Scripture: Mark 10:17-18 As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.” Thought for the Day: In his book, “If the Church were Christian,” Philip Gulley raises the question, “Was the
Scripture: Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it.” Thought for the Day: In the translation known as the Message, it renders the ‘wide gate’ as the easy way, the surefire way, that everyone is trying to get you to buy. “Don’t fall for that stuff, even though
Scripture: Matthew 6:31-34 Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. “So
Scripture: Matthew 12:15-21 When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of them, and he ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he
Scripture: John 17:18 And Jesus said, “As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” Thought for the Day: I invite you to reflect on these words from Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon (from their book, “Resident Aliens”), “The church exists today as resident aliens, an adventurous colony in a society of unbelief. As a society of unbelief, Western culture is
Scripture: Matthew 13:24 Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field… Thought for the Day: In 1843, a Mennonite immigrant from Russia came to America, and settled in Halstead, Kansas. Among his meager belongings, he carried a pocket full of wheat seeds. He planted those seeds, and they produced a very nice crop that
Scripture: Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Thought for the Day: As we read the story of Jesus in the Gospels, this is the first use of the word ‘church’. Now scholars believe it was not a word used by Jesus, but had become a part
Scripture: Matthew 11:15Jesus said, “Let anyone with ears listen!” Thought for the Day: Larry King has been and continues to be an interesting character. Over the years, he has offered some rather interesting ideas and proverbial thoughts. Among his many maxims and quips, he offered the following: “I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I’m going to learn, I
Scripture: Acts 8:35-36 Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?” Thought for the Day: There is something within the “good news about Jesus” that can move a person
Scripture: Matthew 4:4 But Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Thought for the Day: I don’t know when it was, but I was a bit surprised to discover that the Greek word we translate as word in this passage is different than the Greek word in the opening verses of John’s