Dear friends, I've dropped everything to write you about this life of salvation that we have in common. I have to write insisting- begging! -that you fight with everything you have in you for this faith entrusted to us as a gift to guard and cherish. Jude 1: 3, Message. Holy Father, we thank You for this faith of our forefathers, the "old-time-religion," that has been entrusted to us. As we study, may we realize just how blessed we are. May we hold on to our faith for dear life; in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.  Our Scripture...

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, "What's next Papa?" God's spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are:  Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us - an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him! Romans 8: 15-17, Message. Dear God, we...

Then they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul.... And all Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and sought Him with all their soul; and He was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around. 2 Chronicles 15: 15, NKJV. Holy Father, we pray that You will give us soul rest after we have sought You with all that we are, and all that we have; so please come close and teach us how to do...

And Manoah said to his wife, "We shall surely die, because we have seen God!" But his wife said to him, "If the LORD had desired to kill us, He would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from our hands, nor would He have shown us all these things nor would He have told us such things as these at this time." Judges 13: 22, 23, NKJV (Emphasis provided). Holy Father as we enter the study of Your Word, please reveal the message that You have for each of us. In Jesus' name. Amen. As Manoah's...

Then Manoah said to the Angel of the LORD, "What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?" And the Angel of the LORD said to him, "Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?" Judges 13: 17, 18, NKJV. Merciful Savior, gracious God, we praise you this morning, the first day of the year 2009, for the privilege of sitting at Your feet, and learning wonderful things about You. For this privilege we rejoice in the name of Jesus! Amen. Yesterday we took a peek at the encounter between Jacob and...

Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. Genesis 32: 29, 30, NKJV.  Gracious God here we are in Your presence once again to feast from Your Word. We listen with joy for a word from You to take us into the New Year. In Jesus' name. Amen. My dear, faithful, web family, and friends, just like I promised; here I am to have a final word with you in the year 2008! As you may recall, from December 2, until yesterday, we...

“Listen to me, family of Jacob, everyone that’s left of the family of Israel.  I’ve been carrying you on my back from the day you were born, and I’ll keep on carrying you when you’re old.  I’ll be there, bearing you when you’re old and gray.  I’ve done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you.” Isaiah 46: 3, 4, The Message My Savior and my God, “How excellent is your name in all the earth!”  Your promise warms my heart!  May we all be blessed as we contemplate, from Your Word, Your never-ending love, Your ceaseless watchcare over us. ...

The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son a place there forever.  So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.  John 8: 35, 36, NRSV (The New Oxford Annotated Bible) Dear Savior, as we look into your Word may we claim the freedom that You offer us, for Christ’s sake.  Amen To a great extent, freedom is a state of mind.  I have encountered people walking around who are virtual prisoners!  They are prisoners of habit, of negative self-talk, of other people’s opinion, of guilt, of what could have been.  On...

But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel:  “Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.  I’ve called your name. You’re mine.  When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.  When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.  When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end— Isaiah 43: 1, 2  The Message Precious Lord, if we could only remember Your promises when we are “in over head,” what a difference it would make!  Please impress this promise upon our hearts.  Amen The manner in...

So we may boldly say “ The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13: 6, NKJV Dear Savior, how thankful we are to You for everything that You have done for us.  Please give us the assurance that having You as our Helper will take care of all our needs.  For Christ’s sake.  Amen It is amazing how much was involved in Christ’s coming to our world!  He was given to humanity!  He came to show us the face of God!  A week or so ago we saw Him as an ever-present Help.  Today...