Author Archives: patellison

A text – Matthew 22:1-1422:1 Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying:22:2 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son.22:3 He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come.22:4 Again he sentContinue reading “Comfortable Jeans to a Wedding – Matthew 22”

A text: Psalm 80:7-1580:7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.80:8 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.80:9 You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.80:10 The mountains were covered with its shade,Continue reading “For Any and All Who Pass – Psalm 80”

A text – Philippians 3:4b-143:4b If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more:3:5 circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;3:6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church;Continue reading “Emptied into a New Life – Philippians 3”

A text – Matthew 21:33-4621:33 “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country.21:34 When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to theContinue reading “Owners or Tenants? Matthew 21”

A text – Psalm 25:1-925:1 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.25:2 O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.25:3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame; let them be ashamed who areContinue reading “A Psalm for the Teachable – Psalm 25”

A text — Philippians 2:1-132:1 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy,2:2 make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, butContinue reading “Sharing the Mind of Christ – Philippians 2”

A text – Matthew 21:23-3221:23 When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”21:24 Jesus said to them, “I will also ask you one question; if youContinue reading “Up-Ending Expectations – Matthew 21”

A text — Psalm 100100:1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth.100:2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing.100:3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.100:4 Enter his gatesContinue reading “Gladness – Really Big or Really Tiny – Psalm 100”

Exodus 12:1-1412:1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt:12:2 This month shall for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you.12:3 Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for eachContinue reading “Following Instructions to the Letter of the Law – Exodus 12”

A text — Matthew 18:15-2018:15 “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.18:16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so thatContinue reading “Use Power for the Powerless – Matthew 18”