Scripture [The woman was bent over and quite unable to stand up straight.] When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. Luke 13:12–13 Spiritual Focus “For to be free…
Scripture “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 Spiritual Focus “Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another.” George Eliot Devotion Purity is the topic of many sacred Scripture passages. Do’s and don’ts prescribe for adherents the rules for living a moral, ethical life. Famously,…
Scripture Saving is all [God’s] idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save…
Scripture If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can…
Scripture On either side of the river is the tree of life . . . , and the leaves of the tree are for healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more. Revelation 22:2b–3a NRSV Spiritual Focus “Health and healing are about more than the eradication of disease. Health is…
Scripture Take action, for it is your duty, and we are with you; be strong, and do it. Ezra 10:4 NRSV Spiritual Focus “With a new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” Eleanor Roosevelt Devotion Telling stories is one way to teach and learn new ways of thinking. A local church told the…
Scripture Let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I’ll probably never fully understand. We’re not all going to die—but we are all going to be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51 The Message Spiritual focus “Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis for humankind’s desire to understand.” Neil Armstrong Devotion The mystery of who Jesus…
Scripture I will praise you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name. Psalm 63:4 NRSV Spiritual Focus “I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” Martin Luther Devotion…
Scripture With the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which [God] has called you, what are the riches of God’s glorious inheritance among the saints. Ephesians 1:18 NRSV Spiritual Focus “Until we can receive with an open heart, we are never really giving with an open heart.” Brene’ Brown…
Scripture He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 NRSV Spiritual Focus “We are all just walking each other home.” Ram Dass Devotion Our home state, Minnesota, has a…