“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 […]

“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel!    He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there […]

“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  Gracious conversation. Words of beauty. Good advice. Are […]

“In your great love revive me so I can alertly obey your every word. What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens.   Your truth never goes out of fashion; it’s as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up.   Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that’s what you […]

“So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!   This […]

“GOD makes everything come out right; he puts victims back on their feet.   GOD is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he’s rich in love. He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever.    He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us for back in full for our wrongs.    As […]

“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 […]

“Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father.    Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him.    The world and all […]

“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 […]

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s witness and followed Jesus.   The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon, telling him, “We’ve found the Messiah” (that is, “Christ”). He immediately led him to Jesus.   ‭‭John‬ ‭1:40-41 ‭MSG‬‬ What’s the very first thing you do […]