1 Corinthians 1:23-28

"Dear Father, confounder of worldly wisdom, What you have caused us to preach is "Christ crucified," a stumbling block to tradition-followers, like..."

What do you do that you are not good at doing? Rubel Shelly reminds us to try new things, to take risks, and to find some things we don't do well rather than falling into stale and boring ruts only doing the things we do well.

"Dear Father, you of whom we boast, Why have you chosen the weak, the foolish, the despised? You have done this so that no human being can boast. And...."

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."

"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

"Walk the streets by moonlight, if you dare, and you will see sinners then. Watch when the night is dark, and the wind is howling, and the picklock is...."

Inspirational illustration of 1 Corinthians 1:27 -- But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

Scripture image of 1 Corinthians 1:25 -- For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

If only we would trust that the Lord can make us all grow! We've got to believe that God can bring growth out of tough and impossible situations!

Why would people hate the Passion so much? We shouldn't be surprised when many people are repulsed or don't like the Passion of the Christ.

"Dear Child of the Father, The Corinthian disciples had forgotten what made them special. Some were arguing that their group of believers was more..."

Their flesh yearned for a mighty conqueror who would slay their enemies. Jesus made it clear to Peter that he was not that kind of hero! James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of that inner part of us that still bears the stamp of God's divine nature, the part that is touched by stories of self-sacrifice.

"Dear Child of God, In the aftermath of your big Christmas celebrations, don't forget the words of My servant Zechariah, "Do not despise these small....."

Can you handle this truth? Ron Rose talks about wilderness periods in our lives and God's holy calling for us to live among people and serve them.

Their flesh yearned for a mighty conqueror who would slay their enemies. Jesus made it clear that he would not be that kind of hero! James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of that inner part of us that still bears the stamp of God's divine nature, the part that is touched by stories of self-sacrifice.

"Dear Friend, The text in the Verses to Live section comes from two different places. I want you to read them together to help you understand two very..."

So when did small get to be so big? Ann Voskamp looks a couple of small things important in the life of kitchen appliances and pots and reminds us that it's the small stuff that counts.

Can we really be honest about our weaknesses? God not only makes us strong in our weakness, but he uses our weaknesses to do his work.

For us, the cross means everything because at the cross God meets us with overwhelming grace and love that know no limit. Phil Ware and Demetrius Collins lead us into worship in song and the Word to experience, proclaim and rejoice in the power of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Dear Beloved, As Barnabas and Paul fought for the truth of the gospel against those seeking to corrupt it with doing works based on law, one message...."

Before Jesus’ resurrection, to believe in a crucified savior was a ridiculous and foolish! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware combine to bless us with a powerful Resurrection Sunday message on Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection and the power God blesses us with to triumph over sin and death.

Jesus had many opportunities to walk away from the shame and pain of the cross, but he chose the Father's will and our need over his comfort. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the dark night that began the long, painful, and lonely journey of Jesus through his Passion to bring us to God and helped define the way of Jesus through the cross to the empty tomb.

Jesus had many opportunities to walk away from the shame and pain of the cross, but he chose the Father's will and our need over his comfort. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the dark night that began the long, painful, and lonely journey of Jesus through his Passion to bring us to God.