Scripture: Matthew 13:33-34 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing. You are invited to enjoy this Video Devotional. Thanks to Larry Lipton for providing video work, and to Stephanie
Scripture: Psalm 136:23-26 It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. Thought for the Day: It’s a bit of a flashback, but
Scripture: Matthew 9:27 As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” Thought for the Day: When was the last time you were on the receiving end of mercy? When was the last time you freely offered mercy? I remember assigning a task to a group of youth, the task of extending mercy wherever possible and to
Scripture: Matthew 13:11-13 He answered, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. The reason I speak to them in parables is that “seeing
Scripture: Luke 8:4-9 When a great crowd gathered and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell on the path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered for lack of moisture.
Scripture: 2nd Corinthians 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. Thought for the Day: While at Minister’s Week at Brite Divinity School last week, I heard a lecture in which the speaker talked about the language of renewal, reenergizing, restoring and revitalization. All these words assume a return to something that
Scripture: 1st Corinthians 1:18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Thought for the Day: If you really think about it, Paul is absolutely correct. I’m surprised anyone joined the Christian movement as Paul preached from one town to another. The cross is a pathetic marketing tool, as it
Scripture: Psalm 28:9 O save your people, and bless your heritage; be their shepherd, and carry them forever. Thought for the Day: The 18th century French writer, Stendhal, penned these words, The shepherd always tries to persuade the sheep that their interests and his own are the same. In the well known 23rd Psalm, the shepherd moves the sheep to green pastures and still waters. This sounds very
Scripture: John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. Thought for the Day: Marcus Borg has always intrigued me, challenged my preconceived notions, and on a occasion, caused me to squirm out of my skin. What I appreciate so much about Borg is his love and
Scripture: Romans 13:9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Thought for the Day: I have mentioned Thomas Merton a couple of times recently, and originally I planned to use the following quote in yesterday’s sermon. In the end, it was