The FDBD writer points out that in addition to asking God's forgiveness for sins, we need to ask forgiveness of the people we've hurt by our sinning, like the prodigal son does with his father.

This passage makes me think about the tendency Christians sometimes have to stick together and avoid people who don't share the same beliefs. Jesus shows us that we need to go out and reach out to exactly those people.

Jesus says you need to consider the cost before becoming his disciple.

Verses 1-5 were new to me. Paul warns Timothy against teachers of bad doctrine, who "forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods." I guess I was celebrating God's blessings the right way when I drank wine at my wedding.

I seem to recall having heard a sermon that said that Jesus himself is the narrow door to the kingdom of God. My study Bible, though, says that he is the host in this parable.

Either the world has changed or I'm paying closer attention to the news, because I actually feel like I can relate to most of this psalm. Verse 3 is what I do, praying to God at the beginning of each day. Verses 4-6 give me hope that evil will not ultimately triumph.

What I find interesting about this parable is that even after the farmer declares that the barren tree is a waste of space, he gives it one more chance to bear fruit. He wants to make absolutely sure that he doesn't destroy a tree that just needed a little extra care and attention to be fruitful.