RG AUDIO 021417   Psalm 23:1-6 Lori could not have imagined as her body gave in to the sweet relief of sleep that the shrill ring of the telephone that shattered the stillness of night would usher her family into a very dark season of life. Her children’s father was gone. At 44 years of […]

RG AUDIO 021317   2 Corinthians 4:7-18 It is winter. The landscape is barren, and the air is choked with dark fog. It is a bleak reflection of the reality of loss. Even in winter, we are left to wonder what lies beneath the things that are visible to our eyes. The apostle Paul’s words […]

RG AUDIO 021217   Psalm 145:13-21 Our merciful God upholds those who fall. He sees them stumble, fall short, fail miserably, and, out of compassion, raises them up. God, whose dominion lasts through generation after generation and whose kingdom continues forever, stands ready to lift the fallen and bruised. Moreover, He is trustworthy; in His […]

RG AUDIO 021117   Proverbs 25:15-28 Enemies are hostile, antagonistic, and intent on their target’s harm. Their destructive attitudes and actions wreak havoc at every opportunity, and they delight when they bring about failure. God calls His followers to do difficult things for their enemies: Give them food to nourish their famished bodies, sustaining their […]

RG AUDIO 021017   Proverbs 3:27-35 Grace is God’s favor, His unmerited divine mercy. It is bestowed on His followers, enabling them to treat others well at all times. Proverbs 3:27-35 calls us to do good to others, to give what is owed, to not plot harm or be contentious with one’s neighbor, to not […]

RG AUDIO 020917   Ephesians 3:1-13 Paul, a scholarly Jew and strict Pharisee, zealously and devotedly searched out and persecuted Christian believers. Then one day, while traveling to Damascus, Paul unexpectedly met Jesus. Bright light and Jesus’ voice intervened. Abruptly, Paul’s passion, direction, and goals changed from persecuting to preaching. Likewise, God’s call comes today […]

RG AUDIO 020817   Ephesians 2:11-22 A church congregation fell on difficult times and found itself struggling. Membership and finances declined significantly. Needed repairs went undone. A troubled economy hindered sale of the property. The pastor resigned; a new one arrived. Still, the faithful few continued meeting in the spacious sanctuary, praying for divine intervention. […]

RG AUDIO 020717   John 13:30-38 Betrayal shatters lives. Judas walked with Jesus daily, listened to Him, watched Him interact with people. Then he allowed darkness to obscure his relationship. Thirty pieces of silver enticed and Judas discarded three years of close association and betrayed his Master. Knowing what Judas intended when he departed the […]

RG AUDIO 020617   Luke 6:27-36 How many times has a parent asked their young children: “Are you listening to me?” Jesus asked a similar question of a large crowd, including His disciples, in Luke 6:27: “But to you who are listening I say . . . .” Were they not all listening? Or was […]

RG AUDIO 020517   Proverbs 18:1-13 Several years ago while training for a triathlon, I decided to go for a long bike ride on unfamiliar roads in a remote area. About an hour into my ride, I realized that I hadn’t been paying attention to my route. I had no idea where I was and […]