Blogs in this category are designed to present something to think about. They may present a different angle on a familiar passage. Or they may simply present a challenge for the reader to relate to the passage in a way they may not have before.
This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, …
Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them …
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. Hebrews 3:1 NIV The writer of Hebrews starts the third chapter with this word of advice: Fix your thoughts on Jesus! Discipline your mind to stay …
Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. Mark 3:13-14 NIV Jesus chose twelve …
And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7 NIV A year or so earlier, when Joseph and Mary pledged their love to each other and planned to …
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed …
The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Proverbs 4:18 NIV As we journey through life, each day we have to choose the path we will walk. If you’re looking for a roadmap, God’s word will light the way! …
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT There’s always a reason to be thankful, even when things don’t go our way and circumstances are not ideal. 2020 has been that kind of year for all of …
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 NIV There is a difference between being alive and having life. Every one with a beating heart and breath in their lungs is alive, …
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the …
Eliashib the priest, who had been appointed as supervisor of the storerooms of the Temple of our God and who was also a relative of Tobiah, had converted a large storage room and placed it at Tobiah’s disposal. The room had previously been used for storing the grain offerings, the frankincense, …
We, in the United States, are in the midst of a presidential election. Emotions are high and passion floods our society like an overflowing river in a torrential downpour. Families are divided, neighborhoods split, friends part ways and social media is steep with strong opinions for and against both candidates. …
For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.” 1 Samuel 17:16 NIV One of the many lessons highlighted in the story of David and Goliath is this: The enemy is relentless! Just like Goliath taunted the army of Israel every morning and every …
But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we …
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, …
I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I …