Scripture: Romans 16:17-18 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. Thought for the Day: A friend from Seminary, Phil Gulley, wrote
Scripture: Psalm 88:3-4 For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; I am like those who have no help… Thought for the Day: Have you ever visited Sheol? For many, that is a strange word. Some translators have translated it as hell, but that is a lousy translation. It describes the
Scripture: Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore, God highly honored him and gave him a name above all names, so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Thought for the Day: These words from Philippians echo the prophet Isaiah who wrote, “Surely every knee will
Scripture: Matthew 23:11 The one who is greatest among you will be your servant. Thought for the Day: There is a book that came out about a decade ago or so entitled Cross-Cultural Servanthood. The author, Duane Elmer, writes in the book: Power is meant to be shared with the goal of empowering others. Hoarded power weakens others and exalts oneself. Power, when grounded in biblical values, serves
Scripture: Song of Solomon 7:1-3 How graceful are your feet in sandals, O queenly maiden! Your rounded thighs are like jewels, the work of a master hand. Your navel is a rounded bowl that never lacks mixed wine. Your belly is a heap of wheat, encircled with lilies. Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle. Thought for the Day: This is not your traditional
Scripture: 1st John 4:12 No one has ever seen God. If we love each other, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us. Thought for the Day: Perfect love is unceasing love, and this expression of love is not always seen in our day to day relationships. There are many things people call love, but they do not resemble the life and teachings of
Scripture: Romans 13:10 Love doesn’t do anything wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is what fulfills the Law. Thought for the Day: I have been convicted by the words of Richard Rohr. He writes: When any church defines itself by exclusion of anybody, it is always wrong. It is avoiding its only vocation, which is to be the Christ. The only groups that Jesus seriously critiques are those
Scripture: Exodus 16:2-3 The whole Israelite community complained against Moses and Aaron in the desert. The Israelites said to them, “Oh, how we wish that the LORD had just put us to death while we were still in the land of Egypt. There we could sit by the pots cooking meat and eat our fill of bread. Instead, you’ve brought us out into this desert to starve this
Scripture: John 3:20 All who do wicked things hate the light and don’t come to the light for fear that their actions will be exposed to the light. Thought for the Day: In the last few days, I have watched some movies and tv programs that have troubled my heart. I rewatched the movie, 42: the Jackie Robison Story; I watched some episodes of Genius, the story of
Scripture: Romans 15:14-15 My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and are able to teach each other. But I’ve written to you in a sort of daring way, partly to remind you of what you already know. I’m writing to you in this way because of the grace that was given to me by God.