Author Archives: patellison

A text – Isaiah 5:1-7 5 I will sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill.2 He dug it and cleared it of stones and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it and hewed out a wine vatContinue reading “The Vineyard of Stinky Grapes – Isaiah 5:1-7”

A text – Luke 12:49-56 49 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze! 50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tellContinue reading “Compassion and Impatience – Luke 12:49-56”

A text – Psalm 33:12-22 12 Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage. 13 The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all humankind.14 From where he sits enthroned he watches all the inhabitants of the earth—15 he who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.16 A kingContinue reading “Verses to Memorize – Psalm 33”

A text – Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the convictionof things not seen. 2 Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible. 8 By faith Abraham obeyed whenContinue reading “Invisible Structure – Hebrews 11”

A text – Luke 12:32-40 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is,Continue reading “Readiness – Luke 12:32-40”

A text – Psalm 49 1 Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world,2 both low and high, rich and poor together.3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp. 5 WhyContinue reading “Wealth and Faith – Psalm 49”

A text – Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 18-23 2 Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. 12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my mind to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven; it is an unhappy business that God has given toContinue reading “Looking for the Not Empty Thing – Ecclesiastes 1”

A text – Luke 12:13-21 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed, forContinue reading “Stepping Back – Luke 12:13-21”

A text – Psalm 138 1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,    for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.3 On the day I called, you answeredContinue reading “We Are God’s Creations – Psalm 138”

A text – Genesis 18:20-32 20 Then the Lord said, “How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin! 21 I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me, and if not, I will know.” 22 So the men turned from there and wentContinue reading “Petitioning Like a 3-Year-Old – Genesis 18:20-32”