2 Samuel 23:16 16 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. Psalm 5:12 (NLT) 12 For you bless the godly, […]
Read more "We can do this. 2 Samuel 23:16"1 John 4:7-8 (NLT) 7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. Proverbs 21:5 (NLT) 5 Good planning and hard work lead […]
Read more "Water reflections…. 1 John 4:7-8"Luke 12:15 (NLT) 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Merry Christmas, eh? Last night at the jail one of the guys mentioned a fact I found pretty interesting (a quick search on the single source of truth [at least that’s what […]
Read more "Gifts… Luke 12:15"Ephesians 5:25-26 (NLT) 25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. One of the gripes people throw at Christ is the whole wives shall submit to their husbands. […]
Read more "Husbands, love your wives Ephesians 5:25-26"Romans 8:29 (NLT) 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Shouting! Why don’t people get this? Why does the world so hate Christ? What is it about His message that garners such […]
Read more "Shout! Romans 8:29"Proverbs 12:18 (NLT) 18 Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Ain’t that the truth. So, why do we have so many cutting remarks and so little healing going on? Have we lost the ability to listen to wisdom or have we abandoned wisdom? Or is wisdom just shouted […]
Read more "Listening to wisdom Proverbs 12:18"Psalm 136:1-3 (NLT) 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. 2 Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 66:16-20 (NLT) 16 Come and listen, all you who fear […]
Read more "6502"James 1:12-14 (NLT) 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never […]
Read more "Test James 1:12-14"1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT) 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. I guess we’ve kinda lost this concept if you think about it. Love never gives up. Never. Love never loses faith. Never. Love is always hopeful. Always. Love endures through every circumstance. Every. Love doesn’t […]
Read more "Really love 1 Corinthians 13:7"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 […]
Read more "Attack 1 Corinthians 13:1-7"Romans 8:32(NLT) 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Hope. Such a powerful thing. Light in darkness, a beacon to guide. Where does your hope come from? Do you have any hope? I know many who are hopeless […]
Read more "Hope in grace Romans 8:32"Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands […]
Read more "Bring it on home Matthew 28:18-20"Proverbs 8:11 (NLT) 11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it. Wisdom. Experience. Life. The redo button. If it were only so easy….. Wisdom is far more valuable than anything else for the simple reason that it makes everything else so much easier to obtain. Like Solomon […]
Read more "Value Proverbs 8:11"Proverbs 23:12 (NLT) 12 Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge. Philippians 4:19 (NIV) 19. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. There are two types of dogs: The ones that get skunked once and those that get skunked many, many […]
Read more "Life is like a skunk Proverbs 23:12 Philippians 4:19"Romans 1:16-17 (NIV) 16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,as it is written, “The righteous shall live […]
Read more "This I’ve learned the hard way Romans 1:16-17"Matthew 5:43-44 (NLT) 43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” Proverbs 21:17 (NLT) 17 Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich. Rich. Rich is being […]
Read more "Really rich Matthew 5:43-44"Hebrews 3:4 (NLT) 4 For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God. Acts 20:32 (NLT) 32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for […]
Read more "The builders builder Hebrews 3:4"Matthew 6:24 (NLT) 24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” Matthew 8:26 (NLT) 26 Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he […]
Read more "Passions Matthew 6:24"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. "Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV) 31. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. This is the way of Christ followers. There is no room for anything else – […]
Read more "This is the way of Christ followers Ephesians 4:31"Romans 15:4 (NLT) 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Matthew 5:13New (NLT) 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its […]
Read more "Christ like? Romans 15:4"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 […]
Read more "Taste and see Psalms 34:8 Colossians 2:6"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"Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Mark 13:5-6 (ESV) And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads […]
Read more "The path home Luke 12:6-7"James 1:17-18 (NIV) 17. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. I like the […]
Read more "As it begins, so it continues… James 1:17-18"John 10:10 NIV The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. How we wish it wasn’t true. Those that claim Satan doesn’t exist, that he’s a figment of an ancient history of a primitive (and I assume they feel less intelligent) people, […]
Read more "One mind, one purpose John 10:10"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"1 Kings 8:27 27. “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! John 8:12 (NLT) 12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have […]
Read more "A simple statement. A simple fact."John 15:16 (NLT) 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. Matthew 6:24 (ESV) 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, […]
Read more "Smoke and Mirrors John 15:16"Matthew 6:1-4 (NLT) 6 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of […]
Read more "What kind of salt are you? Matthew 6:1-4"Jeremiah 31:3 3. The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. John 18:36 (MSG) 36 “My kingdom,” said Jesus, “doesn’t consist of what you see around you. If it did, my followers would fight so that I wouldn’t be […]
Read more "What about it? Jeremiah 31:3"2 Samuel 22:31 (NLT) 31 “God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. 2 Samuel 22:31 (NIV) 31 “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. 2 Samuel 22:31 […]
Read more "Run for cover 2 Samuel 22:31"Psalm 32:1-2 (NIV) 1 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. Isaiah 26:4 (NIV) 4. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock […]
Read more "Go do. Psalm 32:1-2 Isaih 26:4 Hebrews 13:1-2"Colossians 1:15-17 (NLT) 15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, […]
Read more "It’s all in the red letters Colossians 1:15-17"Psalms 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.” Romans 6:3-4 (NLT) 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ […]
Read more "Psalms 91:1-2 The Fortress is always there"Psalms 94:14-15 (NIV) 14. For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance. 15. Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it. Judgement will again be founded on righteousness. In today’s craaaaazy messed up world, I really can’t wait. It seems that […]
Read more "The basics Psalms 94:14-15"Deuteronomy 8:17-18 17. You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18. But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is […]
Read more "Thbbft Deuteronomy 8:17-18"Psalm 145:18-19 (NLT) 18 The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. So close. He hears our cries when we “fear” him. The awe, incredibly […]
Read more "I’m off to get tutored Psalm 145:18-19"Matthew 12:43-45 (MSG) 43-45 “When a defiling evil spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn’t find anyone, it says, ‘I’ll go back to my old haunt.’ On return it finds the person spotlessly clean, but vacant. It then […]
Read more "Sorry secular humanists…. Matthew 12:43-50"Psalms 135:5-7 5. I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. 6. The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. 7. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the […]
Read more "The world needs a radical today Psalms 135:5-7"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"Proverbs 21:21 (NIV) Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Matthew 7:12 (NLT) 12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Life, prosperity and honor. Pretty cool. What kind of prosperity? Might […]
Read more "All aboard? Proverbs 21:21 Matthew 7:12"1 John 4:15-20 (NLT) 15 All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and […]
Read more "Vanguard 1 John 4:15-20"Proverbs 3:5 (ESV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-12The Message (MSG) 5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one […]
Read more "All we need is what we need. Proverbs 3:5-12"Joshua 1:7-9 (ESV) 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may act wisely wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart […]
Read more "We need more gold. Joshua 1:7-9 Colossians 4:1 Matthew 7:12"Matthew 6:25-33 (ESV) 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither […]
Read more "Consistently Matthew 6:25-33 Hebrews 13:5-10"Jeremiah 2:26-28 (ESV) 26 “As a thief is shamed when caught, so the house of Israel shall be shamed: they, their kings, their officials, their priests, and their prophets, 27 who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their back to me, […]
Read more "Stir up everyone Jeremiah 2:26-28"Proverbs 1:7 (MSG) 7 Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning. Proverbs 1:7 (GNT) 7 The most important part of knowledge is having reverence for the Lord. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn. Leviticus 19:18 […]
Read more "Wisdom for a better world Proverbs 1:7 Leviticus 19:18 Matthew 5:43-47"2 Corinthians 4:16 16. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. The weather changed, I knew it was going to because my ankle told me so. It didn’t used to be like this – I could run like crazy; loved to […]
Read more "Ice cream and anger 2 Corinthians 4:16"Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NIV) 23. “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? 24. Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD. It’s Saturday after Christ has been slaughtered, hung up, murdered […]
Read more "Did anyone go back? Jeremiah 23:23-24"Proverbs 18:12-14 (ESV) 12 Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. 13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. 14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? We have two new dogs picked up at a Orphans […]
Read more "You can see it in their eyes Proverbs 18:12-14"Psalm 118:24 (ESV) 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. So, we finally buckled down and and got a couple of dogs. It’d been almost 3 years since our collie had died, 3 ½ since our lab had passed. Went to a no kill […]
Read more "Blessings of a smiling dog Psalm 118:24"Luke 6:27-30 (ESV) 27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Matthew 5:7 (NIV) “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” I guess that, (if news reports are correct and […]
Read more "Blinking cursor Luke 6:27 Matthew 5:7"Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 4:12 (ESV) 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 and need. Buying a cemetery plot for my […]
Read more "Live the dash Philippians 1:21"Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Vanilla ice cream. Why,when you can have chocolate peanut butter? Or sea salt caramel truffle? Or hazelnut chocolate chip? Or decadent chocolate moose tracks (right next to the regular chocolate moose tracks, vanilla moose tracks, and what’s next […]
Read more "Vanilla ice cream Psalms 51:10"Psalm 139:7-12 MSG) 7-12 Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? to be out of your sight? If I climb to the sky, you’re there! If I go underground, you’re there! If I flew on morning’s wings to the far western horizon, You’d find me in a minute— you’re already there waiting! […]
Read more "And that’s a blessing Psalm 139:7-12"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"A family in family in the Chicago area is drawn together by death come too soon, and the traffic outside our home continues. The world doesn’t stop for our grieving. We’re not alone though. A family in Chicago proper, I don’t know them except for the news reports, is in the same place. Another family […]
Read more "The world doesn’t stop 1 John 4:7-10"Galatians 5:13-6:10 (ESV) 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, […]
Read more "It’s a new race today Galatians 5:13-15"Psalm 85:10-13 (NIV) 10 Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. 12 The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. 13 Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his […]
Read more "Oceans of Justice, Rivers of Fairness Psalm 85:10-13 Amos 5:24"1 Timothy 6:11-12 (MSG) 11-12 But you, Timothy, man of God: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life—a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence […]
Read more "Serve to win it all for all of us 1 Timothy 6:11-12 Matthew 20:25-38"Psalm 119:9 (ESV) 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. Matthew 12:48-50 (MSG) 48-50 Jesus didn’t respond directly, but said, “Who do you think my mother and brothers are?” He then stretched out his hand toward his disciples. “Look closely. These are my mother and […]
Read more "Off-roading Psalm 119:9 Matthew 12:48-50"Micah 7:18 (ISV) Is there any God like you, forgiving iniquity, passing over transgressions by the survivors who are your heritage? He is not angry forever, because he delights in gracious love. Matthew 18:18 (NIV) 18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose […]
Read more "Red letter campsites Micah 7:18 Matthew 18:18 Mark 1:25-27"Psalm 84 (ESV) 84 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Mark 6:47-50 (NIV) 47 Later that night, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he […]
Read more "Smoke on the water Psalm 84 Mark 6:47-50"Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (MSG) 18-20 After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the […]
Read more "Have a good time! Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 Isaiah 40:27-31 John 12:35-40"Luke 12:4-7 (MSG) 4-5 “I’m speaking to you as dear friends. Don’t be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire […]
Read more "Standing up to bullies Luke 12:4-7 Matthew 4:5-7 Mark 8:34-35"Proverbs 6:6-11 (MSG) 6-11 You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before […]
Read more "Family, freedom, responsibility and courage Proverbs 6:6-11 John 6:27 Deuteronomy 31:6"1 John 1:5-10 (MSG) 5 This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him. 6-7 If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re […]
Read more "Light chasing dark 1 John 1:5-10 Luke 19:45-48"Luke 19:5-10 (ESV) 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for fI must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in […]
Read more "Forward is The Way Luke 19:5-10 Galatians 2:20 (ESV)"Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV) 22 Because of the steadfast love of the Lord, we are not cut off; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” 1 John 3:11 (NIV) 11 For […]
Read more "The only way forward Lamentations 3:22-24 1 John 3:11"Proverbs 10:12 (NIV) Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Luke 21:8 (NIV) 8 […]
Read more "Hatred stirs up conflict Proverbs 10-12 Isaiah 41:10 Luke 21:8"1 John 4:8 (NIV) Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. The flip side of this statement is that if you know love, you know God, even if you don’t know think you know God. That makes the reality of permanent separation from Him something that’s so hard to fathom. […]
Read more "If you love, you know God. 1 John 4:8 John 14:1-4"1 John 4 (NIV) 4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. Psalm 16:1-4 (NIV) 1 Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. 2 I say to the Lord, “You […]
Read more "Truth is where? 1 John 4 Psalm 16:1-4"Philippians 4:9-14 (MSG) 8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard […]
Read more "Meditating on truth Philippians 4:9-14 John 11:25-27"John 8:31-32 (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.” John 10:25-30(ESV) 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works […]
Read more "Set free from what? John 8:31-32 John 10:25-30 1 John 4:7"2 Chronicles 20:1-13 (MSG) 20 1-2 Some time later the Moabites and Ammonites, accompanied by Meunites, joined forces to make war on Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat received this intelligence report: “A huge force is on its way from beyond the Dead Sea to fight you. There’s no time to waste—they’re already at Hazazon Tamar, the oasis of […]
Read more "Home 2 Chronicles 20:1-13 1 Peter 2:24-25"Job 5:12-16 (MSG) What a Blessing When God Corrects You! 8-16 “If I were in your shoes, I’d go straight to God, I’d throw myself on the mercy of God. After all, he’s famous for great and unexpected acts; there’s no end to his surprises. He gives rain, for instance, across the wide earth, sends […]
Read more "Rebuilding plan and the Cubs Job 5:12-16 Acts 5:38-39"Revelation 3:20-21 (MSG) 20-21 “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the […]
Read more "Conquerors and contempt Revelation 3:20-21 Matthew 7:1-5"Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Do you think this is about swear words and foul language or about slander, gossip and an impure heart? It’s […]
Read more "Slanderous heart Ephesians 4:29"Let’s see if I have this right: 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. John 3:16 We’ve heard that, seen it displayed in the endzone, blah, blah, blah. But what does it mean? What’s behind it? What’s […]
Read more "Lets see if I have this right John 3:16"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"Matthew 7:12 (ESV) 12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Luke 13:20-21 (ESV) 20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in […]
Read more "When the leaven breaks Matthew 7:12 Luke 13:20-21"Colossians 3:23-24 (MSG) 22-25 Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that […]
Read more "Servitude Colossians 3:23-24 Matthew 5:43-47 1 Peter 2:9-10"John 15:12 (ESV) 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 4:18 (ESV) 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. Lord, I’m not sure how […]
Read more "Fight for Love John 15:12 John 4:18 Psalm 8:4-6 Mark 10:42-45"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 24:48-49 (ESV) 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Ephesians 3:14-19 (MSG) 14-19 My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent […]
Read more "Inner strength Luke 24:48-49 Ephesians 3:14-19"Proverbs 8:12-13 (ESV) 12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. 13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV) 1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our […]
Read more "Hatred Proverbs 8:12-13 Hebrews 1:1-2"Daniel 4:34 (ESV) 34 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation. Luke 14:12-14 (MSG) […]
Read more "Who are your stangers – 2? Daniel 4:34 Luke 14:12-14 1 John 4:19"Luke 10:20 (ESV) 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Romans 6:21 (ESV) 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 […]
Read more "Time Luke 10:20 Romans 6:21 2 Peter 3:8-9"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, […]
Read more "How to stop someone from crying Psalm 130:1-2"Leviticus 26:43-45 (MSG) 43-45 “The land will be empty of them and enjoy its Sabbaths while they’re gone. They’ll pay for their sins because they refused my laws and treated my decrees with contempt. But in spite of their behavior, while they are among their enemies I won’t reject or abhor or destroy them completely. […]
Read more "Helper Leviticus 26:43-45 Luke 6:46-47 John 14:26"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 […]
Read more "Getting to yes John 1:1-5 Matthew 18:19-20 Psalm 145:10-14"John 14:15-17 15“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells […]
Read more "Hitch your wagon John 14:15-17 Colossians 3:1-4 "Micah 1:3-4 3 Look! The Lord is coming from his dwelling place; he comes down and treads on the heights of the earth. 4 The mountains melt beneath him and the valleys split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope. James 5:7-8 7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming […]
Read more "Birch, pine and oak Micah 1:3-4 James 5:7-8"Psalm 91:11 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Matthew 10:12-14 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone […]
Read more "That should be enough Psalm 91:11 John 10:12-14 1 Peter 3:13-16"Luke 5:36-39 (NLT) 36 Then Jesus gave them this illustration: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment. 37 “And no one puts new wine into […]
Read more "Old wine, old clothes Luke 5:36-39 Deuteronomy 30:6"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"1 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV) 8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. Mark 14:38 (NIV) 38 […]
Read more "An eye for an I won’t 1 Peter 3:8-9 Mark 14:38"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 […]
Read more "Frauds and the tongue Matthew 23:13 James 3:7-10 Mark 13:5-6"Matthew 9:9-13 (NIV) 9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his […]
Read more "Scum Matthew 9:9-13 John 15:12-17"
Just broken 