Scripture: Isaiah 9:6 A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Thought for the Day: I offer you these words on the Season of Advent from Henri Nouwen: Keep your eyes on the Prince of Peace, the one who doesn’t cling to his divine
Scriptures: Deuteronomy 12:7-8 You will have a feast there, each of you and your families, in the LORD your God’s presence, and you will celebrate all you have done because the LORD your God has blessed you. Don’t act like we’ve been acting here lately—everyone doing what seems right to them… Thought for the Day: As I am still feeling the ramifications of my multiple trips to the
Scripture: Psalm 75:1 We give thanks to you, God. Yes, we give thanks! Your name is near. Your marvelous deeds are declared. Thought for the Day: Today, I am thankful for the opportunity to be thankful. I know that might sound strange at first, but in my life, I have met plenty of people (and not just children) who do not seem to have an ability to appreciate
Scripture: 1st Corinthians 14:26 What is the outcome of this, brothers and sisters? When you meet together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All these things must be done to build up the church. Thought for the Day: If you haven’t guessed, my devotionals have been focused on a few things for which I am thankful. It is definitely NOT
Scripture: Matthew 10:37 Those who love father or mother more than me aren’t worthy of me. Those who love son or daughter more than me aren’t worthy of me. Thought for the Day: Today, I am thankful for my mother. I picked her up at the airport yesterday afternoon. I’m sure it feels similar to when my mother saw me pull into the drive way or walk off
Scripture: Proverb 29:17-18 Instruct your children; they will give you peace of mind and bring delight into your life. When there’s no vision, the people get out of control, but whoever obeys instruction is happy. Thought for the Day: Today I am thankful for children. As I sat in the Church Board Meeting last night, the youth were running in the hallways and making all kinds of noise.
Scripture: 1st Thessalonians 5:17-19 Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t suppress the Spirit. Thought for the Day: The following is from Gary Grove’s Saturday sermon during our Renewal Weekend. I thought it was perfect on this Thanksgiving Sunday… OK, I’m going to get into the weeds here for a minute, but please stick with me. You
Scripture: Psalm 99:5 Magnify the LORD, our God! Bow low at his footstool! He is holy! Thought for the Day: As a kid, whenever I heard or read the language of “magnifying the Lord,” I pictured in my head a microscope. It was, in my little head, about bringing God into focus. That was not what was meant by that word, though I think it was pretty creative.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:6-10 Keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him, because the LORD your God is bringing you to a wonderful land, a land with streams of water, springs, and wells that gush up in the valleys and on the hills, a land of wheat and barley, vines, fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and
Scripture: Isaiah 29:24 Those who got off-track will get back on-track, and complainers and whiners learn gratitude. (the Message) Thought for the Day: I vaguely remember a parent’s voice saying something very similar to what we find in the second half of this passage. The parent was my mother and I was the one being told that I needed to learn a little gratitude. Some folks have real