Mark 12:30

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 […]

Luke 6:43-45

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 […]

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 […]

John 3:16

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. […]

Proverbs 25:28

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 […]

1 Timothy 6:17-19

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 […]

Isaiah 40:28-31

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 […]

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 […]

1 John 3:21-22

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 […]

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 John 5:1

Is there room for brotherly love? 1 John 5:1 “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.” “Brotherly love is the effect of the new birth, which makes obedience to all God’s commandments pleasant. (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary) With so […]

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, […]

Joshua 24:15

We choose what is important to us. Joshua 24:15 “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my […]

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, […]

John 14:6

The real Forward John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The Way. From an article in Relevant, June 19, 2002, “being a follower of the way is not a path to travel, but rather a pattern to follow, an […]

Luke 10:27

Who’s the best lover in the world? Luke 10:27 He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (but please read the link for the whole story) Who showed us […]

Proverbs 16:28

The tale of the tongue. Proverbs 16:28 “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” Why is it that the tongue thinks quicker than the brain? Why is it that the words the tongue unleashes seem to cut so deep? Why is it that words, once out, can’t be put […]

Hebrews 11:1-3

When did time begin? Hebrews 11:1-3 “1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out […]

Psalms 94:12

Life without boundaries Psalms 94:12 “Blessed is the one you discipline, LORD, the one you teach from your law;” Discipline. Teaching, commitment or both? How do we want to learn from God? We can be taught by God through his disciplining us, which is usually filled with some pain, drama, and rapid change. Or we […]

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 […]

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 […]

1 John 2:12

Forgiveness 1 John 2:12 “I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.” Very simply put, right there, not to be denied, fact: we are forgiven. Turn your life over to Christ, accept him as your savior, believe he died for your sins, your sins are […]

Galatians 6:7-9

A life of service Galatians 6:7-9 “7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing […]

Matthew 7:15

Matthew 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Why do we even have false prophets? We have an awesome God who is pure love, perfect love, who loves us perfectly. So why is there hate, why are there false prophets spreading lies and […]

Proverbs 22:4

Proverbs 22:4 “Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.” What does fear of the Lord mean? What does fear mean when used in this context? It’s like love, respect, honor all rolled into one (lospector?). It’s not the fear the world has of pain or death, it’s […]

John 10:10

John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The thief comes to steal the flock, it comes to destroy. Who is the thief? Anyone who doesn’t come in through Christ, through the gate. Satan has the sweet […]

John 15:12-13

John 15:12-13 “12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 12 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Love each other as I have loved you. I follow a blog (tworiversblog.com) and there was a post the other day that painted injustice […]

1 John 4:20

1 John 4:20 “4 If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” The heart of it all, the winnowing stick, the litmus test, the no room for discussion, the […]

Titus 3:4-7

Titus 3:4-7 “4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus […]

1 Corinthians 13:2, 4-7

1 Corinthians 13:2, 4-7 “2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” Anyone ever hear these words at a wedding? They were in mine. Oh, how those words brought love […]

Deuteronomy 4:29

Deuteronomy 4:29 “29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Seek and you will find him. God doesn’t play hide and seek with us. I think we do with him. We try to […]

Matthew 7:7-12

Matthew 7:7-12 “7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. “9 Which of you, if his son asks for bread, […]

2 Corinthians 12:9

2 Corinthians 12:9 “9 But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” I’m am broken and deeply flawed. Left to my own devices I leave […]

Colossians 3:12-14

Colossians 3:12-14 “12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all […]