For Those Who Are Waiting in a Time of Grief and Pain

This week, my daily Bible reading took me through Isaiah 30 which has much to say to those who wait with grieving and pain-filled hearts. You may be waiting for someone to love and cherish you... waiting for the privilege to bear children, waiting for healing for a terminal illness, waiting for a prodigal child … Continue reading For Those Who Are Waiting in a Time of Grief and Pain

A Prayer of Confession for Good Friday

Merciful Father, we meet each other today at the foot of the cross. We wait with each other as those who inflict wounds on one another: Have mercy on us. As those who spurn Your love for other loves: Be merciful to us. As those who put our trust in power and prestige: Be merciful … Continue reading A Prayer of Confession for Good Friday

Worship – A Dress Rehearsal for Eternity

Every Lord’s Day serves as a dress rehearsal for life in our eternal home in heaven. How wonderful to know that history is moving towards a great end: The worship of the one, true, living God. This is the goal and climax of human history. How do we know this? Revelation 7:9 describes the heavenly … Continue reading Worship – A Dress Rehearsal for Eternity

Good Friday – A Prayer of Confession of Sin

Merciful Father, we meet each other today at the foot of the cross. We wait with each other as those who inflict wounds on one another:                   Have mercy on us. As those who spurn Your love for other loves:           Be merciful to us. As those who put our trust in power and … Continue reading Good Friday – A Prayer of Confession of Sin

Confessing Our Sins Together – based upon Luke 16:19-31

AFFIRMING JUSTICE AND MERCY “Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. “But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”  - Amos 5:23-24 He has show you O man; What is good and what does the Lord require … Continue reading Confessing Our Sins Together – based upon Luke 16:19-31

Treasuring Forgiveness – Matthew 18

Link: Treasure Forgiveness - Matthew 18:12-35 Monday: Matthew 18:35 is a hard saying of Jesus. Is God’s forgiveness of us conditional upon our forgiving of others? How would you answer this question from God’s Word? Next, reflect on this summary of what Jesus is saying in this parable: “No true follower of mine will act … Continue reading Treasuring Forgiveness – Matthew 18

The Lord’s Mercy and The Black Horse of Affliction

In the Fellowship of the Ring, the ominous Nazgul ride into the peaceful Shire on huge black horses pursuing Frodo and the other hobbits looking for the ring of power. This graphic scene portrays what oftentimes happens in our lives: All is peaceful, happy, and simple. Then the black horse of affliction rides into our … Continue reading The Lord’s Mercy and The Black Horse of Affliction