“At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:21-22‬ ‭MSG‬‬ Have you been hurt by the same person over and over again? Or perhaps you’re the one continually wounding your […]

“The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!”Revelation 3:19 MSG A prodding God. He cares enough to urge, exhort, motivate, provoke and stimulate you to live at your best!  He wants you to live…REALLY LIVE! […]

“At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:21-22‬ ‭MSG‬‬ Have you been hurt by the same person over and over again? Or perhaps you’re the one continually wounding your […]

“But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him.    Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won’t know what we’re talking about.       But for you who welcome him, in whom […]

 “Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out.   Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are […]

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.James 5:16 MSG Everybody sins. Everyone has wrong thoughts, bad actions and impure motives. This is the “yuck” that you confess (calling it the same thing as) to […]

“Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith. Go after those who take the wrong way.     Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin. The sin itself stinks to high heaven.”Jude 1:22, 23 MSG Notice how we are exhorted to: “Go easy.” “Go after.” “Be tender.”   Those who are reluctant or having […]

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?”     […]

“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 So, for those of us who follow Jesus, our dialect (socially distinct variety of a […]

“Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced.    But Jesus’ priesthood is permanent. He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.”Hebrews 7:23-25 MSG Don’t you love having an advocate? Someone who […]