Today’s readings: Ruth 3:1-18; 1 Timothy 4:1-16; Luke 13:31-35 See how Naomi was eager to find a redeemer for her daughter-in-law Ruth? She provided Ruth with clear instructions for how she could be redeemed. Our task is little different, though we point to the Redeemer who is nearer to all of us than Boaz was to

Today’s readings: Ruth 2:14-23; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Luke 13:18-30 From being preached by John the Baptist, a humble prophet, the kingdom of God grew as many were baptized in preparation to receive the Messiah. From the mouth of God incarnate, humbly born in Bethlehem, the kingdom of God continued to grow as people believed Jesus Christ was

Today’s readings: Ruth 1:19–2:13; 1 Timothy 1:18–2:8; Luke 13:10-17 Here Jesus is dealing with a case of “The Letter verses the Spirit of The Law.” In our modern times, our first reaction may be one of shock at the man’s insensitivity toward this woman and her plight. The man felt that he was following the law

Today’s readings: Ruth 1:1-18; 1 Timothy 1:1-17; Luke 13:1-9 In order to escape a drought and build a new life, Naomi, a woman in her middle years goes with her family to a foreign land. For a while things seem to be going well and her sons soon marry. But a dark cloud was hovering on

Today’s readings: Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (10-15); Ephesians 4:1-16; John 1:1-18 10 What kind of Christian are you? Some sources report that there are as many as forty thousand different Christian denominations throughout the world. With such division and fragmentation, it is a wonder that the Church even knows who it is, much less survives the dangers and

Today’s readings: Isaiah 66:7-14; 2 Timothy 4:9-22; Luke 12:49-59 Duel Pole Doppler Radar, AccuWeather, and other familiar names help to bring us our weather forecast every day. Agencies spend billions yearly looking for ways to improve our understanding of God’s creation and on how to better predict the forces of nature. The benefit is that tornadoes

Today’s readings: Isaiah 66:1-6; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Luke 12:32-48 Paul says: “I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day.” What does this look like in our lives? Keeping the faith sometimes means defending and

Today’s readings: Isaiah 65:17-25; 2 Timothy 3:1-17; Luke 12:13-31 Jesus Christ said, “Do not be anxious about your life.” Martin Luther said, “Pray and let God worry.” The French writer Victor Hugo said, “Go to sleep in peace. God is awake!” Yet it does not seem to matter who tells us not to worry; we do