1 John 4:10-11(ESV) 10. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Propitiation. An action. An appeasement. A satisfying. An atonement. The ultimate […]
Read more "Believe. Love. Go forward. "Romans 10:17 17. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Or does it? Everyone has faith in something even if they don’t believe in Christ. Why? You have faith that you exist and that it all started somewhere, sometime, right? But we don’t know how it all started. We have […]
Read more "Faith comes Romans 10:17"Numbers 23:19 God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Isn’t that the truth. God isn’t human. The first indication is that he doesn’t lie. That tells us quite a bit about […]
Read more "Yes and yet Numbers 23:19"John 11:25-27 (NLT) 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are […]
Read more "A gentle tongue can break a bone John 11:25-27 Luke 11:21-23"Isaiah 40:30-31 30. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31. but those who hope [wait, trust] in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. This world has its ways […]
Read more "Picking up with selfless abandon Isaiah 40:30-31"Matthew 5:14-16 14. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16. In the same way, let your […]
Read more "Better, easier Matthew 5:14-16"1 Timothy 6:12 12. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Faith is different than The Faith. Fight the good fight of the faith. What the heck. I have faith that God […]
Read more "Faith 1 Timothy 6:1"Proverbs 3:5-6 5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6. in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Straight to where? Straight to becoming the man He created me to be. Far too often though, I’m disobeying the first parts […]
Read more "Crooked path marked with crashes Proverbs 3:5-6"Ephesians 1:3 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Praise for saving our hides. Seems we do that for normal everyday things – like avoiding getting that ticket, having that lacrosse ball size rock from […]
Read more "What’s your fight about? Ephesians 1-3 "Psalms 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Proverbs 15:31-32 Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at […]
Read more "Anti-snowflake Psalms 46:1-3 Proverbs 15:31-32"Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV) 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance […]
Read more "How to recognize a blessing Philippians 4:11-13"Our church filled with family, friends, and coworkers. Their heartfelt sorrow and compassion palatable as they hugged us and cried for our pain. We are blessed to have what we have. Then, slowly, after we said goodbye to Kathryn, it emptied. Easing toward a new, altered normality. 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 (ESV) 9 As it is, […]
Read more "Easing toward a new, altered normality 2 Corinthians 7:9-11"Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. That makes a lot of sense – if we want to draw near to God, we need to believe that he exists. […]
Read more "Flourish! Hebrews 11:6"Psalm 119:11 (NIV) 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Matthew 23:1-12 (ESV) 23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the […]
Read more "What we wear Psalm 119:11 Matthew 23:1-12"Hebrews 11:3 (NIV) 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. At the end of all the arguments, we all have faith. It’s impossible not to for this simple reason. As we move higher and higher in […]
Read more "We all have faith in something Hebrews 11:3, 6 Luke 21:1-4"Psalm 27:1 (ESV) 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Mark 8:35-38 (ESV) 35 For whoever would save his soul will lose it, but whoever loses his soul for my sake and the gospel’s will […]
Read more "Fear? Psalm 27:1 Mark 8:35-38"Psalm 56:3-4 (MSG) 56 1-4 Take my side, God—I’m getting kicked around, stomped on every day. Not a day goes by but somebody beats me up; They make it their duty to beat me up. When I get really afraid I come to you in trust. I’m proud to praise God; fearless now, I trust […]
Read more "The Way home Psalm 56:3-4 Luke 13:22-30"John 14:15 (ESV) 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. So, why is that so hard to do? Christ isn’t talking about keeping the original version of the 10 Commandments, he’s talking about the amped up version of the 10 Commandments that he gives us in the Sermon on the Mount/Plain (Matthew […]
Read more "Radical Good John 14:15"Luke 6:46-49 (ESV) 46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation […]
Read more "Better Than Jersey Shore Luke 6:46-49 Romans 5:20-21"Matthew 18:7-9 (NLT) 7 “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting.” James 5:13-15 (MSG) 13-15 Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with […]
Read more "Prayer or Anti-Prayer? Matthew 18:7-9 James 5:13-15 1 John 4:17-18"Matthew 13:10-17 (NLT) 10 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?” 11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets[the mysteries] of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 12 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they […]
Read more "The Deliverer Matthew 13:10-17 Luke 7:1-10"1 Peter 3:13-14 (ESV) 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared […]
Read more "Risky Business 1 Peter 3:13-14 Luke 12:8-9"Isaiah 53:7-9 (MSG) 7-9 He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn’t say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence. Justice miscarried, and he was led off— and did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought […]
Read more "The anti-Elite Isaiah 53:7-9 Matthew 11:25-30"Luke 13:10-17 (NIV) Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath 10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, […]
Read more "A radical and much more than a great man. Luke 13:10-17 (NIV)"Luke 11:9-10 (NIV) “9 ‘So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.’”Mark 7:17-23 (MSG) […]
Read more "Either/Or Luke 11:9-10 Mark 7:17-23"John 3:16-17 “16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Isaiah 53:1-5 […]
Read more "Peace John 3:16-17 Isaiah 53:1-5"Matthew 13:31-32 “31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, […]
Read more "Mustard seeds, love, and the world reborn"Matthew 11:25-26 “25 Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people. 26 Yes, Father, that’s the way you like to work.”” 1 Peter 3:13-17 (NIV) “13 Now who is there to harm you if […]
Read more "Matthew 11:25-26 1 Peter 3:13-17 Maybe we just know too much."1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (NIV) “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of […]
Read more "1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 John 11:25 Kick the tires, check it out, test everything"2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV) “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.” John 10:25-28 (NIV) “25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and […]
Read more "2 Chronicles 16-9 John 10:25-28 Matthew 10:32 It’s not like we don’t know"Deuteronomy 8:3 (NIV) “And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” Matthew […]
Read more "Deuteronomy 8:3 Matthew 6:33 You can’t always get what you want, but…"Exodus 17:12 “But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” Matthew 9:36-38 […]
Read more "Exodus 17-12, Matthew 9:36-38 Answering a prayer"Matthew 6:14-15 “14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 8:11-12 “11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, […]
Read more "Matthew 6:14-15, 8:11-12 Haters never prosper"Psalm 119:33-35 33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. 35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Matthew 6:30-34 “31 So […]
Read more "Psalm 119:33-35 Matthew 6:30-34 Pig headed with an open mind."Matthew 6:24-34 “24 ‘No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. 25 ‘Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or […]
Read more "Matthew 6:24-34 Luke 12:24 Who is this guy?"Romans 8:28-30 “28 That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. 29 God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as […]
Read more "Romans 8:28-30 Imagine choosing your destiny."Matthew 6:7-8 7 “And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ”1 Corinthians 12:7-10 “7…Therefore, in order to keep me from […]
Read more "Matthew 6:7-8 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 Sometimes the answer is just NO"Proverbs 22:4 “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” Philippians 4:12 “12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or […]
Read more "Proverbs 22:4 Philippians 4:12 The last train out of town."Matthew 5:13-16 “13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot […]
Read more "Matthew 5:13-16 Good salt, bad salt, you know I’ve had my share…."Ephesians 1:7-10 “7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, […]
Read more "Ephesians 1:7-10 Promises, promises…"Romans 1:16-17 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as […]
Read more "Romans 1:16-17 Mark 12:29-31 I am not ashamed"Deuteronomy 20:3-4 “3 and shall say to them, ‘hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: do not let your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, 4 for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you […]
Read more "Deuteronomy 20:3-4 Wars of conquest."Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith is the… conviction of things not seen. None of us are faithless. We can’t see how we got here – how the universe came into being – but we have faith that is was created. Whether believer […]
Read more "Hebrews 11:1 Yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah."Hebrews 4:12 “12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes […]
Read more "Hebrews 4:12 Mark 11:21-22 What grows on your tree?"Mark 10:48-51 “48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to […]
Read more "Mark 10:48-51, Psalms 43:5 Teacher, I want to see!"Mark 10:45 “45 For the Son of man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” How many of us are willing to give up something to give someone a hand up? I mean really give something up? Like trade in the nice car […]
Read more "Mark 10-45 It’s like a Neverending Gobstopper"Psalms 9:9 “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Mark 10:28-31 “28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother […]
Read more "Psalms 9:9, Mark 10:28-31 My spending habits show the truth…"Proverbs 17:28 “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” Proverbs 18:2 “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. If we string verses 17:28 and 18:2 together with a but we get “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, […]
Read more "Proverbs 17:28, 18:1-3 Even a fish wouldn’t get into trouble if it kept its mouth shut."Psalms 32:9-10 “9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by the bit and bridle or they will not come back to you. 10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.” Mules and […]
Read more "Psalms 32-9-10 Even a mule figures it out eventually."Habakkuk 3:17-18 “ 17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be […]
Read more "Habakkuk 3-17-18 When bread goes bad"Romans 12:9 – 10 NIV “9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Here we have the hate word again. Man, God sure makes it hard to love Him when He keeps on hating. I think […]
Read more "Romans 12:9 – 10 A sticky wicket"Psalms 37:5-6, 10 “5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday” How frustrating is it when cheaters prosper? When complete and total scammers prosper? When thieves steal your security, your peace, your […]
Read more "Psalms 37-5-6, 10 What to do when scammed…"Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. Proverbs 13:5 A righteous man hates lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and comes to shame. Proverbs 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. Lies, lies, lies. White lies, black […]
Read more "Proverbs 12:2, 13:5, 14:5 The need to lie"Ephesians 4:31 – 5:2 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way […]
Read more "Ephesians 4-31 – 5-2 Showing real tolerance"Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strifes: but love covers all sins. Psalms 42:11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Love covers all sin. Hatred stirs up strife. Ummm, what kind of a world do […]
Read more "Proverbs 10-12 Psalms 42:11 Love covers all sin."Joshua 22:5 “5 But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all […]
Read more "Joshua 22-5 John 8:32 Wait, don’t hang up!"1 John 5:1 “Everyone who loves the Father loves his child as well.” If you love the Father, you will love his child. Love the child of the Father. Love. There are no fatherless children. Literally and figuratively. There are no fatherless children. They might not have a father, but they aren’t fatherless. He is […]
Read more "1 John 5:1 There are no Fatherless children."Luke 1:28 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Sometimes we have a portending that things are going to get interesting in our lives. I imagined it’s nothing like what Mary was facing though. Imagine, an angel shows up at your front door […]
Read more "Luke 1:28 Visitors"Isaiah 40:3 “3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” I used to think this was pointing to God being an alien and that when his ship landed, well it’d need a runway. Hmm, a spaceship traveling […]
Read more "Isaiah 40:3 God don’t need no stinkin’ runway."Psalms 29:1 – 2 1 Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. Ascribe isn’t a commonly used word any more. It means to to credit to, or to attribute […]
Read more "Psalms 29-1 – 2 I need an ascribtion to cure what ails me."Psalms 94:19 “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” At the jail last night one of the guys in the room said he just loved sticking a needle in his arm. Another guy talked about what brought him “joy” and it wasn’t about living in God’s word. Came home to an […]
Read more "Psalms 94:19 Letting in a little Sonlight into our lives"Daniel 2:19-23 “19….Daniel blessed the God of heaven, 20 saying, “Blessed be the name of God, forever and ever. He knows all, does all: 21 He changes the seasons and guides history, He raises up kings and also brings them down, he provides both intelligence and discernment, 22 He opens up the depths, tells secrets, […]
Read more "Daniel 2-19-23 Matthew 18:19 I found a magic lamp – a Jesus in a bottle!"2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? Romans 8:38 – 39 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 […]
Read more "2 Corinthians 6-14 Romans 8:38-39 Heard a good yoke joke lately?"Proverbs 15:16 “Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.” Isaiah 33:22 “For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.” The Lord sets the rules and is our judge. It’s better to live in […]
Read more "Proverbs 15-16 Isaiah 33:22 Who is this guy?"Psalms 34:8 “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” Luke 7:23 “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Stumble on account of Jesus? What a tumultuous time it must have been. John is telling people ‘wait for the Christ to come’, […]
Read more "Psalms 34-8 Luke 7:23 Tripping on Jesus"Lamentations 3:25-26 “25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Psalms 62:7 “My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.” “Wait! Stop! Dad – […]
Read more "Lamentations 3-25-26 Psalm 62-7 Waiting patiently for a rock to move."Daniel 4:37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” Hebrews 12:14 “14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness […]
Read more "Daniel 4-37 Hebrews 12:14 Live humbly, in peace"Proverbs 11:9 “With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.” because Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” I could […]
Read more "Proverbs 11:9 Hebrews 4:12 what would you choose – bile or spring water?"Jonah 2:8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.” Galatians 5:6 “6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Love as an action, as a thing expressed, worthy of God, worthy of being. Love […]
Read more "Jonah 2:8 Galatians 5:6 Idols, law, and a big fish."1 John 1:8-9 “8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Isaiah 12:1 – 2 “1 In that day you will say: […]
Read more "1 John 1:8-9 Isaiah 12:1 I can’t believe I ate the whole thing!"Psalms 40:5 5 Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. James 2:8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor […]
Read more "Psalms 40:5, James 2:8 Love your neighbor even when they don’t know how to blow their nose."1 Peter 5:8 – 10 “8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And […]
Read more "1 Peter 5:8-10 Wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh"Luke 6:33 “And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.” I think we’d all agree the world is a mess right now. The question is: why? God has given us plenty of resources, but they are radically distributed – few have […]
Read more "Luke 6:33 When have you given enough?"Isaiah 26:9 “My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.” In this world, everyone is still connected to God; whether you want to be or not, whether you realize it or not, it’s […]
Read more "Isaiah 26:9 In life and love, there are consequences"Acts 4:10-12 “10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 […]
Read more "Acts 4:10-12 Do you believe what you’ve seen, or what you hear?"Hebrews 12:14 “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” I just can’t handle God and His demands. His expectations are far too high and totally unreasonable. Live in peace and don’t take what isn’t yours, don’t cheat or steal, don’t sleep […]
Read more "Hebrews 12:14 I just can’t handle God and His expectations"Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors […]
Read more "Romans 8:35-39 More than conquerors"Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” There are times when I just don’t get God and what he’s doing. I don’t understand the physical pain in my life (arthritic ankles), […]
Read more "Jeremiah 29:11 Endearing pain ensuring joy"Philippians 3:13-14 “13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Straining […]
Read more "Philippians 3:13-14 Run for your life!"Hebrews 13:5-6 “5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”” What’s […]
Read more "Hebrews 13:5-6 Why we are all like Linus Van Pelt"Romans 8:6-8 “6The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.” We’d like to think that we control […]
Read more "Romans 8:6-8 Mind control"1 Peter 4:7 (link to v1-11) “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” Turn out the lights There are only two things that are certain in this life, death and taxes. Blah, blithering blah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Most folks prepare for tax season once […]
Read more "1 Peter 4:7 Turn out the lights, the party’s over"1 Thessalonians 5:15 “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” Soooo, no more “an eye for an eye”? What about my honor? Wait, is honor being humble before the Lord? This gets complicated in a hurry because it turned everything […]
Read more "1 Thessalonians 5:15 And then Christ just turned everything rightside up"Deuteronomy 8:1-3 “1 Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers. 2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, […]
Read more "Deuteronomy 8:1-3 This ain’t the desert, and it’s not manna, so where are we?"Luke 5:27-28 “27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. 28 “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.” Follow me. Jesus just walked up to the most reviled, detested, dishonest, crooked, cheatingest person in […]
Read more "Luke 5:27-28 Follow me"Malachi 3:10 Malachi 3 from The Message “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough […]
Read more "Malachi 3:10 When God says “Bring it on”"
Just broken 