Who stands with this child?

Luke 2:1-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth […]

Continue reading

God is ___ us

Isaiah 7:10-17 Common English Bible (CEB) 10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: 11 “Ask a sign from the Lord your God. Make it as deep as the grave or as high as heaven.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I won’t ask; I won’t test the Lord.” 13 Then Isaiah said, “Listen, house of David! Isn’t it enough for you […]

Continue reading

Two Prophetic Women, a Lord, and a Leaper

Luke 1:39-56 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 39 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, 40 where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42 and […]

Continue reading

Love, Sweet Love

Isaiah 11:1-10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 11 A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,     and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,     the spirit of wisdom and understanding,     the spirit of counsel and might,     the spirit of knowledge and the fear of […]

Continue reading

A Matter of Perspective

Isaiah 2:1-5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) The Future House of God 2 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 In days to come     the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains,     and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream […]

Continue reading

I’ve Got You

Colossians 1:11-20 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He […]

Continue reading

Sour Grapes

Isaiah 5:1-7; 11:1-5 Common English Bible (CEB) 5 Let me sing for my loved one     a love song for his vineyard. My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. 2 He dug it,     cleared away its stones,     planted it with excellent vines,     built a tower inside it,     and dug out a wine vat in it. […]

Continue reading

Surprising Love

Hosea 11:1-9 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 11 When Israel was a child, I loved him,     and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 The more I called them,     the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals,     and offering incense to idols. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,     I […]

Continue reading

Take a Stand

1 Kings 18:17-39 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 18 He answered, “I have not troubled Israel; but you have, and your father’s house, because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. 19 Now therefore have all Israel […]

Continue reading