God of fresh starts

https://odb.org/2025/05/05/god-of-the-fresh-start 2 Chronicles 33:10–17 (NIV): 10 The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. 11 So the LORD brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. 12 In his distressContinue reading “God of fresh starts”

The 12 spies

https://odb.org/2025/04/29/hopeless-or-hopeful Numbers 13:26–33 (NIV): 26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There, they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sentContinue reading “The 12 spies”

Testing produces perseverance

https://odb.org/2025/04/25/832-steps James 1:2–6, 12 (NIV): 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you shouldContinue reading “Testing produces perseverance”

Confessing our sins

https://odb.org/2025/04/24/hidden-toxins Proverbs 28:9–13 (ESV): 9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,even his prayer is an abomination.10 Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit,but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance. 11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understandingContinue reading “Confessing our sins”

Forgiveness and gratitude

https://odb.org/2025/04/23/to-infinity-and-beyond Matthew 18:21–35 (NIV): 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts withContinue reading “Forgiveness and gratitude”

Love the foreigner

https://odb.org/2025/04/22/loving-others Deuteronomy 10:14–19 (NIV): 14 To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. 15 Yet the LORD set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today. 16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not beContinue reading “Love the foreigner”

Clean from the inside

https://odb.org/2025/04/21/deep-clean Matthew 23:23–26 (NIV): 23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practised the latter without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain outContinue reading “Clean from the inside”

He is the Risen Christ!

https://odb.org/2025/04/20/the-best-evidence Acts 2 – 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” ‘ 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whomContinue reading “He is the Risen Christ!”

Blessed Good Friday

https://odb.org/2025/04/17/life-and-death-in-christ John 12:23–26 (NIV): 23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will loseContinue reading “Blessed Good Friday”

Forget me not

https://odb.org/2025/04/18/to-be-remembered Luke 23:39–43 (NIV): 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But thisContinue reading “Forget me not”