Scripture: Luke 1:26-27When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. Thought for the Day: Reread those two verses. There is a lot packed into those two sentences. The author segues one story (Elizabeth) into the next in such
Scripture: Luke 1:5-7During the rule of King Herod of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. They were both righteous before God, blameless in their observance of all the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to become pregnant and they both were very old. Thought for
Scripture: Matthew 28:20…teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age. Thought for the Day: This is a passage from the end of Matthew’s Gospel, yet this is the season for us to focus on the beginning of the Gospel. I’m drawn to it because of a specific word – obey. That’s
Scripture: Isaiah 9:2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. Thought for the Day: A lot is changing! The Season of Advent is upon us, and our senses are being bombarded with all that is to be experienced this time of year. Much of what will be experienced will come through our sense of sight, and
Prayer for the Week: We believe that you accept our prayers of thanksgiving, O Merciful God, even when we are not as enthusiastic as we should be. You hear our songs of gratitude even when the passion is lost amidst all the distracted of this season. You see our expressions of appreciation, even when they lack the customary fervor. For one reason or another, we do not always
Scripture: Mark 4:35-38Later that day, when evening came, Jesus said to them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” They left the crowd and took him in the boat just as he was. Other boats followed along. Gale-force winds arose, and waves crashed against the boat so that the boat was swamped. But Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a pillow.
Scripture: Psalm 55:22Cast your burden on the LORD— he will support you! God will never let the righteous be shaken! Thought for the Day: A good friend of mine was from Claremore, Oklahoma, the hometown of Will Rogers. Rogers wrote, “Worrying is like paying on a debt that may never come due.” As one who is known for worry, I appreciate those words. They are logical, but the
Scripture: James 2:18Someone might claim, “You have faith and I have action.” But how can I see your faith apart from your actions? Instead, I’ll show you my faith by putting it into practice in faithful action. Thought for the Day: The Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan recently paid off more than $560,000 worth of debt owed by farmers in India. This comes amid an agricultural crisis that has
Scripture: Mark 2:1-2After a few days, Jesus went back to Capernaum, and people heard that he was at home. So many gathered that there was no longer space, not even near the door. Jesus was speaking the word to them. Thought for the Day: There is power in speaking the word. Whether the people were there to hear Jesus or hoping to receive something more tangible from him
Scripture: Proverbs 1:4-6 (the Message)To teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our young people a grasp on reality. There’s something here also for seasoned men and women, still a thing or two for the experienced to learn – Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate, the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women. Thought for the Day: The author, Khalil Gibran, wrote: I have learned silence from