There's only one answer to certain kinds of evil. It is fashionable now to scoff at offering prayer. But Jesus is not fashionable. He proclaims this in red letters.

Mark 9:29

And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Bible Gateway link: Mark 9:29 (ESV)

Aging gracefully is a contradiction in terms. God knows! So be nice to us, you youngsters, we need the hope you embody and you need our wisdom.

Leviticus 19:32

“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

Bible Gateway link: Leviticus 19:32 (ESV)

I have done this. It is heart-pounding terrifying. But when I give over and let God speak through me I experience the soaring, peaceful power of being safely in His hands.

Psalm 40:9-10

I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.

I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.

Bible Gateway link:Psalm 40:9-10 (NRSVCE)

I didn’t really believe it, I just thought the whole Christ thing was an interesting story. But God never gave up on me as He went about his business. Eventually my heart softened and there He was to save me from my unbelief.

Mark 6:6

And he (Jesus) was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching.

Bible Gateway link: Mark 6:6 (NRSVCE)

If you are reading this right now, the red letter message is getting through. We always want more right? Go to the original source: “more will be given you.”

Mark 4:23-24

Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”

And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you.

Bible Gateway link: Mark 4:23-24 (NRSVCE)

Wow is this a stumbling block. I lived in a mess in my head for a long time, believing I could never rid myself of the unforgivable sins I had committed. And this step is so critical, it opens the door to God’s grace.

Leviticus 5:5

When you realize your guilt in any of these, you shall confess the sin that you have committed.

Bible Gateway link: Leviticus 5:5 (NRSVCE)

Oh no, fake news! The religious authorities were determined to cover up the resurrection. They bribed the guards, kept Pilate in the dark then extorted the guards to spread a false story. I didn’t work.

Matthew 28:12-15

And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers

and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’

And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”

So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Matthew 28:12-15 (ESV)

You’ve seen these people, their faces shine with good will and peace. My friend who persisted in getting me to Bible study has such a face. I wanted what she had.

Psalm 34:4-5

I sought the Lord, and he answered me 

and delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant, 

and their faces shall never be ashamed.

Bible Gateway link: Psalm 34:4-5 (ESV)

He’s one of world history’s most notorious politicians. Little did Pontius Pilate know that his name would be invoked by millions over centuries in the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed for being such a weasel. (Links to Creeds below.)

Matthew 27:22-24

Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!”

And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.”

Bible Gateway link: Matthew 27:22-24 (ESV)

Link to the Apostles' Creed

Link to the Nicene Creed

Sometimes it is so obvious, the gifts God gives individuals: the great athlete, the singer, the artist who moves your soul. But what about the screwed up child, the drug addict? Maybe the spirit to struggle for redemption is just as great a gift.

Exodus 31:1-3

The Lord said to Moses,

“See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,

and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship,

Bible Gateway link: Exodus 31:1-3 (ESV)

Wisdom! King Solomon, son of David, wrote the Proverbs many generations before Jesus, Son of David showed up. “Wisdom” is speaking in the verses below. In another fabulous Old/New Testament connection, “Wisdom” is none other than Christ.

Proverbs 8:27-31

When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,

when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep,

when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always,

rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man.

Bible Gateway link: Proverbs 8:27-31 (ESV)

I just love being a leader, but in my heart of hearts I am always tempted to duck more responsibility. The price for joy is clearly written here in red letters.

Matthew 25:21

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

Bible Gateway link: Matthew 25:21 (ESV)

Endurance is both active and passive. It is faith.

Matthew 24:13

But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Bible Gateway link: Matthew 24:13 (ESV)

The best advice I ever received: "when you don’t know what to do, do nothing." In a word: wait.

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Bible Gateway link: Psalm 27:14 (ESV)

This is a great out-of-context verse. It works in every context!

Exodus 14:14

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Bible Gateway Link: Exodus 14:14 ( ESV)