Scripture: Luke 17:33 Whoever tries to preserve their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life will preserve it. Thought for the Day: Jesus always liked to spin things – to turn on its head what was previously assumed to be true. At times, people would scratch their heads and comment on his sanity. Other times, people felt a bit of discomfort and so dismissed him. But
Scripture: Psalm 103:17-18 But the LORD’s faithful love is from forever ago to forever from now for those who honor him. And God’s righteousness reaches to the grandchildren of those who keep his covenant and remember to keep his commands. Thought for the Day: Love begins with _____________. I imagine that this fill-in-the-blank could be answered in all kinds of ways, many of them being very thoughtful and
Scripture: Luke 10:21 At that very moment, Jesus overflowed with joy from the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you’ve hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and shown them to babies. Indeed, Father, this brings you happiness…” Thought for the Day: The wonderful author on Spiritual Formation, Richard Foster, wrote the following: Joy, not grit, is the hallmark
Scripture: Psalm 115:10-13 Trust in the LORD, house of Aaron! God is their help and shield. You who honor the LORD, trust in the LORD! God is their help and shield. The LORD remembers us and will bless us: God will bless the house of Israel; God will bless the house of Aaron; God will bless those who honor the LORD— from the smallest to the greatest. Thought
Scripture: Psalm 75:1 We give thanks to you, God. Yes, we give thanks! Your name is near. Your marvelous deeds are declared. Thought for the Day: Today, I give thanks to God – Yes, I give thanks! This past weekend, I gathered with Disciple men from throughout the state of Texas, including 17 from Cypress Creek Christian Church. The retreat was held near Brownwood State Park, and if
Scripture: Daniel 10:12 He said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words…” Thought for the Day: “Do not fear,” is a statement that assumes fear, but often within scripture, the statement is said to one who
Scripture: Daniel 10:2-5 At that time I, Daniel, had been mourning for three weeks. I had eaten no rich food, no meat or wine had entered my mouth, and I had not anointed myself at all, for the full three weeks. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris), I looked up and
Scripture: Daniel 3:1 King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue whose height was sixty cubits and whose width was six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Thought for the Day: Just a few verses ago, King Nebuchadnezzar had this marvelous transformation where he turned toward the Lord God. You’d think there was no going back, but then we arrive at
Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:18 I’ll raise up a prophet for them from among their fellow Israelites—one just like you. I’ll put my words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. Thought for the Day: In my noon study yesterday, I mentioned the author and scholar, Abraham Joshua Heschel. I read a few of his books in College and Seminary, including his well respected two
Scripture: Jeremiah 29:8-14 The LORD of heavenly forces, the God of Israel, proclaims: Don’t let the prophets and diviners in your midst mislead you. Don’t pay attention to your dreams. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I didn’t send them, declares the LORD. The LORD proclaims: When Babylon’s seventy years are up, I will come and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to