In Deuteronomy, the people knew that the end of Moses’ time was drawing near. For 40 years He carried God’s Word to the Israelites. But with his departure, the fear was that they would be no one to take his place. But Moses announced an astonishing promise from God that still brings us comfort to this very day.

Today is Groundhog Day! It's a fun tradition in the middle of winter. Some have even said that his possible forecast for an early Spring could "give a pandemic-stressed nation some hope." However, you and I have real source for hope that's ours all 365 days of the year.

Paul notes how easy it is for knowledge to leave us "puffed up." That’s what happens when knowledge is exercised apart from love. He uses the example in his day of how believers handled food that was sacrificed to idols. Perhaps this sounds strange. However, maybe it's not so difficult to imagine after all.

At first, it sounds ironic to hear in Mark record in the same sentence that after John was put in prison Jesus went about proclaiming the good news of God. John was the last of His kind, of prophets pointing to the Savior who was to come. However, John knew the wonderful good news that Jesus is the first of many.

In Psalm 113, the writer celebrates our God who shows mercy to the humble and lowly. And in verse seven, he uses what must have become a familiar and much beloved phrase from Hannah’s prayer back in 1 Samuel. God has lifted us from the ash heap.

Paul notes how the form of this present world is constantly changing. However, the apostle isn’t putting on his creaky old man voice as if to say, “You know kids, back in my day …” Instead, He points out how easy it is to become attached to those things in life that are transient, and sets our focus on the Kingdom of God the tremendous eternal blessings that have in Christ.

The words that Mark uses to describe how Andrew and Simon responded to Jesus' call to discipleship can only be described as an understatement. For the disciples, they didn’t tip-toe into it. They didn’t dabble in this “fishers of men” business here and there. Being a disciple of our Savior now defined them. And that's what it means for you and me as well.

When Jesus called Andrew and Simon He could have used a familiar phrase from a popular movie franchise and said, "Come with me if you want to live." However, what Jesus held out to the disciples was a lot more than merely a bleak summons to survival. Instead He called them to become His disciples, and His apostles, and you and I have been blessed with bright good news to be shared.

So you think that’s incredible? When most people hear of Jonah in the Old Testament, the first thing that comes to mind is an image of the prophet being in the belly of the fish for three days. But, now, if you think that’s something, consider what came next.

God hears both our thoughts and our words. Does that bring your comfort or concern? Hear David's prayer and why he describes this as a good thing.