Be led Proverbs 16:7-9

Proverbs 16:7-9 (NLT) 7 When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them. 8 Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. 9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Sometimes I just don’t get it and I wonder how it’s supposed […]

Attack 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 (NLT) 13 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if […]

Pick your stink

Psalm 119:105 (NLT) 105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Imagine if Warren Buffett, Elon Musk, and Edward Witten showed up at your door and said that they were going to personally advise you for the rest of your life – and they were going to […]

Taste and see Psalms 34:8 Colossians 2:6

Psalms 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Colossian 2:6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Taste and […]

Picking up with selfless abandon Isaiah 40:30-31

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 […]

I want freedom! Romans 6:20-23 John 6:35-40

Romans 6:20-23 (ESV) 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from […]

Yoke up Isaiah 55:10-11

Isaiah 55:10-11 10. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11. so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will […]

Rebelling against boundaries Proverbs 15-29 Romans 8:15

Hebrews 3:12-15 (ESV) 12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For […]

Fear? Psalm 27:1 Mark 8:35-38

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 […]

Getting to yes John 1:1-5 Matthew 18:19-20 Psalm 145:10-14

John 1:1-5 (NIV) The Word Became Flesh 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and […]

Energy surging Psalm 121:7-8 John 14:27

Psalm 121:7-8 (NLT) 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— watches over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever. John 14:27 (NLT) 27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world […]

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 […]

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 […]

Freedom… John 8:31-44

John 8:31-44 (ESV) “31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Today, we want freedom of/from everything. It’s our right. We want freedom from fear (safety), freedom […]

And the like Galatians 5:14-23

Galatians 5:14-23 (NIV) 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the […]

A radical and much more than a great man. Luke 13:10-17 (NIV)

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, […]

Either/Or Luke 11:9-10 Mark 7:17-23

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) […]

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) […]

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 […]

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 […]

1 John 3:18 Philippians 1:9-10 Will your legacy be one of action or…?

1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Philippians 1:9-10“9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be […]

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 7:1-5 Logging camps

Matthew 7:1-5 “1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 32-9-10 Even a mule figures it out eventually.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Proverbs 15-16 Isaiah 33:22 Who is this guy?

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 […]

Psalms 34-8 Luke 7:23 Tripping on Jesus

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’, […]

Proverbs 11:9 Hebrews 4:12 what would you choose – bile or spring water?

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 […]

Psalms 40:5, James 2:8 Love your neighbor even when they don’t know how to blow their nose.

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 […]

1 Peter 5:8-10 Wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh

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 […]

Jeremiah 29:11 Endearing pain ensuring joy

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), […]

Hebrews 13:5-6 Why we are all like Linus Van Pelt

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 […]

Romans 8:6-8 Mind control

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 […]

1 Peter 4:7 Turn out the lights, the party’s over

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 […]

Malachi 3:10 When God says “Bring it on”

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 […]

Proverbs 21:2 When our thoughts aren’t God’s thoughts, and God keeps loving us.

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 […]

Isaiah 26:8 – An unnatural condition

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.” […]

John 19:30

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 […]

Psalm 91:14

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 […]

1 John 4:13

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, […]

1 Timothy 1:15

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 […]

Ephesians 5:1-2

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 […]

Psalm 27:8

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 […]

Psalms 133:1

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 […]

1 John 4:20-21

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 […]

Psalms 90:12

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 […]

John 15:13

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 […]

1 Corinthians 15:58

Is it worth it? 1 Corinthians 15:58 “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.” Ever wonder if it’s worth it? Ever wonder if it’s worth following Christ? […]

Isaiah 40:7-8

Grass houses and eternity Isaiah 40:7-8 “7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” A grass house won’t last forever, nor will a wood house, […]

Deuteronomy 30:15-16

When does it matter? 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 […]

Philippians 3:10-11

What we do for real… Philippians 3:10-11 “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection of the dead.” Wow, what a bold statement. “I want to know Christ”. Right there, in your face, […]

Mathew 6:33

Eternity, care, kingdom, righteousness, peace, the walk, life, content

Psalms 91:1-2

Shelter from the storm. Psalm 91:1-2 “1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Foundations are critical to the strength of a house. Bad foundation, […]

Galatians 6:9

I am a Christian, expect me to act like one. Always. Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” What is doing good? What is good? Can you think of anything that eminates from God that isn’t […]

Psalms 16:11

The path leads somewhere. Psalms 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” The path. We know what the path is, but do we know what life is? Can we have life outside of the path? Pilgrim’s […]

Romans 8:6

Laws matter Romans 8:6 “6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” We have laws for a reason – without them there are no constraints and things get ugly in a heartbeat. Ever wonder why things go south? Could it be that we […]

Mark 8:29 John 7:38

“I am who I am” Popeye Mark 8:29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” John 7:38 “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Who do you think I am? Whoever believes in Christ. Living […]

Romans 2:5-6

The problem with being judgemental. Romans 2:5-6 “5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God ‘will repay each person according to what they have done.’” Out of context, this scripture looks […]

Luke 12:48

Why we’re to walk the walk Luke 12:48 “48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Walk the […]

1 Peter 5:6-7

Humble yet? 1 Peter 5:6-7 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.” God humbles the proud or He shows favor on those who realize the enormity of the gift of grace and humble themselves […]

John 17:13-14

Out of this world John 17:13-14 “13 I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not […]