DAILY READING Psalm 23 REFLECTION   The Good Shepherd's Rod and Staff By Gene Pierce Poet, musician, warrior, king and sinner, David is one of the most complex heroes of the Bible.  This Psalm reveals David’s heart in a state of security and satisfaction in his God and Savior. David knew the Good Shepherd would use His rod and staff to guide, discipline and protect him and all His sheep from their enemies. This security and trust are evident from the first time we are introduced to David in 1...

DAILY READING John 4:1-26 REFLECTION   Why Her? By Gene Pierce Today’s passage is John’s record of Jesus’ conversation with a woman of Samaria, the first time in John’s gospel that Jesus claims to be the Messiah. Jesus had been turning water into wine, baptizing many and clearing the Temple, but this conversation crosses a big, big line. Why does John include this particular person as the first to hear this powerful claim?  Her contemporaries might have described her as an irreligious,...

DAILY READING Ephesians 3:14-21 REFLECTION   What Do You Pray For By Gene Pierce The Apostle Paul lays out his prayer for the church at Ephesus: that the Ephesian believers (and us by extension) would know God's love. God's really big -- unbelievably big -- love. Verse 16: Paul prays ... that God may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  --- Believers have Christ working from the inside out in his...