Matthew 5:38–42 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Read the context Your neighbor's dog uses your lawn as...
2 days ago • 1 min read
Matthew 5:23–24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Read the context Jesus raises the bar on righteousness. The law is not just about what you do, but what happens in your heart. Anger, lust, harmful words, empty promises... none of it stays hidden from God. That weight is heavier than we...
3 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 119:1–3 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, — who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes — and seek him with all their heart— They do no wrong — but follow his ways. Read the context Who's this Psalm talking about? Could it be you? I reflect on my thoughts and actions... and "blameless" is not the first word that comes to mind. You needed another to be blameless first. Your Savior stepped in with his perfect obedience. Now, as you walk as...
4 days ago • 1 min read
1 John 2:15–17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. Read the context The world is obsessed with self-gratification. It tells you to chase what feels good... looks good... or what makes you look...
5 days ago • 1 min read
Exodus 2:2–3 When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. Read the context Moses' parents faced an impossible situation — Pharaoh wanted the child dead. In the middle of a dark world, they trusted God. When you see darkness in the world around you, it's frustrating when you don't...
6 days ago • 1 min read
1 John 2:9–11 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them. Read the context The number of times I've tripped in the middle of the night is... embarrassing. Light...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Exodus 1:16–17 Pharaoh said... “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth... if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Read the context Pharaoh's plan was terrible and dark. He wanted control so badly that he was willing to kill babies to make it happen. But God is more powerful. By faith, the midwives did what was right in...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Matthew 4:18–20 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Read the context The Olympic torch is en-route to the start of the games. The light gets passed from person to person until it reaches the finish line. As Jesus calls fishermen to...
9 days ago • 1 min read
Matthew 4:16–17 "The people living in darkness have seen a great light;on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Read the context It was a place not all that different from where you live — confused and hurting people... darkened hearts... hopeless lives. And it was exactly where Jesus needed to be. As Jesus begins his ministry, he goes the places of hurt and fear, and...
10 days ago • 1 min read