Freedom to serve and love

Freedom to serve and love

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become enslaved to one another. 14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you […]

Longing for God

Longing for God

1 As a deer longs for flowing streams,    so my soul longs for you, O God.2 My soul thirsts for God,    for the living God.When shall I come and behold    the face of God? Photo by Nathan McBride on Unsplash. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.​

In awe of God’s care

In awe of God's care

​3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,   the moon and the stars that you have established; 4 what are humans that you are mindful of them,    mortals that you care for them? 5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God    and crowned them with glory and honor. Photo by Brooke Lark […]

God’s offer of freedom and peace

God's offer of freedom and peace

​17 Hear what God says!     In the last days,    I will offer My Spirit to humanity as a libation.    Your children will boldly speak the word of the Lord.    Young warriors will see visions,        and your elders will dream dreams. 21  And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord      will be liberated into God’s freedom and peace. Photo of […]

Come

Come

​The Spirit and the bride say, "Come."And let everyone who hears say, "Come."And let everyone who is thirsty come.Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. Photo by Vitor Monthay on Unsplash. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.

Peace I leave with you

Peace I leave with you

​25 "I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate,[i] the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to […]

Outside the box

Outside the box

1 Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, 3 saying, "Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?" 4 Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, 5 "I was in the […]

My cup overflows

My cup overflows

You anoint my head with oil;    my cup overflows. Photo by Ekaterina Shakharova on Unsplash. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.

With Jesus

With Jesus

​3 Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, "Children, you […]

Enduring love

Enduring love

​29 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,    for his steadfast love endures forever. Left photo by Jakub Kriz on Unsplash. Right photo by Tomáš Malík on Unsplash. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.

New heaven and earth

New heaven and earth

​17 For I am about to create new heavens    and a new earth;the former things shall not be remembered    or come to mind.18 But be glad and rejoice forever    in what I am creating;for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy,    and its people as a delight.19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem,    and delight in my people;no more shall the sound […]