Read: Luke 12:22-32 Study: Don’t be afraid” is one of the most common commands in the Bible for a reason. We tend to fear, to worry about what the future might hold. Our minds may see truth in Jesus’ question,“Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life?” (We know that…

Read: Isaiah 43:1-7 Study: Isaiah’s prophetic poetry spoke first to Israelites returning from exile in Babylon. The chance to return to their land was welcome, but it took a long, likely dangerous journey, often on foot. “Don’t fear,” was the divine message to them. “I will be with you.” Those words have strengthened and encouraged…

Read: Matthew 1:18-25 Study: “Do not be afraid.” These words must have been difficult for Joseph to hear. What would you think if your soon to be wife announced that she was pregnant and an angel appeared and told you to “not be afraid”? Joseph probably feared many things. He was afraid of the angel…

Read: Romans 8:24 Study: Like we have been saying all week, waiting can be a good and holy thing. In this letter, Paul is addressing the concerns of the Romans. They are facing oppression and are worried that they cannot endure any longer. Paul is reminding them that waiting does not always diminish. Like a…

Read: Psalm 52:8-9 Study: What does the Psalmist mean by saying, “I am like a green olive tree in the house of God.”? Did you know that there are olive trees that take up to twelve years to produce their first fruit? This means that we may not see the fruits of the Lord’s work…

Read: Psalms 37:9 Study: Remember that the Israelites were taken from their land when the Babylonians conquered them. They were made to live in a foreign land while other people claimed the land that they called home. In this Psalm, they are reminded that being patient will pay off. Those who were doing wrong in…

Read: Psalms 27:14 Study:  The theme for this week is waiting and patience. Patience is something that is difficult for most of us. We are busy people with busy schedules. In the age of the internet, when things are at our fingertips whenever we want them, when Amazon Prime delivers anything within 2 days, we…

Read: Matthew 20:20-28 Study: Jesus kept talking about the Kingdom of heaven, his Kingdom. Weren’t “kingdoms” about power, about who held the most powerful positions? James and John thought they’d be smart, and make their bid for power before the other disciples. “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. In Heaven’s Kingdom, there…