He Knows My Anxiety Scripture Reading: Luke 12:13-34 Meditation An unwieldy crowd of thousands follows Jesus. In the middle of the shoving and the toe stepping are two brothers at each other’s throats. Greed has a stranglehold on them. The two are obsessed with the equitable division of their dead father’s possessions and one of […]
He Knows My Hypocrisy Scripture Reading: Luke 11:37—12:3 Meditation As Jesus finishes talking to the crowd about the mood of the current age—proof appetites, curiosity cravings, and miracle meals—a religious leader pushes his way from the center of the pack of people to the front. When he’s within earshot of Jesus, the religious leader shouts over […]
He Knows My Needs Scripture Reading: Luke 11:1-13 Meditation It’s becoming painfully clear to the disciples that Christ-followers aren’t immune to trouble. Though the disciples place their feet in the footprints of their Master, the ministry path they walk is rough-and-tumble. Each day of the journey has its own share of ankle turning trials and […]
“Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure.” Psalm 23:4 The Good Shepherd knows that the journey home must pass through, not around, Death Valley. Though there may be many troubles, toils, and snares, the Shepherd charts a course […]
He Knows My Desperation Scripture Reading: Mark 5:21-43 Meditation Desperate people resort to desperate measures. A synagogue leader named Jairus has a twelve-year-old daughter who’s at death’s door. There isn’t much time. Soon death will turn the knob and swing open the door. The grim reaper will pick the little girl up, carry her into […]
He Knows My Demons Scripture Reading: Mark 5:1-20 Meditation Across the Sea of Galilee, on the east side of the lake, is the Gentile region of Gerasene. Nestled close to the shore is a small village, central base for the pig herders in the area and former home to the man possessed by a legion […]
He Knows My Darkness Scripture Reading: John 9:1-41 Meditation Ever since his ministry began, Jesus has been invading the dark places. When Nicodemus came to him in the middle of the night, Jesus struck a match of love to guide him on his way. As Jesus sat by the well in Sychar, he kindled acceptance […]
He Knows My Hunger Scripture Reading: John 6:22-59 Meditation Less than twenty-four hours ago, Jesus had taken a little boy’s lunch, looked toward heaven, blessed the five barley loaves and two fishes, multiplied them, and threw a kingdom picnic for more than five thousand growling stomachs. Those gathered on the grassy hill ate as much […]
He Knows My Determination Scripture Reading: Mark 7:24-30 Meditation On the northwest border of Galilee, in the region of Phoenicia, are the cities of Tyre and Sidon—ancient homes to the pagan fertility cults of Baal and Ashtoreth. According to the oral law, Jews were not to have any association with these Gentiles. Anyone who broke […]
He Knows My Shame Scripture Reading: John 8:1-11 Meditation She’s looking for “Mr. Right” in the wrong bed. It’s dawn. As the rest of the women in the village are getting dressed and going out the front door to do the morning chores, she’s sneaking through the back door of her neighbor’s house, getting undressed, taking off […]
“Shadows and the Reality” We’ve started our “Saturday in the Scriptures” online class. If you’d like to join the online learning community you can click on the link below and enroll in the “Saturday in the Scriptures” class. Video of Session 4: “Shadows and the Reality” “eXPlain it” portal PDF of Session 4 Notes PDF […]
The Church has literally left its buildings. Many congregations in the Metro Detroit area have just “cancelled”/”suspended” all activities in their physical buildings (including Sunday worship services) because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Though sad, this course of action might lead to a healing outcome for the world and a healthy future for the “Church”. […]
“True to your word, you let me catch my breath, and send me in the right direction.” Psalm 23:3 Every journey has its share of starts and stops and it’s only the better part of wisdom that knows when it’s time to do which. Though the Good Shepherd asks his sheep to follow, he never […]
He Knows My Refusal to Forgive Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15-35 Meditation Peter’s been hurt one too many times. One of his fellow believers has taken advantage of the gift of grace and has turned it into a license – a sanction to sin. To Peter’s credit, he’s tried to work it out. Step by step, […]
He Knows My Rebellion Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-28 Meditation As Jesus walks toward Jerusalem, Israel’s nationalistic morale is low but its Messianic expectations are high. The crowd that follows this itinerant preacher from Nazareth is looking for someone to reclaim the crown of the kingdom of David. If Jesus wants to lead the rebellion against […]
