For almost 10 years I have been offering my daily reflections on a bible reading on this blog. I have had many visitors through this time, and a few regulars. Recently I shifted away from a “through the year” schedule to focus on a chapter each week in conjunction with my Sunday messages at Crossroads Church….
Category: daily meditations
A living example of Paul’s words!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 12:9-16 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) I remember a poor lady whose home we painted on a Serve project. She was SO grateful, and though she had little, fed us every day. Her son was in prison, her teenage granddaughter lived with her. Her house…
A good kind of extremist!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 12:9-16 “Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9) Paul strings together a necklace of gems in this passage. I will only comment on a few of the statements, but all of them are good. Our world is so inundated with ‘evil’ that we almost become immune to it….
The church You graced us to be!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 12:3-8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12:6) In the human body, every part of the body has a task, something to offer. This is true in the church body too, but it does not always seem this way. I know people in the…
The gift of faith?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 12:3-8 “Think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Romans 12:8) Paul seems to suggest that we all have different amounts of faith. In 1 Corinthians 12:9 Paul says that faith is a gift that some people receive. Some people say that ALL faith…
What motivates me?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 12:1-2 “In view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.” (Romans 12:1) A sinful woman washes Jesus’ feet with costly perfume and tears (Luke 7:36-50). This woman is a sinner (prostitute?), perfume was for her work, a huge sacrifice. Knowing how Jesus treated sinful women (John 8), this woman was…
More than conquerors!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 8:31-39 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) As a kid I remember watching the cartoon, ‘He-Man, Master of the Universe’. Super strong (ripped with muscles), super good, and always brave. Now THAT is a conqueror! Its cool that Paul calls us…
Trusting His plan
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 8:28-30 “In all things God works for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8:28) A verse people love to quote to others, a verse people hate to hear. ‘How can my rape, my divorce, my tragedy, etc. be good, from God?’ ‘If this is how God treats those He loves, I’d…
Spirit-induced groaning!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 8:26-27 “The Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Romans 8:26) When you are sick, are you quiet, or do you tend to groan out loud? I admit it, I am a groaner, every move I make includes some kind of audible moan. My wife calls me on it sometime, asking…
First signs of spring!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 8:18-25 “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” (Romans 8:19) Through the long, cold winter, we wait in eager expectation for the signs of spring to appear. As the air gets slightly warmer, the days get slightly longer… maybe we spot a Robin! Winter…