Scripture Luke 3:3-6 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way...

Scripture Genesis 4:6-7 6 The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, and you must rule over it.” Observation There...

Scripture Genesis 1:1-3a In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said... Luke 1:1-2 Inasmuch...

Scripture Ephesians 5:28 - "In the same way. husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself." Observation Paul draws a direct connection between the way a man loves his wife, and the way a man loves his own body. It would be...

Scripture Ephesians 4:1 "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called" Observation Paul says that his readers have a calling on their life: not because they've earned it by their walk, or proven...

Scripture Romans 8:5-8 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on...

Scripture Mark 15:39 "And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" Observation The crowd who had demanded his crucifixion saw Jesus as nothing more than a side show. As he...

Scripture Acts 14:19 -22 "But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next...

Scripture Ezekiel 44:23 They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. Observation God gave His priests the responsibility of teaching people to distinguish between what...

I want to be the kind of leader that Moses was: flawed and imperfect, but with a desire to invest in those that have been entrusted to me! ============ Scripture Deuteronomy 34:9 "And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands...

I have so much respect for Jacob! Despite his many flaws, and despite his own grief and anguish in this specific moment, he refused to let his son's future be determined by misplaced blame. Instead he decided to man up, deal with his own pain, and speak a blessing...

I don't want to be like Abraham: observing God's power, but not certain if I can trust Him. I'd rather be a Peter: ready to jump out of the boat at a moment's notice...imperfect and flawed, but with an almost illogical degree of trust in the Savior....

This week I choose to see eternal value in the people around me. Despite their flaws and imperfections, the Creator loves and values them--and so must I. =============================== Scripture Genesis 9:6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be...

Following God always costs something. It may cost time, money, popularity, relationships, comfort, or even my life-but there will always be a cost. The question is, what price am I willing to pay, for what result? ==================== Scripture Acts 7: 1- 2 "And the...

I choose to honor and remember miracles and victories from my past--but I choose to live in the miracle of what God is doing today. ================ Scripture Ezra 3:12 "But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first...

How do I interact with those around me? Do I settle for shallow praise and flattery, or do I 'confirm' people in their calling? When I leave, do people feel challenged, encouraged, and strengthened...or criticized and discouraged? ====================== Scripture...

It's far simpler and safer to merely be hospitable to people as guests--but God calls me to welcome people into the family. =============================== Scripture Ezekiel 47:21-22 "So shall you divide this land among you according to the tribes of Israel. You shall...