So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 Exactly what does it mean to be created in the "image of God"? Certainly, it implies that the image of God is more than a physical reflection of the D...
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. — Psalm 73:26 NIV People are hurting and life can be very difficult. The Good News is that God is a Healer and we are not expected to do it alone. Jesus is our Lord and Savior. ...
This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. - Jeremiah 22:3 Many in the Ka...
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. -Ephesians 4:32 ESV From the pen of the Apostle Paul we read an inspirational and instructive word on the two dimensions of Christian discipleship. Vertically, we consider our r...
Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Mos...
When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to lif...
But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand ...
"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, Abraham obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV). Faith is following God’s instructions, even when they don’t make sense, even when the...
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. - Hebrews 13:17 ESV Do you remember the game we playe...
At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone. The Lord your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you a...
Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggl...
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mothe...
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said...
And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in we...
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 ESV There is no way we can live in this world and avoid experiences of pain and pressure, suffering and stress , or discouragement and despair. The pain of brokenness is often the result...
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. - 1 Corinthians 13:11 The call to Christian discipleship includes many challenges in this life and none are more prominent than our ...
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live -Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV Choices. Decisions. They have consequences that we can hardly imagine...
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10 ESV The Bible encourages us to honor others above ourselves and to love one another. Treating others with respect and dignity is the result of our submission to the indwelling p...
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12 The standard , definition and best example of true love is understood and experienced through our relationship with God. All other examples and models are secondary. The love that God pours out upon us...
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. -Proverbs 11:25 In a culture of hyper competitiveness, self absorption and greed, the scriptures encourage us to demonstrate humility and concern for one another. Our desire for prosperity must...
Then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.- Deuteronomy 6:12 ESV The book of Deuteronomy has often been called "The Second Reading of the Law" in that it repeats and rehearses many of the commands God...
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” - Isaiah 6:8 ESV Read Isaiah 6: 1-8 ESV The prophet Isaiah experiences God in a way that invites us to consider our own experience with God. The mo...
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get...
After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. - John ...
I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things. “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the e...
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? - 2 Corinthians 13:5 As the end of the year approaches, most of us are inclined to consider where we are in lif...
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. - Matthew 2:10 The Joy of the Lord is our strength! During this season of Christmas our true joy comes from experiencing Jesus personally. The spirit of Christmas is love, joy, peace and hope! Our joy can never be sustained ...
The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, t...
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. - John 1:5 The Advent season is upon us. The four week season is observed by reflection and worship on Christian Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. It is a time of personal preparation, a time of waiting ...
19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once ...