Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9 1All people on the earth had one language and the same words. 2When they traveled east, they found a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them hard.” They used bricks for stones and asphalt for mortar. 4They said,... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: We are Destructive But God is Faithful
Scripture: Genesis 6:5-8 5 The Lord saw that humanity had become thoroughly evil on the earth and that every idea their minds thought up was always completely evil. 6 The Lord regretted making human beings on the earth, and he was heartbroken. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe off of the land the human race that... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: Then the Problems Came
Scripture: Genesis 3:1-13 The snake was the most intelligent of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say that you shouldn’t eat from any tree in the garden?” 2 The woman said to the snake, “We may eat the fruit of the garden’s trees 3 but... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: The People’s Purpose
Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31 26 Then God said, “Let us make humanity in our image to resemble us so that they may take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and all the crawling things on earth.” 27 God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: Behind That Silent Night
Scripture: Luke 2:8-14 8There were shepherds in that region, out in the open, keeping a night watch around their flock. 9An angel of the Lord stood in front of them. The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10‘Don’t be afraid,’ the angel said to them. ‘Look: I’ve got good news... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: A Season for Joy
Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20 14 Rejoice, Daughter Zion! Shout, Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem.15 The Lord has removed your judgment; he has turned away your enemy.The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you will no longer fear evil.16 On that day, it will be said to Jerusalem: Don’t fear, Zion. Don’t let your hands fall.17 The Lord... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: The Promise of Peace
Scripture: Luke 1:68-79 68 “Bless the Lord God of Israel because he has come to help and has delivered his people.69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in his servant David’s house,70 just as he said through the mouths of his holy prophets long ago.71 He has brought salvation from our enemies and from the power of all... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: Our Hope and Expectation
Scripture: Jeremiah 33:10-16 10 “This is what the Lord says: ‘You say about this place, “It is a desolate waste, without people or animals.” Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, inhabited by neither people nor animals, there will be heard once more 11 the sounds of joy and gladness,... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: Thanksgiving Creates Generosity
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 6 What I mean is this: the one who sows a small number of seeds will also reap a small crop, and the one who sows a generous amount of seeds will also reap a generous crop. 7 Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldn’t give... Continue Reading →
Text for the Week: On Service
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11 7 The end of everything has come. Therefore, be self-controlled and clearheaded so you can pray. 8 Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins. 9 Open your homes to each other without complaining. 10 And serve each other according to the... Continue Reading →