Category Archives: Passage To Ponder

1 Peter 2:10-11

Do you ever feel like we’re living in a world where everything is upside down?

We live in a world where what used to be wrong, is now called right. Where evil is called good. And good is called evil.

We live in a world where we’re pressured not just to tolerate, but to endorse and celebrate every deviate lifestyle imaginable. Where the abnormal is considered normal. And now normal is outdated and called bigoted. Where boys can become girls, and girls can change into boys. And where the most basic understanding of human biology is now questioned, and highjacked with new pronouns. Continue reading

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John 8:1-11

“He who is without sin let him cast the first stone.”

This may be one of the most misunderstood, misused and misapplied Bible quotes by both Christians and non-Christians alike.

The quote occurs in today’s passage, while Jesus was teaching in the Temple. He was rudely interrupted by the scribes and Pharisees, parading an immoral woman, who was placed in the center of the crowd. Continue reading

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2 Peter 1:3-11

Gaius Plinius Secundus, called Pliny the Elder, lived during the days of Jesus and the apostles. He recorded an incredible story about the setting of an obelisk, which when erected would stand 99 feet tall.

Twenty thousand workers were chosen to pull on the ropes and activate the hoisting apparatus. There was great responsibility and risk in the operation. Just one error could cause the obelisk to fall, ruining years of work. Thus, the King demanded one act which insured the complete attention and best direction of the engineer. Continue reading

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1 Peter 2:1-10

In his book “A Gentle Thunder” Max Lucado tells the story of Karen Hill who is an Administrate Assistant in Austin, Texas. Karen underwent surgery in a local hospital and when she awoke in the recovery room, she could hear the moaning of a fellow patient. She could hear a sympathetic nurse trying to comfort him.

“Settle down, Tom,” she said.” But still he moaned. “It’s all right, Tom. Just go with the pain.”

The man was quiet for a few moments, but began groaning again. “It’s okay, Tom. You’ll be fine.” Finally the patient spoke. Continue reading

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James 2:1-13

I recently read that the 20th century Indian activist, Mahatma Gandhi, as a young man once considered converting to Christianity, thinking it would be the catalyst to emancipate India from the caste system.

After reading the gospels and  the teaching of Jesus, he thought applying Christian principles would solve the situation that deeply divided his people. So, one Sunday, he visited a nearby “Christian church.” Continue reading

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Mark 5:35-41

Today’s text comes to mind as we await the arrival of hurricane Ian, a cat 3 storm predicted to become a cat 4 as it barrels toward the Gulf Coast.

Jesus had finished a day of Kingdom teaching using parables. The apostles heard wonderful lessons designed to produce faith and point them to a hopeful future. Now, however, Jesus would give them a real life lesson in applying their faith. Continue reading

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2Corinthians 5:1-8

Her father died in infancy. When she was four years old she was left paralyzed following a spinal infection that rendered her an invalid She lived her life in a wheelchair. And suffered the uncertain ravages of the Civil War. But Jennie Bain Wilson lived a productive and joyful life as she grew up in rural Indiana.

In 1881, at age 25 she was carried into a creek in her wheelchair and baptized into Christ. She wrote, “It gave me much joy to thus confess my dear Savior.” Continue reading

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James 1:13-16

In Discipleship Journal, Don McCullough tells a story from John Killinger about the manager of a minor league baseball team who was so disgusted with his center fielder’s performance that he ordered him to the dugout and assumed the position himself.

The first ball that came into center field took a bad hop and hit the manager in the mouth. The next one was a high fly ball, which he lost in the glare of the sun–until it bounced off his forehead. The third was a hard line drive that he charged with outstretched arms; unfortunately, it flew between his hands and smacked his eye. Continue reading

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Matthew 22:34-40

I haven’t counted them, but Bible commentator Warren Wiersbe claims the Jews documented 613 commandments in the Old Law, 248 positive and 365 negative.

Supposedly they had divided the commandments into two basic categories, “heavy” or “important commandments” and “light” or “unimportant commandments.” Thus, one could focus on the “heavy commandments” and not worry about the “unimportant commandments.”

So, the issue among the religious leaders was an ongoing debate. “What is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Continue reading

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Matthew 17:1-8

Mountain top experiences. They are special. Both literally. And figuratively.

Norma Jean and I enjoy the mountains. We honeymooned in the Smoky Mountains and have been to the top of Clingman’s Dome many times, where on a clear day you can see 7 states. We’ve also marveled at the majesty of the Rocky Mountains and enjoyed the view from over 11,000 ft on the Continental Divide. And we’ve been blessed to enjoy the beauty and the break-taking view from Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii.

However, all of our experiences pale in comparison to the mountain top experience of Peter, James, and John when they stood on the mountain with Jesus in Matthew 17. Continue reading

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