“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like wise persons who built their houses on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But all…[read more]
The Lord took Abram outside and said: “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” Genesis 15:5 Early this morning a young couple who are very dear friends gave birth to their first child. I awoke, from a fairly restless and anxious night,…[read more]
Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support them if they stayed together; their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. There were quarrels between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and those…[read more]
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6: 7-8 This morning began for me with a brief text exchange with a friend who was at the…[read more]
“I say this not by way of command, but to test the genuineness of your love by your concern for others.” 2 Corinthians 8: 8 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly father, for he makes his sun rise…[read more]
Rather our qualification comes from God, who has indeed qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of letter but of spirit; for the letter brings death, but the Spirit gives life. Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, was so glorious that the children of Israel could not look…[read more]
There are different kinds of gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-7 Yesterday I was…[read more]
When Paul had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all. They were all weeping loudly as they threw their arms around him and kissed him, for they were deeply distressed that he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship. Acts 20: 36-38…[read more]
The Lord, your God, is in your midst, / a mighty savior; / He will rejoice over you with gladness, / and renew you in his love, / He will sing joyfully because of you, / as one sings at festivals. Zephaniah 3: 17-18 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste…[read more]
Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Are you discussing with one another what I said, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again little while and you will see me’? Amen, amen, I say to you, you will weep and mourn, while the world rejoices;…[read more]
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like wise persons who built their houses on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But all…[read more]
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