Tag Archives: grace

Equal Opportunity

VineWords Devotions and More

“Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them? (Luke 9:54 ESV)” James and John said. The disciples didn’t believe in equal opportunity for men they perceived to be enemies. Can you imagine James and John’s surprise when Jesus rebuked them rather than the Samaritans? Jesus was wrestling with His greatest mission—to pay the penalty for mankind’s sin. Jesus knew in a matter of days He would hang on Calvary’s cross. Expectedly, His … Continue reading →

Equal Opportunity

VineWords Devotions and More

“Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them? (Luke 9:54 ESV)” James and John said in unison. The disciples were bothered that the Samaritans didn’t receive Jesus as He traveled through Samaria on His way to Jerusalem. These disciples didn’t believe in equal opportunity for men they perceived to be enemies. Can you imagine James and John’s surprise when Jesus rebuked them rather than the Samaritans? Jesus knew the Samaritans misinterpreted His … Continue reading →

Equal Opportunity

VineWords Devotions and More

“Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them? (Luke 9:54 ESV)” James and John said in unison. The disciples were bothered that the Samaritans didn’t receive Jesus as He traveled through Samaria on His way to Jerusalem. The disciples didn’t believe in equal opportunity for these Samaritan men they perceived to be enemies. Can you imagine James and John’s surprise when Jesus rebuked them rather than the Samaritans? Jesus knew the Samaritans … Continue reading →

Slip ‘n Slides

VineWords Devotions and More

Slip ‘n slides… They provided swift and energetic water rides for my sister and me during childhood. Mom would sprinkle a few drops of dish soap onto our plastic slide, hook up the hose, and away we’d go. Dad would swoop us up at the other side, and we’d run towards Mom, ready for another go-round. Soon, neighbor kids would hear us, and they would slide with us down the slippery slope. It’s easy to slide downhill on a slip … Continue reading →

Slip-‘n-Slides (3-Min)

VineWords Devotions and More

Slip ‘n slides… They provided swift and energetic water rides for my sister and me during childhood. Mom would sprinkle a few drops of dish soap onto our plastic slide, hook up the hose, and away we’d go. Dad would swoop us up at the other side, and we’d run towards Mom, ready for another go-round. Soon, neighbor kids would hear us, and they would slide with us down the slippery slope. It’s easy to slide downhill on a slip … Continue reading →

The Christmas Cardigan

VineWords Devotions and More

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV THE ARGUMENT Sparkling, sun-kissed snow caused puddles to form on the cobblestone sidewalk. Tiny streamlets meandered toward the red brick steps leading to the veranda. White colonnades, wooden rockers, and potted evergreens added elegance to this stately home. It was a picturesque morning. That is, it would have been, except for the … Continue reading →

The Power of Grace

VineWords Devotions and More

Grace…. We say grace before a meal. We speak of God’s grace. But do we really know what grace is?  Grace comes from the word charis and may be defined as “the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life” [Strongs’ Concordance, NT#5485]. Grace is something that happens within the spirit of man. Paul knew something about grace. He had to, because he had experienced sorrows and extreme difficulties. He had been shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned, whipped, tormented … Continue reading →