July 17, 2026

Ephesians 4: 4-6 (NIV)

There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

If all ideas are equally valid . . . then no idea is really worth our allegiance, nothing is worth living or dying for – or even arguing about.*

The life of a Christian is both liberating and restrictive. We are free from the penalty of sin, we are free from guilt, we are free to choose. But we are limited to one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. It is not true that we’re all going to the same place – we’re just taking different paths.

I heard a comedian suggest that if you believe that it doesn’t matter how you get there, next time you plan a trip, just go to the airport and get on any plane. See how that works for you. The only way you will ever reach your destination is to finally get on a plane that is going there.

If you want to go to heaven, you can’t decide which of the “ones” you like and discard the rest. You can’t map out your own little detour and hope that you will eventually get there. Jesus didn’t tell us that he is the best way. He said he is The Way. (John 14: 6)

As long as Jesus is one of many options, he is no option.*

July 16, 2026

Colossians 1: 15 (NIV)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Only those that can see the invisible can do the impossible.*

In Exodus 33: 20, God tells Moses that he (Moses) can’t see his (God’s) face because “no one may see me and live.” In verse 11 of the same chapter, we are told that the Lord spoke to Moses face to face; but in light of verse 20, we have to assume that Moses wasn’t actually able to pick up on God’s body language or read his lips. Besides the fact that a human just isn’t capable of beholding spirit, God was very clear in not wanting us to manufacture images to worship – even images of himself. If we don’t know what he looks like, we can’t make a representation of him.

Then along comes Jesus, the Son of God, who is human and the image of God. Through him, we know what God looks like – and yet, we still don’t have a physical description of Jesus. With all that has been recorded about his words and deeds, all that we know about his appearance is what Isaiah prophesied in chapter 53, verse 2: “He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” Jesus was memorable but not because of his looks.

If we are going to see the image of God through his Son, we must know the Son - what he said, what he did, how he loved, and what he is going to do next. Today's verse in Colossians also reminds us that Jesus is the “firstborn over all creation.” The firstborn is the one who inherits the title and all the property. In Romans 8: 16 and 17, we are assured that the Spirit testifies that we are also God’s children and that means that we are co-heirs with Christ. We must be prepared to share in his suffering but we are promised that we will share in his glory.

He takes his children to higher levels of fellowship so they may hear him speaking “face to face.”*

July 15, 2026

Luke 10: 17 (NIV)

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

Don’t strive to find more power in your faith; rest your faith in the Source of all power.*

We don’t see much demon possession today. I have read speculation that the reason for so much demonic activity in Jesus’ day was that Satan was afraid. He knew Jesus was a threat but he didn’t know exactly what the plan was so he ramped up his evil plots to combat whatever God had in store. Interesting theory. But just because demon possession is practically unheard of – at least in the USA – it doesn’t mean demonic activity is on the wane. Satan hasn’t gone on vacation. If you watch the news, you are aware of demonic activity around the world.

In this verse, we find that the seventy-two appointed by Jesus to go ahead of him to his destinations were thrilled to report to him their new-found power over demons. Jesus gently pointed out to the seventy-two (verse 20) that their rejoicing should not be because demons submitted to them but because their “names are written in heaven.” We don’t have the same miraculous power that Jesus gave to his disciples but as we are reminded in the spirit-filled words of Peter, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4: 12)

We wage personal battles with evil every day. Do you have an addiction? Are you a worrier? Do you struggle with depression, fear, or illness? Is your marriage in trouble? Have you wandered from God? We must seek the saving power of the name of Jesus before we can receive the overcoming power of his name.  Accept his saving power and, whatever your demon, it will submit to you in Jesus’ name.

The grace of God that saves us is also the same grace that sustains us.*

July 14, 2026

John 2: 4, 5 (NIV)

“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

No matter what I accomplish in life, it means nothing if I don’t love.*

The story of Jesus’ first public miracle could easily be taken from an episode of the television show, Burn Notice. The show’s hero, Michael, is a former spy who has been framed to look like a traitor and who gets dumped in Miami with “no cash, no credit, and no job history.” He is determined to clear his name and get his old job back but in the meantime his mother (and his friends) keeps finding desperate people who could benefit from Michael’s special skills. Michael may want to concentrate on his own “mission” but when Mom says, “Someone needs your help, Michael,” Michael steps back from the big picture to go to the rescue.

Jesus has known at least since he was 12 what his special mission was. When his mother asked for his help at the wedding in Cana, it didn’t seem like part of the ultimate plan for his life. John doesn’t spell it out for us, but I speculate that Jesus – who was tempted like any of us – may have been tempted to concentrate on the forest and forget the trees. He could have become so focused on accomplishing his Father’s will that he forgot the human touch. His mother’s “interference” was a wake-up call at the onset of his ministry to remind him that people were the real purpose of his mission. Later events clearly reflect that the personal touch was the hallmark of his ministry.

Each of us has a ministry to perform. We can easily become so caught up in accomplishment that we neglect compassion. Perhaps we could use an occasional reminder from Mom that someone needs our help.

Lepers, untouched by the world, were loved by the Lord and made clean. Paralytics, abandoned by the world, were accepted by the Lord and made whole.*

July 13, 2026

Proverbs 23: 23 (NIV)

Buy the truth and do not sell it.

Truth isn’t decided by a majority vote or by power politics. It isn’t decided by the people with the biggest bank accounts, or who talk the loudest, or who use language most creatively. Truth is decided by God.*

Buy low, sell high. Classic advice for those who deal in commodities. Solomon’s recommendation for handling truth puts it in a different category from other valuable products. He doesn’t suggest that we shop around for a bargain – truth is worth whatever it costs. Once we have it, we should never trade it for anything else – no matter how high its value goes up. So . . . truth has a price; we should pay the price; and we should not sell it. 

What are we to do with it then? Again we find that truth differs from other valuable commodities. We can’t sell it for a profit but if we share it, its value increases and we never have less than we started with.

In John 14: 6, Jesus declares that he is The Truth. He is that fixed point from which we measure the trueness of everything else. Compared to Shaquille O’Neal, I am short. Compared to Danny DeVito, I am tall. Which am I, tall or short? In determining if a person is tall or short, you must establish a standard of height. Likewise, everything must be held up to Jesus as the standard for truth.

The most important truth about Jesus Christ is his saving truth. In the same verse in which he proclaims that he is the truth, Jesus also makes it clear that he is the only way to the Father. Buy that truth, no matter what it costs. Never sell it, no matter how tempting the offer. Share it and it will still be yours.

It would be the height of egotism to insist that you alone are the pathway to God – unless it happens to be true.*

July 12, 2026

I Corinthians 15: 58 (NIV)

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

 
God doesn’t ask us to be successful, only faithful.*

What situations might tempt us to believe that our labor for the Lord is in vain? Not enough money or appreciation? Being received with hostility or indifference? Not producing fruit at all? Any of these conditions could lead to discouragement. But Paul admonishes us to always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord – he doesn’t make concessions for extenuating circumstances. He doesn’t allow that we should consider giving up just because no one seems to be responding to the gospel. He reminds us of what we should already know: our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Ever.

I heard a comedian relate his experience with riding out a tornado in a houseboat. It was a dramatic and well-told tale but the ending is what stayed with me, even though I don’t remember the details: “It would have been more fun,” he said, “if I had known I was going to live through it.” We Christians have a clear advantage over this comedian. No matter how we get tossed about in life, we know that we have a happy ending to look forward to.

So stand firm. Continue to serve where God has called you no matter how futile your efforts may seem. Let nothing move you - except the Spirit of the Lord. And you will live happily ever after. Forever.

We are called to persevere, anticipating the day we’ll hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” But in the meantime, wouldn’t it be nice to get an encouraging interim report?*

July 11, 2026

I Corinthians 16: 17, 18 (NIV)

I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Sourpusses don’t attract a following.*

I used to think I was an extrovert. Or maybe I should say, I think I used to be an extrovert. In high school, when they were administering aptitude tests to help us determine our career path, I distinctly remember saying, “I want to work with people.” Well, that was before I had much experience with people.  After decades of dealing with the public, I find that people tend to drain me. I can still be a good team player but I really prefer to work independently.

Surprisingly, there are people out there who have the ability to boost my energy level. People like Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, who supplied Paul with what he needed and refreshed his spirit. How delightful it is to be in the presence of someone like them. And what would it be like to be one of them?

Each of us has the ability to be a Stephanas, a Fortunatus, or an Achaicus under the right circumstances. Let’s face it, we can’t be all things to all people all the time – but we can be something to some of them some of the time. Cultivate a generous spirit and concentrate on doing what you do well. Ask God to make you aware of needs that you can meet. Reflect on behaviors that refresh you and see if you can develop skills that don’t come naturally to you. Brighten the corner where you are!

And, when someone has supplied a need for you or has refreshed your spirit, follow Paul’s example and give them the recognition they deserve. Take another tip from Paul and tell them: “I always thank God for you, mentioning you in my prayers.” (I Thessalonians 1: 2, paraphrased.)

Sensitivity to need is an authentic sign of God-imaged humanity.*