IT IS NOT ME

1 CORINTHIANS 15:1–11; GALATIANS 2:20 One of the twentieth century’s most renowned orchestral directors, Arturo Toscanini, is renowned for his commitment to giving credit where credit is due. At the conclusion of a rehearsal of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, David Ewen in Dictators of the Baton recounts how the players of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra stood … [Read more…]

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EXTRA STEPS

LUKE 19:1–10 A woman was walking through a crowd of people when she lost sight of her small boy. It goes beyond saying that the event was horrifying. She frantically called out his name, trying to find her little child by following her own path. Her son, happily, broke free from the crush and ran … [Read more…]

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THE CURE FOR ANXIETY

PHILIPPIANS 4:1–9 Jane was excited about moving to a new apartment. As a result, she experienced anxiety due to unknowns and perceived challenges. She ended up in the hospital and had to take a bed rest for two days.  Paul, who was a shipwrecked, beaten, and jailed individual, should have been anxious about unknowns and challenges. … [Read more…]

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IT IS ALL FREE!

EPHESIANS 2:1–9 A restaurant was initially started by a local church and transformed a year later to offer everything on the menu free. The managers felt God called them to do something radical, making everything on the menu free with no donation bag, making it a gift rather than a cost. Jesus gave His life to save … [Read more…]

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RESTORED FAILURES

PSALM 145:1–16 A guest band led praise and worship at our church, showcasing their passionate devotion to the Lord. The musicians, all ex-prisoners, captivated the audience with their songs, which became a testament to the lives they now live. The world may embrace success, but stories of past failure offer hope and assurance that God loves … [Read more…]

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OUTSIDE IN?

GALATIANS 3:23–29 “Inside out or outside in: Which is the source of change?” The seminar, which reflected current trends, said that making minor external adjustments, such as getting a makeover or adopting improved posture, can have a big impact on how we feel about ourselves and potentially change our lives. Scripture encourages a deeper transformation that … [Read more…]

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UNANTICIPATED GRACE

ACTS 9:1–19 Because the cleaner was sick, John stayed up late on a Monday night to scrub the dirty tile floors. To surprise his boss, he kept the caretaker’s absence a secret. But when they came back on Tuesday, they discovered that a big tap had been left on all night, leaving water standing on … [Read more…]

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GOD AT OUR SIDE

MATTHEW 1:18–23 “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ at my right, Christ at my left”… When I read Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth, these hymn lyrics—penned by the fifth-century Celtic Christian St. Patrick—resound in my head. They reassure me that I am … [Read more…]

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

1 TIMOTHY 4:12–16 When you fly, an airline staff gives a safety talk that covers what to do in the event that cabin pressure is lost, just before or shortly after the aircraft takes off. It is explained to passengers that oxygen masks should be put on by them before assisting others. How come? Because you … [Read more…]

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MEETING OUR NEEDS IN ODD WAYS

MATTHEW 17:24–27 A week or so after James assumed he would never find his cell phone again, he received a call from a fisherman who had recovered his phone, which remained working even after it dried. In the Bible, odd stories are often found. Peter was asked if Jesus paid the temple tax, and Jesus turned … [Read more…]

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