The first thing that comes to mind when I think of hospitality is from my growing up years, when my mom would announce, “Company’s coming! Time to clean the house!”. We would then slave all day making the house look like no one lived in...
Chemistry is the bane of my existence. For some unknown reason, I had the crazy notion in high school that it could be a good idea to take AP Chemistry. I spent the entire school year dreading that class, crying over the lab reports, and...
1 Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the...
God calls us to be neighbors—to engage those around us with compassion. Hospitality is about more than welcoming others into our home; it is extending the grace we receive from God to others. ...
22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help...
There are things in this life that just don’t feel right. Sometimes it’s small, and other times the injustices of this world are glaringly obvious. Children who are abused by those meant to protect them. Victims of war and natural disasters. Corruption. Hunger. Death. We...
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all...
1 “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins! 2 Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon...
31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates...
Have you ever listened to a song thousands of times and never really tuned in, but in a particular season listened to the same song and saw it as fresh revelation? Well, during this past Christmas season, that exact thing happened to me....
1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being...
Over the past few years, the Lord has been kind enough to teach me through putting words in my life—usually by repeating them enough times that I can’t miss it....
7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who...
God brings justice through reconciling us to Himself. Through reconciliation, we are brought into the Kingdom of Heaven, making us ambassadors of Christ while we are walking on this earth. As His representatives, it is our responsibility to bring His justice to bear in our...
25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “‘You...
33 “Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. 34 Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God....
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in...
6 What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? 7 Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? 8...
There is no question that Jesus calls us, as His followers, to serve others sacrificially and to make disciples. How obedient are we to that call? We choose to “engage” in many things— hobbies, relationships, exercise, getting ahead at work, our comfort or leisure. Are...
19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your...
I enjoy cooking. I don’t particularly have exceptional knowledge or skills in this area, but I can get a meal on the table with the general good disposition that comes from having enjoyed the process. Often I’m surprised by how many things I cook that...
1 I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs. 2 I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. 3 I will refuse to look at anything...
We have a responsibility to share our story with others because we have been rescued from our sin. Our lives should cause people to notice that we are distinct, and we should be ready to answer their questions with confidence and humility....
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our...
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied....