Daily Challenges Archive

When we consider Herod the Great, most of us don’t think of him as particularly great. We see him, as Solomon describes in this verse, as an evil schemer. The wise men showed up looking for the Savior—a newborn King—and Herod, who felt threatened ...

Trusting in ourselves can be a tricky thought. A strong self-image can be delusional. Understanding who God is—and who we are in light of that understanding—is what we need to pursue. A strong God-image should be our ultimate goal. It is not that ...

It seems appropriate, given both the week we are in and this verse from Solomon, to share what I believe to be one of the most concise and insightful descriptions of Jesus. As we celebrate His brief visit and profound impact on our planet, here is...

I love the simplicity of this verse. That being said, it can be far more difficult to consistently do what is right and just than it is to sacrifice. Sacrifice calls for us to give up something of ourselves, but doing what is right and just speaks...

The other day I saw a story about a young man who became so angry during his family Thanksgiving get-together that he was kicked out. Shortly thereafter, he returned and set the house on fire. I’ve always wondered about stories of fights within fa...

A lot of Scripture is a mystery. To really grasp it takes revelation from the Spirit and perhaps deep study. There are many verses like that, but this isn’t one of them. The fact that it is the living, active Word of God makes it very mystical and...

It’s amazing that even though this was written almost 3,000 years ago, like so much of scripture it is perhaps even more relevant today. If you doubt me, turn on any cable news channel or look at social media. For that matter, sit for a while in t...

One of the most successful Christian business owners I know has a firm principle: always assume positive intent. I now have that phrase at the top of my calendar every day. That way, as I skim my daily commitments, I start with it at the forefront...

This verse can be difficult to grasp from a New Testament perspective. In reality, it offers a clear look at the first Christmas and its culmination on Easter Sunday. The ultimate expression of love is seen in the sending and sacrificing of God’s ...

I watched a talent show earlier today. Two young men performed a hip-hop dance routine as their talent. It was amazing, though I’ve certainly seen many like it. What set them apart was summed up by one of the judges. He said, “You guys were terrif...

I like a clean house. You can read that sentence any way you want, and you will never see it say anything about me liking to clean my house. Therein lies the challenge of the past. Now that my children are all grown with their own families, and my...

In case you’re wondering, the poor thing is not an act by me. Seriously though, this is Solomon reminding us that you can’t judge a book by its cover. Appearances can be very deceiving. These are humble individuals—“poor in spirit”—who recognize t...