Jesus said: “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Luke 21:34-35 Today (December 1, 2024)…
Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 What an interesting invitation - to provoke one another to love! This verse intrigues me because we don’t usually associate being provoked with love. Being provoked is usually seen as a negative thing. We are provoked to anger, for example.…
A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then [Jesus] called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance,…
For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Romans 3:28 These words from Paul’s Letter to the Romans were the rallying cry of Martin Luther and his fellow reformers 500 years ago. They fought for these words, and in some cases died for them. With these…
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son. Hebrews 1:1-2 God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways. And I believe that God still does – God still speaks to us, and in…
War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. Revelation 12:7-8 A war broke out in heaven, we are told in today’s passage from Revelation. The archangel, Michael, and…
Looking up to heaven, [Jesus] sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Mark 7:34-35 This Sunday’s gospel reading (Mark 7:24-37) offers us two well-known miracle stories. And I want to look at them in the reverse order, starting…
The Pharisees and the scribes asked [Jesus], “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” Mark 7:5 I am sure that we have all been told to wash our hands before coming to dinner. Maybe we were even taught to sing “Happy Birthday” while washing…
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power; put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-11 This is the last in my sermon series on Paul's letter to the Ephesians. I have been looking at…
Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 Live wisely, Paul reminds us in this passage from Ephesians. In challenging times – and aren’t all times challenging? – it is important to make the most of the…
My Pastoral Ponderings 