For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 Yesterday I watched the recorded Open Table Conference discussion on Faith in Hebrews 11 led by Paul Young. He asked us to begin by supposing we know nothing…

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6. “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’” Matthew 9:13. In reading 2 Samuel 21, the note below said: The next four chapters are an appendix to the book. The events are not presented in…

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts,…

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he…

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8. Have we ever truly stopped and thought about what our lives would be like without love or…

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11. Do you ever think about your plans for your life? Our life is more than where we work, study, live. Our life is so…

As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what is promised us – eternal life. 1 John 2:24. Reading 2 Samuel 16 reminds me of today. Intrigue. Lying. Cursing others. Disrespect.…

When I read a chapter in Scripture that fills me with disquiet, and I begin to pray, my thoughts start swirling to concerns for now and for people I love here. I realize this world we live in is a storm. Think of all the drama and storms you experience without warning. Our souls long…

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. Psalm 89:14-15. As I read 2 Samuel 14, as I look around at the history of all of us and at our…

We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 1 Corinthians 2:6-7. I…