Tag: justice

February 9, 2026

February 9th, 2026
Monday – Gospels

Reading – Luke 6

Highlight Verse:

““But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Are you willing to listen?

These are hard lessons to put into practice.

Our first response is to retaliate against those who hurt us.

I’m no exception. Relatively minor offenses like bad driving can trigger angry words in me.

Major offenses can trigger rage.

This is normal.

It’s even just on some level.

Until we think about the fact that we all fall short. We are all worthy of judgement.

If you have accepted it, that judgement falls on Jesus at the Cross.

Does that mean that we should just let people walk all over us?

Do you really think that our Father would want that?

He would desire a change in the people who hurt us that they would stop causing harm to others.
- Sometimes that starts with someone expressing forgiveness to them.
- Sometimes that starts with jail and healing comes though the justice system.
- Sometimes that behavior never changes and the offender needs to be stopped from hurting others by what ever means possible.
And still, we are called to forgive them, pray for them, and love them even if it is not accepted.

Without forgiving, the healing in us will be forever hindered.

Are there those who you need to forgive?
What thought patterns in you (and me) need to change to make thoughts of forgiveness come before thoughts of revenge?
November 17, 2025

November 17th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 21

Highlight Verse:

“Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Today I’m thankful for holy anger.

You could call it righteous indignation.

I’m not talking about the kind the indignation that keeps people hanging on to empty traditions.

I’m also not calling all traditions empty.

I am talking about the holy anger that Luther used against the corrupt practices of the church of his day.

That same kind of anger banished slavery.

Later, Luther’s namesake, Martin Luther King, Jr. brought it to bear against racial discrimination.

Jesus’ anger was not based on selfish desires but on true devotion to the Father that could not bear to see people using God to profit instead of truly worship.

While none of us have the direct authority that Jesus had in overturning the tables, we do have the responsibility to bring to light the injustices and corruption that we come across.

I write this not to sow division in the church. Instead,

I hope to help us find the best way to accomplish the purpose of bringing people to encounter and follow Jesus.

If we are doing things that drive people away from finding Jesus, that’s when I get angry.

What have you seen believers do that drives people away?
What can we do to correct those things?
October 15, 2025

October 15th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 2 Samuel 13-14

Highlight Verse:

“So at Absalom’s signal they murdered Amnon. Then the other sons of the king jumped on their mules and fled.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭13‬:‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This one verse raises so many questions.

The first thing that stands out to my slightly warped brain is, “Mules? Why mules? Didn’t they have horses?”

I don’t know the answer to that nor do I really care. The important thing is that they got away.

What next stands out to me is the fact that Absalom was incredibly persuasive. I’m sure his good looks helped, but to get people to kill for you takes a diabolical amount of persuasive power.

Looking back at his life, things look like they started going sideways when Amnon took advantage of his sister.

Instead of seeking justice, he sought revenge.

His revenge against Amnon came quickly but he extended his rage against his father and brothers.

More on that in the coming weeks.

Today we see Absalom’s rage turn pathological. It controlled him to the point that his actions became diabolical in the literal sense of the word.

He let the devil control his thoughts and actions in an attempt to destroy David’s kingdom.

All this started with taking justice into his own hands rather than turning it over to God and the justice system God put into place in Israel.

Terrible things happen. The need for justice can make people do desperate things.

But God is the ultimate judge and will bring justice one way or another.

Have you ever been tempted to take justice into your own hands?
What do you do when you doubt that justice will be served?
How can you help assure that proper justice will be served?
September 19, 2025

September 19th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 45-47

Highlight Verse:

“Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, for I am with you,” says the Lord. “I will completely destroy the nations to which I have exiled you, but I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you, but with justice; I cannot let you go unpunished.””
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭46‬:‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jeremiah is known for making people afraid.

It’s refreshing to hear him say to not be afraid.

Here’s the question I have to ask of the Bible for this verse, “Is the punishment spoken of here covered by the sacrifice of Jesus?”

I would say yes with a caveat.

The eternal circumstances of sin are covered by Jesus’ sacrifice for those who accept it.

That doesn’t mean that believers will not have to deal with the earthly consequences of their actions.

For example, if you break the law, you have to pay the penalties. Likewise, if you don’t control your spending, you could be in trouble with your creditors.

But fear not, God will bring you through.

Along the way, you may learn a little discipline to avoid the same problems.

What have you learned through God’s discipline?
How has God helped you through those times?
July 28, 2025

July 28th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Mark 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭15‬:‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Why would the soldiers call out the whole regiment?

In my first two years of high school, I went to school in a wealthy suburb of San Francisco. (I lived in one of the little duplexes at the bottom of the hill).

There was still a lot of racial tension back in the 1970s and when a fight broke out between a white local student and a black student that was bused in from East Palo Alto, hundreds ran down to the parking lot to watch.

It quickly escalated to a brawl.

I stayed as far away as I could.

It was a tough time to be a minority. My Mexican dad refused to speak Spanish at home for fear that us kids would learn and be discovered to be half Mexican.

The Roman Empire was a tough time and place to be a Hebrew.

The Roman soldiers would have thought it great fun to be given free reign to abuse and insult a Hebrew like Jesus.

They all gathered around to join in the “fun.”

It’s very easy to get caught up in the group mentality even when the group is going off the rails.

I’m sure there were some more levelheaded soldiers in that regiment, but they all gathered to take part in the abuse.

In this same chapter, some of the people who followed Jesus just days before shouted for his crucifixion.

I dare say that if I had been all white, I might have gotten caught up in that racist brawl.

We need to be diligent to follow Jesus even when the crowd goes a different way.

For those who are the victims of abuse, Jesus can truly understand what it is like to be abused.

His heart goes out to all those who have suffered abuse and discrimination.

Just like He healed bodies, He can heal your heart.

Have you ever gotten caught up in a bad group mentality? How did you break free from that?
How has Jesus healed your abused heart?
June 27, 2025

June 27th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 10-12

Highlight Verse:

““I have abandoned my people, my special possession. I have surrendered my dearest ones to their enemies.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you read this with a view of God as the old man in the sky judging every little bad thing we do,

you miss the point entirely.

This verse is part of a reply to Jeremiah when he complained about evil people prospering.

God basically says, “Quit your whining! I had to remove my protection from my children. There’s nothing that could possibly be harder.”

Jeremiah already knows the heart of the Father.

When he heard this reply, it would have reminded him how tough it was for God to allow His children, the nation of Israel, be conquered and taken captive.

He allowed that not out of a vindictive attitude toward them but because He knew it was the only way to turn their hearts back to Him in the long run.

He also knew it would set things up for Jesus to bring salvation to the world.

Trusting God’s wisdom when we can’t see the reason behind it is one of the toughest parts of faith.

But He always acts out of a heart of absolute love, no matter what it may look like to us.

Have you ever complained to God only to have him remind you that He knows what He is doing?
Has He ever had to let you fail before you came back to Him?
April 16, 2025

April 16th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 15-16

Highlight Verse:

“But before long, his hair began to grow back.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Samson was a mess.

God anointed him to save Israel with the gift of amazing strength. Even when he fulfilled that calling, he would do it with a selfish or vengeful attitude.

Then came his final downfall from his lustful trust of Delilah.

As far as Samson was concerned, it was over.

He’d blown it so badly that he was left a powerless, blind slave to his enemies, the enemies of Israel.

As he suffered, he contemplated his failure.

I’d like to say he repented, but that’s not clear.

But God still used him to bring defeat to the enemies of Israel. Samson used the strength that God returned to him to defeat the Philistines.

It’s a strange story I know. But here’s what I take from it.

It’s never too late.

No matter how badly we mess up, God can still bring redemption and purpose to our lives.

What stands out the most about Samson’s life to you?
Have you ever been in that place where you thought God could no longer use you? What brought you through that time?
February 26, 2025

February 26th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – Judges 1-3

Highlight Verse:

“Whenever the Lord raised up a judge over Israel, he was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime. For the Lord took pity on his people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering.”
‭‭Judges‬ ‭2‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The people of Israel didn’t need a king. They had the Lord.

The problem was, they didn’t know how to listen to the Lord. So

God gave them leaders who heard from God and inspired the people to overcome their problems through God’s power.

Why were the called judges?

It was because they established justice within Israel and brought justice to Israel’s enemies.

In the following chapters, we will read of many interesting characters who filled that role in the time of the judges.

What leaders have inspired you to follow God more closely?
How have you seen leaders bring justice?
January 12, 2025

January 12th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 4-6

Highlight Verse:

“Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This seems like an odd line for a song.

But when you look at the whole Psalm together, you find David singing about how people were talking behind his back, trying to ruin him.

By the end of the Psalm, we hear how God protected him.

In the middle, David advises himself to stay calm, presumably because God has it all under control.

David had good reason to be angry.

Sometimes we do to. (Though sometimes we don’t).

We would do well to take David’s advice and step back, maintain our integrity, and let God take care of it.

Sometimes we fail.

Sometimes David failed.

That’s why he wrote this Psalm to remind himself and us that God has it under control.

How do you react when people bad mouth you?
Have you ever stepped back and let God take care of it?
January 3, 2025

January 3rd, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Isaiah 1-3

Highlight Verse:

“Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath and your special days for fasting— they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

And that’s what God thinks of empty religion.

If your faith is an insurance policy paid for with pious acts of worship, singing on Sunday morning, paying your tithes, listening to the right music, not swearing, maybe even watching the babies at church once a month, then it is worthless.

But if your faith is visible through acts of love and charity (see verse 17) rooted in your love for God and trust in His leading, you have a true faith.

You may do all those religious things above, but you know that they are not your insurance policy.

If you have that true faith, you don’t need an insurance policy; you already have eternal life.

Out of the abundance of that life come all the good deeds, obedience, and yes, even meaningful religious acts.

Are you just religious, or alive in your faith?
When and how did you realize that faith ran far deeper than religion?

Tag: justice

These are hard lessons to put into practice.

Do you really think that our Father would want that?

Without forgiving, the healing in us will be forever hindered.

Today I’m thankful for holy anger.

I am talking about the holy anger that Luther used against the corrupt practices of the church of his day.

I hope to help us find the best way to accomplish the purpose of bringing people to encounter and follow Jesus.

If we are doing things that drive people away from finding Jesus, that’s when I get angry.

This one verse raises so many questions.

Instead of seeking justice, he sought revenge.

But God is the ultimate judge and will bring justice one way or another.

It’s refreshing to hear him say to not be afraid.

That doesn’t mean that believers will not have to deal with the earthly consequences of their actions.

Along the way, you may learn a little discipline to avoid the same problems.

Why would the soldiers call out the whole regiment?

It’s very easy to get caught up in the group mentality even when the group is going off the rails.

We need to be diligent to follow Jesus even when the crowd goes a different way.

His heart goes out to all those who have suffered abuse and discrimination.

you miss the point entirely.

God basically says, “Quit your whining! I had to remove my protection from my children. There’s nothing that could possibly be harder.”

Trusting God’s wisdom when we can’t see the reason behind it is one of the toughest parts of faith.

But He always acts out of a heart of absolute love, no matter what it may look like to us.

Samson was a mess.

As far as Samson was concerned, it was over.

But God still used him to bring defeat to the enemies of Israel. Samson used the strength that God returned to him to defeat the Philistines.

It’s never too late.

God gave them leaders who heard from God and inspired the people to overcome their problems through God’s power.

It was because they established justice within Israel and brought justice to Israel’s enemies.

This seems like an odd line for a song.

By the end of the Psalm, we hear how God protected him.

We would do well to take David’s advice and step back, maintain our integrity, and let God take care of it.

That’s why he wrote this Psalm to remind himself and us that God has it under control.

And that’s what God thinks of empty religion.

But if your faith is visible through acts of love and charity (see verse 17) rooted in your love for God and trust in His leading, you have a true faith.

If you have that true faith, you don’t need an insurance policy; you already have eternal life.