Uncomfortably compassionate. John 15:13

John 15:13 (NLT) 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) 31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God We are called to be compassionate. Most of us would say that we are […]

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Risen. Luke 24:6-7

Luke 24:6-7 New Living Translation (NLT) 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day. Luke 24:6-8 The […]

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Call me Martha

Ezekiel 18:32 (NLT) 32 I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live! Proverbs 10:9 (NLT) 9 People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed. John 11:25-26 (NLT) 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me […]

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Laundromat. John 28-30

John 10:28-30 (NLT) 28 “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for what my Father has given me is more powerful than anything. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.” Romans 8:28 (NLT) 28 […]

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Ask Dwight

Proverbs 12:25 (NLT) 25 Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. Nine guys in a room. Talking about what it’s really like out there. “When everyone around you says it’s OK, when your culture says it’s OK, eventually you say it’s OK even when you know it’s not. When you […]

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Revival will come John 9:39

John 9:39 (NLT) Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.” 1 John 2:4-6 (NLT) 4 If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not […]

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His wisdom, His love

Psalm 33:4-5 (NLT) 4 For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. 5 He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. Matthew 23:12 (NLT) 12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be […]

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Plead for mercy Psalm 1:1-3

Psalm 1:1-3 (NLT) 1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit […]

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A full cup. Psalm 146:5

Psalm 146:5 (NLT) 5 But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God Matthew 6:26-27 (NLT) 26 “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable […]

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I want to be like Wally

1 Chronicles 16:10 (NIV) 10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into […]

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Remember the Lord is near

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT) 31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Philippians 4:5-7 (NLT) 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is […]

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Wearing that skin

1 Corinthians 3:14-23 (NLT) 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. 16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the […]

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Red letter justice. Isaiah 6:8

Isaiah 6:8 NIV 8. And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Sounds good, eh? (I’m in Wisconsin again) Who’s comfortable here in the place Isaiah volunteers for? Especially when the next verses are about what […]

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Boat wake. Psalm 25:14-15

Psalm 25:14-15 (NLT) 14 The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. 15 My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies. Anna Heistad. Marcy House. You’ve probably never heard of them. Yet, she had a profound impact on many […]

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Do we live at the edge? 2 Peter 1:5-7

2 Peter 1:5-7 (NLT) 5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and […]

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Make Him the center

James 2:19 (NLT) 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. But, are you worshipping Him or are you worshiping your worship of Him? Does God show up in your life like he should? Habakkuk 2:3 […]

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Endurance

Genesis 22:2 (NLT) 2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” Acts 5:20 (NLT) 20 “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of […]

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What does it look like?

1 Chronicles 28:20 (NLT) 20 Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is […]

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Purify me

Romans 6:4-6 (NLT) 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life […]

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Humble. Matthew 11:29

Matthew 11:29 (NLT) 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Let me teach you Christ asks. Are our hearts in a place to receive him? Why does he follow it with: Because I am humble… We […]

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Ask God, act Godly.

Romans 6:9-11 (NLT) 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. […]

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In but not of. Mark 14:16

Mark 14:61-62 (NLT) 61 But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the […]

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Inbetween

Genesis 15:6 (NLT) 6 And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. Exodus 14:13-14 (NLT) 13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord […]

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Rebel. Matthew 5:8

Matthew 5:8 (NLT) 8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. Daniel 9:9 (NLT) 9 But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. Psalm 16:8 (NLT) 8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he […]

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The Word already existed…

John 1:1 (NLT) 1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. Stephen Hawking might know what happened before the big bang, might be able to prove it using imaginary time, might come up with an explanation that gravity caused everything to happen. OK, but what […]

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Knowing. Mark 12:30

Mark 12:30 (NLT) 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ Psalm 73:27-28 27 Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. 28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God! […]

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Black and white.

2 Timothy 3:15 (NLT) 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. Ecclesiastes 5:2 (NLT) 2 Don’t make rash promises, and don’t be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, […]

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Live fully. Matthew 4:4

Matthew 4:4 (NLT) 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” James 1:14 (NLT) 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. Acts 19:4 (NLT) 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism called […]

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Stay on the safe path.

Matthew 21:21 (NLT) 21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.” Luke 1:1-4 (NLT) 1 Many […]

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Righteous. Psalm 112:4-6

Psalm 112:4-6 (ESV) 4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. 5 Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. 6 Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. James 3:9-11 (NLT) 9 People can […]

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Fight, finish. Matthew 28:19

Matthew 28:19 (NLT) 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We’re called. It’s that simple. Share the gospel and make disciples of all peoples. That means we are to be disciples as well, not prissy pew warmers wringing […]

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Big ifs… Zephaniah 3:17

Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) 17 “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Just another confirmation of the coming of Christ to a recalcitrant people […]

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Love each other. John 13:34

John 13:34 (NLT) 34 “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” Matthew 19:17-19 (NLT) 17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to […]

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Lost. Like me.

This is what we should have: Romans 8:29-31 (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. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, […]

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Taste and see… Timothy 4

2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NLT) 4 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your […]

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Until then… James 3:15-18

James 3:15-18 (NLT) 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace […]

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