The story of Elijah’s wilderness experience, where ravens brought him food, serves as a powerful reminder of God’s ability to meet our needs, no matter the situation.

In hide-and-seek, my grandchildren's joy in being found and their eager pursuit of me offers a beautiful reminder of childlike faith and how we should approach the kingdom of God—full of trust and expectation.

The Bible acknowledges our fear and provides comfort, with Psalm 56 offering David’s example of placing trust in God during moments of fear and anxiety.

Paul reflects on the painful departure of Demas, who chose the present world over his faith, highlighting the dangers of being swayed by worldly power and the temptation to abandon Christ.

In his letters to Timothy, Paul seems to recognize his own imminent end, but also uses the term "last days" to refer to the period from Jesus' ascension to His future return, a time marked by moral decline and difficulty.

Paul emphasizes that the "good deposit" refers to the gospel of Jesus, which Timothy must protect against false teachings and misinterpretations that were prevalent in his time.

The writer of Hebrews contrasts the fearful encounter of the Israelites at Mount Sinai with the hope and assurance found in the new kingdom established by Christ, emphasizing the importance of faith in this journey.

Just as Moses shared lessons from history, we should also recount our own stories of faith and struggle with family, fostering understanding and connection across generations.

With a bustling family of four children and nine grandchildren, meal times often reveal varying appetites, reminding me of David's invitation in Psalm 34:8 to "taste and see that the Lord is good."

By recognizing God's past faithfulness, we are empowered to step forward in faith, confident that He will continue to provide and guide us in our journey of faith.

Stumbling blocks are inevitable in life, whether in work, personal projects, or spiritual journeys, often requiring us to dust ourselves off and continue moving forward.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many are grappling with the question of why God allows natural disasters, particularly as the devastation unfolds and the death toll rises.

As they shared a meal, the moment Jesus broke the bread sparked joyful recognition of his identity, connecting their past experiences with him to the present reality of his resurrection.

I doubt we have yet seen the impact of what a united church praying daily for our leaders might do. But imagine what could happen at work, in your community, in our country and in the world if Christians everywhere prayed for those in authority! I suspect we would see many surrendering to Christ as Lord.

As I continue to read Scripture, I am challenging myself to look for the parts of the passages I am apt to miss or, worse, ignore. In those verses may well be the things God is trying to correct in us.

Imagine the transformation we would see in our communities, our country, and around the world if we, the called of God, would embrace the unity that is possible and was planned before the world was ever created.

Psalm 103 compares human life to the fleeting beauty of grass and flowers, emphasizing that while our lives are brief, God’s steadfast love endures forever and gives eternal value to our actions aligned with His purposes.

Consider the prayers of Paul and other prayers in Scripture; be bold enough to go deeper in prayer and see what God will do in your life and in the life of others.

Despite our various roles and stages in life, the gospel calls us to a new purpose: to live as ambassadors of God’s love, sharing His message and transforming lives through His grace.

Just as we desired inclusion in our childhood, we continue to seek acceptance and belonging, while also navigating our role as ambassadors to those still in darkness.