A Weekly Walk in the Word

Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

When you believe there is good in the world, you are able to bring your good to every situation, sharing it with everyone you meet. You may be exactly what your friend needs today. Pour Jesus’ love into the world as your heart overflows into your words.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Luke 7:11-35

Monday – Luke 7:36-8:3

Tuesday – Luke 8:4-21

Wednesday – Luke 8:22-39

Thursday – Luke 8:40-9:6

Friday – Luke 9:7-27

Saturday – Luke 9:28-50

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and thee dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

The verses above are not verses from this weeks readings. Instead, they are the verses my daughter read at my mom’s funeral on Monday. As hard as it was to say goodbye, I find comfort in this passage. I did not say goodbye forever. I said goodbye until we meet again in the clouds. I will continue to look up knowing that she and Jesus are waiting for me in heaven.

Mark 16:4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. (My favorite verse from last week’s readings)

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Luke 3:23-38

Monday – Luke 4:1-30

Tuesday – Luke 4:31-5:11

Wednesday – Luke 5:12-28

Thursday – Luke 5:29-6:11

Friday – Luke 6:12-38

Saturday – Luke 6:39-7:10

Mark 15:33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.

My world filled with darkness this week on Wednesday night when my mom passed away. Life will never be the same again without her smile and all the conversations we had about, well almost everything. She was always happy to share her opinions. My world feels very dark and difficult to navigate right now. But because of Jesus, I know there are brighter days to come. My mom has moved from pain to comfort. Today she is dancing with the angels in the light of heaven.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…….

Sunday – Mark 16:1-20

Monday – Luke 1:1-25

Tuesday – Luke 1:26-56

Wednesday – Luke 1:57-80

Thursday – Luke 2:1-35

Friday – Luke 2:36-52

Saturday – Luke 3:1-22

Mark 7:34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (Which means, “Be opened!”)

Jesus spoke the word Ephphatha and the man’s ears were opened! Jesus speaks the same word to us – Ephphatha – to be open, as we listen for Jesus. Be open to new experiences. Be open to new people. Be open to new possibilities. Be open to new opportunities. This week when you pray, pray with your hands open and your palms up. As you experiment with this new posture of prayer, be open to Jesus’ call in your life.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Mark 8:11-8:38

Monday – Mark 9:1-9:29

Tuesday – Mark 9:30-10:12

Wednesday – Mark 10:13-10:31

Thursday – Mark 10:32-10:52

Friday – Mark 11:1-11:26

Saturday – Mark 11:27-12:17

Mark 1:16-18 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Jesus calls not only Simon and Andrew to be fishers of men, but he calls you and me to go fishing as well. The way we fish looks different for everyone depending on the individual unique gifts we have been given. Share a personal fishing story with someone you love, and say yes to Jesus this week as you cast your line into the water.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Mark 3:31-4:25

Monday – Mark 4:26-5:20

Tuesday – Mark 5:21-5:43

Wednesday – Mark 6:1-6:29

Thursday – Mark 6:30-6:56

Friday – Mark 7:1-7:23

Saturday – Mark 7:24-8:10

Matthew 26:11-12 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.

These verses hit me hard this week as we received bad news from my mom’s doctor. Her cancer has spread and there is nothing more they can do for her. My sisters and I moved her to hospice to care for her needs as they make her as comfortable as possible. What a wonderful organization pouring perfume on my mother’s body.

At this point, I can’t even imagine life without my mom. My only comfort is knowing that my Jesus has gone down this same path. And that soon my mama will be in heaven celebrating with Jesus. Oh what a day that will be!

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Matthew 27:15-31

Monday – Matthew 27:32-66

Tuesday – Matthew 28:1-20

Wednesday – Mark 1:1-28

Thursday – Mark 1:29-2:12

Friday – Mark 2:13-3:6

Saturday – Mark 3:7-30

Matthew 22:30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

I have been blessed to be married to the most wonderful, caring man for over 38 years. I love being married to Mike. So, when I read Matthew 22:30 this week, it made me a little sad. Until I realized that I am married to my best friend. He may not be my husband in heaven, but he will ALWAYS be my friend!

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are……

Sunday – Matthew 24:1-24:28

Monday – Matthew 24:29-24:51

Tuesday – Matthew 25:1-25:30

Wednesday – Matthew 25:31-26:13

Thursday – Matthew 26:14-26:46

Friday – Matthew 26:47-26:68

Saturday – Matthew 26:69-27:14

Matthew 15:17-20 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man unclean, but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean.”

For one day – 24 hours – concentrate more on what you put in your heart than what you put in your stomach. Think of the time spent to prepare or eat out 3 meals a day, plus snacks. Spend at least that much time in the Word and prayer. Instead of food going into our mouth, spread love coming out of your mouth. Let the love from your heart land on your children, spouse, friends, enemies and strangers through your words.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…….

Sunday – Matthew 19:13-19:30

Monday – Matthew 20:1-20:28

Tuesday – Matthew 20:29-21:22

Wednesday – Matthew 21:23-21:46

Thursday – Matthew 22:1-22:33

Friday – Matthew 22:34-23:12

Saturday – Matthew 23:13-23:39

Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

I was in Wisconsin this past week caring for my parents. During my stay, we had a conversation about their funeral wishes and desires for burial. Following our discussion, I met with their cemetery’s contact person to view available plots. It was a relatively simple decision as I feel like I found the perfect final resting place for my parents. We shared contact information and completed the paperwork. It all seemed pretty easy…. Until I got in my car to drive away. The finality of this decision hit me hard as I began to sob uncontrollably. I love my parents and want nothing but the best for them, which includes them living forever. I cherish every phone call, every visit and every hug. I was comforted the next morning as I read Matthew 12:40 that even Jesus died and was laid to rest in the heart of the earth. Jesus understands my aching heart. Jesus will be with me when the time comes to lay my parents in the heart of the earth.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…..

Sunday – Matthew 14:13-14:36

Monday – Matthew 15:1-15:28

Tuesday – Matthew 15:29-16:12

Wednesday – Matthew 16:13-17:9

Thursday – Matthew 17:10-17:27

Friday – Matthew 18:1 – 18:20

Saturday – Matthew 18:21-19:12

Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus came to lead. He led his disciples. He led the religion teachers. He led the crowds who gathered to hear him. All who had faith in the shepherd were led to a better place. Jesus, our shepherd continues to lead today. I have heard it said that the youth in our churches will either lead or leave. Let’s encourage our kids to become leaders in the church and in the world.

I would love to hear what your favorite verse was from last week’s readings. This week’s readings are…….

Sunday – Matthew 10:24-11:6

Monday – Matthew 11:7-11:30

Tuesday – Matthew 12:1-12:21

Wednesday – Matthew 12:22-12:45

Thursday – Matthew 12:46-13:23

Friday – Matthew 13:24 – 13:46

Saturday – Matthew 13:47-14:12