Reflections: 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has … Continue reading →

9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV Dear friends and family…, ‘faithful…steadfast’ and rules history; our God … Continue reading →

25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,     and at the last he will stand upon the earth. Job 19:25 ESV Dear friends and family…, horrors and great loss, old Job had a few; but through these rough times his faith still stayed … Continue reading →

8 I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Psalms 16:8 ESV Dear friends and family…, the world tries toss us “to and fro”; but God’s ‘right hand’ won’t … Continue reading →

“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV Dear friends and family…, look at old Job when things grew grim; his faith in God never got dim. … Continue reading →

10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! Psalms 143:10 ESV Dear friends and family…, when faith fails and hopes faint and fade; we ‘like lost sheep’ find we have … Continue reading →

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 ESV Dear friends and family…, the world does attract with its … Continue reading →

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks … Continue reading →

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalms 119:103 ESV Dear friends and family…, street lights help us as we walk with our feet; car headlights show further what’s down the street. Jesus’ … Continue reading →

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; James 1:19 ESV Dear friends and family…, add ‘quick to listen and slow to speak’; with ‘slow to anger’ to keep us meek. Jesus was … Continue reading →

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgement, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24 ESV Dear friends and family…, the Jews and Pharisees thought … Continue reading →

26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strengthof my heart and my portion forever. Psalms 73:26 ESV Dear friends and family…, some trust in riches and seem to gain fame; while we may struggle with basic life game. But … Continue reading →

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 ESV Dear friends and family…, when world hates us let’s ‘remain’ in ‘the Vine’; we ‘bear much fruit’ and God’s light starts to shine. … Continue reading →

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18 ESV Dear friends and family…, sometimes suffer trouble and pain; sometimes weary and feel the … Continue reading →

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 Cor 9:6 ESV Dear friends and family…, ‘God is able’ to ‘make grace abound’; as we walk steps on uncertain ground. … 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…, within the walls of prison cell; Paul writes what God wants him … Continue reading →

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 ESV Dear friends and family…, Hebrews were captive in a … Continue reading →

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 ESV Dear friends and family…, God ‘is patient’ for more … Continue reading →

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 26 For if we go … Continue reading →

98 Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. 2 The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. Psalms 98:1-2 ESV Dear … Continue reading →

19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 ESV Dear friends and family…, fear not and ‘forget’ … Continue reading →

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 ESV Dear friends and family…, God made … Continue reading →

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV Dear friends and family…, some think we’re crazy, “out of our mind”; ‘old’ worldly ways we’ve left far … Continue reading →

12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, John 1:12 ESV Dear friends and family…, the saddest verse in the Bible is this; ‘He came to His own’ who “gave Him … Continue reading →

Dear friends and family…, 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 ESV Dear friends and family…, when tempted to serve God for selfish ends; … Continue reading →

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16 ESV Dear friends and family…, some people curse prophets, leaders and … Continue reading →

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,     the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him,     and the son of man that you care for him? Psalms 8:3-4 ESV Dear friends … Continue reading →

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 ESV Dear friends and family…, what kind of manger child is this, who’s come to give grace, joy and bliss? King David’s child and … Continue reading →

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 ESV. Dear friends and family…, God spoke to Joseph one night in a dream; said, “go marry Mary, and … Continue reading →

“Glory to God in the highest,     and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14 ESV Dear friends and family…, the Romans offered a hard kind of peace; whips and cords and soldier police. But Calvary Cross gave us … Continue reading →