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Hope
This I call to mind and therefore I have hope:Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3: 21-26 In a time of increasing uncertainty on many fronts, we can find hope and stability in God’s faithfulness and compassion. Monday: The words in this passage are ones people have focused on for centuries in order to find hope.…
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Meteors Declaring God’s Glory!
This week the Perseid meteor shower is filling the night sky with a display of one of God’s wonders—shooting stars, sometimes up to 60 an hour! With so much uncertainty and change in the world at this time, let’s step aside from it by stepping outside to gaze in awe at the heavens. Although individual meteors streak across the sky and then are gone, the Perseid metor shower comes around reliably every August. And the stars we see all across the sky are constants that were there before the time of Abraham, were there when Jesus walked the earth, and will continue beyond these unsettled times, reminding us that Jesus…
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Broken but Thriving
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Words and Thoughts
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.” Joshua 1:8 God’s word is powerful and can change us from the inside out. This week let’s focus on meditating on his word to fill our hearts with it. Daily Prayer Suggestions Monday: Our words spring from our hearts or thoughts. What do your words reveal about the…
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Psalm 119
This week I’d like to meditate on a few verses from Psalm 119. It was hard selecting only six verses, because I find this psalm rich in verses to ponder and pray, so we might look at it again soon. Most of the verses of Psalm 119 are either prayers or affirmations addressed to God. Most verses refer to God’s word or actions, as well as the writer’s, thus affirming prayer as a relationship with God rather than just asking for what we want. Let’s carefully read and think about each day’s verse, using it as a starting point for personal prayer and reflection. Monday: Open my eyes that I…
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One Body, Many Members
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us… Rom. 12:4-6a As God’s children, we aren’t expected to be just like each other, but, rather, unique individuals with different gifts and roles, all essential for the healthy functioning of the body of Christ. Monday: Think about various parts of your body and how very different they are, and in fact must be, in order for you to live. Praise God for his…
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Peace and Gratitude
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17 Who doesn’t want peace? This passage is rich with encouragement on how to have peace in our own hearts and in our relationships…
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Freedom!
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:16-17 This week we celebrate the freedom we have in the United States, freedom to worship God and to make many choices about how we live. Let’s think about what God says about how to…
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Unity
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me… 26I have…
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Perfect Unity
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 As I’m sure most people do, I sometimes have a hard time being patient when someone annoys me or forgiving when someone has hurt me. These verses from Colossians always make me want to grow in grace and love. As God’s people, we are recognized by our character, especially our love. Our character springs…