Gen 31:17-32:12, Matt 10:24-11:6, Psalm 13:1-6, Prov 3: 16-18 For our session meeting tonight, we reflected on these words from Matthew: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his […]
Gen 30:1-31:16, Matt 10:1-23, Psalm 12:1-8, Prov 3:13-15 Envy, jealousy, and deception, sounds fitting for the son of Isaac who stole the birthright and blessing. Rachel is jealous of Leah, offers her maid servant, and Leah connives her way back into seeking Jacob’s favor. Meanwhile, Laban continues his cheating and dishonesty for his own self-gain […]
Gen 28:1-29:35, Matt 9:18-38, Psalm 11:1-7, Prov 3:11-12 I write today as I sit in the family waiting room in the hospital for a sister in our church family undergoing major surgery today. I pray today that we reach out and touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, and may we listen for his voice, “Take heart, […]
Gen 24:52-26:16, Matt 8: 18-34, Psalm 10:1-15, Prov 3:7-8 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Our Proverbs reading fits well with today’s sermon on Luke 4. Like Jesus, we know the wilderness. Yet our outcomes include responding, […]
Gen 23:1-24:51, Matt 8:1-17, Psalm 9:13-20, Prov 3:1-6 “When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the […]
Gen 20:1-22:24, Matt 7:15-29, Psalm 9:1-12, Prov 2:16-22 We continue to see division and consternation over orthodoxy. It becomes a test over who is in and who is out over who believes the most correctly in a place where the narrow gate really becomes about narrow minds that open to a road called dogma. Today’s […]
Gen 18:16-19:38, Matt 6:25-7:14, Psalm 8:1-9, Prov 2:6-15 Today’s reading of narrow gates is why I like reading the Bible. I have read this passage many times and tonight am drawn to the line, “ For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life…” Think about this in the full context […]
Gen 16:1-18:15, Matt 6:1-24, Psalm 7:1-17, Prov 2:1-15 I am going to cheat today, and go back to something I have been thinking about from yesterday. (Today’s readings are loaded, so happy reading.) Included with the whole love your enemies thing is a conclusion that says, “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Be […]
Today’s Readings Gen 13:5-15:21, Matt 5:27-48, Psalm 6:1-10, Prov 1:28-33 Loving enemies? How’s that working for you? “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your […]
Gen 11:1-13:4, Matt 5:1-26, Psalm 5:1-12, Prov 1:24-27 In our western, American understanding, how do we view what it means to be blessed? Today’s reading from Matthew turns our world upside down as far as what our world is telling us to follow. But then again, we are reminded that following Jesus is not easy. […]
