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 5:43-48 “43 “You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise […]
Read more "Matthew 5:43-48 Grace"While spending some quite time in God’s word the other night God put this thought on my mind so I turned it into a poem titled Why. I pray that this poem convict you like it did me as God spo… Source: A CALL FOR ACTION POEM TITLED-(WHY)
Read more "A CALL FOR ACTION POEM TITLED-(WHY)"Matthew 5:38-42 “38 “You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40 and if anyone would sue […]
Read more "Matthew 5:38-42 Roman’s 8:18 Vacuum messes"Amos 5:24 “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” Luke 7:47 “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Who do you love? Who do you forgive? Who do you bless? Do we live […]
Read more "Amos 5:24 Luke 7:47 Who do you love?"1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Or 1 Corinthians 15:58 The MSG “With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, […]
Read more "1 Corinthians 15:58 Love conquers all"Isaiah 54:10 “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Ecclesiastes 1:4 “Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.” Some things never change. Like change. […]
Read more "Isaiah 54:10 Ecclesiastes 1:4 Some things never change"1 John 1:9-10 “9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is […]
Read more "1 John 1:9-10 Galatians 5:22-23 Come home to the good life"Matthew 5:17-19 “17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear […]
Read more "Matthew 5:17-19 Where is the love?"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…."Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” “But I’ve heard the tender whisper Of love in the dead of night.” Lyrics from Good Good Father composed by Pat Barret and Tony Brown I’ve heard that tender whisper of love. Have you? I have […]
Read more "Proverbs 18:10 In the dead of life"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…"Psalms 42:1-2 “1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Luke 2:49-50 “49 And he said to them, “How is it that you sought me? Did you not […]
Read more "Psalms 42:1-2 Luke 2:49-50 I am hungry and thirsty in the land of plenty"Luke 15:1-7 “1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t […]
Read more "Luke 15:1-7 A star searching for us."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."2 Timothy 3:16-17 “16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” James 1:23-25 “23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone […]
Read more "2 Timothy 3:16-17 Maybe the instructions aren’t so basic after all?"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."Luke 9:11-17 “11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. 12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and […]
Read more "Luke 9:11-17 Psalms 22:26-28 Musta been a food coma that made me do it. Or maybe not."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…"John 13:34-35 “34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” A new commandment. Love one another. Not just people […]
Read more "John 13:34-35 Love like your eternity depends on it."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"James 1:19-21 “19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly […]
Read more "James 1-19-21 What does your garden grow?"Deuteronomy 30:15-16 “15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you […]
Read more "Deuteronomy 30-15-16 God doesn’t hate and there is right and wrong."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"The other day, Zac and I went into a retail store and were greeted by an associate. I soon recognized the associate as someone I used to go to church with years ago. Someone close to my age, who I had shared many years sitting next to in our small little church. But, he had […]
Read more "When he became a she – walking in love"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."Matthew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. John 1:5 – And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 8:12 – Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of […]
Read more "Turn on the lights the party’s just beginning. Matthew 5:16 John 1:5 John 8:12"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"Numbers 14:8 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Matthew 16:13-16 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They […]
Read more "Numbers 14-8 Matthew 16:13-16 Things get sticky in the land of milk and honey."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."1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” So, I guess if I can’t stop sinning, just love and everything’ll be alright. OK, cool. Whoa Nellie, slow down! Let’s ponder this for a while cowboy. As you know, there are two types of love – self […]
Read more "1 Peter 4-8 Love is a powerful change agent."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"Proverbs 21:3 “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” This is pretty clear. To do the right thing and be just is what God is looking for. He’s not concerned that you tithe 10% because that’s what you’re supposed to do, or “that’s what we do” because […]
Read more "Proverbs 21:3 To do or not to do?"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"Psalms 105:4 “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” Seek his face. Different translations use Yahweh (I Am) or Jehovah (The Lord Who Provides – from Bible.org). Seek the Lord, the Creator, The Provider. Seek Him for his strength. Dang, that’s a whole lot more strength than I can muster up […]
Read more "Psalms 105:4 Hide or Seek"Matthew 28:5-7 “5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the […]
Read more "Matthew 28:5-7 A rolling stone as a hinge"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"Psalms 42:1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. The deer pants when it is thirsty. So our soul that’s for our Lord. God made us with a longing for Him, a God shaped hole in our heart that can only be filled by him, yet […]
Read more "Psalm 42:1 Thirsty?"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”"Proverbs 21:2 “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.” Ever get that feeling that what you’re doing just isn’t right? That’s God’s weight. On your heart. But you keep on doing it because…. That can lead to “non-belief”. I know from experience. I found the “pleasures” of sin […]
Read more "Proverbs 21:2 When our thoughts aren’t God’s thoughts, and God keeps loving us."Isaiah 26:8 “Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” These things are true: Isaiah 26:1 “…God make salvation its walls and ramparts” v3 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose mind are steadfast, because they trust in you.” […]
Read more "Isaiah 26:8 – An unnatural condition"Should you pick up that call? Romans 8:28 NIV “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 MSG “That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is […]
Read more "Romans 8:20"Getting all dressed up and having somewhere to go! Isaiah 61:10 “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself […]
Read more "Isaiah 61:10"To live you have to love. To love you have to be vulnerable. Mark 12:30 ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Love the Lord with your heart, that makes sense. Love the Lord with your mind, that’s […]
Read more "Mark 12:30"What’s in your heart? Luke 6:43-45 “43 No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in […]
Read more "Luke 6:43-45"Overcoming obstacles John 19:30 “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 20:19 “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came […]
Read more "John 19:30"What ever happened to Barabbas? Psalms 91:14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” Christ was protected by God, Barabbas wasn’t. Yet look what happened? Barabbas was set free, Christ was violently flogged, mocked, then he died slowly, painfully, as his lungs […]
Read more "Psalm 91:14"Transforming brokenness to joy 1 John 4:13 “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.” He has given us his spirit. How intense is that? A God of pure love, who came and sacrificed himself for us so that we might live, […]
Read more "1 John 4:13"What do you do when a celebrity knocks at your door? 1 John 2:28 “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.” If Jesus came knocking at your door, what would you say or do? “Um, wait right here Jesus […]
Read more "1 John 2:28"It doesn’t matter 1 Timothy 1:15 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.” Paul had quite a track record before Christ introduced himself while, as Saul, he was on the way to Damascus to eradicate as many […]
Read more "1 Timothy 1:15"Why? John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” As seen at football stadiums all over the country. For the non-believer, yeah, so what. For the believer, cool, now let’s end the TV time out. […]
Read more "John 3:16"The greatest commandment Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. “37 This is the first and greatest commandment. 38 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two […]
Read more "Deuteronomy 6:5"Anger, fury, rage: open wide and say “attack me, I have no peace”. Proverbs 25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. The self leads us to all sorts of bad things – self will, self centered being the main ones, but self important, self righteous, follow closely […]
Read more "Proverbs 25:28"Why hearses don’t have U-Hauls and significance during your life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 “17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 […]
Read more "1 Timothy 6:17-19"What does it mean to soar on wings like eagles? Isaiah 40:28-31 “28Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29He gives strength to the weary and […]
Read more "Isaiah 40:28-31"The sacrificial way of love Ephesians 5:2 “1Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and 2walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Follow God’s example and walk in the way of love. What does that look […]
Read more "Ephesians 5:1-2"Hope from the bottom of the pile. James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” I’ve had lots of trials in my life, from addiction to financial to relational. It […]
Read more "James 1:12"Run to, do not hide. Psalms 27:8 “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.” When the time comes that trouble strikes, there is really one good alternative to turn to. When you wish there was a redo button handy that you could hit a bunch of times because […]
Read more "Psalm 27:8"Imagine there is a heaven, it’s easy if you try. (sorry John lennon) Psalms 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” So, imagine there’s this perfect God who created the dirt, plants, animals, humans, water, air, earth, solar system, galaxy, universe and heavens, and He’s a good who […]
Read more "Psalms 133:1"Love is Christian, hate is not. 1 John 4:20-21 20Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, who may have not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God […]
Read more "1 John 4:20-21"When justice looks bleak. Psalms 90:12 “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Oh, how we dislike discipline, justice. Yeah, we’ll accept it, but not with a grateful heart. It’s usually with a stiff neck and prideful protestations. So what do we do with a God who is […]
Read more "Psalms 90:12"The end of government as we know it? 1 John 3:21-22 “21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.” These verses are so wrapped up by the verses that proceed and follow […]
Read more "1 John 3:21-22"Pride is like ear wax. Proverbs 29:23 “Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.” Ear wax, if not cleaned, will clog your hearing canal so it becomes hard to hear. If it goes on long enough without being cleaned, it’ll effect your balance too. I had my ears abraded once. […]
Read more "Proverbs 29:23"Led by example, pruned to perfection. John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Jesus showed us the way to love and live, and he led by example. There is no greater sacrifice for the ones you love than to take the ultimate one for them […]
Read more "John 15:13"What’s good enough on the path of life? Psalms 37:5-6 “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” In order for us to define good, we need to have bad, the two can’t […]
Read more "Psalm 37:5-6"Planting a forest of oaks. Isaiah 61:1-3 “1The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2to proclaim the year […]
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Just broken 