Christ Is More Important Than the Family Clan January 7, 2015 Matthew 10:32-39 It is a sin to put your family before the church. When Christ calls a person to acknowledge Him, He means that Christ has first place before everyone else. Christ is before my spouse, my children, my parents, my relatives, my friends, and my enemies. Why? Because Christ wants to place His family before my own. What will happen when I do? People who care more about... Read more
Suffering for God Versus Short-Lived Pleasure of Sin Suffering for God versus short-lived pleasure of sin is a simple thought lectionary reflection from Hebrews 11:24-26 on the life of Moses and how he honored God through suffering. January 7, 2015 Year B By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter 25 and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasure of sin. 26 For... Read more
Caravans of Praise January 6, 2015 Year B Caravans of camels will cover your land — young camels of Midian and Ephah— all of them will come from Sheba. They will carry gold and frankincense and proclaim the praises of the Lord. (Isaiah 60:6) Today is Three Kings Day. There were many people who came to see the baby Jesus. This verse prophecies that event. They came with gold, frankincense and myrrh. Two of those elements were prophecies hundreds of... Read more
Generosity Blessing January 5, 2015 Year B A generous person will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9, HCSB) Blessings occur to rich people when they are generous to others. In other words, rich people are honored when they share their wealth. In today’s culture, we call that philanthropy. Enterprising entrepeneurs share what wealth they earned for certain causes. The rich man is happy not because he has wealth, but that because he is able to... Read more
Sobriety: A Graphic Novel by Daniel D. Maurer was illustrated by Spencer Amundson. The premise of the book is use the stories of five people (Larry, Alex, Debby, Matt, and Hannah) who attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. As each person shares their story, the novel uses these stories to highlight the Twelve Steps of the program. The book begins with the author and illustrator (Daniel and Spencer) who introduce the story. Throughout the novel, Daniel and Spencer inform the... Read more
Heavenly Wisdom January 2, 2015 Year B But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. (James 3:17, HCSB) James shows us here that there is a wisdom that comes from above – heavenly wisdom. This wisdom has the following characteristics: Pure Peace-loving Gentle Compliant Merciful Fruitful Non-prejudice Non-hypocritical These seven characteristics are available to people who listen to God and His wisdom. These are qualities that... Read more
2 Peter 3:1-18 Christ’s Return Until Christ’s Return, God’s Word Is True (3:1-4) [1] Dear friends, this is now the second letter I have written to you; in both letters, I want to develop a genuine understanding with a reminder, so that you can remember the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles. (2 Peter 3:1-2, HCSB) First, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last... Read more
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a classic piece of British literature which should be read during Christmastime. The story is about a man named Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge is a businessman who lost his partner in business, Jacob Marley, on Christmas Eve. Seven years after Marley’s death, Marley’s ghost returns to warn Scrooge. Marley states that Scrooge will be visited by three Spirits: (1) The Spirit of Christmas Past, (2) The Spirit... Read more
How to Say a Blessing to Others in the New Year January 1, 2015 Year B “The Lord spoke to Moses: “Tell Aaron and his sons how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: May Yahweh bless you and protect you; may Yahweh make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may Yahweh look with favor on you and give you peace. In this way they will pronounce My name over the Israelites, and I... Read more
The Importance of My Personal Testimony December 31, 2014 Year B “Even if I testify about Myself,” Jesus replied, “My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I’m going. But you don’t know where I come from or where I’m going.” (John 8:14, HCSB) The religious leaders question Jesus about Who He is. Jesus replies with His testimony. He talks about Others Who testify about Him. In John 8:14, He gives three important facts about... Read more
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