Israel's story retold for the returning exiles, centred on worship and David's line.
Correcting a divided church, and the love that outlasts every gift.
Assurance of eternal life, walking in the light, and loving one another.
Solomon's wisdom, a divided kingdom, and prophets who call it back.
Living as exiles with hope, and grace that holds through suffering.
Israel asks for a king, and God looks instead at the heart.
Encouragement for a young church, and hope at the Lord's return.
How the household of God is to be ordered, taught, and led.
The temple, the kings, and what happens to a nation that forgets its God.
Weakness, comfort, and a ministry defended with surprising honesty.
Walking in truth, and guarding love from error.
Two kingdoms drift from God, and exile follows — but mercy is not finished.
Growing in grace and knowing truth from error.
David's reign, his fall, and the covenant God refuses to break.
Standing firm under pressure while waiting well for the day of the Lord.
Paul's last letter: guard the deposit, preach the Word, finish the race.
Hospitality, faithfulness, and imitating what is good.
The Spirit poured out, and the gospel carried from Jerusalem to Rome.
Justice and righteousness demanded of a comfortable, careless nation.
The supremacy of Christ, and the sufficiency of what He has done.
Faithfulness in a foreign empire, and the kingdom that outlasts every other.
Moses' final words calling Israel to remember God's covenant, obey His commands, and trust His promises.
Life under the sun, and where meaning is finally found.
Who we are in Christ, and how that reshapes the way we live.
God's unseen hand preserving His people through the courage of one woman.
God's deliverance, covenant, and the journey to freedom.
Visions of God's glory, and dry bones brought to life.
A remnant returns from exile to rebuild the temple and recover the Word.
Freedom in Christ, and why nothing can be added to grace.
The beginning of creation, humanity, and God's covenant plan.
Hard questions put to God, and a faith that learns to wait.
A call to put first things first and rebuild what was abandoned.
Christ is better: a greater priest, a better covenant, a finished sacrifice.
God's relentless love for an unfaithful people, told through a prophet's marriage.
Judgment and comfort, and the Servant who bears the sin of many.
Faith that works, tested and proven in everyday obedience.
A prophet's tears, a nation's fall, and the promise of a new covenant.
A story of suffering, faith, and God's wisdom beyond human understanding.
The day of the Lord, a call to return, and the promise of His Spirit.
Written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, and have life in His name.
A reluctant prophet and a God whose mercy reaches the people we'd rather avoid.
God's faithfulness as Joshua leads Israel into the Promised Land and witnesses the fulfillment of God's promises.
Contending for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.
Israel's cycle of rebellion and rescue, showing the need for a faithful King and God's saving grace.
Honest grief over a ruined city, anchored in mercies new every morning.
Understanding holiness, worship, and God's presence among His people.
The Saviour for all people, told with care by an eyewitness historian.
God's covenant love questioned, and a promise to send His messenger.
The Servant who came not to be served, but to give His life as a ransom.
Jesus the promised King, and the kingdom He brings to His people.
What the Lord requires: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
God's justice against a violent empire, and refuge for those who trust Him.
Rebuilding the walls, and the courage and prayer that finished the work.
Faith, failure, and God's faithfulness through the wilderness journey.
A short word of judgment on pride, and the Lord's sure kingdom.
A runaway slave, a changed heart, and the gospel applied to a real relationship.
Joy that does not depend on circumstances, written from prison.
Wisdom for daily life, beginning with the fear of the Lord.
Prayers and songs of faith, from sorrow and doubt to praise and hope.
The Lamb who was slain reigns, and God makes all things new.
The gospel explained: sin, grace, faith, and life in the Spirit.
Loyalty, redemption, and God's quiet providence in an ordinary family's story.
Love, devotion, and the beauty of covenant faithfulness.
Sound doctrine that produces good works in ordinary life.
Visions of cleansing and the coming King who enters humble on a donkey.
The day of the Lord, and the God who rejoices over His remnant with singing.
A concise study on joining truth to love and guarding the church from error.
A brief study on hospitality, leadership, and imitating what is good.
Explore God’s absolute sovereignty over nations and time through the life and prophetic visions of Daniel.
A practical, Christ-centered study through Exodus, tracing God's rescue, covenant, and presence with His people.
A reluctant prophet, a great fish, and a God whose mercy reaches further than we want.
Contend for the faith. This guide explores Jude's urgent call to defend the truth and live a life kept by God's power.
A powerful study on forgiveness, reconciliation, and the transforming power of the gospel in personal relationships.
A step-by-step inductive Bible study of the book of Ruth, exploring themes of redemption and God's providence in ordinary lives.
Considering his articulate and thorough writing, I’m surprised he never spelled out his problem. As with many lessons the Bible teaches us, the whys, whens, and hows don’t matter as much as thank you and I will.
One Christmas Eve many years ago, my sister and I drove about 30 miles to attend a friend’s church instead of our home church.
When I read the Bible, I must remind myself that it’s written from God’s perspective, not mine. The messages in God’s word are there for me to bear fruit to advance God’s kingdom, not my own.
The upcoming presidential election, the Coronavirus Pandemic, and divisive injustice simply polarize us — if we let it. As humans, we react to what affects us individually.
More impressive than God's created landscapes are his works of art through the people He chooses. There are two types of gifted people: those who perform for themselves, and those who perform to give God the glory. I think of all the non-believing artists who achieved a level of fame only to fulfill their own riches and desires. Then, there are those who are a stream for God's gifts, letting His greatness pour through them. Their talents are simply reflections of God's majesty.
As I grew in faith, I realized (R) had been pointing me toward something greater all along: not self-help, but surrender to God’s will.
It had come back. For the third time, my mother-in-law’s breast cancer had reared its horrific, nasty, ugly head. A week after our baby boy was born, my in-laws came down for what we thought was a happy congratulatory visit, and it turned out to be a moment of somber news.
Seeing the Godly perspective, (L) added, “I don’t love that it took something like this to draw me in at that level, but He works all things together for good, and I’m continually believing and trusting that He is doing exactly that.
An inquisitive Pharisee leader named Nicodemus snuck out at night to seek counsel from Jesus. He was a pedigree among the respected Pharisees. This highly regarded group knew Jewish Law and the Old Testament better than anyone. Why would Nicodemus use the cover of the night to learn from Jesus? Because there was a wave of skepticism towards Jesus and His "way" of followers. Nicodemus undoubtedly worked hard to attain his high status among the Pharisees, but if he was seen with Jesus, it could threaten his position.
“Due to my insecurities, without really noticing it, I allowed my soul to get smaller and smaller with every year. The smaller I felt, the larger my impatience, resentment, and anger got.”
Even before the song spreads outward, it is anchored upward. God is praised not because He meets our expectations, but because He is Creator and King.
Instead, heaven points shepherds to Bethlehem. Bethlehem was not nothing, but it was not Jerusalem. It was not the religious headquarters. It was not the city of fame. It was small enough to be overlooked, the kind of place people passed through on the way to something bigger.
I was panicked. This would have a big impact on my client and me. The fear was overwhelming. There was a link to click to appeal the decision. I clicked on it and began to fill out the form. Then, they asked for my password. I thought to myself, why would they want that? What does that matter? An alarm went off. I googled the subject line of my email adding "scam" in the query. Several articles mentioned this popular and effective phishing scam.
I remember as a child, rummaging through our attic and stumbling upon a cardboard box of my Dad's hunting arrows. I couldn't believe how cool they looked, and sharp! The tips were like diamond shaped razor blades. My friend and I took his bow and some arrows outside. We used all kinds of things as targets. One thing that still strikes me to this day is how fast, straight, and direct those arrows flew to the targets. At that distance, their trajectory was flat.
Raising Lazarus was the last of the miracles Jesus performed before his capture and crucifixion. The themes of light and life are visibly abundant at Christmas time and are highlighted in the miracle of Lazarus.
The word group joy/rejoice is found 16 times in this short letter, and the keyword ‘gospel’ and phrase ‘in Christ’ are found more proportionately in this letter than any other Pauline letter.
“Because he was from Oklahoma, the Yankee great Mickey Mantle was my favorite person. Every year, when we started a new season, we all argued over who got to be number seven — Mickey’s number,” my Oklahoman friend (B) told me.
Jesus performed many miracles during his relatively short life on earth. Many of them included the healing of people suffering from physical, spiritual, and emotional illnesses.
I remember first meeting him when we hosted the team at our house one cold week in March. That experience was a true revelation to me.
Early on, I had a heart for the Bible, but I was like a blank slate from my Jewish background. I thought, I have to learn this. Interestingly, my Jewish background didn’t provide a lot of insight into the Old Testament, just some stories and a little bit of Hebrew.
This weekend holds extremes: sacrifice and fulfillment. In the beginning in Genesis, neither sacrificial offerings nor covenant fulfillments were necessary. Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed, walking freely with God in the Garden. No altars. No offerings. No need for Jesus to provide substitutionary atonement—yet.
Probably, one of the most calming verses in scripture is from Numbers 6:
Bible reading is unlike reading anything else digital or in print. You can read a passage 49 times, but for the 50th time, you’ll encounter something you’ve never seen before.
We will be taking a 6-week break from the Book of Acts to spend some time learning more about people’s faith journeys.
“I have always known of God but not of His grace. I’m a sinful man saved by grace.” As with most of us, he had to learn what grace means through experience, not by reading about it.
One of my favorite ‘80s TV shows was The A-Team. Actor George Peppard played Lieutenant Colonel John “Hannibal” Smith, the leader of a small band of men from the 5th Special Forces Group. “I love it when a plan comes together” was his signature calling card.
There was a light unlike anything ever seen at the announcement of Jesus’ birth. The shepherds didn’t know what to make of this. I’ve always imagined God’s glory to be the brightest light ever, significantly brighter than any other specific thing. Kind of like being outside on a sunny day when you shield your eyes because of the sunshine, only to catch a reflection shimmering on the water that’s even brighter. That’s when you realize true brightness.
Philip didn’t argue with Nathanael’s doubt. He simply said, “Come and see.” That’s such a beautiful picture of evangelism. You don’t need all the answers. You don’t need to solve someone’s skepticism. Just invite them to Jesus.
How many times have we seen an athlete, after big moments of a big game, emotionally thank God for allowing him or her to succeed? Often, it begins by praising God for what just happened. Don’t get me wrong, I still do this, but is it Biblically correct, and is it right to do so?
We make excuses for it, justify it, and even rationalize that it’s not real, but fear is as real as any other thing we experience. So what do we do with it? More importantly, what does God say about it?
My daughter started this post almost eight years ago. She picked this theme out of the blue—or so I thought. Maybe she needed it, maybe she thought I needed the lesson from this, maybe the Holy Spirit meant it for the both of us, or maybe it was written for someone else reading this.
Grace sits at the center of that invitation.
This sounds ironic, maybe hypocritical for me to write, but Christmas is about gifts. Actually, one gift. In society, Christmas is a time of celebration, good will, festivities, and gatherings.
Nathanael’s first response is blunt: “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” That one line captures the resistance many of us feel when God doesn’t match our expectations.
The word Gospel comes from a Greek term, ueangelion which means "good news." What good news? The good news highlighted in the Old Testament and saturating the New Testament is the announcement that God's Son, Jesus Christ, has saved us through His life, death, and resurrection.
A Devotional Journey Through Revelation. Many people, churches, and pastors avoid deep dives into John’s profound “Revelation of Jesus Christ.”
We are taking a brief pause from Acts for a few weeks to learn from others’ faith stories. Acts has 28 chapters and we will continue to study it throughout the year.
While the exact number of verses may vary depending on how one defines financial references, it's widely acknowledged that Jesus spoke frequently about wealth, possessions, and their impact on a person's spiritual life and relationship with God.
You can always tell a true leader by their level of humility and service. A true leader points others to a purpose greater than their own. When I think of true leaders, I think of humble and willing servants. From the greater to the lesser, I think of Jesus Christ, and I think of my friend (R).
One of the biggest compliments I’ve received in my life is when a work friend told me he knew I was a Christian.
Imagine you’re on the beach, doing your job, minding your own business, and a stranger comes up and starts talking to you. You’re unfamiliar with this man, and out of nowhere, he says, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” What’s your reaction going to be?
This week witnessed a sizable snowfall in parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. The storm especially hit Virginia at a bad time when traffic peaks around busy holiday weekends.
There are always people in our lives who can be intimidating. Sometimes it’s intimidating gestures, sometimes it’s actions. Sometimes, people just intimidate us by how they communicate.
Throughout my life, I’ve experienced some revelations that have crushed a long-held belief. Santa Claus is real, my parents are perfect, our family is normal; those kind of beliefs come crashing down when you get to meet the reality of the truth behind them.
Upon hearing our Pastor’s message several weeks ago about the Apostle Stephen, I have been on a quest to learn more about him, particularly what makes his story so compelling. Who was this guy, and what does his message have to do with me and other Christians?
Our true strength doesn’t come from our abilities or achievements but from our dependence on God. When we yield to His Spirit, He can accomplish far more through us than we could ever do on our own.
This got me thinking. It’s funny that people who don’t run assume that running is easy for daily runners. I next concluded that the same principle can apply to people who face daily struggles. While some folks display scars on their sleeves, where we know every bump in the road they’ve faced, other folks have such mature, deep faith that their joy in God shines brighter than the darkness of their valleys.
Christian believers face harsh realities that non-believers don’t. We live with the promise of things not seen, whereas atheists use the world to back up their claims.
Almost 4 years ago, I knocked on his door and introduced myself. “Hi, you don’t know me, but we’re going to be your neighbors,”
Jesus told us, through The Great Commission, our duty as Christians is to share and spread the good news of Jesus Christ and the Word Of God.
Faith is learned and grows out of experience. We have faith because God first imparted it to us. He gave us the ears to hear Him, the eyes to see Him, and faith to trust Him.
The men leaned in and warned, “You don’t know who you’re talking to — we can make your life very difficult.” But it didn’t matter. He stood up, pointed to the door, and insisted they leave.
For the next few weeks, we’re going to get back to our study of Luke’s Book of Acts of the Apostles. We will continue with personal testimonies in June.
Hebrews 4 reminds us that by living life without faith, we do not achieve God’s favor. We should be fearful of unbelief, and be fearful of being short of God’s rest (salvation).
Jesus talks to us in different ways, never the same way for two people, and never with the timing we expect.
Tuesday of this week, I had a strong idea of what this devotional would be about. Since that time, the world has been thrown into a dangerous fireball.
There is so much to learn from life experiences and people, if you're willing to stop and listen. Our youth Pastor (D) spent some time the other day sharing his story with me. (D)'s warm and approachable personality is not overshadowed by the eloquence of his words. On the contrary, his articulation of his faith completes the picture of who he is. (D) talks the talk while walking the walk.
There’s a young man I know who has a bigger heart than many his age. Jesus said if we have even the faith of a mustard seed, we can move mountains.
This passage is known to almost everyone. It is quoted on television and in movies, and it is even displayed as eye-black on some athletes’ faces during competitions. The Scripture in John 3 was part of a serious conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus...
Sometimes, we group people into different categories. There are those people who are direct, blunt, and a tad abrasive, there are those people who are sugary sweet and always upbeat, and there are those who are so quiet you don’t know what they’re thinking.
When you kneel, you are saying something with your body that your heart may still be learning: I am not self-sufficient. I am not in control. I need help from Someone greater than me.
Well, I wonder why Jesus spoke about loving others so often. One answer comes to mind: By loving others, we show the spirit of Christ within us. Forgiving others reflects the state of our hearts and the abundance of Jesus Christ in our lives.
This verse suggests more than just rescue from danger; it's being brought into fellowship with God beyond death. “Sheol” is the grave, the place of the dead.
13 books in the New Testament are attributed to the Apostle Paul. Before his conversion to being a prolific and passionate Christian, he was a Jewish leader zealous for the persecution of Christians.
One of my favorite musicals of all time is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Aside from the memorable score written by Webber and Rice, it does a good job of re-telling the biblical account of Joseph’s life as written in Genesis.
The last time I went camping, our entire neighborhood trekked out to the mountains for a weekend of fun, sun, and outdoor relaxation.
This month, we will be focusing on the encouraging text of the book of Hebrews. There is a lot of speculation as to who wrote this letter, but there is a consensus about the purpose.
She has always been the voice, smile, and nudge behind the cheering and instrument of faith that changed our son’s life. When I think of everything our son gained from his walk with Jesus, (T) and her husband were there.
Some devotionals pop in my mind days before I start writing them. Other times, I’ll see something or hear something that triggers a theme for the writing, and then there are those occasions where I have no idea what God wants me to say until…
With less than two weeks remaining until Christmas, most of us are scurrying around in an attempt to get everything done on time.
Life didn’t get any easier for Paul and others involved in the development of the early church. Paul had already traveled in this region before on a previous mission trip.
When purpose takes over, the results move from the talent of man to the realm of the Divine. We see this “Divine” perfection most clearly...
“Your text was great timing for me,” (B) replied. He went on to describe that his wife was in the hospital again. “I’m walking through some fires right now,” he said.
Love in the parable is seen in the father’s heart. Love is the motivation; grace is the action. Grace is love responding to specific need and unworthiness.
With the weeks leading up to Christmas, we’re going to devote time to look forward towards the birth of Christ and more importantly, what that means in this world.
As you’ve probably noticed, we’ve been grouping a few chapters together in our weekly devotionals lately. Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury in 1227 AD, created the modern chapter divisions in the Bible.
In the spoken sense, sapros means words that are corrupt, harmful, or degrading—things that spiritually smell bad and are unfit for use. In contrast, “building up” means more than saying something nice. It’s moral goodness, usefulness, and a benefit to others.
Conflict is brutal. It cuts deep to the core of our being. When we’re going through it, nothing looks good, sounds good, tastes good, feels good.
“Hallelujah is almost music already, even without a musical setting.” While “Hallelujah” glorifies God in religious contexts, it’s also a common practice for non-religious people to use it in informal settings when expressing excitement, joy, or triumph.
We will conclude our monthlong study of healing in Scripture with some real life examples of God’s healing. Jesus willingly accepted suffering, intense pain, and unjust punishment as a substitute for us.
The writer of Hebrews was reassuring troubled and persecuted Jewish Christians that Christ, not the Old Testament Law, was/is the true path to salvation.
Protocol and common sense told (M) to wait for appropriate climbing equipment or an extraction team — but something deeper was going on. Something bigger. When we’re in the middle of chaos, we must rely on something.
According to NIH, hope is “defined as a concept that suggests a greater emotional component than mere expectation.” We can survive many days without food, but not a single day without hope.
A few Aprils ago, my Mom was diagnosed with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer in April and she succumbed to the disease only three months later.
We were rewarded with panoramic views of Zion Canyon, towering cliffs, and an adrenaline-fueled ridge unlike anything I’d experienced. It was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen.
There are always going to be people who question you about your beliefs. You can’t stop them from asking you your reason for faith, but as a Christian you should welcome this discussion.
In the seven “I AM” statements, Jesus aligned Himself with the eternal Creator of all things and unequivocally declared Himself the sole path to eternal salvation. These pronouncements directly challenged the Jewish leadership, as only Yahweh (YHWH) could rightfully claim such divine identity.
When Jesus declares, “I AM the door,” He is making a definitive statement about His identity and purpose. He is not simply offering an option for salvation; He is declaring Himself the sole gateway to God, the one and only path to true life.
Unlike a hired hand who acts out of self-interest, He willingly lays down His life for His sheep—a level of commitment and love beyond anything we can fully grasp. And who are these sheep? We are. Despite knowing better, we still stumble into the same traps, straying from the path of righteousness time and again.
Light is another expression of God’s glory, and Jesus is our source of illumination, guiding us out of darkness into the radiant hope of eternal life. The light He provides isn’t merely physical; it embodies God’s truth and abiding presence.
“I am the resurrection and the life.” It is not merely a statement about the future. He doesn’t just talk about “the life”; He actually is the [only] way, the [only] truth, and the [only] life.
Philippians 4 starts by reminding everyone to stand firm in the Lord. It’s important to start with this message as we dive deeper into Philippians.
The last chapter of Hebrews contains a powerful summary of wisdom and encouragement the early Christians and contemporary Christians need. Amongst all the advice in this closing of Hebrews, the writer made a very basic statement, talk the talk and walk the walk.
“With three weeks left on a mission trip to Belize, I felt a lump in my throat,” Mike revealed. “I knew I couldn’t do anything about it until I got home. And over two months, I had multiple tests, but they all kept coming back inconclusive.”
Jesus’ reaction stemmed from the disciples’ failure to remember what they had just witnessed on the mountaintop: God’s divine affirmation of Jesus. In that powerful moment, they had seen God’s glory revealed, yet now, in their moment of weakness, they forgot who Jesus truly was.
In a world of gray where many lines are blurred, Christian believers must face an ongoing battle of being both authentic and faithful.
Days before Christmas in 1995, Sharletta Evans was in the wrong place at the wrong time while passing by an apartment complex in the middle of a gang drive-by. Bullets were flying.
I watched “The Beatles: Get Back” documentary recently, so maybe it’s still fresh in my mind. Some of the more seasoned readers of this Devotional might be familiar with “Instant Karma” written by John Lennon in 1970.
Nearly every world religion and Christian denomination believes in some form of salvation from God. Most also believe that this salvation is a gift from God.
For many of us, we have a need for purpose in life. Believers want a reason for being as opposed to some random, chaotic life.
I heard the news of our friend’s daughter the morning before I heard Joby Martin’s sermon. I thought about them all day, especially while listening to the message.
From the prophesies of Malachi in 430 BC until the appearance of John the Baptist in 1st Century Judea, there were no recorded words or writings in either Testaments in the Bible. RC Sproul labeled this dark era, “Dust to Glory.” The intertestamental period is also known by some as the “400 years of silence.”
In Acts 10, we saw the veil lifted off of the apostle Peter’s eyes as God showed him the real truth. “What God has made clean, do not call common,”
Paul was a self-described Pharisee, one of the foremost leaders of the Jewish society at that time. He was extremely well-educated, well-respected, and well-known.
We can get volatile weather in this part of the world. Pretty much everything from ice to hurricanes and tornados. Two days ago, the weather forecasters were predicting a doomsday scenario.
Christmas isn't about the birth of this perfect baby. It's not the stark manger in a dark and smelly stable, and it's definitely not about three wise men or kings bringing gifts to a child. Christmas is a promise.
I love Fridays for many reasons. Fridays are normally an easier work day with open afternoons to allow for basking in the sun with my wife, a paddle on the lake, or some neighborhood Pickleball.
Over the next 5 weeks, we’re going to focus on the miracles that Jesus Christ performed. In the spirit of Christmas, it will also allow us to focus on the miracle-maker over the miracle itself.
I pictured skies brushed with orange and pink, a few seagulls flying overhead, and a bubbly sun rising out of the dark purple waters. Then another image came—one far heavier. I remembered a heartbreaking conversation with my mother-in-law when her cancer returned for the third or fourth time.
Sometimes the Christmas season brings despair and loneliness instead of the happiness that is expected of the holiday. There’s a lot of pressure to be happy, to be dazzled, and to act like everything is great — even when it’s not. I’ve heard people tell me that Christmas can bring out the worst in people. We have ourselves to blame for this, it’s not a spiritual problem, it’s a societal problem. While the notion that there are more suicides during the holiday season is scary, according to the CDC, it’s a myth.
Jesus redefines a neighbor not as someone we already relate to, but as someone we choose to become.
We often make a big deal about what we like and what we don’t — but as long as the focus is on the Grace and Salvation from our Savior, and we glorify God, we shouldn’t sweat some of the details.
When we moved to a new neighborhood, we expected the same behaviors we experienced for 25 years from our old neighbors. We were shocked.
A few Sundays ago, I made a surprise visit to my old church. I was running behind and didn’t want to cause a stir, so I quietly slipped in through a side door and found an empty pew.
God’s word is the most powerful tool available to share God’s glory with our world. God’s word is perfect, and so is the purpose behind it. The prophet Isaiah was writing to the people of Israel, instructing them to trust the Lord with all their hearts. God’s ways are not our ways!
During my reading this week, I came across a passage in 1 Corinthians that jumped off the page at me. The verse is so perfect and straightforward; I don’t know why I never recognized its power before. Immediately, I shared it with friends and family. It was like popping the top off a shaken can of Coke.
If God were to ask you what you wanted him to give you, what would you say? Would you ask for health, peace, comfort, wealth, treasures?
This month, we’re going to study ways in which we can share the good news of God — and why we should.
It’s good that Paul wrote “letters from God” rather than texts or emails from God. There’s an expression that says if you’re angry with someone, wait a day before you email or text them. Sleep on it. Letters work differently. Letters are composed with much more deliberate thought and compassion.
Christians know how the story is going to end, so having faith when going through serious times gives them something to hold on to that others don't have. I don't mean to be cynical, but it's easier to show faith when we know the outcome. There are many stories of people in the Bible who showed incomparable faith while going through horrible trials, and not one of them knew how the story would end. Look at Joseph, Abraham, and Mary, sister of Lazarus. We have the book of Revelation, they didn't.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed deep conversations with Pastors. As a kid, my best friend’s Dad was a Presbyterian minister.
The tipping point for me was when the host kept dismissing the Christian guest's religious beliefs as simply "good-natured humanity." He attributed all Christian principles to social justice, goodwill, and community benevolence and claimed that Christians behave in a certain way because they are conditioned to do so.
“I told him I would never love you less.” My friend (T) recently walked me through his long journey of faith. “I have never been shy about my faith,” he continued, “and while in college, my roommate started finding challenges with Calculus.” That was my experience in Pre-Calculus, I thought.
Young people in particular don’t watch where they’re walking. They don’t have to. They have better balance and peripheral vision than those of us who are more seasoned.
If you had to answer how you should live your life with so much anger and adversity surrounding you, what would you say?
This verse gives us a clear understanding as to what gift God is giving us, but also why he is giving it to us.
This month, we’re going to study the Lord’s prayer as many people call it. The label of “Lord’s Prayer” is a little bit of a misnomer.
Building on our discussion last week about what the Lord’s Prayer truly means to us, we shift our focus to one of the most challenging—yet rewarding—petitions in the prayer, as echoed in this devotional.
Jesus continued in his model prayer for us with petitions to God for daily sustenance. Since Jesus was both man and God, he knew our human needs, cravings, and longings.
It’s hard to remember a time when we weren’t experiencing war, racial conflict, or violence that tries its best at being a worse example than the incident before it.
We all promise God the world in our prayers. Even the most humble of us, often base some of our repentance on desire rather than commitment. It's a spiritual muscle we have to strengthen. God knows my weaknesses, He knows that my repentance is sincere. He also knows that I'll be back repenting to Him again and again. "I usually say something like: Lord, please forgive me and help me not do that again or be that way again... or help me understand why I did that."
For years, one of my friends has asked my wife, Jennie, what her story or testimony is. Not every believer has an earth-shattering, lightning strike, bottom-of-the-barrel experience, but if we have a relationship with Jesus, we have a story to tell.
Someone once told me that they only pray “big” prayers to God because they don’t want to bother him with trivial concerns.
Sometimes our plans align with God’s purposes and other times, they don’t. Proverbs 19 shows us how to trust God’s sovereignty and submit our plans to His will.
When we read the Bible, do we really stop and really pore over the meaning behind the words of scripture? It’s tempting to scan it like a text book in school.
Just when we think we’re good enough, God reminds us to think again. When we think we’re righteous enough, God shows us that, apart from our Savior Jesus Christ, we’re not.
Back in October we wrote about losing our self-righteousness and abandoning our pride as pointed out in Psalm 46. This Psalm also speaks about a bigger aspect that God offers; His shelter.
Our faith in Christ should be the motivating factor about how we live, not anything else. If we are part of Christ by our faith, we are accepted, no matter our actions, religious practices, or attempts at being good.
What does hope and strength from faith truly look like?Ironically, it’s not always seen on the face of those who complain, criticize, or carry a victim mentality. True strength isn’t loud or bitter.
When we read about well-known Christians who do amazing things in the name of Jesus, we can’t but marvel at their courage, deep faith, and attitudes. It’s not quite as sexy when we consider people in our own lives who do equally impressive things in the eyes of God. A friend I’ve known for almost 50 years is a perfect example.
Were we concerned about the trip? You bet. We purchased travel insurance and made sure that all of our excursions and travel expenses were either refundable or changeable. Beyond that, we knew that our ultimate fate and even the insignificance of this trip was in God's hands - so why worry? Yeah right.
We discussed a logical and useful follow up to our study of the book of Hebrews. Of course, each book in the Bible has tremendous value and provides glimpses of God’s grace in this world.
There is a purpose in all He creates—even when we don’t understand. Too often I thank Him for beauty but forget to praise Him in the cold rain. Yet He is there nonetheless.
When I was a child, I was taught to pray, “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the LORD, my soul to keep, if I should die before I wake, I pray the LORD, my soul to take.” On the one hand, it showed me the authority of God, but it left me empty in terms of a loving relationship between a father and child.
Central to my Advent worship and preparation are some of these pivotal items: Am I authentic in my faith? Do I fear God with reverence and trust? Do I focus on His kingdom rather than mine?
Did you know that God made 5,467 promises in the Bible? Since God made all these promises, by definition, He must keep them all.
As we discussed earlier this month, the Psalms focus on a variety of spiritual lessons and themes. Psalm 27, credited to King David, is a very popular Psalm for its emphasis on God’s fulfillment of promises.
Dynamic situations, the well-being of others, and healthy relationships often require extended-release responses. If we rush to a quick reaction, it’s more likely that we’re not tapping into what the Holy Spirit has instilled in us. It’s not the absence of worldly discernment in our thinking, but the absence of the divine.
More than 3,000 people died from the attacks on September 11, 2001 in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Since then, there have probably been more than 10-20X that many who have perished around the world because of related attacks, battles, and wars that followed that…
“In 90 minutes, I went from calling 911 to receiving a stent in my right coronary artery. I can only thank God,” my cousin’s husband said.
A few weeks ago, I paddled out into a very angry ocean. It had been 10 years or longer since I had surfed in anything that big.
Last weekend, we packed up our grandkids and headed to a local rescue zoo. It was a chilly but crisp and clear night, with Christmas lights blinking everywhere. My wife had read that the zoo was in its second year of illuminating the entire facility. We knew it would be something that all of us would thoroughly enjoy.
Many events take place in chapter 17 of Acts. Luke captured all the historical details to describe what took place with Paul in Athens.
Barely a week into 2021 and things have already gotten crazy in this country. What happened this week in Washington, DC may not have been the darkest day in our history, but it was an appalling display of selfish, violent behavior, bent on fanning the…
If we live long enough, we will face a stay or go decision at some time. One of my favorite bands during my college days was The Clash — a punk band from England.
It's so important to be “fed” by our church leaders. If we're not, we might look in the wrong places. “Our Pastor portrayed downtrodden people in such a negative light, (P) exclaimed. “There was someone laying on the ground outside the church and he had no compassion for him.” We talked about the Samaritan in the Bible. The Pastor’s teaching didn't reflect what I knew from my Bible reading. It didn't reflect the Jesus I was getting to know.”
Like many of His instructions, it’s not about following rigid rules. It’s about what is ultimately good for us. God’s guidance often sounds like this: do this because it’s better for you now, it will matter later, and one day, you’ll be grateful you listened.
When I take the time to pray and reflect, I’m reminded that they are just things. Worship the Creator, not the created, I learn.
How many of us would like to take back what we said last month? How about in the last week? The last 24 hours? How about 10 seconds ago? Sometimes things slip out even when we don’t intend to be mean or condescending, but most of the time we consciously decide to make that wisecrack, criticism, or insult.
Truth without love is harshness. Love without truth is sentimentality. But Jesus? He brings both—with transforming power.
Alignment is the process of adjusting the angles of our vehicle’s wheels to be perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. Our spiritual lives should also be perpendicular to the ground — pointing upwards to God, not horizontally.
A lot can happen in a week. Last week in Acts 12, the church witnessed Paul and Barnabas preaching to enthusiastic worshippers.
Hebrews 10 was a direct and clear message to Jewish Christians about authenticity. It served as a beacon of light to those people struggling with holding to their new Christian faith rather than obeying Old Testament laws to save them.
I had no idea what I would write about this week, but “Hesed” kept popping into my head. While doing background reading for the devotional, I wondered where this thought came from. Where did I see the reference to Hesed?
The act of forsaking God for broken cisterns is a choice that leads to a useless search for satisfaction and eventual bondage because these self-made sources inevitably fail.
Scripture does not present the Father as becoming the Son. It shows the Father sending the Son, and the Son taking on flesh. The Father and the Son are distinct, yet fully one in deity.
Since the outbreak of Covid-19 (Coronavirus), life has been deeply troubling and challenging for all of us. Especially troubling, is that no one knows WHEN things will return to normal.
Life can be so hard, so tragic, even when we're not enduring the unimaginable loss of a child. I know of several family and friends who are staring at cancer diagnoses, family cases of dementia, heart disease, suicide, and debilitating kidney stones. One knock that Christians took from the likes of Karl Marx was that we mask the pain of life with future promises of a perfect after life. "The opiate of the masses," Marx wrote.
On Monday night, I had the opportunity to attend a concert featuring popular Christian bands. The guys in our group were from church.
“I’m sorry we are late,” he said with a large grin, “I just came from my anger management class.” I had only known my friend for a few months, so I wasn’t entirely sure he was telling me the truth. (D) is a warm, cheerful, engaging man with a heart larger than his frame.
Into this powder keg of ethnic tension, theological confusion, and wounded relationships, Paul offers a prayer of blessing and favor, focusing on hope. It wasn’t merely a nice closing thought—it was his strategic answer to the deepest divisions threatening the early church.
This week, we are continuing with devotions focused on ways in which we can share the good news of God — and why we should.
Advent is upon us. Over the next four Saturdays, including the day after Christmas, we will be focusing on the arrival of our savior Jesus Christ.
When kneeling in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was visited by an angel of mercy. He didn’t ask for an angel to comfort Him, but He did ask God to remove the cup for Him.
The weekend wasn’t good. The last we heard from our daughter was a plea for help a week before. While it wasn’t life-threatening, it was undoubtedly a roadblock. She tends to go into dark places when things aren’t going well, and silence from her is very loud to a parent. It’s like a loud cry.
Some constants in our lives ebb and flow, but they’re ever present and cannot be destroyed. Physicists have long debated the creation and destruction of matter and energy.
Most agree that there have been 5 Great Jesus Revivals in our history. The Jesus Movement, or the Twentieth Century Revival, is the one we might be most familiar with.
They were leaving the harbor as they approached the Sound, and he described it as a perfect late summer sunset. The lighting was so dramatic he claimed God must have painted it. Not long after, we were told about ominous, dark storm clouds rushing towards their boat. The storm was upon them so fast they didn’t have time to turn around and make it out of the sound in time.
For 4 years a close friend had been encouraging me to attend a weekend men’s retreat with him. The event focused on prayer, worship, sharing, and brotherhood.
I was beaten. After seeing my discouragement and desperation my brother said,"Let's break and have lunch." Later that afternoon, the tide went out, the shallow ocean got a bit sloppy, and the waves flattened out. This time, my friend joined my brother and me. My brother coached us to our first waves. It was probably one of the biggest rushes in my life. The three of us surfed all afternoon. The fear was gone.
Watching our son become a Christian man before our eyes was one of the most powerful things I’ve ever seen. He and a friend were sponsored to attend a faith event called “Chrysalis” by their cross-country coach. We knew, even then, that their coach was so much more than a coach.
Pastor Andrew Taylor writes, “I like how this passage captures forgiveness both vertically and horizontally.” Paul’s word for “kind” (Greek: chrēstoi) in “Be kind and compassionate to one another...” goes beyond being “nice,” encompassing genuine concern, gentleness, and grace.
The cancer that took our friend robbed her of her life but not her dignity or peace. I studied her face for a while and noticed that she didn't look pained or sick. She looked like she was resting.
This week, we’re wrapping up Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The book has also been called “Joy Book” partially because that church gave Paul so much joy.
Asking God about significance, on the other hand, is different. That’s a question of meaning, value, and impact. “Lord, what does this reveal about You? What does this change in me?”
Nothing happens outside of His knowledge or control, whether in nature, human events, or our lives. Those who believe in God’s sovereignty trust that everything happens according to a divine plan, even if it isn’t always clear in our limited understanding.
The question Jesus asked Andrew and John is one we should all answer honestly. What am I seeking? What am I looking for and desiring in Jesus? Jesus’ questioning went beyond a mere inquiry about their physical presence and probed into their deeper intentions and yearnings.
This wasn’t a humble man downplaying his accomplishments — this was a man who had genuinely earned every title, every honor, every ounce of respect his culture could offer. By every measurable standard, Paul had made it.
When talking with a friend about her impact on this world I heard God’s rich wisdom in nearly every aspect of her life.
The immediate, “who cares” feel-good reward of pleasure overpowers any consideration of the consequences of that behavior. This includes gossip or lustful thoughts to committing violent crimes.
"If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans." This might be the only time I quote Woody Allen, but this one is a keeper. Whether he wrote it or borrowed it from a Yiddish proverb is irrelevant. God has a plan, God's in charge, and we can't do anything about it. The good news is that God's plan is better than any plan we could ever develop. We second guess Him all the time, but when bad things are happening to us we might end up making the same choices He does for us if we had all the information He does.
There is a much younger couple in our small group. We routinely joke about why they want to hang out with us grey-haired panthers.
In the movie, A Few Good Men, there is a climactic scene between Jack Nicholson, a rough salty colonel and Tom Cruise, a rookie military lawyer.
For those who believe, there is always hope, comfort, and a divine purpose at work, even when it’s hidden from view.
Throughout history, false prophets and interpreters have proven incapable of accurately deciphering dreams. Aware of their shortcomings, Nebuchadnezzar remained skeptical of the grandiose claims made by astrologers, perceiving them as a ruse.
It’s a window straight to our hearts. When impatient, we demonstrate to God and everyone else, “I’m more important than you. I come first. I know better. I trust myself more than you.”
I knew how to sail from sailing a sunfish around the bay for years as a kid. While I’m no expert, the principles are basic. Knowing the direction of the wind and putting myself between the wind and the sail is all I needed to remember. Applying this principle to windsurfing made a world of difference. To learn and progress, I had to do one thing before I could do another. This is equally true when it comes to knowing the will of God. We can’t know His will if we don’t first walk with Him.
Many regular church-goers often discover something missing in their faith walk. “What I found out is that as I got older, I believed in the tradition of the church, I certainly believed in Jesus and God and all the things that we learned about, but what I didn’t have was a relationship with Jesus.”
One of the coolest miracles that a lot of people would probably like to do, was when Jesus walked on water. It was important for Jesus’ disciples to see him perform this miracle.
Paul’s warning was clear in his letter to the Philippians about the trap of following the law to win God’s favor. Children try to gain their parents’ love by behaving and doing their chores and obeying the rules.
We’re wrapping up this month’s devotions on listening to God with a focus on Psalm 116. Unlike others, it’s one of the Psalms without a title ascribed to it.
“So at times in my life, whether I was going through the difficulties of Army Ranger school or being deployed, or whether it’s through kids’ sicknesses, those were times when God has reminded me that, ‘Hey (J), you think you’re in control? It’s all an illusion.’ Those are times when God says, ‘I’m the one who’s in control, and you really need to look to me for answers in good times and bad times.’”
One of my closest friends since moving to our new home happens to have the same great taste in football teams as I do.
For many people, the Lord’s Prayer is something they learn early in life. For me, it’s as ingrained as my instinct to breathe.
The writer of Hebrews knew how hard it was to remain faithful as a believer in light of the persecution and pressures from society at that time.
At the heart of this passage is a powerful message about humility. Paul reminded his readers that Christ, though fully God, could have, but did not cling to His divine privileges. Instead, He humbled Himself, taking the form of a servant and even submitting to death on the cross.
Paul didn’t know it yet, but this encounter blinded him. His physical blindness was a direct message from Christ about Paul’s spiritual blindness.
Over the years, I remember inspiring solos of “O Holy Night,” cello instrumentals, and some of the best sermons I’ve ever heard. I’ve even worried about what others think of our services as if it’s a show. It’s not. We shouldn’t worship any differently at Christmas, but we should look more intensely at the reason for the holiday.
"By the time I was in middle school, I realized that Jesus Christ was my Savior," (L) replied. She went on to explain what that meant to her. "I felt that if I believe and accept God, I'm good. That's all." I got a strong sense that even at that age, she didn't believe we should get caught up in a bunch of regulations and requirements for being a Christian.
Sometimes the subtle things in life grab my attention more than the obvious ones. Just when I think I know God’s message for me in His word, I’m gently reminded, “Nope, read it again, my child.”
Very few people I know feel that they’re better than others’ perception of them. Most of us, downplay our virtues. We put on a self-deprecating humble face.
While my wife, daughter, Cedar, her border collie, and I were going for a sunset paddle tonight, we were engaged in a lively discussion about gift giving.
As a teenager in high school, I would sometimes get into fierce arguments with friends about which rock band was better. When I say friends, I’m not talking about casual acquaintances, I’m talking about close, longtime friends.
We always have to be wary of heroes. Who are they, why are they our heroes, and what about them makes them so special?
If you’ve ever tried to travel without a reliable point of reference, you know how quickly you can become disoriented. The same is true spiritually.
The author of Hebrews reaffirmed the readers of the utmost perfection of Jesus as our high priest. As our direct connection to God, Jesus made all of God’s offers available to us.
I was recently notified by a church email that he was on life support, and the outlook wasn’t favorable. I couldn’t call him, so I left a message on his phone telling him that I loved him and was praying for him.
“For me, it started as a way to see what my body was capable of, and I needed to make changes to survive,” (T) told me. “The moment I realized that it was healing me and helping me get through things was when I realized I could use it for more.
Before the food arrived, I considered saying a prayer. I’ve known my friend for decades, and I didn’t think he would mind, but I still should have asked if he was OK with it.
Hardship often shifts our focus from temporary comfort to eternal hope. When life is easy, we tend to rely on ourselves. But when life becomes difficult, we often find ourselves turning to God for strength.
For me, one of the most awesome parts of being a Christian is that it keeps me open to love and learning from a variety of sources throughout my life.
It’s not about trying harder. It’s about trusting deeper.
So, does this Godly command from the Old Testament mean nothing else could be added to Scripture? Not so fast, Sparky. This verse is best understood in its immediate context—Moses was speaking to the Israelites about the law God gave them at Mount Sinai.
We are more distracted when life goes our way than when it does not. A cloudy perspective of the truth usually appears when we’re not staring at trouble or adversity. Pastor Andrew Taylor once told me that he has always grown closer to God in the valleys than on the mountaintops.
On a few occasions, I have written about a friend suffering with a brain tumor. Just last week, I heard that her time on earth was nearing an end, and I planned to make a trip for one last hug with her this week.
Traditionally, “woke” was a past tense conjugation of “wake.” According to Merriam-Webster, there’s now a slang version meaning “aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues, especially issues of racial and social justice.”
I heard a great tip last week from a podcast I listen to. If we want to work through our problems, if we want to find joy, to be truly happy, a good first step is to praise God. It sounded too simple to me. As a matter of act, it actually sounded like disjointed advice. If I'm mired in a life crisis, how is exalting God going to make things better. Hold on and enjoy the ride.
It’s funny when you run into someone who you haven’t seen since you were a different person. It’s surreal. I vaguely remember partying with this friend almost 40 years ago while we were in college.
I told him that running clears my head. It’s prayer, worship, and meditation time for me without distractions from my phone.“Man, I like that! I get the same feeling when hunting or hiking,” (D) replied. He smiled, “I talk with God every chance I get. He is so good. So perfect.”
The writer of Hebrews used the phrase “by faith” 18 times in Hebrews 11. You think he was trying to make a point?
While I write this, I think about some people in my life who grew up steeped in church life but don’t show it.
My brother referenced a passage where Jesus summarized the Mosaic Law with two key commandments: love God fully (Deuteronomy 6:5) and love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18).
One of the most popular Biblical miracles was when Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000. It is not known exactly if the Gospel writers meant 5,000 people or 5,000 men.
When we greet someone personally, we mirror that love. It tells people: You are known. You are valued. You are not invisible. And to God’s children, isn’t that the gospel in one sentence?
Whenever you’re feeling flat, just talk with someone who is full of faith and is a light for Christ. In Paul's letter to the Romans, he includes seven spiritual gifts: perceiving, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, ruling, and mercy. I think my friend (A) is blessed with every one of them.
In some ways, ancient Jerusalem during the Roman era wasn’t too different from our current world. It was largely an orderly society with a variety of different people, cultures, views, and beliefs.
One Christmas Eve, we were testing out a brand new sound system at our church. At the time, it was cutting edge.
