Better Than Jersey Shore Luke 6:46-49 Romans 5:20-21

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 […]

Love? 1 Corinthians 16:14 Matthew 24:45 Luke 16:19-21

1 Corinthians 16:14 (MSG) 13-14 Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping. 1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV) 14 Let all that you do be done in love. Matthew 24:45-51 (ESV) 45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has […]

Millstones Numbers 21:4-5 Deuteronomy 33:29 Matthew 18:4-6

Numbers 21:4-5 (MSG) 4-5 They set out from Mount Hor along the Red Sea Road, a detour around the land of Edom. The people became irritable and cross as they traveled. They spoke out against God and Moses: “Why did you drag us out of Egypt to die in this godforsaken country? No decent food; […]

How to stop someone from crying Psalm 130:1-2

Psalm 130:1-2 (NIV) 1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; 2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. In the days before the social safety net (hmmmmm,[political commentary] a net can be used to save someone or ensnare someone….) kids were their parents social security, […]

Three tough men Psalm 121:5 Luke 5:8-11

Psalm 121:5 (NLT) 5 The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. Luke 5:8-11 (MSG) 8-10 Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. “Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself.” When they pulled in that catch […]

Spending Isaiah 52:13 Matthew 5:10 John 6:27

Isaiah 52:13 (NASB) 13 Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted. Matthew 5:10 (NIV) 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. John 6:27 (MSG) 27 “Don’t waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for […]

John 1-46 Anything good

John 1:46 (NIV) 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Can anything good come out of Nazareth? I guess that depends on how we do with the teachings we’ve been given. Great things have come from there already – amazing miracles, amazing wisdom, amazing love. Yet, and I suppose not […]

Frauds and the tongue Matthew 23:13 James 3:7-10 Mark 13:5-6

Matthew 23:13-22 (MSG) 13 “I’ve had it with you! You’re hopeless, you religion scholars, you Pharisees! Frauds! Your lives are roadblocks to God’s kingdom. You refuse to enter, and won’t let anyone else in either. Mark 13:5-6 (NIV) 5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in […]

Moving mountains with faith Joshua 1:9 Mark 11:24

Joshua 1:9 (NIV) 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Mark 11:24 (NIV) 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it […]

Peace John 3:16-17 Isaiah 53:1-5

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 […]

When no one wants to leave Psalm 54:4 Matthew 14:14-21 John 18:36

Psalm 54:4 (NIV) 4 Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. Matthew 14:14-21 (NIV) “14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and […]

John 15:24-25 Psalm 34:4-6 Loons, crows, and things that aren’t what they seem

John 15:24-25 “24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without […]

1 John 3:17-18 etc. Christ, the poor, and you/me/us.

1 John 3:17-18 ESV “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” Proverbs 14:31 ESV “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults […]

John 12:25-26 Colossians 3:13 Hating life to really live???

John 12:25-26 (NIV) “25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. Colossians 3:13 (NLT) […]

Matthew 11:25-26 1 Peter 3:13-17 Maybe we just know too much.

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 […]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 John 11:25 Kick the tires, check it out, test everything

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 […]

2 Chronicles 16-9 John 10:25-28 Matthew 10:32 It’s not like we don’t know

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 […]

Matthew 6:24 Matthew 20:32-33 Is there a reason?

Matthew 6:24 (MSG) “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money” Matthew 20:32-33 (NIV) “32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, […]

Matthew 7:10, 15-17 Golden rule in reality

Matthew 7:10 (NIV) The Golden Rule “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:15-17 (NIV) “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. […]

Deuteronomy 8:3 Matthew 6:33 You can’t always get what you want, but…

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 […]

Exodus 17-12, Matthew 9:36-38 Answering a prayer

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 […]

Matthew 9:10-13 Hanging out in the fringes.

Matthew 9:10-13 “10 And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard […]

Psalm 141:5-6 Matthew 9:2-4 Mark 8:36-38 I stand corrected.

Psalm 141:5-6“4 Keep my heart from desiring any evil thing, or from taking part in the sins of the evil-doers with men who do wrong: and let me have no part in their good things. 5 Let the upright give me punishment; and let the god-fearing man put me in the right way; but I […]

Psalms 139:23-24 Matthew 8:19 Acts 17:6-9 The price is right.

Psalms 139:23-24 “23 Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; 24 See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong — then guide me on the road to eternal life.” Matthew 8:19 “And a scribe came up and said to him, […]

Matthew 25:35-40 The hungry mouth is still there.

Matthew 25:35-40 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you […]

Proverbs 4:20 I LOVE being a father.

Proverbs 4:20-27 “20 My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for […]

Matthew 6:24-34 Luke 12:24 Who is this guy?

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 […]

Romans 8:28-30 Imagine choosing your destiny.

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 […]

Matthew 6:7-8 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 Sometimes the answer is just NO

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 […]

Proverbs 22:4 Philippians 4:12 The last train out of town.

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 […]

Matthew 5:38-42 Roman’s 8:18 Vacuum messes

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 […]

Isaiah 54:10 Ecclesiastes 1:4 Some things never change

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. […]

1 John 1:9-10 Galatians 5:22-23 Come home to the good life

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 […]

Proverbs 18:10 In the dead of life

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 […]

Ephesians 1:7-10 Promises, promises…

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, […]

Psalms 42:1-2 Luke 2:49-50 I am hungry and thirsty in the land of plenty

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 […]

Luke 15:1-7 A star searching for us.

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 […]

Romans 1:16-17 Mark 12:29-31 I am not ashamed

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 […]

Deuteronomy 20:3-4 Wars of conquest.

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 […]

Hebrews 11:1 Yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah.

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 […]

Luke 9:11-17 Psalms 22:26-28 Musta been a food coma that made me do it. Or maybe not.

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 […]

Psalms 9:9, Mark 10:28-31 My spending habits show the truth…

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 […]

Proverbs 17:28, 18:1-3 Even a fish wouldn’t get into trouble if it kept its mouth shut.

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, […]

Habakkuk 3-17-18 When bread goes bad

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 […]

Romans 12:9 – 10 A sticky wicket

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 […]

Proverbs 12:2, 13:5, 14:5 The need to lie

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 […]

Ephesians 4-31 – 5-2 Showing real tolerance

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 […]

Proverbs 10-12 Psalms 42:11 Love covers all sin.

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 […]

Turn on the lights the party’s just beginning. Matthew 5:16 John 1:5 John 8:12

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 […]

Joshua 22-5 John 8:32 Wait, don’t hang up!

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 […]

1 John 5:1 There are no Fatherless children.

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 […]

Luke 1:28 Visitors

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 […]

Isaiah 40:3 God don’t need no stinkin’ runway.

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 […]

Psalms 29-1 – 2 I need an ascribtion to cure what ails me.

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 […]

Psalms 94:19 Letting in a little Sonlight into our lives

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 […]

2 Corinthians 6-14 Romans 8:38-39 Heard a good yoke joke lately?

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 […]