“Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” — John 9:2 I am a disaster. So are you. I step on things (sometimes literally in a house with small kids). I break things. (I did…
“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he…
After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” — John 3:2 I don’t think Nicodemus gets it here. Sure, he knows what to say…
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” — Matthew 4:10 If he screams that way at me again, I’ll call the police. I’ll ask for an officer of the law to be present to…
Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. — 2 Peter 1:20-21 What we promise or even just say to each other…
34 Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. 35 As a result, the deepest thoughts…
What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?…
Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the LORD called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a…
With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those with weak knees. — Isaiah 35:3 “You can’t detect it until it’s already there,” the hospice nurse says when speaking of pancreatic cancer. Something else is not detected until it’s already there. That something is…
Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. — Isaiah 11:1 No one wants a stump. Sure, creative types may use a backyard tree stump for seating or as the base of an outdoor coffee table, but no…
