Tag: hope
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The Irony of the Cross
41So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42“He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I…
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The Crushing of Depression
36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point…
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To the End
13But the one who endures to the end will be saved.–Matthew 24 Today’s reading is Jesus’ famous chapter about the end-times. So that is our context. Jesus’ usage of the word ‘saved’ has an Old Testament feel. Salvation is being delivered by God from an impossible situation where you have no other answer or hope.…
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Two Sons
28“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.30And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but…
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John’s Depression
2Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples3and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are…
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Two Daughters
18While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for…
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The God Who Meets Us
1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”–Matthew 2 Welcome to 2023! I am grateful…
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Why the Bible?
1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began 3and at the proper time manifested in his word through the…
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Influence and Legacy
5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.–2 Timothy 1 I am a parent. And like most Christian parents, I pray over and for my kids each day. My wife loves to pray…