Today’s readings: 1 Samuel 14:16-30; Acts 9:10-19a; Luke 23:32-43 I didn’t think; I let my emotions get away with me. How many times have we all made rash statements or decisions? If we are honest, more often than we would like to mention. How many of these instances have come back to bite us or as

Today’s readings: 1 Samuel 13:19–14:15; Acts 9:1-9; Luke 23:26-31 Four men were simple fishermen. They really did not have the qualifications we might think necessary to build a church. Their expertise was working with nets and boats, finding fish, catching and selling them. Another man was a tax collector, a traitor in the eyes of many

Today’s readings: 1 Samuel 13:5-18; Acts 8:26-40; Luke 23:13-25 Do you ever feel little nudges from God? Often they are subtle, unsettling tugs at the heart or relentless nagging thoughts to do something totally random, uncomfortable, or out of character. Too frequently, I have shrugged off these gentle pushes from God. I invent all kinds of

Today’s readings: 1 Samuel 12:1-25; Acts 8:14-25; Luke 23:1-12 There Jesus stood, one against the crowd. He had the power to save himself, but he refused. He knew God’s will and he knew what was about to happen: the ridicule, the beatings, and the crucifixion. Yes, he is the Son of God, but he is also

Today’s readings: 1 Samuel 11:1-15; Acts 8:1-13; Luke 22:63-71 “You say that I am.” Jesus had put the confession that the council sought back into their own mouths. Still, even though the God of their salvation had come into the world, they would not believe. They not only rejected him, they rejected and persecuted those who

Today’s readings: 1 Samuel 10:17-27; Acts 7:44–8:1a; Luke 22:52-62 Late on a cold night, Peter warmed himself by a fire burning in the courtyard of the High Priest’s house. Jesus had been arrested; Peter had followed at a distance. It did not take long before he was recognized. When questioned, he emphatically denied knowing Jesus. After

Today’s readings: 1 Samuel 10:1-16; Romans 4:13-25; Matthew 21:23-32 In the parable, Jesus said, “A man had two sons.” Both of these sons were given direction to work in their father’s vineyard. One said no, but later went. The other said yes, but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?

Today’s readings: 1 Samuel 9:15–10:1; Acts 7:30-43; Luke 22:39-51 I always fall asleep when I pray. Often I fall asleep physically. But I have yet to make it through a single prayer without falling asleep spiritually. I have wondered about this. Why does my attention slip away from my Creator more readily than it does from,