Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.” John 6:26 NRSV “It’s spiritually dead here!” explains the middle-aged woman to me. “How so?” “Nothing ever happens here!” she says, using her hands to exaggerate the point. “Nothing of God ever happens here. Is that what you’re saying?” “Yes, Pastor! It’s dead!” “I’d beg to differ with you.” “You’re the pastor. I would expect you to di

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) This verse is one of the most often quoted verses of scripture. Some call this their life verse or a verse given during times of waiting to bring hope during trials. Have you ever checked the background of this verse? Was this verse written to individuals as a source of encouragement? Recently, articles have appeared that hav

“I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord, and He inclined to me and heard my cry…Blessed-happy, fortunate (to be envied)-is the man who makes the Lord his refuge and trust, and turns not to the proud or to followers of false gods.” (Ps. 40:1 and 4) (Amplified Version) There are times in life and faith that we want to know what we will encounter over life’s uneven journey. And even more, when the trials of life and faith come before us, we want to know that our faith

Jesus Anointed at Bethany 6 While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a be