TRUST IN HIS NAME                                Psalm 9:7–12 Those who know your name trust in you. Psalm 9:10 As a child, there was a time I dreaded going to school. Some girls were bullying me by subjecting me to cruel pranks. So during recess, I’d take refuge in the library, where I read a series of Christian storybooks. […]

LEARNING AND LOVING                                   Mark 10:13–16 He took the children in his arms . . . and blessed them. Mark 10:16 At a primary school in Greenock, Scotland, three teachers on maternity leave brought their babies to school every two weeks to interact with schoolchildren. Playtime with babies teaches children empathy, or care and feeling for others. […]

RECKLESS DECISIONS                                Numbers 20:1–12 Because you did not trust in me . . . , you will not bring this community into the land. Numbers 20:12 As a teen, I was driving way too fast trying to follow my friend to his home after a high school basketball practice. It was raining hard, and I […]

WHERE I BELONG                                               Psalm 133 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1 At the end of a meal to mark Passover, a traditional Jewish holiday that celebrates and remembers the greatness of God’s saving work, church members expressed their joy by dancing together in a circle. Barry stood […]

FORGIVE BECAUSE YOU’RE FORGIVEN“Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13 (NLT) When someone hurts you deeply, forgiveness probably isn’t your natural response. Instead, you may want to hold on to the hurt and to bitterness toward the person who caused you pain. But God calls you to forgive, to let go of […]

A REFLECTION OF CHRIST                                 Genesis 43:33–34 Joseph’s life offers us a magnificent portrayal of the grace of God as He came to our rescue in the Person of His Son, Jesus. So many come to Him, like Joseph’s guilty brothers, feeling the distance and fearing the worst from God, only to have Him demonstrate […]

THE LEGACY OF LEARNING, (2)               2 Peter 1:5–8 Ignorance is not bliss. On the contrary, it is the breeding ground for fear, prejudice, and superstition, to name just a few. Knowledge is critical. The young nation of America saw the need for being knowledgeable . . . for perpetuating an educated, well-trained body of […]

THE LEGACY OF LEARNING, (1)              Daniel 1:17–20; 2:19–23 Slice it any way you wish, ignorance is not bliss. Dress it in whatever garb you please, ignorance is not attractive. Neither is it the mark of humility nor the path to spirituality. It certainly is not the companion of wisdom. On the contrary, it is the breeding ground for fear, prejudice, […]

GOD DOESN’T CALL THE QUALIFIED, HE QUALIFIES THE CALLED 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 And aI was with you bin weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of cthe Spirit and of power, 1 Corinthians 2:3-4 God Equips His People for His Work You make […]

THE FINAL WORD                                                        John 4:50-51 Today’s Scripture: Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home. While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. John 4:50–51, NLT Today’s […]