Solomon’s kingdom was a marvel of wisdom and splendor. His vast achievements, unparalleled wealth, and divine wisdom drew the attention of the world—including the Queen of Sheba, who journeyed to see for herself if the reports of his greatness were true. When she arrived, her expectations were not only met but exceeded. The queen was left breathless, and her response was one of awe, not only for Solomon but for the God who had blessed him so abundantly.

The Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon is like a traveler stumbling upon a glimmering spring in the desert. She had heard of its refreshing waters from afar, but tasting it herself surpassed all her hopes. What she received far outweighed what she brought. Solomon’s wisdom and generosity revealed a shadow of something greater: the ultimate fulfillment of wisdom and majesty in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s exhortation in Romans 13 reminds us of two interconnected truths: the importance of submitting to governing authorities as God’s ordained servants and the call to clothe ourselves with Christ, reflecting His light in a dark world. This dual charge is both practical and spiritual, shaping how we live out our faith in a world still waiting for redemption.

Imagine a lighthouse standing tall on a rocky shore. The lighthouse keeper doesn’t just light the lantern and leave—it requires diligent upkeep, cleaning the lens and ensuring the light shines brightly to guide ships safely. The keeper respects the authority of the sea’s laws and the responsibilities of their post. In much the same way, we are called to respect the governing authorities in our lives, knowing they are instruments of order, even in their imperfection.

The journey of appropriating the life of Christ can sometimes feel elusive—like a profound truth hovering just out of reach. Yet, the beauty of this process lies in its simplicity: it is not a formula to master but a relationship to embrace. Just as the seed must fall into the ground and die before it can bear fruit, so too must we surrender our self-reliance and trust the indwelling life of Christ to express Himself through us.

"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
— John 12:24

Discipleship is often misunderstood as merely acquiring spiritual knowledge or maintaining Christian activity. But as Miles J. Stanford explains, the true essence of discipleship involves a profound process of death and resurrection within us—a gradual yielding of self so that the life of Christ may flourish.

"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God."
— 1 Corinthians 1:30a

Wisdom is a treasure often admired in others, a quality marked by discernment, understanding, and insight. Many long to possess it, seeking answers and direction in the complexities of life. James reminds us of the abundant generosity of God, who gives wisdom freely to those who ask in faith (James 1:5-6). But in 1 Corinthians 1:30, we are taken beyond the concept of wisdom as something to attain; we are reminded that Jesus Himself is our wisdom.

"Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own."
— John 7:17

Jesus made an astonishing statement: if we want to know whether His words are true, we should do what He says. The proof of His teaching doesn’t come from debate or intellectual argument; it comes from experiencing its truth through obedience.

Imagine you’ve been handed a treasure map, and the only way to confirm its authenticity is to follow it. You might hesitate at first, doubting its legitimacy. But with each step—whether crossing rivers or digging in unexpected places—you discover that the map leads you exactly where it promised. The treasure isn’t just at the end; it’s also in the growing confidence that the mapmaker knew exactly what they were doing.

"But Jesus turned and rebuked them." — Luke 9:55 BSB

Early in their walk with Jesus, James and John were fiery and zealous. When the Samaritans rejected Christ, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven?” Their zeal lacked maturity, compassion, and understanding. Jesus’ gentle rebuke redirected them, not toward judgment but toward the love and patience that God demonstrates to all.

Years later, that same John, now transformed by time with Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit, would write letters overflowing with love and tender instruction. Paul, too, after initially rejecting Mark for his failures, later recognized his worth and valued him as “useful for ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).

"Jesus answered, 'Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.'”
— John 3:3

The life of the Spirit is not a one-time event—it’s a continual, eternal beginning, a fresh fountain of life that never runs dry. Jesus described it as being “born again,” a mysterious and surprising work of God. Much like the wind that moves where it pleases, the Spirit’s renewing presence breathes life into our days, thoughts, and actions.

Yet, how often do we find ourselves raking through the stale remnants of our own strength, trying to "get through" rather than living in the freshness God has already provided? Staleness often creeps in when we depend on ourselves—on routines, feelings, or even others—rather than on the Spirit’s moment-by-moment sufficiency.

"Behold, the days are coming," says the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel…I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people…they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them," says the LORD. "For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."
—Jeremiah 31:31, 33-34

God’s promise of a new covenant is like planting a seed in fertile soil. In the old covenant, the law was given externally, like instructions written on a stone tablet—clear but separate from the person reading it. But the new covenant changes everything. It’s as though God plants His very Word within us, and that seed grows, shaping our thoughts, desires, and actions from the inside out.

“God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever." — Psalm 73:26

When all else in life fails, we discover the truth: God Himself is enough. His unfailing love satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts—a love that is steadfast, abundant, and perfectly ours in Christ. Yet how often we search for fulfillment in lesser things, only to find they cannot satisfy.

The sixth chapter of Mark paints a vivid picture of Jesus’ ministry, revealing his identity as the Good Shepherd who sees his people’s needs and meets them with compassion and power. Yet it also shows the struggles of human unbelief—whether it’s the rejection of Jesus in his hometown, Herod’s misplaced fear of John the Baptist, or even the disciples’ inability to fully grasp who Jesus is.

One of the most striking moments in this chapter is the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus sees the crowd as “sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34). The imagery is poignant: a flock of sheep, vulnerable and wandering, in desperate need of guidance and provision. Instead of chastising them for their aimlessness, Jesus steps into the role of the shepherd, offering both spiritual teaching and physical sustenance.

"This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Babylon’s thick wall will be leveled and her high gates set on fire; the peoples exhaust themselves for nothing, the nations’ labor is only fuel for the flames.'”
— Jeremiah 51:58

The fall of Babylon was no ordinary event. It was a dramatic unraveling of a seemingly invincible empire, orchestrated by God Himself in response to Babylon’s violence and arrogance. What Jeremiah prophesied was fulfilled with precision: Babylon, the mighty “destroying mountain,” was reduced to rubble, a vivid testament to God’s justice and sovereignty.

The story of Babylon’s fall is a reminder that no earthly power, no matter how mighty, can withstand the judgment of the Lord. Its collapse during a feast, as described in verse 39 and echoed in Daniel 5, underscores how God’s plans unfold in ways that human strength cannot anticipate or resist.

"You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you."
— Song of Solomon 4:7

The Song of Solomon gives us a glimpse of love as God intended: a sacred bond of mutual adoration and joy between a husband and wife. In these verses, Solomon’s words to his bride are brimming with poetic beauty. He celebrates her physical appearance, her character, and the purity of her love, preparing the atmosphere for the consummation of their union.

This passage highlights love as a garden unsealed. For so long, the bride had preserved herself, guarding her heart and body as a treasure. Now, in the context of covenant love, the garden is open, offering its abundance to her husband. It is a picture of God’s design for intimacy—unreserved, joyful, and pure within the bounds of marriage.

When Solomon completed the temple, God showed His approval in a stunning display: fire descended from heaven, consuming the sacrifices, and His glory filled the temple. The people responded with worship, falling on their faces in thanksgiving and reverence, their hearts overflowing with joy. This moment was not just about the grandeur of the ceremony; it was a astonishing reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant and His dwelling among His people.

As the festivities concluded, the Lord met Solomon again, affirming His promises and issuing solemn warnings. The blessings of God's presence were tied to the people's faithfulness, their humility, and their repentance when they strayed. If they turned to Him in prayer and sought His face, He promised restoration and forgiveness. But the warnings were just as clear: forsaking God would bring devastating consequences, including exile and the destruction of the temple.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
— Romans 12:1

Imagine a potter working diligently at the wheel, shaping a lump of clay into a beautiful vessel. The clay doesn’t resist or demand control over the process; it simply yields to the potter’s hands. This is the picture Paul gives us in Romans 12. Our lives are to be offered to God as a living sacrifice—fully yielded, allowing Him to shape and use us for His purposes.

Overthinking—it’s something most of us wrestle with at one time or another. Recently, Jordan Peterson suggested that overthinking stems from being deeply hurt by someone in your life. While this psychological insight resonates with many, as Christians, we have a unique perspective on the root of overthinking and the hope of healing through Christ.

Let’s explore the connection between past hurts and overthinking, and how God’s grace frees us from this exhausting mental spiral.

"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'”
— Matthew 16:24

Imagine a river flowing through a dry, barren desert. Along its banks, life begins to flourish—trees grow tall, the ground turns green, and birds find shelter in the shade. The river does not create life by itself but brings the water that enables it. Likewise, our discipleship springs from the life of Christ flowing through us. The cross is the channel through which this life comes.

"I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church."
— 1 Corinthians 4:17

The Apostle Paul’s ministry was marked by an unwavering commitment to spreading the life of grace. Wherever he went, whether publicly or from house to house, Paul proclaimed the whole counsel of God, reminding believers of their identity in Christ and their participation in His death, burial, and resurrection.

Paul’s passion was not to keep this truth to himself but to spread it like seeds cast across a field. He sent Timothy to the Corinthians not with a new message but to remind them of what Paul lived and taught everywhere: that their lives were now hidden in Christ, the true source of all life and transformation.

"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God."
—John 6:67-69

The words of Simon Peter strike a chord deep within the heart of every believer: Lord, to whom shall we go? This question, born out of reflection and conviction, is not just a declaration of loyalty but a testimony to the incomparable nature of Christ.

Peter’s response captures the essence of following Jesus: there is no viable alternative. Jesus alone speaks the words that pierce through the fog of life, revealing truth, hope, and eternal purpose. His life demonstrates a holiness and love that cannot be matched.

"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure."
— Malachi 3:10 (BSB)

Trials can feel like locked doors—unyielding barriers that stand between us and relief. Yet, God’s Word invites us to view them differently. They are not locked doors but windows—windows through which God pours out His abundant blessings when we trust Him and respond in faith.

This verse in Malachi is a bold call to trust God completely, to step out in obedience even when circumstances feel uncertain. The old man’s wisdom mentioned in A.B. Simpson’s devotional highlights a striking truth: when trials test us, it’s the perfect moment to test God’s promises—not out of doubt, but in confidence that He is faithful.