Today’s readings: Deuteronomy 1:1-8; 1 Timothy 6:6-21; Luke 14:12-24 We learn an important lesson in our reading from Luke 24: nothing is to come before accepting God’s invitation to his kingdom. Responding to a man who stated, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the Kingdom of God,” Jesus told the parable of a

Today’s readings: Ruth 4:1-22; 1 Timothy 5:17-22 (23-25); Luke 14:1-11 Wedding receptions are always a bit troublesome for me. I don’t usually know too many people other than the bride and groom. As the pastor who officiated at the wedding, I usually go to the reception alone and am never sure where to sit. If I

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