July 7, 2022 - Imagine visiting in a home and having the opportunity to get to know the family that lives there. Then, you do not see them for a year or so and then go back for another visit. This time you notice one of the children is not there when it’s time for dinner and everyone is around the table.
So, you ask, “Didn’t you have a little boy named Billy when I was here before? I haven’t seen him tonight. Where is he?”
July 1, 2022 - There is a tender story told in Mark 14:1-9 of something which happened during some very difficult days for Jesus. The Jewish leaders were plotting his death and He was surrounded by his critics and His enemies. In this narrative, we see Him going to the little village of Bethany. It is the night before Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and He goes to a party in His honor in the home of Simon, a leper.
June 23, 2022 - Most if not all of us are familiar with the first miracle Jesus performed. It was at a wedding in Cana and Jesus and his disciples were there. Jesus’ mother, Mary was there too. They ran out of wine and Jesus changed six pots of water into wine. It was not just any wine, it was better wine than what had already been served.
June 9, 2022 - I can remember as a small boy, often hearing people close their prayers with the phrase, “In Christ’s name and for his sake we pray”. What are we saying with that expression? We are asking God to look upon the face of his son and to deal with us on the merit of our suffering substitute. However, this is only one side of the equation. God wants us to look upon the face of his son and for Christ’s sake suffer, serve and glorify the father.
June 2, 2022 - The writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 8:10 quotes a passage from the 31st chapter of Jeremiah where he writes, “I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts”. God is telling us there will come a time when his laws, his precepts, his commandments will not be written on tablets of stone, but it will be a law written in the heart.
May 26, 2022 - This week we have witnessed another example of man’s inhumanity to man. The tragic school shooting in Uvalde which took so many innocent lives breaks our hearts. We sympathize with those parents and grandparents who have lost their children in such a horrific manner. Our hearts ache and our eyes become misty with tears as we consider what it might be like if we were in their shoes. As we pray and ask the God of Heaven to give them strength, courage and comfort, we also express our gratitude that our own dear little ones are safe, at least for now.
May 29, 2022 - In Luke chapter 6 and verse 46, Jesus is preaching and says, “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” At first glance, perhaps that sounds a bit harsh.
May 12, 2022 - Dr. Luke tells us in Acts chapter 3 that Peter and John went to the temple to pray. There was a lame man there and Peter healed this man. Well, it seems a crowd assembled to hear their preaching. This upset the “status quo” and so Peter and John were arrested and brought before the assembly of priests, elders and scribes. We are further told in Acts 4:13 that when the members of the “council” saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus.
May 5, 2022 - In the event you are unaware of what is going on, this coming Sunday is the day set aside in our country as “Mother's Day.” It is that day where we honor our mothers. We honor those who are teachers and disciplinarians. They are cleaning ladies, gardeners and mowers of lawns.