6/16/24 – Dwindling Discipleship?

Question: “What is the cause of the decline in Christianity in America, and what are we to do about it?”   ——–While you might find this question to be a two-parter, it is actually a three-part question, as we must determine if there is actually a decline in ‘Christianity’ in America, or is it more a

4/24/24 – Timing Time?

Ecclesiastes 3:15 (ESV) That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away. There is one thing about this temporal realm that we cannot escape regardless of our effort – time, and its flow toward the ultimate end….of us, and this realm. Yes,

1/29/24 – Losing “Heart”?

Luke 18:1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought to pray and not lose heart. ——– I suppose you know this is about the parable of the persistent widow …. Someone who needed help, and though they frequently petitioned the local judge for relief, was ignored or rebuffed over and

1/26/24 – Holy “Word”-iness

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ——- Much has been assumed and theorized over time about what was meant by John as he quoted this statement, and it is clearly meant to tie Jesus to God the Father in some way, as

12/26/23 – FULL Agenda?

Galatians 4:4a But when the fullness of time had come, ——— The very first thing to point out about this partial verse is that it is indeed a partial verse, and I intend to deal with it as a totally separate truth of God – His timing, rather than the reason for the verse, the

11/13/23 – Future Promises

Psalm 30:5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. I have told you how DAD often speaks to me in ways I don’t expect. Well, this morning as I hopped in the shower, I set

9/30/23 – Promise Perfect

2 Samuel 22:31a God’s way is perfect.  All the Lord’s promises prove true… ——- By now, you know that 2 Samuel covers the time of David’s reign, and we know that David was often beset by enemies that he could not best by himself.  This verse is one of those quotes in Scripture that prove

8/3/23 – Faith “Happenings”

Matthew 9:29 …Because of your faith, it will happen. ——– Maybe you know the ninth chapter of Matthew is filled with miracles of healing by Jesus.  Maybe you know that Matthew was an accurate record keeper and keen observer of people. He captured the smallest details regarding people and their actions. He was a tax

6/17/23 – Love “Pressure”

Psalm 16:5 You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands.———-Have you ever been ‘stuck’ wondering what your future is?  If you have followed me in these lectios, you know I am constantly fighting this focus.  I continue to have a very strong feeling that

6/9/23 – Blindly Existing?

Isaiah 42:16 And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. ——–

5/14/23 – Just “the God you are…”

Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” ———– Today’s special verse is inspired by the song, “God You Are” by We Are Messengers Just the kind of God you are.  These are words that give us

4/9/23 – WHO is Risen?

1 Peter 1:3  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” ——– I believe you know that there are many Biblical references to the concept and the foundational

2/14/23 – Willing Will

>>> A point of privilege. I began these lectio writings when a friend told me I had become his ‘pastor’. To me, he was better grounded as a Christian than I was, and that made me wonder how he could make such a statement. It made me want to be better in my own faith,

2/13/23 – Words Matter

Deuteronomy 32:1 “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak, and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. ——– It is believed that Moses wrote Deuteronomy, so we have Moses talking about teaching the people about God.  This makes plenty of sense when you realize that Moses probably only wrote the entirety of

2/11/23 – Infinite Resource

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ——- I was surprised to find I have never written on this verse, as it is the epitome of what Jesus came to point us toward.  In other words, this

2/10/23 – Loving Greatness

Luke 9:48  and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” ——– Maybe you realize this quote from Jesus was in response to Jesus overhearing the disciples arguing

2/9/23 – Arrogance Envy

Psalm 73:3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. ——– This psalm is a song of Asaph, David’s choirmaster.  It is firstly a confession, and then a reinforcement on why he knows better than to envy the wicked.  Asaph tells us of the good fortune that the

2/8/23 – Shiny Examples

Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. ——— This is Paul speaking to Titus about the need to discern who should be tapped as elders for the new church.  Paul talks about the contrast between

2/6/23 – Justifying Disobedience

1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. ——— Maybe you know that this is a rebuke of Saul by God through Samuel. 

2/4/23 – Heading Home?

Psalm 53:2 God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. —— This psalm starts out telling a truth that we see more of now than possibly any other time of our existence – that people deny the existence of God.  The psalm calls

2/3/23 – Willful Willingness

Matthew 26:39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” ——– I think any Christian, or even anyone just familiar with Christianity, knows that this verse comes as Jesus

2/2/23 – Pressure Relief

Psalm 81:6 “I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket…” ——– Are you aware of the difference in this psalm presentation in regard to almost every other psalm in Scripture?  The quotation marks might give you a hint.  Not sure yet?  Ok, this psalm quotes God speaking, rather

2/1/23 – Power Marker

Joshua 4:24 [God] did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God. ——- Possibly you are aware this is the closing statement in the chapter about the power of God in separating the

1/30/23 – Slave Results

Romans 6:22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ——- Our writer is intent on anchoring the church’s understanding that they are freed from death through sin because of Jesus’ sacrifice for them. 

1/29/23 – Glorious Riches

Ephesians 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. ——- It is in this section of Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus that he reminds them of his introduction to the true Christian mission as directed by Jesus Himself, and