“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 […]

“Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest.   The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds!   But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do […]

“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 […]

“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 […]

“At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got.   But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence.   You […]

“But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, the One who got you started: “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine.   When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between […]

“So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk.You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.”‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:1-3‬ ‭MSG‬‬ There’s something inviting, warm and refreshing when entering a clean house, […]

“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, […]

Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed!Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society.   Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.   Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you […]