Scripture: Luke 1:5-7 During 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
Scripture: Luke 1:3 Now, after having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, I have also decided to write a carefully ordered account for you, most honorable Theophilus. Thought for the Day: Luke (or whoever authored the Gospel that we have assigned to Luke) seeks to set forth what encouraged him to write the Gospel and to whom he is writing. The name is Theophilus which might have been
Scripture: John 14:2 My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? Thought for the Day: Often shared in the context of a funeral, these words should be heard first from the perspective of those beginning to know real persecution for their faith. John’s Gospel was probably written around 88-93AD. Domitian
Scripture: 1st Corinthians 1:4-6 I thank my God always for you, because of God’s grace that was given to you in Christ Jesus. That is, you were made rich through him in everything: in all your communication and every kind of knowledge, in the same way that the testimony about Christ was confirmed with you. Thought for the Day: On Thanksgiving Day, I spent some time going through
Scripture: 2nd Corinthians 9:6-8 The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough
Scripture: 1st Chronicles 29:12-13 Riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might; and it is in your hand to make great and to give strength to all. And now, our God, we give thanks to you and praise your glorious name. Thought for the Day: The author, Henry Van Dyke, wrote: “Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness
Scripture: 1st Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you… Thought for the Day: That’s easy for you to say! Well actually, probably not. The Apostle Paul was on the road, facing constant persecution, being vilified by many, and all along, figuring that he would meet the same fate as Jesus. With Paul’s claim of giving ‘thanks
Scripture: Ephesians 2:20 As God’s household, you are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. Thought for the Day: I’m sticking with this verse of scripture for another day as there is another perspective. Paul speaks about the household of God being built upon the apostles, prophets and Christ Jesus himself, and to claim such a foundation is to
Scripture: Ephesians 2:20 As God’s household, you are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. Thought for the Day: Yesterday I wrote a prayer based upon these words from Ephesians, but I did not wish to leave it there. These were central words during our prayer gatherings last week – words that pushed me personally to think about whether
Scripture: Ephesians 2:20 As God’s household, you are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. Prayer: When so many events appear to undermine the foundation of life, we find apprehension and anxiousness sneaking in and causing our legs to quiver. When everything we have built, from our homes to our bank accounts, seems to be threatened, we begin to