But as for you, O Israel, you are mine, my chosen ones; for you are Abraham's family, and he was my friend. I have called you back from the ends of the earth and said that you must serve but me alone, for I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, I am your God. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41: 8-10 (TLB) Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching ev

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbor's work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry th

Read Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (NRSV) Sergio Luis Alfonso lives in Bulacan in the Philippines. The year 2020 w

"I also tell you this - if two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask for, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I will be right there among them." Then Peter came to him and asked, "Sir, how often should I forgive a brother who sins against me? Seven times?" "No!" Jesus replied, "seventy times seven!" Matthew 18:19-22 (TLB) A friendly discussion is as stimulating as the sparks that fly when

Read Psalm 8 Then God looked over all he had made, and it was excellent in every way. Genesis 1:31 (TLB) Jerry Browning lives in Arizona. While he doesn't consider himself to be an expert on gardening, he does enjoy his small planter and border flower gardens. He read about how to maintain his plants, and he tries to keep them free of weeds and watered according to their needs. It occurred to him one day as he saw the beginnings of some blooms on his angelonia that through th

Read Colossians 3:12-17 Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of heart which comes from Christ be always present in your hearts and lives, for this is your responsibility and privilege as members of his body. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:14-15 (TLB) Finishing is better than starting! Patience is better than pride! Ecclesiastes 7:8 (TLB) Glynis M. Belec lives in Ontario, Canada. Renovating

Come and hear, all of you who reverence the Lord, and I will tell you what he did for me. For I cried to him for help, with praises ready on my tongue. He would not have listened if I had not confessed my sins. But he listened! He heard my prayer! He paid attention to it! Blessed be God who didn't turn away when I was praying, and didn't refuse me his kindness and love. Psalm 66:16-20 (TLB) But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by a man's face or height, for this is not t

Read Romans 8:31-39 - nothing can separate us from the love of God For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels won't, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God's love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are - high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean - nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us. R

Jabez was honored more than his brothers; and his mother named him Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." Jabez called on God of Israel, saying "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!" And God granted what he asked. 1 Chronicles 4: 9-10 (NRSV) "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32 (NRSV) When Arlene Henry, fr

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8: 26-27 (NRSV) Just as the world was shutting down due to COVID-19, Kevin Horne, from Louisiana, learned that he had aggressive prostate cancer that requires immediate surg