Was your cup filled today? If the words of God had special meaning for you, please share your reflections in the comments section at the end of each post. We would love to hear Christ's impact on you.

Look upon us, O Lord, and let all the darkness of our souls vanish before the beams of your brightness. Fill us with holy love, and open to us the treasures of your wisdom. All our desire is known to you; therefore, perfect what you have begun, and what your Spirit has awakened us to ask in prayer. We seek your face, turn your face to us, and show us your glory. Then shall our longing be satisfied, and our peace shall be perfect. We pray, in Christ's name, Amen Modernized (Au

“And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.” (Esther 3:5-6 ESV ) Most of us are familiar with the story of Queen Esther in the Old Testament; some of you may even be able to locate The Book of Esther in your Bib

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,” (John 5:39 ESV) Usually, the Book of Esther is seen as a book of morality. For women, it is about compliance and bravery. For men, it is about being wise and about having faith in God. Of course, for all of us, it is about being proud and boastful, and the troubles these can cause in one's life. However, there is more to Esther than morality; there is t

“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9 ESV) From the text, we know Peter is writing to those dispersed, meaning Jewish Christians, living in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. In today’s text, Peter is writing about something difficult for all of us at some time in our lives: forgiving. The old adage of “an eye for an eye” is not what Christ taug

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV) These words come from the prophet Jeremiah to Israel during their exile to Babylon. Living under Nebuchadnezzar, God told Israel to live even though captive, to build houses and have families. God also warned about false teachers, prophets, and diviners. These were always present and always led Israel away from God. Despite Israel

“Proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” (Acts 28:31 ESV) What is the meaning of boldness? Well, the AI defines being bold as having the courage to take risks, face fears, and speak up without being reckless or aggressive. It involves confidence, daring, and a willingness to act despite potential dangers, and can also refer to something conspicuous, imaginative, or immodest. It also means a willingness

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.” (Matthew 27:50 ESV ). One thing they don’t tell you as you start getting older is that you get more emotional. I’m crying at the drop of a hat these days. When I see the sweet, innocent face of a newborn, it chokes me up. When I hear our pastor preach a message that honors our Savior, I get choked up when I thank him for his faithfulness to the Word of God.  I don’t even want to talk about hearing a song

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, We, Your unworthy servants, worship and praise You for all Your goodness and loving-kindness to us, Your children. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life, but above all for your inestimable love in the redemption of the faithful by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory that comes through Him. While feeble in means, our glorification and praise come from deep within

“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,  2  and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.  3  Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  4  No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.   5  An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.  6  It is the hard-working farmer

“And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew  28:18-20 ESV). As sad as Chapter 27 is, Chapter 28 is glorious. The story of the payment for sin didn’t end with the death of the sinl

“In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.” (Job 1:22 ESV) In the first chapter of Job, God offers Job to Satan so that Job may be tested. God had faith in Job, and like other disciples, He prayed Job’s faith would not fail. After losing all his livestock and having his children die at the hands of Satan, Job did not curse God or blame God for his loss and misfortunes. Quite incredible. Even Job’s wife questioned his unwavering dedication to God. Job and his three

3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, 5 He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.”   (Ephesians 1:3-6

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV) How many kinds of peace are there? Peace of mind, peace in your heart, Peace in your family. There is peace in our country, peace in other countries, world peace. So many kinds of peace, but one peace transcends all—the peace of Jesus Christ. Unless you know Christ as your Savior, you will not understand what I m

“Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter...

O Lord, Merciful Father, and one true Living God, It is You who has mercy upon all, takes away from me my sins. It is You I worship, You...

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew...

“Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek...

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from...

“Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord , “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”  (Psalm 16 vv 1-2...

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,...