Scripture: Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap faithful love; break up your unplanted ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you. Thought for the Day: Has your life ever felt like a dry and barren land? No matter how much you dig, there is only dust and unproductive soil. Hosea is calling out idolatry, the turning away
Scripture: Romans 13:10 Love doesn’t do anything wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is what fulfills the Law. Thought for the Day: Desmond Tutu remains one of my mentors from a distance. He wrote, “If you want peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.” In our current divisive and bitter political environment, what would happen if people spoke with – not their enemies
Scripture: Ephesians 3:7 I became a servant of the gospel because of the grace that God showed me through the exercise of his power. Thought for the Day: What might the world look like with a few more Chris Bakers? I don’t want to puff up Chris’ ego too much, but there are some wonderful servants in the world, and Chris is one of them. He is willing
Scripture: Ephesians 4:28 Thieves should no longer steal. Instead, they should go to work, using their hands to do good so that they will have something to share with whoever is in need. Thought for the Day: Some folks might hear this as a rather obvious statement – confirming that those who steal need to stop. But for Paul, he is not only telling thieves to change their
Scripture: Romans 16:3-4 Say hello to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life. I’m not the only one who thanks God for them, but all the churches of the Gentiles do the same. Thought for the Day: We always need to remember how Paul’s letters were not written with the intention of them becoming scripture. They were letters of
Scripture: Luke 17:33 Whoever tries to preserve their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life will preserve it. Thought for the Day: Jesus always liked to spin things – to turn on its head what was previously assumed to be true. At times, people would scratch their heads and comment on his sanity. Other times, people felt a bit of discomfort and so dismissed him. But
Scripture: Psalm 103:17-18 But the LORD’s faithful love is from forever ago to forever from now for those who honor him. And God’s righteousness reaches to the grandchildren of those who keep his covenant and remember to keep his commands. Thought for the Day: Love begins with _____________. I imagine that this fill-in-the-blank could be answered in all kinds of ways, many of them being very thoughtful and
Scripture: Luke 10:21 At that very moment, Jesus overflowed with joy from the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you’ve hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and shown them to babies. Indeed, Father, this brings you happiness…” Thought for the Day: The wonderful author on Spiritual Formation, Richard Foster, wrote the following: Joy, not grit, is the hallmark
Scripture: Psalm 115:10-13 Trust in the LORD, house of Aaron! God is their help and shield. You who honor the LORD, trust in the LORD! God is their help and shield. The LORD remembers us and will bless us: God will bless the house of Israel; God will bless the house of Aaron; God will bless those who honor the LORD— from the smallest to the greatest. Thought
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 give thanks to God – Yes, I give thanks! This past weekend, I gathered with Disciple men from throughout the state of Texas, including 17 from Cypress Creek Christian Church. The retreat was held near Brownwood State Park, and if