When You Walk Through the Dark
Isaiah 50:10 (ESV) Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.
The Shepherds: The Welcome of the Marginalized
Luke 2:8-20 (ESV) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to [...]
The Magi: The Welcome of People from Far Away
Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV) After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and [...]
Joseph: The Welcome of a Godly Man
Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV) This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not [...]
Zechariah: The Welcome of a Moral Man
Luke 1:5-22 (NIV) In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all [...]
The Offense of Jesus
Mark 2:13 - 3:6 (NIV) Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, [...]
Are Singles Second Class Citizens in God’s Kingdom?
1 Corinthians 7:25-35 (NIV) Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. [...]
Where is This ‘Second Coming’ of Jesus?
2 Peter 3:1-14 (NIV) Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command [...]
What’s With All the Divisions Among Christians?
1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (NIV) Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly —mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since [...]
How Good Do We Have to Be to Get to Heaven?
Mark 10:17-22 (NIV) As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except [...]