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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…
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Church in Action
It’s easy for us in 21st century America to take church for granted and approach it casually, but we miss out on a lot if we do. There are many exhortations in Scripture about how to be involved in church, and much depth of connection to be experienced by living wholeheartedly in relationship with one another and Jesus. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12: 9-11 Monday: Imagine how our churches would look if each of…
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Church!
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 Imagine how exciting it would be to be a part of a church like this! This…
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Sketching as Prayer
Yesterday we had our Spring Sketching as Prayer retreat at church, and it was a very refreshing day for me. While I enjoyed doing the retreat via Zoom in January, and it was great to see people from all across the United States and even one person in England, it was much more relaxing for me to lead a retreat locally. Not having to keep much technology in mind allowed me to really relax and experience the day as a retreat for myself as well. It’s interesting that, although I very much need and appreciate time alone at home, it sometimes seems that “solitude” with other people can be powerful…
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Thoughts That Lead to Peace
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 Paul admonishes his readers to think about that which is good and to follow his example in living out those virtues. The result is God’s peace, which comes from the God of peace himself being present with us. This week let’s pay attention to what we think about and…
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Pentecost
This week we remember and celebrate Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out into God’s people. What an amazing gift! God the Spirit coming to us and living within us, so that we are never alone, never without God’s presence. Although we may not always sense God’s presence, Scripture tells us that if we have put our faith in Jesus, he gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to be with us always. Each day we’ll meditate on a verse that tells us something of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Let’s ponder these words deeply, allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our hope, to…
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Hope and Assurance
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having…
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From Despair to Courage
“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27: 13-14 It’s easy to slip into despair or hopelessness when we allow our focus to settle on problems and trials. If, instead, we keep God’s goodness in mind and wait on the LORD, we are reassured, strengthened, and given courage, even if the trials continue. This week we’ll focus on God’s goodness and we’ll spend time waiting on the LORD. Monday: Take some time to remember and think…