“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”

Joseph of Arimathea displayed several evidences of faith and wisdom that I’d do well to embody too.

It’s a holiday weekend in the United States, the perfect opportunity for taking time to reflect on our relationship with God. Use these quotes to remind you of your standing with him. Follow the links to read the posts from which the quotes are taken.

Someone just asked me, “So what does it feel like to be75?” Since I’ve never been this old, I wasn’t really sure what to say. I’ll start with “I’m fulfilled, but not yet finished.”

What if we considered Paul’s prayer for restoration central to what we seek in our relationships? What would happen in our neighborhoods, churches, businesses, and in our general approach to people if Paul’s closing reminder was a platform we would live by?

As believers, we know that envy (as well as its close cousin, jealousy) and its resulting behaviors are not the work of the Holy Spirit but rather are rooted in works of the flesh.

Paul pushed all his suffering to the background as he focused on his first and primary calling. The challenge for us is to do the same.

Everybody approaches food differently, and sometimes a new approach to Bible reading is good for our spiritual nutrition.

Each of Paul’s pictures offers a challenge to how we’ll choose to cope in the world.

Any one of these gems from this week’s posts might be enough to help you through today. Any one of the pieces from which they’re taken can give you—or a friend—the boost needed just to keep carrying on. Which of these mean the most to you?

Joy can be found if we look for it. This is as true for the accounting clerk forgotten in some corner cubicle as it is for the caregiver rising each morning to the same, sad routine.

What do you do when what needs to be accomplished turns into a situation that feels impossible?

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

“We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.”

Jesus said he saw many wealthy people produce some big checks. Then he watched a poor widow put in two pennies. . The widow was still in sight when Jesus said she had contributed more than all of the others.

What was God thinking when he chose to put valuable treasure in clay pots?! The apostle Paul’s words in today’s Bible reading give us pause, because they are frankly shocking. The God of the universe made his decision about where to place his valuable treasure. And he has entrusted it to us. The life and ministry of Jesus has been given to us.

These daily posts are about daily life, inspirational we hope, but not separated from our down-to-earth realities. Which of them has been most helpful to you this week?

The Preacher of Ecclesiastes knows something about the issues that arise when people get too worried about money. In our present economic condition, perhaps we all need the reminder that this ancient Preacher provides in Ecclesiastes 5:10-15.

Jesus used the Scriptures to answer the question. He also managed to answer in a way that gave two answers wrapped in one.

Almost instantly when I read the familiar text of Psalm 103, my mind and soul began to calm down. As I read the opening lines I could hear the music in my head, echoing the many times I have sung this text. The very presence of God washed over me as I continued to allow the living and breathing Word of God to do its work on my heart and spirit.