Whatever spiritual gift we have, and we all have at least one (1 Corinthians 12:7), it is given by the Holy Spirit 'for the common good' (same verse) that 'the church may be built up' (1 Corinthians 14:5). This is the opposite of a world that is focused on 'individual rights' and 'personal freedom.' As has been said before, a world revolving around me is very tiny, but an outwardly focused, Kingdo...  Read More

"My son, keep your father’s command, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching." (Proverbs 6:20, CSB). Today my E.M. Bounds devotions dovetailed with our Scripture readings. He relates obedience to God with obedience to parents and ponders: "Think about this thought for a moment. Do earthly parents require their children to perform duties they cannot do? What father would be so unjust and mean? Are ...  Read More

Wisdom is born not out of information-knowledge, but out of relationship-knowledge. As the saying goes, knowledge is power, and true power for living comes from knowing God. The CSB is correct when it translates those familiar words: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)....  Read More

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7, CSB)Let's get this straight from the get-go! Wisdom and folly...this will be the focus of all we read. Of course, the goal is embracing wisdom, for the end of folly is the end! Wisdom, on the other hand, is life! Do you want wisdom? Start with Yahweh, the Ever-present, Promise-keeping, Loyal and ...  Read More

As my devotional time came to a close yesterday, the door opened, and there were our granddaughters. I knew they were coming, I wasn't certain when. Joy! What that meant was they got my attention and the blog did not. For those of you who faithfully read this, thanks for your patience and endurance! I pondered this all in light of the grand crescendo of the Psalms with the fitting 'Hallels' of the...  Read More

How fascinating it is that 2000 years later, there are some things we do that 'mimic' the Early Church, and some we have discarded...depending on the culture. For instance, how many ladies did you see wearing hats last Sunday in church? For that matter, how many truly have long hair. By the same token, we had some men present who have their hair in a pony tail. Are any of these less spiritual? Pau...  Read More