“Are you kidding us, Peter?” The circumcised early Christians criticized Peter and demanded he explain why he dared to eat with “those Gentiles,” who might have accepted the word of God...

Who would not want God to wipe every tear from their eyes and remove causes for mourning, crying, and grieving—even death—from their life? The visions that the narrator describes include the...

Psalm 148 is a thorough source of guidance for anyone who ever wonders why, when, where, or how to praise God. Whether down in the pit or up in heaven, everyone...

The final part of this passage echoes Psalm 23. There will be no more hunger or thirst or pain. The shepherd will provide shelter, protection, nourishment, refreshment, and comfort. There is,...

This is a heartwarming passage for a city girl! Heaven is multicultural and densely populated. The palm branches—a symbol of victory and thanksgiving—remind us of the crowds who sang praises as...

Which comes first for a Christian disciple: believing or belonging? I believe that belonging is the starting point. Jesus calls his disciples to follow him long before he asks them about...

I have spent eight years of my life in Russia, so I have a strong reaction to the phrase “it was winter” in this passage. I immediately begin to feel cold!...

“Please come to us without delay.” I wonder if you have ever received a message like that. For me, it brings back memories of being called to the hospital because a...

On a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, we stopped off en route from Jerusalem to Jericho at the place known as the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Though probably not...

As a city girl, I sometimes get frustrated by the rural imagery that is used in our worship. I agree that green pastures and still waters can be good for the...