God * has zeal for His people * is powerful and strong * will trample the proud underfoot.

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Moses was one of many Hebrew babies whose lives were threatened by Pharaoh’s bloodthirsty decree to murder the infant boys born to the Israelites. Yet God had hand-selected this baby to be the leader of His rescue plan for His people who were enslaved in Egypt. Moses’ life was preserved through his mother Jochabed’s courageous act. Pharaoh’s daughter’s compassion led Moses to a life among Egyptian royalty, science, and culture. Moses’ own sense of justice landed him in a wilderness where God would meet him and commission him. There was nothing random in this story – even though it took years to come together. The big picture is often hard for us to see, but God is always at work in our stories. He is trustworthy, and we can rest in His sovereignty. - TV

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Jesus laid out the pattern for His followers in how to truly love our neighbors. He lived a simple life with simple provisions so that He would be available to minister to others. Have I allowed my life to become so complicated that I’m too busy to respond to the needs of others? He was sacrificial with His resources – most especially His own life. Am I too attached to the world to be able to respond generously from God’s rich provision toward me? He walked away from the comforts of this life to lead others to the joys of the next. Am I passionate about sharing the hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus – no matter the cost to me? “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” (John 3:16) I owe Jesus my “yes” to these questions. - TV

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Wisdom is an amazing gift, and it’s ours for the asking! God generously provides the ability to make good decisions in difficult circumstances. The wise person puts appropriate knowledge to action in each situation, relying on God’s direction. He or she is able to discern right from wrong and then grows in Christlikeness with each new decision. Ask God for wisdom, and He’ll surely give it! – TV

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Selfish desires lead down a destructive path. They destroy relationships, foster pride, and blind us to God’s provision of our true needs. Worst of all, we pursue things of the world over things of God. In the book of James, James harshly calls out an “adulterous people,” meaning to shock us – to open our eyes to our disloyalty to God. If you find yourself consumed by worldly desires, run to the Lord in humility, and ask for the strength to love, obey, and long for Him alone. He’ll change your heart, and your soul will find rest and peace in His rich provision. – TV

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“You love as well as you are willing to be inconvenienced.” – Ann Voskamp

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“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, ‘Ask for whatever you want Me to give you.’ Solomon answered, ‘You have shown great kindness to Your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to You and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?’ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.” – 1 Kings 3:5-10