But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at Read more
So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.” – Luke 22:38 The apostles had found two swords among them for their defense. Two swords in the face of growing unrest towards Jesus. Two swords to protect a group of regular guys Read more
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.” — Matthew 23:27 (ESV) I need to tell you something you probably don’t want to hear. What if the biggest problem facing Read more
The people of Judah were in big trouble. They were still following the sacrificial system in Jerusalem. But that wasn’t the problem. The sacrificial system was ordained by God for relief from sin and guilt. It was complicated and could be quite a burden if done right. But it wasn’t Read more
For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. – Isaiah 54:10 I find this verse to be one of the most comforting verses in Read more
When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” Read more
The start of a new year is often accompanied by optimism. We make resolutions; to be healthier, to be more present, to manage our time better. This annual ritual comes from the acknowledgement that we do not want to live the same year over again. We sense that something needs Read more
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, Read more
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. – John 1:11 NIV As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it Read more
Peace, it is a word we long for, a state of being we pursue, and a promise that we cling. We may envision it as a quiet evening by the fire, a moment of silence in a busy day, or the relief we feel when a conflict is resolved. We Read more