Scripture Reading — Matthew 13:31-32“Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds . . . perch in its branches.”— Matthew 13:32The door opened, and in walked a woman I did not know. She explained that she was from
Scripture Reading — Philippians 2:1-4[Look] not . . . to your own interests but . . . to the interests of the others.— Philippians 2:4I live in an area where snow falls in winter, and I would prefer that it would stay off my driveway. My husband looked outside at the snow one day and scowled. He kne
Scripture Reading — Luke 5:17-26They went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles . . . right in front of Jesus.— Luke 5:19Have you ever lost your house key? I am so thankful that our house has a keypad entry so that all I have to remember is a code. On that note, have you ever l
Scripture Reading — Luke 24:28-34They urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening. . . .” So he went in to stay with them.— Luke 24:29One of the intriguing details of this story in Luke is that the two disciples who were walking and talking with Jesus didn’t know it was him. I suspec
Scripture Reading — 3 John 3-8It gave me great joy when . . . [I heard] about your faithfulness to the truth. . . .— 3 John 3Last year I watched the televised funeral of a godly leader and statesman. Tributes from a friend and a family member reminded me of a leader who worked diligently to bring Go
Scripture Reading — Exodus 2:15-25“And where is he?” . . . “Why did you leave him? Invite him to have something to eat.”— Exodus 2:20Church planting can bring lots of excitement and challenges. Have you ever met a church planter? They give up many of the comforts and expectations of a church home be
Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 4:8-11Use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace. . . .— 1 Peter 4:10It was Easter morning, and I was excited to be part of the church service that day. My ideas and sermon were ready to go. I was anticipating a great morning.
Scripture Reading — Acts 28:1-10Publius . . . welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days.— Acts 28:7Paul was on a ship with 275 other men riding out a storm that they could have avoided. Nevertheless, God had a plan. They were shipwrecked on an island where people need
Scripture Reading — 2 Kings 4:8-17“Let’s make a small room . . . for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”— 2 Kings 4:10We have a guest room in our house. It gets used on a regular basis. My mother uses it when she comes to visit, our grandkids use it for sleepovers, and anyone else
Scripture Reading — Jeremiah 29:4-7“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you. . . . Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”— Jeremiah 29:7Carrots and potatoes and peas—oh, my! Actually many kinds of vegetables show up in this community gar
Scripture Reading — Luke 4:14-21“The Spirit of the Lord . . . has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners. . . .”— Luke 4:18In our city there is a center for forensic mental health. Part of its work involves care for people with mental illness who have been part of the criminal justice system.
Scripture Reading — Matthew 10:40-42“If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”— Matthew 10:42I’m not sure how widespread the tradition is in your area, but when the 13th of the month f
