Matthew 5:44 (NIV) But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, We have to admit that there are those we love to love. There are those people that we just love to be around and then there are those that we just tolerate and put up with because we share an office with them
» Read more
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! II Corinthians 5:17 Recently I was getting my hair cut and discovered that my stylist had recently begun a relationship with Jesus. Her enthusiasm for her new found faith provided a welcome conversation. As she relayed the story of how she
» Read more
Philippians 4:7 (NIV) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. My friend Bob said he was going to visit Ray, an older man from our church who was in the hospital and not doing so well. This was not the usual Friday night activity for a group of
» Read more
1 John 3:3 (NIV) All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. It was “Ask the Youth Leader Night” for the kids at church and everyone was depositing their questions into the hat. The evening always provided lots of discussion centered on questions about faith the Bible or just about anything. Tom pulled the
» Read more
Colossians 3:2 (NIV) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. My day is already filled up and it hasn’t even begun yet. The car needs to be washed and vacuumed out and there’s an important NBA game on at 6. The kitchen faucet is dripping indicating a leak somewhere and a possible trip to the hardware store.
» Read more
John 16:33 (NIV) I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Sometimes I get discouraged thinking about all the trouble in the world. Watching the evening news recently hasn’t provided me with much more assurance that our world is
» Read more
Isaiah 26:3(NIV) You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. For three nights now it’s been driving me crazy, waking me at uneven intervals – an inexplicable scraping sound like a wooden chair being dragged across a concrete floor three inches at a time. I couldn’t imagine what would make such a
» Read more
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Recently I was having a difficult
» Read more
Psalm 57:1, 2 (NIV) Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. When I used to hear older Christians talk about having peace in the midst of difficulties I couldn’t understand what they were talking about. How
» Read more
Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV) Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. It starts when they’re so young. The other day I walked in on another skirmish. “What happened?” “She hit me!”
» Read more