The Word …stay true to the Lord. (Philippians 4:1) Thought Our ultimate defense and escape from evil remains faithfully strong as we abide within the redemptive work of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews strongly exhorts us to fasten our gaze on Jesus, the perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), for…

The Word My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go.…

The Word As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died. (Acts 7:59, 60) Thought We can forgive the person in the super market who rushes before us in the checkout line. We can forgive…

The Word All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. (Acts 2:42) Thought Placed within the heart of everyone is the need and desire for community. The Trinity, God in three persons as: God the Father, God the Son,…

The Word Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. (Mark 1:41)  Thought The presence and extension of compassion is to flow from the life of every believer in Christ. It is the will of God for us because, through Christ and the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, it is the heart of…

The Word Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. (Philippians 4:20) Thought The writer concludes with a statement of brevity, but oh what depth, breadth, and majesty lay solidly within it! The heart and soul of the reader is left to respond rightly in reverence and breathtaking awe, wholly lost in…

The Word Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor. (1 Chronicles 16:29) Thought God is the creator of all things; he decides the earth’s changes and its eventual conclusion. He is in need of nothing. He is self-contained…

The Word Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people. (Psalm 82:3, 4) Thought “Stand”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzZ8RkdGYRg Through the redemptive work of Christ, the Father made way for all who would follow Jesus to…

The word So he will do to me whatever he has planned. He controls my destiny. (Job 23:14) Thought Job shared these words during his season of intense trial. They reveal God’s resoluteness to lead and accomplish his purposes in Job’s life. God was working to help him fulfill his highest call and purpose, to…

The Word Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’ (Matthew 18:21, 22) Thought The practice among the Jews in Jesus’ day was to forgive offenses three times. Peter addressed the question of…