Scripture: Colossians 3:16 The word of Christ must live in you richly. Teach and challenge each other with all wisdom by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Thought for the Day: I’ve been pondering what Paul’s definition of the church would be. There are plenty of go-to passages that one might choose, but this one seems most interesting. Now some
Scripture: Acts 16:19-22 Her owners realized that their hope for making money was gone. They grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the officials in the city center. When her owners approached the legal authorities, they said, “These people are causing an uproar in our city. They are Jews who promote customs that we Romans can’t accept or practice.” The crowd joined in the attacks against Paul
Scripture: Acts 16:9-10 A vision of a man from Macedonia came to Paul during the night. He stood urging Paul, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” Immediately after he saw the vision, we prepared to leave for the province of Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them. Thought for the Day: I’m bouncing around a bit in Acts, but part
Scripture: Acts 17:1 Paul and Silas journeyed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, then came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. Thought for the Day: We often romanticize Paul’s journeys. We are greatly influenced by movies that depict people crossing deserts and climbing mountains in search of their purpose. It is hard to depict on the big screen all the messiness of such travels. First, there were no
Scripture: Acts 16:6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. Thought for the Day: Why would the Holy Spirit keep someone from preaching the Gospel? There is no apparent answer to the question, and some people might simply answer, “It is not our place to ask.” Though
Prayer for the Week: Life is not always rainbows and butterflies. The life we live is a mix of emotions, for no one is exempt from sorrow, disappointment or pain. Hear us, O God who is a participant in the full spectrum of life. Hear our words of gratitude and thanksgiving, but hear also our words of anguish and even the muttering of our spirits when there are
Scripture: John 21:25 Jesus did many other things as well. If all of them were recorded, I imagine the world itself wouldn’t have enough room for the scrolls that would be written. Thought for the Day: This is how the Gospel of John concludes. I love the image of there not being enough room for all the scrolls. Though on a very practical and literal level, I think
Scripture: John 21:18-19 “I assure you that when you were younger you tied your own belt and walked around wherever you wanted. When you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and another will tie your belt and lead you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. After saying this, Jesus said to
Scripture: John 21:15 When they finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” Thought for the Day: To whom was Jesus referring when he said, “…more than these”? Who are the “these”? He could have been referring to the other Apostles who were
Scripture: John 21:12-14 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. Thought for the