At least Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:13 (NLT) 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Everything. Even be patient when it doesn’t seem like I can be patient. Even be comfortable when comfort isn’t much. Looking at a couple of bills I know I can’t pay until I get back to work. Ah, get back […]

Compassion John 3:17

1 John 3:17 (NLT) 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Shows no compassion. Shows no compassion. What a world. I used to drive by a jail or other penal institution and think “lock […]

3,240,00 kids fed for a year Jude (NLT)

Jude (NLT) Greetings from Jude 1 This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James. I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ. 2 May God give you more and more […]

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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 […]

Teach me Psalm 143:10

Psalm 143:10 (ESV) Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV) But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with […]

Hope in grace Romans 8:32

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 […]

Purify Matthew 5:8

Matthew 5:8 (NIV) 8. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. And how do you get a pure heart, especially when we’re broken from the […]

Bring it on home Matthew 28:18-20

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 […]

Value Proverbs 8:11

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 […]

This I’ve learned the hard way Romans 1:16-17

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 […]

Really rich Matthew 5:43-44

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 […]

This is the way of Christ followers Ephesians 4:31

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 – […]

Yes and yet Numbers 23:19

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 […]

As it begins, so it continues… James 1:17-18

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 […]

What kind of salt are you? Matthew 6:1-4

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 […]

Go do. Psalm 32:1-2 Isaih 26:4 Hebrews 13:1-2

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 […]

It’s all in the red letters Colossians 1:15-17

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, […]

I’m off to get tutored Psalm 145:18-19

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 […]

Better, easier Matthew 5:14-16

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 […]

When “my grace is sufficient” is sufficient 2 Corinthians 12:9 Mark 8:34-38

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) 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. Mark 8:34-38 (ESV) 34 And calling the crowd to him with his […]

All aboard? Proverbs 21:21 Matthew 7:12

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 […]

We need more gold. Joshua 1:7-9 Colossians 4:1 Matthew 7:12

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 […]

Consistently Matthew 6:25-33 Hebrews 13:5-10

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 […]

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 […]

Faith 1 Timothy 6:1

1 Timothy 6:12 12. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Faith is different than The Faith. Fight the good fight of the faith. What the heck. I have faith that God […]

It’s a good day to have a great God. Hebrews 6:11-12 (ESV) Matthew 6:1-4

Hebrews 6:11-12 (ESV) 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Matthew 6:1-4 (ESV) 6 “Beware of practicing your righteousness […]

Anti-snowflake Psalms 46:1-3 Proverbs 15:31-32

Psalms 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Proverbs 15:31-32 Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at […]

Blinking cursor Luke 6:27 Matthew 5:7

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 […]

Easing toward a new, altered normality 2 Corinthians 7:9-11

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, […]

Oceans of Justice, Rivers of Fairness Psalm 85:10-13 Amos 5:24

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 […]

Serve to win it all for all of us 1 Timothy 6:11-12 Matthew 20:25-38

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 […]

Meditating on truth Philippians 4:9-14 John 11:25-27

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 […]

When the leaven breaks Matthew 7:12 Luke 13:20-21

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 […]

Servitude Colossians 3:23-24 Matthew 5:43-47 1 Peter 2:9-10

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 […]

On being relevant Psalm 11:1-3

Psalm 11:1-3 (ESV) 3 if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? If? I guess as long as there is one Christ follower left the foundations won’t be destroyed. Well, wait. Wrong. As long as there is God, the foundations will never be destroyed, so they never will. But here – what about […]

Listening to a blind man Matthew 9:13 Mark 10:46-52

Matthew 9:13 (NIV) 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Mark 10:48-52 (NIV) 48 Many were sternly telling him to […]

So Close Luke 9:51-56 James 5:19-20 Revelation 3:19

Luke 9:51-56 (ESV) A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus 51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did […]

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, […]

Birch, pine and oak Micah 1:3-4 James 5:7-8

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 […]

Risky Business 1 Peter 3:13-14 Luke 12:8-9

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 […]

An eye for an I won’t 1 Peter 3:8-9 Mark 14:38

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 […]

Walk humbly and change the world. John 1:1-5 Micah 6:8

John 1:1-5 (ERV) Christ Comes to the World 1 Before the world began, the Word was there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was there with God in the beginning. 3 Everything was made through him, and nothing was made without him. 4 In him there was life, and […]

The anti-Elite Isaiah 53:7-9 Matthew 11:25-30

Isaiah 53:7-9 (MSG) 7-9 He was beaten, he was tortured, but he didn’t say a word. Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered and like a sheep being sheared, he took it all in silence. Justice miscarried, and he was led off— and did anyone really know what was happening? He died without a thought […]

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, […]

Spitting and Jeering Jeremiah 33:2-3 Matthew 26:62-68

Matthew 26:62-68 (MSG) “62 The Chief Priest stood up and said, “What do you have to say to the accusation?” 63 Jesus kept silent. Then the Chief Priest said, “I command you by the authority of the living God to say if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus was curt: “You […]

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 […]

It’s a big, big, home Matthew 7:12 Romans 13:9-10

Matthew 7:12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Romans 13:9-10 “ 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are […]

Love obliviot’s, haters and anti’s Psalms 84:10-11 Matthew 5:43-48

Psalms 84:10-11 (ESV) “10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does […]

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 […]

Matthew 13:1-9 John 21:25 Mark 11:25 Help I’ve fallen and I can get up!

Matthew 13:1-9 (ESV) The Parable of the Sower 13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things […]

Psalm 133:1 Matthew 12:48-50 Galatians 6:2 Unity

Psalm 133:1 (ESV) “1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” 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 brothers. Obedience is thicker […]

John 15:1-3 Psalms 20:7-8 Love wins

John 15:1-3 I Am the True Vine “1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the […]

John 13:12-17 Glacier or Earthquake?

John 13:12-17 (ESV) “12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and […]

Matthew 12:7 John 14:6-7 Acts 20:28 Nice

Matthew 12:7 (NIV) “7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice’, you would not have condemned the innocent.” John 14:6-7 (NIV) “6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, […]

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. […]

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 […]

Declaration of Independence

As you read this, put it in modern day terms. Have we not elected despots who have put us under “the most [laws] destructive of the public good, and ruinous to individuals.”? Are we not, under the guise of tolerance at the point where “now they have forbidden us to listen to, or to accept any terms […]

John 3:19-21 Pray for ISIS and the victims

John 3:19-21 “19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever […]

Matthew 8:26-27, 22:37-40 Since when is Jesus hate?

Matthew 8:26-27 “26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O men of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” Matthew 22:37-40 “37 […]

Matthew 6:14-15, 8:11-12 Haters never prosper

Matthew 6:14-15 “14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 8:11-12 “11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, […]

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 […]

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 5:43-48 Grace

Matthew 5:43-48 “43 “You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise […]

Matthew 5:17-19 Where is the love?

Matthew 5:17-19 “17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear […]

Matthew 5:13-16 Good salt, bad salt, you know I’ve had my share….

Matthew 5:13-16 “13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. “14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 Maybe the instructions aren’t so basic after all?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” James 1:23-25 “23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone […]

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 […]

Mark 10:48-51, Psalms 43:5 Teacher, I want to see!

Mark 10:48-51 “48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to […]

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, […]

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 […]

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’, […]

Lamentations 3-25-26 Psalm 62-7 Waiting patiently for a rock to move.

Lamentations 3:25-26 “25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Psalms 62:7 “My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.” “Wait! Stop! Dad – […]

1 Peter 4-8 Love is a powerful change agent.

1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” So, I guess if I can’t stop sinning, just love and everything’ll be alright. OK, cool. Whoa Nellie, slow down! Let’s ponder this for a while cowboy. As you know, there are two types of love – self […]

Daniel 4-37 Hebrews 12:14 Live humbly, in peace

Daniel 4:37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” Hebrews 12:14 “14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness […]

Jonah 2:8 Galatians 5:6 Idols, law, and a big fish.

Jonah 2:8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.” Galatians 5:6 “6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Love as an action, as a thing expressed, worthy of God, worthy of being. Love […]

1 John 1:8-9 Isaiah 12:1 I can’t believe I ate the whole thing!

1 John 1:8-9 “8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Isaiah 12:1 – 2 “1 In that day you will say: […]

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 […]

Luke 6:33 When have you given enough?

Luke 6:33 “And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.” I think we’d all agree the world is a mess right now. The question is: why? God has given us plenty of resources, but they are radically distributed – few have […]

Proverbs 21:3 To do or not to do?

Proverbs 21:3 “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” This is pretty clear. To do the right thing and be just is what God is looking for. He’s not concerned that you tithe 10% because that’s what you’re supposed to do, or “that’s what we do” because […]

Hebrews 12:14 I just can’t handle God and His expectations

Hebrews 12:14 “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” I just can’t handle God and His demands. His expectations are far too high and totally unreasonable. Live in peace and don’t take what isn’t yours, don’t cheat or steal, don’t sleep […]

Romans 8:35-39 More than conquerors

Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors […]

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 […]

Matthew 28:5-7 A rolling stone as a hinge

Matthew 28:5-7 “5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the […]