Scripture: Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Thought for the Day: In yesterday’s sermon, I referenced James 1:13 where it says very clearly that God does not tempt us. This makes sense to me. The God I meet in Jesus does not put evil in front of us to see how
Scripture: Job 29:14-16 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy, and I championed the cause of the stranger. Thought for the Day: As Job was having a debate with his alleged friends, he offered a very important understanding of righteousness.
Scripture: Luke 9:18 Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” Thought for the Day: The Confessing Church was a group of Christians who stood against the Nazi’s during WWII. In his 1936 lecture, “The Presentation of New Testament Texts,” Dietrich Bonhoeffer (a leader in the Confessing Church movement) proposed an alternative strategy
Scripture: Luke 9:12-17 The day was drawing to a close, and the twelve came to Jesus and said, “Send the crowd away, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a deserted place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two
Scripture: Psalm 85:10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Thought for the Day: Love and faithfulness, righteousness and peace, are concepts discussed in religious and academic settings. Most often these ideas are tossed around as theories, yet in this Psalm the author wants to make sure his audience recognizes that they were never intended to be abstract. The words take on
Scripture: Luke 8:48 Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Thought for the Day: As I sat by her hospital bed just days before her death, I found myself jealous of her faith that seemed unconcerned with the words of the doctors. She clearly understood that her body was going to die very soon, but her trust in God left me
Scripture: Colossians 4:2 (the Message) Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Thought for the Day: I have come across a number of what I call “genuine prayers for those of us far from perfection”. They are the kind of prayers that express gratitude for the dishes piled high in the sink, for there was a good meal served with those dishes. Or
Scripture: Luke 8:19-21 Then his (Jesus’) mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” But he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.” Thought for the Day: Wow! If I had said
Scripture: Mark 2:27 Then Jesus said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath…” Thought for the Day: Red Skelton once said, “If by chance some day you’re not feeling well and you should remember some silly thing I’ve said or done and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your
Scripture: Psalm 54:1-3 Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. Thought for the Day: In light of the recent announcement of the Pope’s retirement, I am borrowing one of his thoughts associated with this season. Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “Lent is like