When the Pharisees grumbled at Jesus for welcoming sinners, he told the parables of the lost sheep and coin. These stories demonstrate the Father’s deep love in his willingness to leave the many to rescue the one and in the joy of heaven when the lost ones come home. Instead of condemning the Pharisees, we are invited to examine our own hearts. Where do we hold contempt for others? Following the path of Jesus means seeing our neighbors—who are sick, sad, and scared—with compassion and love.

In the fourth installment of a five-part series on 1 Samuel 1-3, Bishop Paul emphasizes the need for deeply mature disciples. During Samuel’s childhood, the spiritual leadership in Israel was corrupt. Yet, even amid the depravity around him, Samuel chose to remain in the presence of the Lord. As he grew, the Lord shaped him into the kind of leader who would act righteously. When we find ourselves in places of darkness and corruption, we can be assured that God will meet us there and grow us, as we are present to his presence.

In this third installment of the series in 1 Samuel, Bishop Paul unpacks the significance of Hannah’s song of praise. Hannah gives thanks to God, because she can see him at work in her life and in the nation of Israel. Her eyes are open to the Lord’s work, because she knows him—that he is her savior, and that he is steadfast. May we learn from Hannah’s song of thanks and sing our own in response to God’s work in our lives. Next week continues the series. 

Canon Jonathan teaches that Psalm 46 offers us refuge in times of crisis. When everything we thought was solid seems to melt away, we are not alone. We have a companion in the Psalmist. We are reminded of what we already know but so easily forget during hardship: no matter how catastrophic, dangerous, or overwhelming our moment might be, we don’t have to be afraid. We are reminded that we need not fear, because a day is coming when we will not fear.

In the second installment of a five-part series on 1 Samuel, Bishop Paul discusses the profound generosity of Hannah in returning the son for whom she prayed back to the Lord. Hannah dedicated Samuel’s life to the Lord’s service, in keeping with her promise, and for the sake of all Israel. Even during a time of failing leadership, God was at work. And he is at work today. Like Hannah, we have freely received and we are to freely give. And our giving will help prepare the way for the Lord in our world today. Next week continues the series.

In the first installment of a five-part series on 1 Samuel, Bishop Paul describes Hannah—the mother of Samuel—as an exemplar of prayerful endurance. Hannah experienced being barren and beaten down, both in her personal life and in society during this dark period in Israel’s history. In her distress, she wept bitterly and prayed a prayer. It wasn’t polished or sanitized; it was raw, honest, powerful. In the midst of the darkness we face, we must learn to pray with endurance as she did. Next week continues the series.

Canon Jonathan describes what greed can look like in our everyday lives and how to guard against it. The problem is not what we possess, but where we put our trust. When we turn to money to make us happy or keep us safe, this is idolatry. But Jesus invites us to trust our Father in heaven who cares for us and releases us from the worry of sustaining ourselves.

We are surrounded by a restless consumerism and insatiable desire for more—all of which produces anxiety, stress, and comparison. But this is not the life God wants for us. There is a better way: to walk in Christ. Father Travis Wilson describes what it means to walk in Christ, to believe him and what he says about us, and to remain rooted in his love.

Amidst the countless conflicts we face in life—personal, communal, global—Bishop Paul reminds us that our neighbor is not our enemy. When we remember that there is a cosmic, spiritual dimension to the conflicts we face, our response can be faithful and restorative. We must neither forget nor fear the devil. Rather, we learn in Ephesians to frustrate the devil’s destructive plans by putting on God’s armor through Christ-like living and trusting his promise to fight for us.

This week, Bishop Paul invites us to behold our future with God—a future that extends far beyond the span of our lives on this earth. Revelation 21 gives us a vision of heaven that is real and tangible, promised to those who are in Christ. The question is, do we think about this vision of heaven enough? And does it affect the way we live right now?