Tag: surrender
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Peace and Blessings
Numbers 6:22–27, Luke 10:3–12, John 14:25–30, John 20:19–28 (read online ⧉) The Levitical or priestly blessing has been a mainstay for the Jews and Christians for millennia. The pronouncement of blessing, protection, acknowledgment, grace, favor, and peace pretty much sums up what a life with God should result in. What makes this tiny passage even…
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Not Anything; Something
Ruth 1:2–18, 2 Samuel 15:19–37, Matthew 19:16–30 Something more. Something greater than ourselves. That kind of thing calls to us very deeply. In this modern world, we have a greater amount of freedom to find that “something”. There is an argument that the only reason that we have that “freedom” is that we have so…
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Good Friday
Isaiah 52:13-53:11, Luke 22:39–23:56 You might wear a cross. You might have one on a wall in your home. You probably have one on your bible. Today the cross has lost much of its brutality and disgrace. Movies like the “Passion of the Christ” attempt to convey the brutality, but it is so very hard…
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Great Expectations
Psalm 55:1–7; Luke 2:21–38; 2 Corinthians 11:18–30 Families are often quick to share their expectations of a newborn (or coming) baby. The pressure can be on pretty quickly. The parents, too, have expectations of their children. They are often called “dreams” or “maybe someday.” As much as this can put pressure on the child, it…
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Thursday before the Third Sunday of Advent
Psalm 38, Isaiah 32:10-20, Joel 2:12-13 In regards to their salvation, many people struggle with two particular areas. The first is pride. Realizing that one’s salvation involves the surrendering of self, a person can stop right at the light. Holding onto one’s self (one’s pride) can keep a person from taking the final step of…
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Friday before the Second Sunday of Advent
Psalm 94, 2 Kings 11:6-23, 1 Peter 5:6-10 “When I am filled with cares, your comfort brings me joy.” Psalm 94:19 “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16 “…casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7 While when…
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Thursday before the Second Sunday of Advent
Psalm 7, Isaiah 36:13-20, Luke 14:31-33 Peace is fleeting. We look around the world and cannot help but recognize that a lack of conflict only lasts for a short time. World leaders are speaking well of one another, then the next day attacking one another. People at work or school say positive or encouraging things…