Scripture: Galatians 5:1-2 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Listen! I, Paul, am telling you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Thought for the Day: Paul is passionate about the notion of freedom, though this is not some permission-giving freedom to do anything. To find
Scripture: Micah 6:4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. Thought for the Day: The Prophet Micah reminding the people of their history — what it was that God had done in bringing freedom from bondage centuries earlier, and equally important, the people whom God had sent to
Scripture: Isaiah 44:8-11 Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one. All who make idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit; their witnesses neither see nor know. And so they will be put to shame.
Scripture: Act 6:8 Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Thought for the Day: What ‘wonders and signs’ (second word could be translated as miracles) does a person need to do to get executed? In an initial reading of Acts 6 and 7, it appears that Stephen was stoned to death because he took care of the most vulnerable. It doesn’t
Scripture: Exodus 22:26-27 If you take your neighbor’s cloak in pawn, you shall restore it before the sun goes down; for it may be your neighbor’s only clothing to use as cover; in what else shall that person sleep? And if your neighbor cries out to me, I will listen, for I am compassionate. Thought for the Day: I’ve always loved this passage and similar ones found in
Scripture: Revelation 13:16-18 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell who does not have the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let anyone with understanding calculate the number of
Scripture: Romans 12:17 (the Message) Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. Thought for the Day: Wisdom is wisdom, no matter where its origin. It was Confucius who said, “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” When we are angry or frustrated or feeling neglected, we often respond with unhealthy and unhelpful behavior. I’ll be honest with you, I am not proud of all my responses and/or
Scripture: Luke 19:4-6 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. Thought for the Day: Luke’s Gospel is filled with
Scripture: Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Thought for the Day: Those words of scripture were made famous by the song writer, Amy Grant. People often think of them associated with moving from a place of trouble to a place of security, but I don’t believe it necessarily is intended only for the difficult times of life. Is
Scripture: Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones. Thought for Day: I have been laughing ever since I read these words from Rodney Dangerfield: This morning when I put on my underwear I could hear the fruit-of-the-loom guys laughing. I really appreciate self-deprecating humor, and though I’m not suggesting we put ourselves down in an unhealthy way, there