Posts by Jo Witt

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Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

by Jo Witt

Theme of the Day: Cross Comes Before Crown Some churches teach that if a person follows God, God responds by granting prosperity and peace, as would only be expected. Today we see how that is nonsense. The Bible explains that if we are part of the Church of God, we will have bear crosses. Believers […]

Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost

by Jo Witt

Theme of the Day: The Son of Man Is God Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” It’s the most important question in the world, and it is a question every human being must answer. The expected answer may be dead wrong. Some in Jesus’ day thought he was John the Baptist. Some thought […]

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost

by Jo Witt

Theme of the Day: The Church Is for All People “All are welcome!” Is that true at our church? Or is church meant only for people of the right heritage who behave the right way, “good church folk”? Is it conceivable that a stranger could walk into church unexpectedly and for some reason you would […]

Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost

by Jo Witt

Theme of the Day: Christians Answer Doubt with Faith Wherever faith clings to the promises of God, doubt is always lingering. Doubt asks the serpent’s garden question, “Did God really say?” People doubt God’s care, God’s promises, or God’s providence. The answer to doubt is not found in loud, dramatic demonstrations. The true answer to […]

Tenth Sunday After Pentecost

by Jo Witt

Theme of the Day: Christians Trust God to Provide The hardest times to trust God are the times we need him most. It’s easier to trust God when your job is going great, your health is fine, your relationships are fine, and your family is good. It’s easier to trust God when the sun is […]

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

by Jo Witt

Theme of the Day: Christians Seek Spiritual Wealth What do you consider your life’s top priorities? Many people start with family and friends. Financial security and health follow closely. Reputation and recreation make the cut. How about faith? Is it the top priority? What if other priorities must be sacrificed to keep faith the top […]

Eighth Sunday After Pentecost

by Jo Witt

Theme of the Day: Christians Live as Wheat among Weeds The wheat that grows in the Middle East is a variety that looks much like wild grass or weeds. It is difficult to tell wheat and weeds apart until shortly before harvest time, when the wheat stalks develop a head containing the kernels of grain. […]

Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

by Jo Witt

Theme of the Day: Christians Are Planted by the Word Planting seed by hand can be extraordinary. In your hand, the seed looks lifeless and insignificant. You put the seed into the soil, and suddenly, all by itself, the seed germinates and sprouts and reaches to the sun. Except when it doesn’t! Plant multiple seeds, […]

Sixth Sunday After Pentecost

by Jo Witt

Theme of the Day: Christians Find Rest in Jesus We need rest. Without rest, we suffer. Studies show that with too little rest, people experience fatigue and physical imbalances that result in decreased attention, poor decisions, and even speech impairment. People who take no breaks during the workday have lower productivity than those who take […]

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

by Jo Witt

Theme of the Day: Love God above All Not all love is good. It is self-destructive to love bad things. It is just as harmful to love good things in a bad order. For example, it would seem to be a good thing for a man to love his dog. But if he loves his […]