truth

Reflect Know the truth and be free. But what truth? What freedom? It was these kinds of issues that left Jesus’ followers and others confused—both then and now. In John 8, Jesus explained in the form of a brief analogy. We are like slaves, only we are enslaved to sin rather than to a slave-holding […]

Reflect How do you know who God is? How do you know what God is like? Christians affirm that our best way of answering these is a resounding “Look at Jesus Christ!” Indeed, it is in Jesus’ life with God, his ministry of love, his confrontation with, and triumph over death that we find our […]

Reflect A middle school teacher is suspended because two students had sex when he stepped our of the classroom for fifteen minutes. A bomb goes off in a church on Sunday morning, injuring worshippers. A KKK rally turns violent. A teenagers kills his parents, then goes to school and begins shooting teachers and classmates. These […]

Focus Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time. Read James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a (NRSV) Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy […]

Focus Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you. Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NRSV) In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and […]

Focus As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God, however that may take place. Read Matthew 12:9-14 (NRSV) He left that place and entered their synagogue; a man was there with a withered hand, and they asked him, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath?” so that […]

Focus Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer. Read 1 John 4:1-6 (NRSV) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into […]

Focus Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God. Read Ephesians 5:1-9 (NRSV) Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. […]

Focus Relax and listen. Consciously prepare to hear God’s Word. Clear your mind of the worries and tasks that lie before you. Open your heart and allow it to refresh. Read 2 John 1-13 (NRSV) The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but […]

Focus Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time. Read 2 Timothy 1:13-18 (NRSV) Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted […]