Luke 23:1-2 “Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. And they began to accuse him….” How do you treat the words of those who disagree with you? The responses to Jesus’ words at his trial seem pretty typical of fallen, human nature. The Pharisees wanted to Continue Reading…
Romans 8:24-25 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. I was preparing to go to church when my 5-year-old grandson came into the Continue Reading…
1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” An old friend came Continue Reading…
Ephesians 1:16 “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” When my husband asked me if I was ready for our small group Bible study the other night, I responded with a resounding “Yes!” Focusing on Ephesians 1:15-23, I knew we would be discussing gratitude. Over Continue Reading…
James 5:19-20 “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” Rip Van Wrinkle. That’s who John Benton, Director for Pastoral Support at Continue Reading…
Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Are you familiar with the hit TV show, Dirty Jobs? Host Mike Rowe travels across the world to show Continue Reading…
Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. I thought of the scripture about how the birth of a new believer triggers widespread joy in heaven. Of course, I was holding my Continue Reading…
Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. A car rear-ended me the other Continue Reading…
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. If God is patient with us, shouldn’t we be patient with other people? I like 17th century Continue Reading…
Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. I’ve read the parable of the persistent widow many times, but a few mornings ago the words seemed to jump off the page. I embraced Jesus’ words—to always pray Continue Reading…