testing ⁽¹⁴⁾

Psalm 112:1–9, Colossians 3:12–17, James 3:13–18 (read online ⧉) Galatians 5:22–23 lists the following as fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 2 Peter 1:5–7 lists the following characteristics to pursue: faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection,…

Nehemiah 8:1–6; Luke 24:18–27; Acts 17:10–15 (read online ⧉) The Israelite Exiles have returned home, sort of. As Ezra reads the Scriptures, the remnant of Israel learns what it means to be God’s chosen people. Generations had already wandered away emotionally and spiritually. Then they…

Psalm 146, Mark 13:14–27, Mark 13:32–33, Hebrews 11:13–22 (read online ⧉) The New Year is no longer new. By now many New Year’s Resolutions are broken. People have already surrendered to their loss. Often people telegraph or expect their loss, and behave as if they…

Judges 6:11–24, Psalm 27:7–14, Isaiah 6:8–10 (read online ⧉) Gideon had a prayer. Likely many of the Israelites had the same prayer, "Save us!" It was certainly a worthwhile prayer. We could say that Gideon was chosen. He was. We look backward to Scriptures and…

Jeremiah 23:30-40, 1 John 4:1–6 What is a spirit? In the Scriptures, there is the Holy Spirit. That is certainly one. However, often the time spirit is used, it is not a good thing. There are evil spirits. There are deceptive spirits. It is the…