17 And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17 ESV Dear friends and family…, God had caught up with the “runaway man’; “Jonah” did not … Continue reading
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 ESV Dear friends and family…, Paul was in prison, his future not sure; yet he would serve God … Continue reading
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 ESV Dear friends and family…, John, holy bushman, would preach and baptise; then saw God’s dove fall … 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 asks the church to be “noble” and “pure”; to counter world’s ways … 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…, As a small child walks by fruit that they eat; we will walk strong with the Spirit’s kind beat. … Continue reading
14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:14 ESV Dear friends and family…, The “gate is narrow” and “road” “straight” as well; Jesus is “Way” to leave … Continue reading
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV Dear friends and family…, God told young Joshua, “Time to “be strong”; … Continue reading
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19 ESV Dear friends and family…, All the “disciples” were told they must “go”; for Jesus’ power is … Continue reading
9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out … Continue reading
11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11 ESV Dear friends and family…, “Twenty-four elders…cast down” their “gold crowns”; they … Continue reading
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
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 asks us to care for “the poor”; the weak and helpless with hearts that are sore. On … Continue reading
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV Dear friends and family…, ‘Good-bye’ words of Jews … Continue reading
Reflections: 14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14 ESV Dear friends and family…, David escaped from the Philistine camp; at home he found “peace” and “hope” from God’s lamp. Calv’ry Road with “love”, Lord … Continue reading
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 ESV Dear friends and family…, Some Philippi folks, were “anxious” a lot; their faith had weakened, and then “lost the plot’. … Continue reading
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV Dear friends and family…, Worried disciples had lost their strong smile; Jesus would … Continue reading
10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV Dear friends and family…, Israel, outnumbered, suffered great loss; then they remembered that God is … Continue reading
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV … Continue reading
11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11 ESV Dear friends and family…, one church member’s words, gave John a bad name; this man’s bad spirit God … Continue reading
15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15 ESV Dear friends and family…, all close disciples were told they must “go”; “good news” of Christ, the “whole world” needs to know. … Continue reading
17 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17 ESV Dear friends and … Continue reading
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 ESV Dear friends and family…, when we’ve been ‘let down’ by very close friend; easy to lose hope and think it’s the end. Jesus loved … Continue reading
10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Hebrews 4:10 ESV Dear friends and family…, Rudd’s great Apology, “promise of rest”; ‘children’ can ‘come home’, no more feel suppressed. Jesus our Saviour … Continue reading
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. Luke 6:28 ESV Dear friends and family…, Jesus knew Jews did not like Roman rule; they took all the land and treated folks cruel. Soldiers and own mob thought Jesus … 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 judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24 ESV Dear friends and family…, Jesus said “My Father” is … Continue reading
3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 ESV Dear friends and family…, Isaiah says God’s folks can face any shock; they trust in God who’s their “Shelter” and … Continue reading
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, Titus 2:11-12 ESV Dear friends and family…, Paul has told Titus about God’s “great grace”; … Continue reading
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21 ESV Dear friends and family…, Solomon says we yield “fruit” from our “lips”; his good words gave faith to … Continue reading
7 But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 ESV Dear friends and family…, prophet told Asa, ”To God please stay true…;then God will reward all good work you do.” … Continue reading
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh Galatians 5:16 ESV Dear friends and family…, Paul now loves Jesus as his Lord and Boss; God’s Spirit helped Paul give bad ways “a toss’. … Continue reading