Scripture: Luke 8:55-56 Her life returned and she got up at once. He directed them to give her something to eat. Her parents were beside themselves with joy, but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened. Thought for the Day: In scripture, when someone wanted to make the point that an individual was alive (after being dead), the person was given something to eat. This
Prayer for the Week: We stand at a transitional moment in the life of the church. We find ourselves standing on the edge of one season, as we peer into the next. O God who taught how there is a season for every purpose under heaven, we look into the shadows and darkness of Lent. We do not fear it, for the darkness is, in part, to limit
Scripture: Luke 8:40-43 When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they had been waiting for him. A man named Jairus, who was a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet. He pleaded with Jesus to come to his house because his only daughter, a twelve-year-old, was dying. As Jesus moved forward, he faced smothering crowds. A woman was there who had been bleeding for twelve years.
Scripture: Luke 8:16-18 No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand so that those who enter can see the light. Nothing is hidden that won’t be exposed. Nor is anything concealed that won’t be made known and brought to the light. Therefore, listen carefully. Those who have will receive
Scripture: Luke 8:1-3 Soon afterward, Jesus traveled through the cities and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news of God’s kingdom. The Twelve were with him, along with some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses. Among them were Mary Magdalene (from whom seven demons had been thrown out), Joanna (the wife of Herod’s servant Chuza), Susanna, and many others who provided for them out
Scripture: Luke 7:49 The other table guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this person that even forgives sins?” Thought for the Day: I have been feeling this passage deep within me for the last 72 hours. What I mean is that I wonder about those who sit at the table and grumble about someone who has been given a seat or someone who has been shown
Scripture: Luke 7:31-32 “To what will I compare the people of this generation?” Jesus asked. “What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace calling out to each other, ‘We played the flute for you and you didn’t dance. We sang a funeral song and you didn’t cry.’” Thought for the Day: People had judged John based upon what they thought a prophet should look
Scripture: Luke 7:18-22 John’s disciples informed him about all these things. John called two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord. They were to ask him, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for someone else?” When they reached Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you. He asks, ‘Are you the one who is coming, or should we look
Prayer for the Week: It has always been the simple and humble people of this world who have brought about change to the very fabric of this world. Creator and Sustainer, we ask for you to raise up another flock of such folks. And if you are already raising up such a group around us or among us, we ask for eyes to see them and hearts that
Scripture: Luke 7:13 When he saw her, the Lord had compassion for her and said, “Don’t cry.” Thought for the Day: I think Jesus gets a pass on this one, but I am always cautious about telling someone, “Don’t cry.” Crying can often be one of the healthiest and cathartic actions we can do. Jesus could say to her, “don’t cry,” because he knew that change was on