Scripture: 1st Thessalonians 2:8 So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us. Thought for the Day: I was wanting to see what someone traditionally gave for a 41st anniversary. So many anniversaries have specific gifts assigned to them. One website suggested an
Scripture: Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Thought for the Day: You think you’ve had a bad day, just read Psalm 27. Here is someone who is having all kinds of problems, yet these words of encouragement are a call to trust in the Lord. The Hebrew word we translate, to be strong, conveys an unyielding
Scripture: Acts 12:5 While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. Thought for the Day: Our church ran an ad before Easter in the Belief Section, and it appeared among another ten or so ads. All of them were for other church Easter services, except for one. The very top ad was for a Bail Bondsman. I found that rather intriguing on
Scripture: Hebrews 12:14-15 Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled. Thought for the Day: I’ve always loved the 12th chapter of Hebrews. An initial reading, and some folks find it rather
Scripture: Psalm 69:18 Draw near to me, redeem me, set me free because of my enemies. Thought for the Day: In this amazing season of Easter (the Easter season is six weeks), we continue with our Easter experience and seek the God who rolled away a stone from a tomb. Jesus did not raise himself, for the verb ‘to raise’ is always a passive verb. God did the
Scripture: 1st John 4:20 Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. Thought for the Day: On April 13, 1919, Brigadier-General Dyer of the British military had his soldiers open fire on a peaceful gathering in the Jallianwala Bagh public
Scripture: Matthew 25:36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. Thought for the Day: There are moments in ministry where the work of the congregation is the source of great pride. Of course, scripture cautions us about pride and its ability to blind us, but this past Tuesday, I was
Scripture: Luke 24:6-7 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Thought for the Day: The messengers of God spoke to the women in the empty tomb about the Son of Man who would be arrested, executed and then be raised out of
Scripture: 2nd Corinthians 5:17 So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! Thought for the Day: A few years back, I had a guy ask me, “Where have you ever seen any sign that resurrection is true?” It caught me off guard, and I fumbled for an answer. I wish the words of Martin Luther,
Scripture: Luke 24:13-16 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. Thought for the Day: The big day has come and gone.