Matthew 20:21-22

 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” Be…

Isaiah 8:9-10

              Be broken, you peoples, and be shattered;        give ear, all you far countries;                    strap on your armor and be shattered;        strap on your armor and be shattered.              10       Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing;        speak a word, but it will not stand,        for God is with us.  It was relatively early in the…

Psalm 114

When Israel went out from Egypt,        the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,              2       Judah became his sanctuary,        Israel his dominion.                3       The sea looked and fled;        Jordan turned back.              4       The mountains skipped like rams,        the hills like lambs.                5       What ails…

Ruth 3:17-18

These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said to me, ‘You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.’ ” 18 She replied, “Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest but will settle the matter today. “Let’s let this thing play out.” This can be an…

Matthew 5:4

Matthew 5:4 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands. I’ve got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart. These may be familiar songs from Sunday School. Joy and happiness are hallmarks of our faith. What then do we make of this Beatitude from Jesus…

Matthew 5:3

Matthew 5:3 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Ask anyone on the street what the first Beatitude means and they will probably say those who are not rich will be blessed. If they happen to know their Scripture (Don’t hold your breath), they may even say Luke backs this up by recording…