Genesis 3:6-7 (NIV) 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Reflection: We all know this passage from Genesis. The point at which Adam and Eve changed the world forever. We have heard [...]

Romans 12:9-21 (CEB) 9 Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what is good. 10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other. 11 Don’t hesitate to be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! 12 Be happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote yourselves to prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home. 14 Bless people who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. 15 Be happy [...]

Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV) 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Reflection: Five years ago, I received the call no one ever wants to receive from my mom. My dad had collapsed at work and was being rushed to the hospital. My wife and I had just spent the day before celebrating the birth of our niece with my sister and brother-in-law and parents, who [...]

John 4:21-24 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Reflection: I’m not a biblical expert, [...]

Psalm 109 Prayer for Vindication and Vengeance To the leader. Of David. A Psalm. 1 Do not be silent, O God of my praise. 2 For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. 3 They beset me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. 4 In return for my love they accuse me, even while I make prayer for them. 5 So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love. 6 They say, “Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand on his right. 7 When he is tried, let him be found [...]

Psalm 121 A Song of Ascents 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand. 6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will [...]

1 The king rejoices in your strength, Lord. How great is his joy in the victories you give!2 You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.3 You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him – length of days, for ever and ever.5 Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed upon him splendor and majesty.6 Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with [...]

Psalm 13 A Psalm of David How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God! Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”; my foes will rejoice because I am shaken. But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice [...]