Bless and Be Blessed

1 Peter 3:8-9 ESV Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. This is written to the church, … Continue reading Bless and Be Blessed

My Cry for Mercy

There are times in all of our lives when we feel particularly vulnerable, weak, tired, sad, confused, and, perhaps, hurt and rejected and/or all alone. It is especially during these times when we need to call upon our Lord to save us from ourselves, and to give to us his encouragement, counsel, direction, strength and … Continue reading My Cry for Mercy

I Sing of His Mercy

“In him we have redemption” (salvation; deliverance from sin) “through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us” (Eph. 1:7-8a). “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Heb. 8:12). “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and … Continue reading I Sing of His Mercy

Give Me Jesus

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, … Continue reading Give Me Jesus

Called to Suffer

In what ways have you been called to suffer in this life? What difference did that suffering make in your life? Did it make you bitter or better? Did it produce in you life or death, or both? Did you run to God or away from God? Did it teach you to love or to … Continue reading Called to Suffer

Broken Hearts

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was … Continue reading Broken Hearts

Broken and Contrite

When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the … Continue reading Broken and Contrite