Today’s readings: 2 Kings 5:1-19; 1 Corinthians 4:8-21; Matthew 5:21-26 We have plenty of opportunities to change our minds. Naaman suffered from leprosy, yet when told to wash in the muddy Jordan to be healed, he refused. Naaman thought that dipping in the Jordan was beneath him. But at the urging of his servants, he changed his mind

Today’s readings: 2 Kings 4:8-37; Acts 9:10-31; Luke 3:7-18 Sometimes we get a warning. You’ve been there; you know what I mean. You’re driving along a cold winter’s night, the heat cranked up in your car and your eyes growing heavy. Suddenly, the ripples on the side of the road wake you up. Adrenaline counteracts your

Today’s readings: 2 Kings 2:1-18; 1 Corinthians 4:1-7; Matthew 5:17-20 Sammy was a small fellow who went largely unnoticed. Not many seemed to notice how large he truly was. Every time a some little thing needed done around the church—buying a box of trash bags, fixing a sticky door, changing the exit sign lights, repairing a broken window,

Today’s readings: 2 Kings 1:2-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:11-16 “Salt and light.” That is what Jesus says about his disciples. “You are the salt of the earth and light for the world.” Think about it for a minute. Because of our love for Christ, and because of his love for the world, we get to be salt;

Today’s readings: 1 Kings 22:29-45; 1 Corinthians 2:14–3:15; Matthew 5:1-10 The beatitudes place before us conditions that may be considered pitiful, but declare that those living in them are “blessed.” While we may know some winners of the Nobel Peace prize, and while even young children may know recipients of the peacemaking award in their schools, I suspect

Today’s readings: 1 Kings 22:1-28; 1 Corinthians 2:1-13; Matthew 4:18-25 Thank you Holy Spirit! Without your help I would be like those in the world who say, what has God got to do with it? What has God got to do with my success, abilities, or seized opportunities? I worked hard to earn my pay. I climbed the

Today’s readings: 1 Kings 21:17-29; 1 Corinthians 1:20-31; Matthew 4:12-17 Elijah proclaimed the word of the Lord, God’s righteous condemnation, to King Ahab. It brought Ahab to repentance, which caused the Lord to be gracious to the king. It could not have been easy for Elijah to stand up to the king, for a little later, we hear

Today’s readings: 1 Kings 21:1-16; 1 Corinthians 1:1-19; Matthew 4:1-11 Because I said so! That was what Ahab thought should get him what he wanted. I’m the king, so give me what I want. When we think that our will is what matters, trouble is just ahead. Just because someone wants it to be a certain way, does