christ

New Year’s is a time when we reflect on the old year and determine to yield to God’s will as He makes the necessary changes in our life that He wants to make. For the Christian, I believe the greatest resolution that we can make is to surrender our stubborn wills to the will of God and to quit resisting His Holy Spirit as He conforms us to the image of Christ. The great goal for all Christians in the New Year should be to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. However, there may be some other secondary goals, or resolutions, that will help us achieve the greater goal. It may be that we will resolve to spend more time in the Bible or in prayer. It may be that we will determine to witness to all of our friends and family. These are all good resolutions because they all point to the greater goal of Christlikeness.

Out with the Old

Did you notice what it said about The New Jerusalem in Rev 21:27

“27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Rev 21:27)

There are many defiling characteristics about the Jerusalem that we know today, and the same is true for the rest of the world. The New Jerusalem will not have anything about it that is wicked or sinful. As we think about the coming new year, let us strive to purge out of our lives anything that we know is not pleasing to the Lord. 

A New and Deeper Relationship with Christ

As you consider the approaching New Year, make your relationship with Christ your number one priority. As Paul the Apostle said:

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” – (Philippians 3:10)

If you’ve never experienced this new life in Christ, today is the day—visit the “Are You Saved?” page to learn how.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for making all things new through Your Son. Help us surrender to Your transforming work in 2026, drawing us closer to Christ until we see the New Jerusalem. Renew us today, and use us for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Reflection Questions:
  • How will you pursue knowing Christ more deeply this year?
  • What “old things” in your life is God asking you to let go of this year?
  • How can you better surrender to the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in 2026?
  • Who in your life needs to hear about the ultimate “new” God offers through salvation in Christ?

What’s your top resolution for knowing Christ more in 2026? Share below!


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