"Now, here is a lesson from a fig tree. When its buds become tender and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that spring has come. And when you see these things happening that I've described, you can be sure that my return is very near, that I am right at the door. "Yes, these are the events that will signal the end of the age. Heaven and earth shall disappear, but my words stand sure forever." Mark 13: 28-31 Oystein Brinch lives in Oslo, Norway. Winter can be a challenge in

Read Matthew 6:25-34 "So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time." Matthew 6:34 (TLB) "Not one sparrow (What do they cost? Two for a penny?) can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it." Matthew 10>29 (TLB) Emilie McCauley lives in North Carolina. as a young married couple, they had a tight budget. When an emergency home repair left them without grocery money, Emilie was sick with worry. She sat on their farmh

Read Joshua 1:1-9 You need only to be strong and courageous and to obey to the letter every law Moses gave you, for if you are careful to obey every one of them you will be successful in everything you do. Constantly remind the people about these laws, and you yourself must think about them every day and every night so that you will be sure to obey all of them. For only then will you succeed. yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is w

Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Each time he said, "No. But I am with you, that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people." Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ's power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities. 2 Corinthians 12; 9 (TLB) For I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power. Philippians 4:13 (TLB) Since 2004 K.D. Mecwan, from Gujara, India, ha

Read Acts 2:1-13 - Day of Pentecost After this I heard the Shouting of a vast crowd in heaven. "Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Salvation is from our God. Honor and authority belong to him alone. Revelation 19:1 (TLB) Hallelujah is a word used to express praise, joy, or thanks - especially to God. It is a word that doesn't need translation. Christians the world over have taken it into their own languages to express joy and praise. Funmi Afolabi, from Maryland, once attended a we

Read Jeremiah 29:10-14 - plans for your welfare In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ. Ephesians 1:7-9 (NRSV) Jane Rager lives in Virginia. One of her favorite pastimes is quilting, so a friend of hers gave Jane a jigsaw puzzle with quilts p

Read Isaiah 43:1-7 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." John 8:12 (NRSV) Ann Stewart is from South Australia. While walking along a beach where the bush meets the sand, she noticed a beautiful gum tree that had fallen. The tree continued to grow despite being battered by wind and weather. It remained beautiful with its papery soft white bark; and although some branches

Read Deuteronomy 26:1-11 The Egyptians mistreated us and we cried to the Lord God. He heard us and saw our hardship, toil, and oppression, and brought us out of Egypt with mighty miracles and a powerful hand. He did great and awesome miracles before the Egyptians, and has brought us to this place and given us this land "flowing with milk and honey!" And now, O Lord, see, I have brought you a token of the first of the crops from the ground you have given me. The place the samp

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 So God has put the body together in such a way that extra honor and care are given to those parts that might otherwise seem less important. This makes for happiness among the parts, so that the parts have the same care for each other that they do for themselves. If one part suffers, all parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 1 Corinthians 12:24-26 (TLB) Beth Bronson Troop lives in Pennsylvania. Several years ago B

Now we can look forward to the salvation God has promised us. There is no longer any room for doubt, and we can tell others that salvation is ours, for there is no question that he will do what he says. In response to all he has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good. Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back is drawing nea