Scripture: John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. Thought for the Day: In his book, Love Wins, Rob Bell writes: “As obvious as it is… Jesus is bigger than any one religion… He didn’t come to start a new religion, and he continually disrupted whatever conventions or systems or establishments that existed
Scripture: 1st Corinthians 3:20-23 …and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. Thought for the Day: One
Scripture: 1st John 3:18 Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. Thought for the Day: After yesterday’s devotional, I have been stirring around the phrase reckless love as a way of describing the life and death of Jesus. As an odd side note, I have come to learn that Reckless Love was the name of a Finnish Heavy Metal Band.
Scripture: 1st John 3:16 We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. Thought for the Day: There is an older book by Dorothy Day, co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, entitled: The Reckless Way of Love – Notes on Following Jesus. I have always strangely appreciated the word reckless as it helps move
Scripture: Matthew 11:28 And Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Thought for the Day: A great Buddhist teacher once wrote, “View all problems as challenges. Look upon negatives that arise as opportunities to learn and grow. Don’t run from them, condemn yourself, or bury your burden in saintly silence.” Those closing words about
Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Thought for the Day: We are invited to be imitators of God, yet how exactly are we to imitate the Exalted One? This is where Jesus comes in handy as his life is a bit more
Scripture: Romans 12:19-21 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Scripture: John 13:34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. Thought for the Day: We show love when it is not easy or comfortable because the very character of love is sacrificial. Love is not easy, though our culture pretends it is. We picture it as romance where a couple dances through
Scripture: Philippians 2:1-3 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Thought for the Day: The day before
Scripture: Job 27:8-10 For what is the hope of the godless when God cuts them off, when God takes away their lives? Will God hear their cry when trouble comes upon them? Will they take delight in the Almighty? Thought for the Day: The book of Job expresses the hopelessness felt by those who have been overcome by tragedy. Hopelessness makes a person feel cut off from God,