But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is!
Ecclesiastes reminds us that life is beautiful and fleeting. Don’t sit around waiting for life to happen to you, make it happen! You answer to God for your actions (or inaction); work hard and enjoy the life He has given you! Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don’t hoard your […]
John the Baptist was a faithful servant of the Lord and actively lived out his faith even when he experienced persecution. Like John, you will be challenged in your faith, and how you respond is a true test of faith. 1-2 While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called “the Baptizer,” was preaching in […]
In Philippians, we read about Paul and his unwavering faith in the Lord’s provision. We learn that God blesses those who believe in him, and how we can receive generosity and see it work throughout a community of faith. 15-17 You Philippians well know, and you can be sure I’ll never forget it, that when […]
As people, we are constantly learning, growing, and evolving. In 2 Corinthians Paul challenges us to lean into growth and strengthen our minds, bodies, and emotions to embrace and follow the way of Jesus. In doing so, we are growing closer to God. 8-9 I know I distressed you greatly with my letter. Although I […]
We are all leaders in our own way, but Peter reminds us that it is humility that makes us great. To be a great leader, we must first remember to be humble, and then we must remember who we are representing. 1-3 I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it’s like […]
The beginning of Revelation is full of John’s letters to churches. In turn he acknowledges their strengths and then calls out their missteps. But the final church in Laodicea receives a stirring critique and then a clear promise of presence for those who knock… Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, […]
Have you ever been “plunged into a sea of joy”? What happened? How did it feel? How long has it been since then? Here in Ezra 6 the Israelites have finally rebuilt the temple after long years in captivity in Babylon. God had cleared a space for them… and for you. So the leaders of […]
You are unique. Your history and emotional life are all your own. God knows that. He comes to each one of us. Here in the second chapter of Acts we are in the room on the Day of Pentecost. God’s arrival does not lead to group think, but better relationships. When the Feast of Pentecost […]
Are you working really hard to follow all the right rules? Here in chapter 2 of Paul’s letter to the Galatians he talks about his past and how to overcome a focus on rule-keeping and peer-pleasing. Have some of you noticed that we are not yet perfect? (No great surprise, right?) And are you ready […]
Are you running from God? The story of Jonah being swallowed by a whale is one we all learn as children, but the big fish is only mentioned in three verses. The real story is Jonah’s attitude and the great things God might have planned for us that we might be too prideful to do… […]