Scripture: Acts 1:3 After his suffering, Jesus showed them that he was alive with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days, speaking to them about God’s kingdom. Thought for the Day: Today is the last day of our focus on the opening of Acts 1. We’ve been reflecting on these verses for more than five weeks – between sermons and devotionals. Today,
Scripture: Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. Thought for the Day: In his wonderful book, Falling Upward, Richard Rohr writes, “Before the truth sets you free, it tends to make you miserable.” I believe Rohr hits a home run with this insight as it helps those trying to be faithful amidst continued struggle. The above verse from
Scripture: Isaiah 40:31 …those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength; they will fly up on wings like eagles; they will run and not be tired; they will walk and not be weary. Thought for the Day: Helen Keller said, “One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.” Maybe I’m too much of an optimist, but I have always believed there
Scripture: Joshua 1:9 I’ve commanded you to be brave and strong, haven’t I? Don’t be alarmed or terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Thought for the Day: The LORD tells Joshua to be brave and strong. One author translates the Hebrew as resolute and resilient. Don’t you wish you had God constantly whispering those encouraging words in your ear? In our best
Scripture: Hebrews 12:11 No discipline is fun while it lasts, but it seems painful at the time. Later, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it. Thought for the Day: Let’s be perfectly honest – no one likes being corrected. In fact, the initial reaction of most people is defensiveness and even anger. We see it happen all the time,
Scripture: Exodus 24:18 Moses entered the cloud and went up the mountain. Moses stayed on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. Thought for the Day: This is the setting for a theophany (a God-encounter). Many religions look to mountains, specifically cloud covered mountains, as a place where God is met. I would guess that many of us would find a mountain top that reaches beyond the
Prayer for the Week: O Holy One that swept across a formless void, I pray this day that wherever there are voids within your creation that you hover and bring forth life and light. Sweep across my life, even on my good days, for there is always something that needs my attention; something I need to acknowledge; something that needs healing. As you work with me, let me
Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Thought for the Day: Scripture speaks of a wind (or breath or spirit) that swept across the face of the water, a formless void. Some translators offer a
Scripture: 1st Corinthians 12:7 A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. Thought for the Day: Some translations say, “manifestation” in place of “demonstration,” but in either case, there are two important ideas that jump out for me. First, this gift we have is really not ours. We should not pridefully show it off as if we are its owner. It belongs