Author Archives: patellison

A text – Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in theContinue reading “Not Following Instructions – Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7”

A text – Matthew 4:1-11 4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But heContinue reading “Tests – Matthew 4:1-11”

A text – Psalm 2 1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and his anointed, saying,3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord has them in derision.5 ThenContinue reading “What Does God Want? Psalm 2”

A text – 2 Peter 1:16-21 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by theContinue reading “Eye-Witness Testimony – 1 Peter 1:16-21”

A text – Matthew 17:1-9 17 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talkingContinue reading “Listen to Him – Matthew 17:1-9”

A text – Psalm 112 1 Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments.2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever.4 They rise in the darkness as a light for the upright;Continue reading “The Result of Reverence – Psalm 112”

A text – Isaiah 58:1-9     58 Shout out; do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet!Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins.2 Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways,as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsakeContinue reading “Do the Right Thing – Isaiah 58:1-9”

A text – Matthew 5:13-20 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot beContinue reading “Salt and Light – Matthew 5:12-20”

A text – Psalm 15 1 O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? 2 Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right and speak the truth from their heart;3 who do not slander with their tongue and do no evil to their friends nor heap shame upon their neighbors;4 in whoseContinue reading “Abiding with God: Reward or Starting Place? – Psalm 15”

A text – 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 20 Where is theContinue reading “God Is Trustworthy – 1 Corinthians 1 :18-31”