Scripture: Luke 15:29-30 But the older brother answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted
Scripture: Colossians 3:15-16 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. Thought for the Day: While visiting my grandparents on vacation years
Scripture: Revelation 1:1-2 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place; he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Thought for the Day: The opening words of the Book of Revelation speak of “the
Scripture: Luke 10:33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. Thought for the Day: This past Sunday, Rev. Chris Fields was with us in worship to share the story of Mercy Project, his organization that works to eradicate child slavery in Ghana. In Chris’ presentation, he referenced the story of the Good Samaritan and the issue of
Scripture: 1st Corinthians 6:12 (the Message) Just because something is technically legal doesn’t mean that it’s spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I’d be a slave to my whims. Thought for the Day: Have you ever had someone ask you something that in the moment seemed entirely inappropriate? During a recent wedding, just moments before I stepped into the
Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:45-47 When Moses had finished reciting all these words to all Israel, he said to them: “Take to heart all the words that I am giving in witness against you today; give them as a command to your children, so that they may diligently observe all the words of this law. This is no trifling matter for you, but rather your very life; through it you
Scripture: Galatians 5:1-2 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Thought for the Day: Paul is passionate about the notion of freedom, though this is not some permission-giving freedom to do anything. To find
Scripture: Micah 6:4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. Thought for the Day: The Prophet Micah reminding the people of their history — what it was that God had done in bringing freedom from bondage centuries earlier, and equally important, the people whom God had sent to
Scripture: Isaiah 44:8-11 Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one. All who make idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit; their witnesses neither see nor know. And so they will be put to shame.
Scripture: Act 6:8 Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Thought for the Day: What ‘wonders and signs’ (second word could be translated as miracles) does a person need to do to get executed? In an initial reading of Acts 6 and 7, it appears that Stephen was stoned to death because he took care of the most vulnerable. It doesn’t