Grace and earnestness are not ying and yang. They are companions - 2 Corinthians 8. So, graciousness accompanied by a high expectation for obedience is the fruit of the gospel.

“As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.” (Prov 26:21) Look into any conflict or controversy, you’ll likely find quarrelsome people (on both sides) stoking the fires.

To know the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ (Eph 3:18-19) for you is to also know that God loves beyond you (Eph 3:7ff.). People and groups that you might naturally exclude.

“I will rejoice in doing them good… with all my heart and all my soul” (Jer 32:41). God is often provoked to anger. He does not need to be provoked to mercy. It flows freely. When He judges, there is always something in his heart against it. But his goodness is whole-hearted.

“Therapy speak just might be making us less patient, less kind, and less generous, slower to forgive and quicker to anger.” … Real-life application all throughout this piece! christianitytoday.com/ct/2024/may-we…

The image of evil and evil-doers as chaff that is driven away by the wind (cf Ps1:4) is prevalent throughout the Psalms. Sin has an expiration date. People of faith should be awake and alert, of course. But, also, not pay much mind to the bluster of what simply does not last.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6). “(Looking back we see) that God is only ever good and only ever loving to his sheep all the time.” - Jonathan Gibson, The Lord of Psalm 23

"To You, I lift up my soul" "... in you I trust" "... for you I wait" "...fear the Lord" "... My eyes are ever toward the Lord" "... I take refuge in You" All are synonyms for a life of faith - cf. Psalm 25.

Psalm 117 is the shortest Psalm. Just two verses. When read in sequence with the rest of the Psalter, can’t help but feel like an adequate summary of the message of the other 149 songs.

The script for today has been written in God's book from before the beginning of the world (Psalm 139:16). That means, the day is pregnant with meaning. It also means, the pressure is off. There is a story being told. We play our part. But we are not the author.

Hey Seminoles, if you have Gator fan friends who were kind enough to check on you last Saturday, time to return the favor.

From my Scripture reading today: “These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Dan 3:12). Pretty good political philosophy if you ask me

Phil 4:4-7 shapes the way people of faith should think and talk about today. It's my prayer for me (and those I love: Rejoice in the Lord! Gain a reputation for being reasonable Remember, God is working it out. So, don't be anxious. Instead, pray. From peace, be a peacemaker.

I have a hunch. All the spectacle-making by churches to celebrate Christmas is, really, a distraction from the real thrill of Christmas. The claim that God has come, and come without fanfare. An act of cosmic humility and love. Best celebrated simply, humbly, etc.