A Fresh Start

Mark 2:1-22 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 2 When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and he was speaking the word to them. 3 Then some people came, bringing […]

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Stop what you’re doing

Mark 1:21-45 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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. […]

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