Isaiah 49:1-12

Isaiah 49:1-12 “Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The LORD called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. He made my mouth like a sharp sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished...

Ephesians 5:1-14

Ephesians 5:1-14 “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Ephesians 5:11) Near the end of Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, he does what Paul almost always does – he gives a quick series of ethical injunctions. I suspect that...

Mark 1:29-45

Mark 1:29-45 “Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons” (Mark 1:31-32) This early healing in Mark’s gospel of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law has always been a favorite of...

Matthew 12:14-21

Matthew 12:14-21 “But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. When Jesus became aware of this, he departed” (Matthew 12:14-15) What do we do with nay-sayers in our lives? Answering this question is probably a fair bit contextual – that...

Psalm 89:1-2

Psalm 89:1-2 “I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens” (Psalm 89:1-2) Friends, it’s...

Luke 1:57-66

Luke 1:57-66 “He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And all of them were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God” (Luke 1:63-64) I’ve always loved this story, but it has a particular...