Tag: gospel

Week 37 Saturday

Before Time Began Today’s scripture selection: Titus Key verse: Titus 1:2 Right at the beginning of an often neglected little book called Titus, we find a wonderful truth: “…in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.” There, nestled in a typical greeting of the apostle… Continue reading Week 37 Saturday

Week 27 Wednesday

Passing the Word Along Today’s scripture selection: Psalms 78-80 Key verse: Psalm 78:4      Have you ever had a bit of good news that was so good you just had to pass it on?      I know I have felt that way about wedding plans; birth announcements; employment changes; things large and small – having… Continue reading Week 27 Wednesday

Week 16 Sunday

  Which is the Greatest? Today’s scripture selection: Mark 11-12 Key Verses: Mark 12:28b-30        Time was running short.  Jesus was pressing on toward his destiny – and his enemies were gathering.      It was time to get down to basics.  There would be no room for doubt or misunderstanding.  Jesus would make things… Continue reading Week 16 Sunday

Week 6 Sunday

No Crystal Ball Today’s scripture selection: Matthew 14-16 Key verse: Matthew 16:1 “If only I had some kind of sign that this was the right thing for me to do!” Ever said those words?  I know I have.  No matter how hard we study over a situation, no matter how much “data” we gather, so… Continue reading Week 6 Sunday

Week 5 Saturday

Today’s scripture selection: Romans 9-10 Key verses: Romans 10:14-15 If the apostle Paul had been a Southern Baptist preacher, he might have been tempted to say he had a “burden on his heart.”  He was worried – about those who needed to hear a word of grace and hope.  He was more than concerned about… Continue reading Week 5 Saturday

All in the Family

Today’s scripture selection: Matthew 1-2

Key verse: Matthew 2:6

In just a few weeks I will be officially over the hill, a little over half-a-century old. (Actually, by six years, but who’s counting?)  Still, I can remember what it was like to be a young kid, sitting on the carpet in my grandparent’s home in Ohio, watching BONANZA and enjoying an “Eskimo Pie”.  Back in those days I didn’t have any responsibilities.  I had few worries.  I wasn’t a husband or a pastor or a citizen.  I was just a kid.  I was Osie and Pappy’s grandson; Gene and June’s little boy; Chuck’s younger brother.  But already the die was cast.  I was soon to be a member of God’s kingdom – baptized by my own father, himself a minister.  And, though I didn’t know it then, that first critically important choice would richly color my life forever more.

In Matthew’s gospel we learn that there “were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.”  Matthew, writing to a Jewish audience, wanted to make a point.  The Savior was a descendant of Abraham.  And, while we might find that long genealogy in chapter one tedious, it says a lot.  It reminds us that, over thousands of years, God was at work, carefully preparing to rescue His people through the ordinary – and sometimes extraordinary lives of ordinary people.

He still does that.  God reaches out to us in both ordinary and extraordinary ways to reminds us of one thing – how much He loves us.  And we, one life at a time, can be part of that redemptive story.  You are only one person in a vast sea of humanity.  But you are important.  You are part of a story, made up of many generations.  You have unique gifts and gifts that are only yours to share.  You can be part of God’s redemptive story, both as recipient and giver.  You are more than somebody’s kid; somebody’s brother or sister; somebody’s employee or employer; somebody’s mom or dad or grandparent.  You are God’s own beloved.  Enjoy the journey and make it count – one changed life at a time.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for lovingly calling me to be part of your family.  Show me how to live out my destiny according to your will.  Help me to be thankful for each and every opportunity to live my life fully and abundantly.  In Jesus’ holy name, AMEN.