Blessed January 27, 2023 When you look back at times when you have been brought low, how might God have been blessing you through that experience?
Foolishness and Wisdom January 26, 2023 Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. This passage is a bit tricky to follow. Paul reminds us that no matter how smart […]
Holy Living January 25, 2023 Here, the psalmist gives their prescription for holy living.
Justice, Kindness, Humility January 24, 2023 To live according to God’s will, the expectation is simple: to work towards a just and equitable world; to be kind in the way that God is kind to them; and trade pride and ego for humility.
Come and Follow January 20, 2023 Jesus met people where they were, going about their daily lives, and called them to follow.
Authority Issues January 19, 2023 The issue of authority often underlies the divisions within our own churches.
Safe Haven January 18, 2023 The psalmist imagines God’s protection as a tent set high upon a rock.
Light Bearers January 17, 2023 Using the prophet as a light-bearer is a powerful image because we all know what it’s like to be in the dark.
Come and See January 13, 2023 How willing are you to invite Jesus to “come and see” every part of yourself?
Gifted Community January 12, 2023 While individual members do not have every spiritual gift, collectively, the whole body does.
Patience January 11, 2023 Here, the psalmist affirms the positive outcome of waiting patiently for God to act in redemptive ways.
Shining Light January 10, 2023 How do you shine light into the lives of others?
Seeking Hope December 30, 2022 In what ways is your life a sign for others, pointing the way to Christ?
Mystery of Grace December 29, 2022 How do you proclaim the boundless riches of Christ in your life?
Prayer for a Leader December 28, 2022 I wonder if the type of leader a person desires depends on their station in life.
Arise, shine! December 27, 2022 In this glorious vision, we see the light of God breaking over the darkness of the world.
In the Beginning December 23, 2022 In the opening verses of John’s gospel, we read that Jesus is the giver of life and light.
Reflection of Glory December 22, 2022 Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory and the imprint of God’s very being.
Joyful Noise December 21, 2022 For many of us, the carols and songs of Christmas are an important part of what makes the season special.
The Messenger December 20, 2022 “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation.”
Softness of Heart December 16, 2022 Humility, compassion, and mercy are the signposts of God’s kingdom, rather than pride and rigidity.
Faith and Identity December 15, 2022 For Paul, his identity informs every word he writes, every action he takes, and every sacrifice he makes.
Restore Us December 14, 2022 The Hebrew word for “restore” translates as “turn” or “repent.”
Asking for a Sign December 13, 2022 Have you asked God for a sign that might bring you a sense of peace?
How Will I Know? December 9, 2022 According to Jesus, the evidence of who he is lies in those who have experienced healing.
God’s Timing December 8, 2022 This passage reminds us that God’s timing is different from ours.
Magnificat December 7, 2022 Both in Mary’s song and in Jesus’ ministry, we see the God who loves us as we are but does not leave us as we are.
The Holy Way December 6, 2022 The Holy Way will be so straightforward, even a fool cannot make a wrong turn.
Prepare the Way December 2, 2022 Baptism is about receiving a new identity and a new vocation.
Harmony December 1, 2022 Living in harmony is hard enough with people we’ve known our whole lives, let alone with those who have different perspectives and priorities from us.
Reign of Righteousness November 30, 2022 We can see Jesus as just this kind of king.
Kingdom of Peace November 29, 2022 Here, Isaiah is speaking of a leader who will usher in a season of peace.
While We Wait November 25, 2022 While we wait, signs of Jesus’ presence remain in beautiful moments that delight our senses and stir our hearts.
Home for the Holidays November 24, 2022 During the holidays, we go to a place where we can feel grounded and centered.
Wake Up November 23, 2022 Would you say, at this moment, that you are energized in your faith or feeling a little bit sleepy?
Good Change November 22, 2022 Isaiah shares the vision he has been given of the new thing that God will do for Israel.
Forgive Them November 18, 2022 I wonder how often we are harmed by someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing.
Strength, Patience, Joy November 17, 2022 Sometimes, we think we have it hard as Christians in our culture. We have no idea.
Can’t Keep from Singing November 16, 2022 Now that his mouth is opened, Zechariah cannot help but sing a song of thanksgiving and praise.
The Days Are Surely Coming November 15, 2022 God will execute justice and righteousness, and wise and equitable leadership is part of that.
Paying Attention in the Now-Times November 11, 2022 Our call in these verses is to hold the difficult and fearful realities in tension with the realities that are good and beautiful.
Mere Busybodies November 10, 2022 In Christian community, we must all do our part in growing the kingdom of God.
This is the Day November 9, 2022 Every moment is a gift, and an opportunity to grow and to learn.
Perfect World November 8, 2022 If you could design a perfect world, what would that look like?
Blessings and Woes November 4, 2022 Where Matthew’s beatitudes address spiritual hunger and thirst, Luke’s get down to the nitty-gritty realities of life.
Spirit of Wisdom November 3, 2022 The more we experience Jesus and incorporate the way of Jesus into our daily lives, the more we understand about ourselves, about the world, and about God.
Big Worship November 2, 2022 While I appreciate the value of quiet, contemplative worship, there is a place for “big” worship too.
Fear November 1, 2022 Most of us have a fear that is overwhelming.
Feeling Small October 28, 2022 Are you carrying any guilt or shame that makes you feel small?
Growing, Loving, Remembering October 27, 2022 These verses suggest that the key to a thriving church are this: growing in the faith, loving one another, and remembering why they are doing what they are doing.
Scripture: Comfort and Guide October 26, 2022 These verses celebrate the gift of scripture in guiding and comforting.
How Long? October 25, 2022 The prophet’s question, “How long, O Lord,” echoes the question we might also be asking of God.
Lord, Have Mercy October 21, 2022 In this parable, Jesus speaks to any of us who, from time to time, feel just a little bit better than someone else.
Never Alone October 20, 2022 When have you felt like God was the only one on your side?
Caretaker October 19, 2022 The final section of this hymn of praise draws upon images of God as not just Creator, but also caretaker of the earth.
Drought October 18, 2022 We may feel like we are in a dry time. Yes, there is actual drought in our area, but perhaps there is also a feeling of emotional drought or spiritual drought.
Persistence October 14, 2022 In this parable, Jesus speaks to God’s generosity of spirit in terms of answering prayers.
Scripture as Encouragement October 13, 2022 Paul reminds his readers to use the utmost patience when using scripture to “convince, rebuke, or encourage.”
Meditation October 12, 2022 “O, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long” (Psalm 119:97).
Covenant October 11, 2022 The entire story of God and God’s people is one of a covenantal relationship: “I will be your God and you will be my people.”
Gratitude October 7, 2022 What if, like that one leper, we had complete faith in what Jesus could do?
Wrangling October 6, 2022 Our wrangling might be a stumbling block, preventing someone from taking that first step in their journey of faith.
Spacious Place October 5, 2022 When has God brought you to the “spacious place”?
Prosper October 4, 2022 Here, God is speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the Hebrews who have been carried off into exile by their Babylonian captors.
The Way of Christ September 30, 2022 The disciples understand that to live the way of Christ takes much faith—and not just agreement to a certain set of principles, but to do the hard work of discipleship.
Good Treasure September 29, 2022 Paul urges Timothy to “guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.”
By the Rivers September 28, 2022 Sometimes when things are especially difficult, we find it hard to express joy, let alone be thankful.
Lament September 27, 2022 The book of Lamentations is written as a musical and poetic expression of grief.
Pride and Ego September 23, 2022 It would seem that the rich man has been infected with pride and ego, sins that continue even after his death.
Contentment September 22, 2022 These verses have less to do with the evil of money and are more about being content with what you have.
Overwhelmed September 21, 2022 This reading gives us helpful advice for those times when we are feeling overwhelming fear, anxiety, or despair.
Buying Land September 20, 2022 Obedient to the word of God, Jeremiah buys land in the presence of many witnesses.
Money and Masters September 16, 2022 This parable invites us to consider our relationship with wealth and how we use it.
Praying for Leaders September 15, 2022 Here, Paul is advising the community of faith to pray for their leaders.
How Long? September 14, 2022 How long will we have to pay for the mistakes of past generations?
Heartsick September 13, 2022 Jeremiah warns Israel that the direction they are headed as a people is a sure path to destruction.
All is Not Lost September 9, 2022 In these two parables, we read of the foolish, reckless lengths one would go to find something that was lost.
Immortal, Invisible, Wise September 8, 2022 Only the wisdom of God would look at someone like Paul and see a vessel for the gospel.
Looking for the Good September 7, 2022 The psalmist pictures God searching for someone who is a wise seeker of God, only to be disappointed. “There is no one who does good, no not one.”
Scorched Earth September 6, 2022 Think about the landscape of our culture. What areas are desolate and scorched? Where can you see life and new growth?
Weighing the Cost September 2, 2022 In this reading, Jesus reminds his listeners that discipleship is not all about what Jesus can do for them.
Letters Between Friends September 1, 2022 In this letter, Paul is trying to convince Philemon to welcome back Onesimus, a runaway slave.
Knit Together August 31, 2022 Here, God is imagined as an artist who knits and weaves us into who we are to become.
Vessels August 30, 2022 Unlike fired clay that is dry, hard, and often meant for one fixed purpose, we are soft and malleable in God’s hands.
Welcome and Grace August 26, 2022 Jesus calls us to extend welcome and grace to the ones who need it the most, rather than the ones who have something to offer back.
Sacrifice of Praise August 25, 2022 How often and in what ways do you offer a “sacrifice of praise”?
strange gods August 24, 2022 “There shall be no strange gods among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god.”
Stagnant Water August 23, 2022 In this reading, the Lord contrasts living water with the stagnant water that seeps out of a cracked cistern.
Mercy Matters August 19, 2022 To Jesus, mercy outweighs tradition every time.
Intangible August 18, 2022 The heart of this reading has to do with the tangible and the intangible, with the physical and the spiritual.
Refuge August 17, 2022 In this prayer, the psalmist cries out for God to rescue and protect.
Equipped August 16, 2022 God, who knows more about Jeremiah than he knows about himself, has uniquely equipped Jeremiah for this work.
Cost of Discipleship August 12, 2022 In this reading, Jesus reminds his hearers that following him and aligning your life with his can be costly.
Cloud of Witnesses August 11, 2022 When we feel discouraged or we become tired of trying to do the right thing, we can imagine these heroes encouraging us and urging us to continue pressing forward in our faith.
Restore Us, O God August 10, 2022 The psalmist is reminding God of the days when Israel flourished, providing safety and rest for those already established among the people and for those seeking refuge.
God’s Vineyard August 9, 2022 This one from the prophet Isaiah begins with the image of a vineyard, carefully attended to by God.
The Heart’s Treasure August 5, 2022 “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Faith and Hope August 4, 2022 What are the things that you hope for in your life, in the church, in your community, or in the world?
God’s Faithfulness August 3, 2022 An important step in living as God’s people is giving thanks.
Half-hearted Worship August 2, 2022 God reminds the faithful that prayer and praise is not about changing God’s heart, but about changing ours.