“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’   I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.   When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are […]

Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”“Oh? Tell me.”“Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?”Simon answered, “I suppose the one […]

“My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him.You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught.School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living […]

“Though some tongues just love the taste of gossip, those who follow Jesus have better uses for language than that. Don’t talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn’t fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect.”Ephesians 5:4 MSG “Thanksgiving is our dialect.” So what is a dialect? “A socially distinct variety of a language, […]

“Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm.   Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.   Whoever wants to embrace life and see the day fill up with good, Here’s what […]

“Congenial conversation—what a pleasure! The right word at the right time—beautiful!GOD can’t stand evil scheming, but he puts words of grace and beauty on display.Listen to good advice if you want to live well, an honored guest among wise men and women.”Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭23, 26, 31‬ MSG Gracious conversation. Words of beauty. Good advice. Are these […]

“Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, […]

“Soon another Feast came around and Jesus was back in Jerusalem. Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, with five alcoves. Hundreds of sick people—blind, crippled, paralyzed—were in these alcoves. One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him stretched out by the […]

“Teach me how to live to please you, because you’re my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland.”Psalm‬ ‭143‬:‭10‬ MSG Do you know how to live to please God? I mean, that almost sounds impossible, doesn’t it? That’s why David, the Psalmist, is crying out to God…”teach me how.” That’s […]

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have […]