The great commandment

Love at the core I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; With my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 89:1   Read Matthew 22:34—40 If I pull back the camera and look at this passage in the middle of what is said around it, it is as I…

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Christian freedom and humility

The active life Happy if with my latest breath I may but gasp his name. Charles Wesley   Read Hebrew 4:9—13 Tonight I am met with contrasting messages or images and I need to see where the word of the Lord to me lies. On the one hand I’m called toward rest. Sabbath rest. Which…

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Christian freedom and humility

The world has been crucified to me But with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, Says the Lord, your Redeemer. Isaiah 54:8   Read Galatians 6:14—18 In these little phrases I feel that the world around me is almost robbed from me. It seems to disappear. It has been killed off. ‘The world…

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Christian freedom and humility

Friend of sinners Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be like snow. Isaiah 1:18   Read Galatians 2:17—21 So let me sort this: I’ve been crucified. I’ve died. I’ve died with Christ. I’ve died, at least, to all my efforts to deserve God. My life with God has come to me, but it…

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Christian freedom and humility

True worship That your way may be known upon earth, Your saving power among all nations. Psalm 67:2   Read Isaiah 1:10—17 Sometimes worship at my church can go very well. There are times when my own mood for worship can be a bit off, but, one way or another, one time or another, one…

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Christian freedom and humility

Out of the heart I will study the way that is blameless. When shall I attain it? Psalm 101:2   Read Matthew 15:10—20 The point is to attend to my heart. The place to start would really be — no better place — a time like this, which I have set aside to be a…

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Christian freedom and humility

The Lord of the Sabbath And on the seventh day God finished the work he had done, And rested on the seventh day. Genesis 2:2   Read Matthew 12:1—8 I think if I am one of those narrow-hearted nitpickers I really need to get right inside a scene like this one. Because, as narrow as…

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Christian freedom and humility

The freedom of healing Who forgives all your iniquity, Who heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:3   Read Luke 14:1—6 It’s a bit rich that Jesus had to justify his actions when he healed a man. Any kind of healing barely needs justification. And why not on the Sabbath? The Sabbath was a day of…

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The strong consolation

The deeds of the saints Till we cast our crowns before thee, Lost in wonder, love and praise. Charles Wesley.   Read Revelation 19:6—10 Of the rich pictures in this reading one in particular addresses me. I see a bride clothed. I think she would be the church, so I see myself somehow in this…

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The strong consolation

Like a bride You are altogether beautiful, my love; There is no flaw in you. Song of Solomon 4:7   Read Isaiah 49:14—21 If I survey my life, end to end, as long as I have lived to date, I will surely find some times when I have been forlorn. When I have felt forgotten.…

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