Seek First the Kingdom

Reading the Word Matthew 6:25–34 (ESV) 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And … Continue reading Seek First the Kingdom

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More than Conquerors

Reading the Word Romans 8:37–39 (ESV) 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Understanding and Applying the Word We are more than conquerors. Believers must always remember that the war has already been won. Christ has defeated the enemy at the … Continue reading More than Conquerors

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Pray Without Ceasing

Reading the Word 1 Thessalonians 5:12–22 (ESV) 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in … Continue reading Pray Without Ceasing

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If God Is For Us…

Reading the Word Romans 8:31–39 (ESV) 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall … Continue reading If God Is For Us…

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Light Has Dawned

Reading the Word Matthew 4:12–17 (ESV) 12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— 16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a … Continue reading Light Has Dawned

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Our Blessed Hope

Reading the Word 1 Corinthians 1:1–9 (ESV) 1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that … Continue reading Our Blessed Hope

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God Shows No Partiality

Shaped by the Word is a daily, Bible-reading devotional. I do not publish supplemental material on Sundays, but I do include a suggested Scripture reading. Please be sure to subscribe so you can read along every day. Thanks for reading! Reading the Word Acts 10:34–43 (ESV) 34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is … Continue reading God Shows No Partiality

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The Mystery Revealed in Christ

  Reading the Word Ephesians 3:1–13 (ESV) 1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by … Continue reading The Mystery Revealed in Christ

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Zealous for Good Works

Reading the Word Titus 2:11–14 (ESV) 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Understanding and Applying the Word Yesterday, we learned that we should be … Continue reading Zealous for Good Works

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Suggestion Box

First: Thank you for reading Shaped by the Word each and every day. I am happy that you take the time to read my short postings about God’s word. I hope they are beneficial to you. I know that I enjoy writing them and doing so helps me to think more about what I am reading. Second: I would appreciate any feedback or ideas that could help make Shaped by the Word better. Are the posts too long? Would you rather see longer, more detailed posts? Are there certain books of the Bible or topics that you want me to … Continue reading Suggestion Box

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