Today’s Walk in the Word

We all stumble in many ways.              —James 3:2 My song leader and I were perched on the front pew, ready to lead the congregation in song and sermon following communion, which was now being served from the platform seven steps up. Our server, beginning his descent with trays of […]

What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.                               —James 4:14 At the time of this writing, average life expectancy in the United States is 78.4 years. Visualizing those years on a […]

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us. —2 Corinthians 5:21 Jesus’ agonizing shriek on the Cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” was answered with silence. Our Savior’s severance from our God can be comprehended only by awareness of the nature of sin—sin separates the sinner from […]

[B]e transformed by the renewing of your mind.                              —Romans 12:2 You are living well . . . When you scrap pessimism, realizing that negative thoughts never produce positive results. When you refuse to allow an event—“I failed”—to become an identity—“I’m a […]

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.     —Philippians 4:13 You are living well . . . When you live optimistically, certain that God “is able to do immeasurably more than all [you] ask or imagine” (Eph 3:20). When you accept that God has made you good at something, and live […]

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.          —1 Peter 4:10 You are living well . . . When you “look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Phil 2:4). When you nourish your faith, confident that when you feed faith, […]

[B]e clear minded and self-controlled.                           —1 Peter 4:7 You are living well . . . When you let go of the past, enjoy the present, and face the future with faith. When you focus on your responsibilities instead of your rights. When […]

My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow.                       —Mark 14:34 In Gethsemane, Jesus “began to be filled with horror and deep distress” (Mk 14:33 NLT). He needed companionship in those agonizing hours. He asked Peter, James, and John, to stay close—to watch and pray—as he went […]

Love does no harm to its neighbor.                —Romans 13:10 You’re facing a “Do I?” or “Don’t I?” decision. It may be about spending, temptation, habit, gratification, or dealing with a difficult person. Put your finger on the pause button and measure what you’re thinking about doing by these […]

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths.       —Ephesians 4:29 You’ve been hurt, offended, mistreated, and you’re hotter’n a microwave. You’re not going to take it anymore; you’re going to give her a piece of your mind. Before you do, punch the pause button and measure what you’re about […]