The relationship of Hosea and his adulterous wife is illustrative of the relationship of God and the Israelite people. Conflict in relationships is a major problem in churches. It is not unusual for persons who will not practice tolerance and forgiveness, will sit in the same congregation, sing the same songs and worship the one […]

Focus Let your soul take a moment of rest as you hear God’s word. Put your busy schedule, wandering mind, stressful thoughts, and burdened heart at the feet of the cross and open up to God’s voice as the Giver of Life tends your soul. Read Exodus 33:12-17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Moses said […]

Focus Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you. Read Acts 1:1-11 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he […]

Focus As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God, however that may take place. Read Luke 2:25-38 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the […]

The key to 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 is found in verse 18 where Paul says that God reconciled us to God’s self through Christ, and we have the ministry of reconciliation through him. But what does it mean to be reconciled? For me it means to be made one with God for ministry. It is never […]

Focus Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today. Read Luke 15:11-32   (NRSV) Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them […]

Focus Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you. Read Luke 15:1-10   (NRSV) Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This […]

Focus As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place. Read 2 Corinthians 5:6-15 (NRSV) So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord— for we walk […]

Focus Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for a peace at this time. Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5  (NRSV) So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary […]

Focus Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer. Read Luke 13:18-21 (NRSV) He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it? It is like a mustard seed that someone took […]