Scripture: 2nd Samuel 9:1 David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” Thought for the Day: In tomorrow’s sermon, this is the opening verse of our focus text. In the verse, David asks an interesting question. At first glance, I missed an important aspect to the question. David is wanting to show kindness for the
Scripture: 1st Thessalonians 2:8 So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us. Thought for the Day: An individual can communicate certain ideas adequately without any personal involvement in the actual idea. I can explain a basic math problem or how to turn
Scripture: Genesis 40:15 [Joseph said,] “For in fact I was stolen out of the land of the Hebrews; and here also I have done nothing that they should have put me into the dungeon.” Thought for the Day: People often tell of how Edison failed 10,000 times before finally finding success with the electric lightbulb. I don’t know if that’s true, but it is often used to encourage
Scripture: Deuteronomy 11:1 You shall love the Lord your God, therefore, and keep his charge, his decrees, his ordinances, and his commandments always. Thought for the Day: I love God, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to always keep the divine charges, decrees, ordinances and commandments. The word ‘always’ makes me nervous as I don’t know if I am capable of even hitting 85%…maybe 70% on
Scripture: Philippians 4:6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Thought for the Day: A colleague in ministry, Rev. Courtney Richards, wrote the following: If we spent as much time DOING ministry as we spend wringing our hands ABOUT ministry, we’d have a lot less about which to wring our hands in the
Scripture: Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Thought for the Day: A friend of mine used to always say when something bothered him, “That really kicks me in the craw!” I’m pretty certain he was mixing up two separate idioms, but I think I understand what he was trying to say. And in fact, the above passage has really been kicking me
Scripture: John 1:45-46 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Thought for the Day: I’m not a fan of rats. Actually, I can probably state that a bit more
Scripture: Proverbs 12:17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness speaks deceitfully. Thought for the Day: A while back, my son and I were watching TV when a commercial came on for a new cream to get rid of stretch marks. I jokingly asked Zach, “Do I need to get some of that?” He said with all seriousness, “Just for your face.” You always
Scripture: Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Thought for the Day: I’m guessing most every person, religious and non-religious, has heard those words of scripture. The first verse is a statement of faith or profession of faith. In the ancient world, kings were often referred to as the shepherd of their people. They had great authority, and many were viewed as divine agents
Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the