“Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” (Mark 11:8-10)…

“My strength is dried up like baked clay; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You put me into the dust of death.” (Psalm 22:15 CSB) The Scripture is filled with the promises of God, which are fulfilled by Jesus Christ. These prophecies remind us of the detail of God’s work in preparing…

“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of…

“Stand firm then, with the . . . . breastplate of righteousness in place.” (Ephesians 6:14) In our struggle against evil, we are given righteousness to protect our heart. In this battle we are given the righteousness of our Savior. This is because we are sinners and unrighteous, “for all have sinned and fall short…

“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (Proverbs…

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) In Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, he quotes Psalm 16:8-11, “I…

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks…

“God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14) In the Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet, Juliet offers these well-known words, “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Referring…

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) When the people of Israel left Egypt, they had seen God’s mighty hand deliver them from slavery and abuse in Egypt. They had witnessed the plagues and then they had been given the riches of Egypt. “The Israelites did…

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was…