16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. Psalm 59:16 ESV Dear friends and family…, David … Continue reading →

28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Luke 6:28 ESV Dear friends and family…, Jesus sets some rules for ‘kingdom living’; mercy for curses we must be showing. Jesus, the “King of the Jews” was willing; die … Continue reading →

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 ESV Dear friends and family…, Peter reminds us to never despair; though … Continue reading →

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17 ESV Dear friends and family…, Paul shares with Romans a special “faith” walk; “have faith in God” … Continue reading →

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6 ESV Dear friends and family…, once hard to overcome suff’ring we face; but hurts are gone now without any trace. Starts at the Cross when Christ … Continue reading →

9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9 ESV Dear friends and family…, Paul’s teaching and living many admired; for “peace of God” in him never … Continue reading →

18 The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 ESV Dear friends and family…, David was hiding and felt all alone; hungry and cold ‘like a dog with no bone’. At the Cross close friends and fam’ly ‘had … Continue reading →

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 ESV Dear friends and family…, Rough words can cause too much family rift; hearts … Continue reading →

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV Dear friends and family…, the prophet’s letter spoke comfort and calm; God … Continue reading →

8 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 Dear friends and family…, God had forgiven Isaiah’s past sin; he … Continue reading →

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8 ESV Dear friends and family…, David was hiding among enemies; yet still praised God because he knows God sees. With world against Him Christ … Continue reading →

Reflections: 21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 ESV Dear friends and family…, it’s good to plan so our dreams all come true; but there’s one faith … Continue reading →

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 ESV Dear friends and family…, when troubles around us like big waves swell; look to God’s Spirit to smooth out and quell. Starts at … Continue reading →

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24 ESV Dear friends and family…, sometimes we feel that we’re wrongly profiled; for folks think that we still live and think wild. But our … Continue reading →

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 Dear friends and family…, There’s a tree in our heart that grows “good fruit”; “love, joy, peace, patience” from Christ our … Continue reading →

23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 ESV Dear friends and family…, Solomon says, “Child guard your heart always,”; with eyes, hands, and feet that trusts and obeys. Starts with us doing what … Continue reading →

5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV Dear friends and family…, Some argued Paul was a weak, selfish man; “No,” said Paul, “I serve … Continue reading →

13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV Dear friends and family…, Solomon, wise man, has this truth to say; … Continue reading →

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24 ESV Dear friends and family…, ‘rolling stone’ life says we won’t ‘gather moss’; ‘me, myself and … Continue reading →

12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV Dear friends and family…, Paul says to Timothy “Look to your job; don’t … Continue reading →

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:17 ESV Dear friends and family…, Jesus came not to “condemn” us but save; he saw … Continue reading →

10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:10 ESV Dear friends and family…, whether we’re out in the rough, raging sea; or at home asking God for more mercy. Look towards Jesus at … Continue reading →

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Romans 3:23-24 ESV Dear friends and family…, if we find lately, we have ‘missed the … Continue reading →

13 For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13 ESV Dear friends and family…, when we sought help and there seemed to be … Continue reading →

11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV Dear friends and family…, Paul says “the Lord” coming back really soon; could be this morning at night or at noon. At … Continue reading →

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29 ESV Dear friends and family…, once we said … Continue reading →

17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17 ESV Dear friends and family…, Solomon good king, like never before; all folks felt equal before his wise law. “Greater than Solomon”, our … Continue reading →

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 ESV Dear friends and family…, David confessed his offense when found out; prayed for clean heart and to stop ‘walkabout’. Jesus our Lord did not payback … Continue reading →

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 ESV Dear friends and family…, Paul urges two ‘sisters’ to have the “same mind”; ‘oneness’ between them … Continue reading →