Today’s Community Scripture – 5/5/2025

Dear Theophilus, in the first volume of this book I wrote on everything that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he said good-bye to the apostles, the ones he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God. As they met and ate meals together, he told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but “must wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon.” When they were together for the last time they asked, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?” He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.”

Acts 1:1–8 (MSG)

– Reflection:

Take a moment to remember why we’re doing this. Have you ever been so caught up in the thought of a task that you forget the big picture? This has happened to me often while working on a small design project around the house; sometimes I couldn’t see the forest for the trees. I became so distracted trying to get the details right for the look I wanted that I lost sight of the goal. I am grateful for the tech-savvy individuals who make a career of perfecting designs so the rest of us don’t have to (thank goodness), but that wasn’t my purpose. Mine is a technical one, just not in all tech spaces. My aim is to use my skills and abilities to do things with my gifts that make it easier for those with whom I am talking and mentoring with joy and care.

– Where do we go from here?

As we transition from Luke to Acts, this is what the author provides for us. The books are regarded as two volumes of a larger whole, written as a pair by the same author. I appreciate the step back at the beginning of the second volume to remind us what has happened so far: the author has documented the life of Jesus up to the final instructions Jesus leaves for the apostles. Amid all the accounts and anecdotes, we are reminded of the big picture. Luke has been a witness to the life of Christ; Acts will be a witness to the development of the early church. Among the names of people, places, and communities, let us not forget the larger narrative of God’s story.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus and the early communities who received and shared His story. Help us also to be a part of spreading your love and the Good News. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/30/2025

Moses said, “If your presence doesn’t take the lead here, call this trip off right now. How else will it be known that you’re with me in this, with me and your people? Are you traveling with us or not? How else will we know that we’re special, I and your people, among all other people on this planet Earth?” GOD said to Moses: “All right. Just as you say; this also I will do, for I know you well and you are special to me. I know you by name.” Moses said, “Please. Let me see your Glory.” GOD said, “I will make my Goodness pass right in front of you; I’ll call out the name, GOD, right before you. I’ll treat well whomever I want to treat well and I’ll be kind to whomever I want to be kind.” GOD continued, “But you may not see my face. No one can see me and live.” GOD said, “Look, here is a place right beside me. Put yourself on this rock. When my Glory passes by, I’ll put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I’ve passed by. Then I’ll take my hand away and you’ll see my back. But you won’t see my face.”

Exodus 33:15–23 (MSG)

Key Verse – GOD continued, “But you may not see my face. No one can see me and live.” Exodus 33:20 (MSG)

– Reflection:

We’re made for fear. We’re made to live with fear, not without it, as we’d like. It’s just, as so often happens, we get preoccupied with things we can see and hear and touch. But these aren’t what we’re supposed to fear—not people, nor circumstances. About such things, our King, Jesus Christ says, “do not fear”. No, we’re meant to fear a fearsome God.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”.

But what does it mean to fear God? Mostly it means keeping our thinking straight. It means seeing God, in all his power, in proper relation and proportion to the people and problems in this world. Though we sometimes act as if he were, God isn’t smaller than financial hardship, difficult work situations, difficulties with children. He’s not equal to them. He’s so much bigger, so much more powerful, even comparing doesn’t make sense. He’s alpha and omega. He’s the beginning and the end of everything.

Where do we go from here?

Name your biggest fears. Write them down. Look at them. Imagine them as God sees them. How frightening are they now? The truth is that the things we can see, hear, and touch are never our ultimate threats, especially not when God is around—and He always is. Our ultimate threat is choosing to live as if these things are bigger than He.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for covering us as you moved to protect us from witnessing your full power. You know what is best for us, even when we think we know what we want. You understood that Moses couldn’t grasp the full vision of who and what you are. And you continue to protect us each and every day, too. Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/29/2025

Regarding Zion, I can’t keep my mouth shut, regarding Jerusalem, I can’t hold my tongue, Until her righteousness blazes down like the sun and her salvation flames up like a torch. Foreign countries will see your righteousness, and world leaders your glory. You’ll get a brand-new name straight from the mouth of God. You’ll be a stunning crown in the palm of God’s hand, a jeweled gold cup held high in the hand of your God. No more will anyone call you Rejected, and your country will no more be called Ruined. You’ll be called Hephzibah (My Delight), and your land Beulah (Married), Because God delights in you and your land will be like a wedding celebration. For as a young man marries his virgin bride, so your builder marries you, And as a bridegroom is happy in his bride, so your God is happy with you.

Isaiah 62:1–5 (MSG)

Key Verse – You’ll get a brand-new name straight from the mouth of God. Isaiah 62:2 (MSG)

– Reflection :

There are many negative labels that the enemy would like to give you: average, not talented, not good enough, unattractive, inferior, washed up, a victim. From an early age, he’ll try to change your name through disappointments, through people who attempt to bring you down, through your own mistakes and failures. But when you learn to reclaim your name as the person he created you to be, as the individual he calls you, all the forces of darkness cannot stop you.

– Where do we go from here?

Allow your Heavenly Father to define who you are—not society, not your errors, nor your past experiences. He identifies you as exceptional, redeemed, and forgiven. He sees you as healthy and free. He acknowledges you as unique, a change-maker, and a giant slayer. He refers to you as a son of strength and a daughter of purpose. Your new identity is blessed, prosperous, confident, capable, and victorious. You are a child of the Most High God. Now, it’s essential to align with God’s perspective. Let His designation for you take precedence over any others. Continually affirm what God says about you.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, we thank You for having the right to name us. We appreciate that Your names for us takes precedence over every other label we’ve received and the errors of our past. We will identify ourselves as You do and grow into who You claim we are. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Today’s Community Scripture – 4/28/2025

While they were saying all this, Jesus appeared to them and said, “Peace be with you.” They thought they were seeing a ghost and were scared half to death. He continued with them, “Don’t be upset, and don’t let all these doubting questions take over. Look at my hands; look at my feet—it’s really me. Touch me. Look me over from head to toe. A ghost doesn’t have muscle and bone like this.” As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. They still couldn’t believe what they were seeing. It was too much; it seemed too good to be true. He asked, “Do you have any food here?” They gave him a piece of leftover fish they had cooked. He took it and ate it right before their eyes.

Luke 24:36–43 (MSG)

– Reflection:

I believe this will wrap up Luke for us right here. This is my perspective on what I read and how I viewed him as the ultimate friend by not holding each apostle accountable for what happened during his torture and execution. This is just a personal interpretation for me, and I would have understood if something like this had happened. You have one of your guys come and turn you in to the police by kissing you on the cheek, then your rock(Peter) says he didn’t know you and had never seen you before, while the others just scattered. I think they never truly believed until he rose from the dead. I know Jesus was GOD made flesh so that he could walk among us and experience life as we do. Having done so, only he could have come back and accomplished what he did. For us as people, we would have called each of them out and let them know how we felt about what they did in our time of need. Again, only GOD can do what was done.

– Where do we go from here?

We must continue to follow Jesus’ ways, just as the disciples did after he left and went home. They stood in the fire and later were able to make up for what they did against him on that fateful night. All of them sacrificed themselves for Jesus and the way he moved while on earth. For us, though, we don’t have him, yet we still believe and honor him with each day we awaken in great health, carrying the responsibility to make the world a better place for all. Let’s walk our paths, family, and continue being the light that the world needs.

– Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for not being a vengeful person and burning the world for what was done to you. You knew what was written and what your task was from your father. You were strong in your obedience; now we will step up and do the same. Honoring you every day is a true blessing that we are happy to strive for. Amen.