Author Archives: patellison

A text – Psalm 70 70:1 Be pleased, O God, to deliver me. O LORD, make haste to help me!70:2 Let those be put to shame and confusion who seek my life. Let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire to hurt me.70:3 Let those who say, “Aha, Aha!” turn back becauseContinue reading “Ducking Down – Psalm 70”

A text – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring withContinue reading “A Promised Future Gives Hope – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18”

A text – Matthew 25:1-13 25:1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.25:2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.25:3 When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;25:4 but the wise took flasks of oil withContinue reading “Preparing and Waiting in Hope – Matthew 25:1-13”

A text – Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 107:1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, those he redeemed from trouble107:3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from theContinue reading “Lostness and Salvation – Psalm 107”

A text – Micah 3:5-12 3:5 Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry “Peace” when they have something to eat, but declare war against those who put nothing into their mouths.3:6 Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without revelation. The sunContinue reading “The Fate of Misleaders – Micah 3”

A text – Matthew 23:1-12 23:1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,23:2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat;23:3 therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.23:4 They tie up heavy burdens, hardContinue reading “Knowing Our Place – Matthew 23:1-12”

A text – Psalm 1 1:1 Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;1:2 but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night.1:3 They are like treesContinue reading “How to Flourish Permanently – Psalm 1”

A text – 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 2:1 You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain,2:2 but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of greatContinue reading “Loving Those We Serve – 1 Thessalonians 2”

A text – Matthew 22:34-46 22:34 When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together,22:35 and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.22:36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”22:37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all yourContinue reading “Human and Divine – Matthew 22:34-46”

A text – Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13) 96:1 O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.96:2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.96:3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.96:4 For great is the LORD,Continue reading “Flattering God? Psalm 96:1-13”