Scripture:1st Samuel 17:3-6 The Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat
Scripture: Ephesians 2:10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Thought for the Day: Yesterday evening we returned from a quick trip to Kansas City where I had the honor of presiding at my niece’s wedding. It was a glorious occasion. Upon arriving at home a little before 7pm, we
Scripture: Exodus 2:24-25 God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God looked upon the Israelites, and God took notice of them. Thought for the Day: I like how God is affected by the groans of the people. God does not act in a mechanistic way, but is compassionately responsive to the injustice and suffering of the Israelites. Too often, the church
Scripture: Zechariah 10:6 I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them; for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them. Thought for the Day: God’s compassion comes as an answer to prayer, and in many ways,
Scripture: Luke 12:16-17 Then Jesus told them a parable: “The land of a rich man produced abundantly. And he thought to himself, “What should I do, for I have no place to store my crops?” Thought for the Day: Too often this rich man is portrayed as wicked, like someone who made his wealth illegally or by taking advantage of others. This is not true. In fact, the
Scripture: Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Thought for the Day: I have spoken these words of scripture in many different settings. From the hospital room to the funeral home, they have been heard by those who felt
Scripture: Matthew 25:14-16 For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. Thought for
Scripture: Matthew 19:24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. Thought for the Day: Jesus presented – what some believe – was a very short parable. Parables provide a window through which we glimpse the Kingdom of God, and in this case, Jesus was suggesting
Scripture: Mark 4:30-32 He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds
Scripture: Luke 10:38-41 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has