Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast. Thought for the Day: I’m ashamed to say that I can’t remember if I had referenced these words from Richard Rohr or not, but even if I have, they are good enough to
Scripture: Proverbs18:24 There are persons for companionship, but then there are friends who are more loyal than family. Thought for the Day: Today, I am thankful for friends. I know part of this spirit of thankfulness comes from spending some time with my good friend Kelly at the Preaching Conference I attended a week ago. In light of friendship, I am reminded of a couple of quotes: Walking
Scripture: Mark 16:15 Jesus said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to every creature.” Thought for the Day: Rob Bell wrote: If the gospel isn’t good news for everybody, then it isn’t good news for anybody. And this is because the most powerful things happen when the church surrenders its desire to convert people and convince them to join. It is when
Scripture: Acts 1:10-11 While Jesus was going away and as the disciples were staring toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood next to them. They said, “Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.” Thought for the Day: A lot of people
Scripture: Acts 1:8 [Jesus said,] “…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Thought for the Day: Imagine with me that we are a few weeks after the ascension of Jesus, and we are reflecting on his final words to us (the above verse).
Scripture: Acts 1:6 So when the disciples had come together, they asked Jesus, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” Thought for the Day: These words come from the story associated with Ascension Day, a day in the Christian Year that is celebrated the week before Pentecost. Ascension Day is this coming Sunday, and we will be remembering and celebrating the story
Scripture: Psalm 107:41-43 But God raises the needy from their suffering; he makes their families as numerous as sheep! Those who do right see it and celebrate, but every wicked person shuts their mouth. Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things, carefully considering the LORD’s faithful love. Thought for the Day: This ends Psalm 107, and I pray that our nine days spent on this Psalm
Scripture: Psalm 107:35-40 But God can also turn the desert into watery pools, thirsty ground into watery springs, where he settles the hungry. They even build a city and live there! They plant fields and vineyards and obtain a fruitful harvest. God blesses them, and they become many. God won’t even let their cattle diminish. But when they do diminish— when they’re brought down by oppression, trouble, and
Scripture: Psalm 107:30-34 So they rejoiced because the waves had calmed down; then God led them to the harbor they were hoping for. Let them thank the LORD for his faithful love and his wondrous works for all people. Let them exalt God in the congregation of the people and praise God in the assembly of the elders. God turns rivers into desert, watery springs into thirsty ground,
Scripture: Psalm 107:23-29 Some of the redeemed had gone out on the ocean in ships, making their living on the high seas. They saw what the LORD had made; they saw his wondrous works in the depths of the sea. God spoke and stirred up a storm that brought the waves up high. The waves went as high as the sky; they crashed down to the depths. The