We have focused on rescue and restoration in the scripture lessons for this week. There is another word that begins with “R” that is appropriate for today’s reading: release. Paul writes...

Our friend, whom we will call Diane, stopped communicating with my wife and me. She used to text us several times a day, but now a week would go by without...

Joel promises that God will rescue and restore God’s people. Hardships will be reversed. Instead of sending swarming locusts to eat the crops, God will bring abundant rainfall in the spring...

Sometimes we make such a mess of life that the only recourse is a cry for help—for someone to rescue us from the depths of despair or from our own worst...

Now that we’ve looked at our lazy, stubborn judge, let’s consider the widow. All we know is that she is relentless. Convinced of the merits of her case (again, a case...

Jesus’ parables rarely state the lesson that we are supposed to take from them, but the introduction to this one gives it away: the “need to pray always and not to...

I popped a grape in my mouth the other day, expecting it to be sweet. Whew! It set my teeth on edge, the oddly satisfying pain shooting down my jawline. My...

The time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires.” The time is...

The epistle continues the commendation of scripture to us as a firm foundation for a life of faith and ministry, this time in a Christian key. In this first half of...

Our psalmist’s words exude self-satisfaction. Somebody is having a very good day! For people like the writer—who ruminates constantly on the divine commandments—there is never a misstep. They are immersed in...