I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm.place to stand. He put a new song on my mouth, Read more…
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He Read more…
In Matthew 6:9-15 Jesus said, “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.And Read more…
Water is life. As I sat in my hospital room, ill from dehydration, I was reminded of this simple fact. We are living beings as fragile as the grass drawn together by needs, both simple and profound: food, air, sunlight, water and hope. Flowing water cheers the heart. Sitting by Read more…
When we think of the purpose of the church, it is common to think primarily in terms of what the church does, whether it be for the faith community, those in the world, or even for God. The New Testament communicates a lot about the functions of the church and Read more…
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of Read more…
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. – Psalm 46:1-3 Wherever you Read more…
And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number Read more…
War. We are ready to fight. We are willing soldiers of God. Donned in His armor, we are grim-faced and iron-willed. Our resolve is firm. We use terse words to identify the targets we fight against. They threaten us. They threaten our Christianity. They threaten our “way of life” and Read more…
Christmas is almost here! Like many, you may have an idealized picture of the perfect Christmas. Perhaps you envision a Christmas similar to a romantic and tranquil Currier & Ives Christmas scene that depicts fallen snow on rolling hills, horse drawn sleighs, and restful trees. Unfortunately, this calm and peaceful Read more…