“And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” - Luke 24:50-53...

“Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.” - Genesis 45:1-3 ESV...

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the Vinedresser… I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:1, 5-6 ESV Recently, my wife got us involved with a money management tool. ...

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. … I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” - John 10:11, 14-15 ESV...

“Then [Jesus] said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” - Luke 24:44-47 ESV. ...

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forever more.” - Psalm 16:11 ESV Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia! Easter blessings be yours this April. The (western) church once more observed the Lord Jesus’ resurrection on March 31. The alleluias put away for Lent came back in full at the sight of an empty tomb. God be praised for Christ’s resurrection...

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” Psalm 22:1 On Friday March 29, Psalm 22 was read by many congregations during their Good Friday services. Psalm 22 gives us a glimpse into the human experience of suffering, despair, and yet trust in God’s faithfulness. ...

“The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD, even the King of Israel!’” John 12:12-13...

“7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the eople. 8 And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who’s bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.” Numbers 21:7-9 ESV...

“And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Exodus 20:1-2 In the Ancient Near East, God laid out “rules of the house.” Like parents today who lay out boundaries and guidelines for house rules, God did similar with Israel...

“... but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been givenv to us.” Romans 5:3-5 ESV...

“The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And [Jesus] was in the wilderness 40 days, being tempted by satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.” Mark 1:12-13 ESV The Gospel reading for the first Sunday in Lent (Feb. ...

“And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.” Mark 9:7-8 ESV For many churches across Christendom, this coming Sunday, Feb. ...

“...and they found Him and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And [Jesus] said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for this is why I came out.” And He went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.” Mark 1:37-39 ESV...

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue to sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” - Romans 6:1-4, ESV...

“Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, [Jesus] saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him” Mark 1:16-18 (ESV)...

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased!” (Mark 1:11 ESV). What wonderful words of encouragement! These words are of the Father speaking to His Son, Jesus, in the Jordan River at Jesus’ baptism. To “dot the I’s and cross the T’s” of God’s Law, Christ went into those muddy waters to be baptized. ...

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you!” (Isaiah 60:1, ESV) Talk about a wake-up call from Isaiah! Have you ever experienced such an abrupt jolt? The kind of awakening that leaves you stirred, fully aware of your surroundings?...