2 Chronicles 20:1 “Deliverance of the Lord” “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you… do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17 There is only one reason for a Christian to go into battle, and that is because…Keep Reading

Leviticus 26-27 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 GOD’S LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL It is sometimes said, “No matter what we do, God accepts us because his love is unconditional.” God’s love is not predicated on anything we are, have done, or will do: “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him….Keep Reading

Hebrews 6:19 “The Ark of Safety” There were many discoveries when the Berlin wall came down. Perhaps the greatest was to find that the church had not only survived a dark and difficult time in their history; but in fact, it was stronger in heart than the churches in the free world. There are some things in this life that we don’t have to waste our time worrying about because…Keep Reading

Rev. Nate and Julie Ware Storms, Rain and Our Ark “Hebrews 11:9” Soupy wet this a.m. with some more to come. The mold is rampant, so are the allergies. I’m sure I’m not the only one. Toward yesterday evening, I was so miserable, I had to put my own self in a corner! 🙂 Our yard is like walking on chocolate pudding. I was thinking that this has to be…Keep Reading

Leviticus 24-25 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019 DON’T GROW WEARY IN WELL-DOING “If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner [“foreigner,” NLT, NIV], and he shall live with you” (Lev 25:35). When I first read this verse, I thought I had not gotten enough sleep last night or was suffering from dyslexia and…Keep Reading

Rev. Nate and Julie Ware VERSE CONNECTIONS BELOW “How Can One Be Warm Alone” We feel the cold of winter outside. If we didn’t have heat inside, we couldn’t stay warm. It is just as important that we connect with the One who Keeps Our Soul affirmed and warm. Throughout the Bible and in daily life, we are reminded that we cannot travel alone . . . that we need…Keep Reading

Psalm 119:105 “The Bible is Holy, A Lamp unto My Feet” I was a young man, but I can still hear a simple statement that my Grandmother made years ago. She had her favorite radio preachers, and I suspect she heard one of them say it. (It was probably about the time when there was controversy over what some called “the new Bible,” or translation.) She said, “They don’t even…Keep Reading

Leviticus 22-23 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019 FEASTING AND FASTING Seven “holy days” are given in chapter 23. Some of them were one day events and others lasted for seven days. Only one of these was a fast day; all others were feast days. The word “fast” itself is not used by Moses, but it is used in the historical books and in the prophets. Fasting is mentioned frequently…Keep Reading

Leviticus 16-18 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019 A ONCE-FOR-ALL SACRIFICE CLEANSES SIN ONCE FOR ALL Today’s reading gives rules for the Day of Atonement, the exclusiveness of the tabernacle as the only acceptable place for offering sacrifices, and laws against incest, adultery, and bestiality. Our focus will be the Day of Atonement, which occurred in the seventh month and the tenth day. It was the only required fast day…Keep Reading

Psalm 107:2 “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy…” A cartoon once showed a pastor visiting the home of one of his church members. Sitting in the living room was an embarrassed man and wife, while a little boy with a drum was standing in front of the pastor. The little boy was saying, “I brought my drum because…Keep Reading

Leviticus 19-21 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019 SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE BIBLE In today’s reading, a broad range of topics are covered: respecting parents, keeping the Sabbath, offering peace offerings, punishment for child sacrifice, forbidden sexual relationships, the conduct of the priests, and social justice. We will focus on the last because it is relevant to many discussions—arguments, perhaps—that fill the airwaves and social media sites today First, note…Keep Reading

A Morning Prayer Numbers 14:4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” Lord, you know how I love to reminisce about those “Good Ole Days.” There are people, times, and a way of life that I miss. I know it is true Lord that back then I was praying to get through and out of some of those same days. How…Keep Reading