Category: DEVOTIONALS

  • A LONGSUFFERING GOD

    Connect The Testaments1 Chronicles 18:1-20:8; 2 Timothy 2:1-13; Psalm 85 God is longsuffering, but sometimes we take this for granted. How often have we given into temptation, expecting to be obedient at a later date? Psalm 85 gives a testimony of God’s faithfulness in the past: “O Yahweh, you favored your land. You restored the…

  • ABIDING IN THE VINE

    Reflections on John’s Gospel “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” (John 15:4 ESV). When Jesus first spoke of abiding in him, the disciples were comforted by his poetry and promise. But then…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Care, even though exercised upon legitimate objects, if carried to excess, has in it the nature of sin. The precept to avoid anxious care is earnestly inculcated by our Saviour, again and again; it is reiterated by the apostles; and it is one which cannot be neglected without involving transgression: for the very essence of…

  • LONGING & BEING

    Connect The Testaments1 Chronicles 16:1-17:27; 2 Timothy 1:3-18; Psalm 84:1-2 The general sense of what worship “is” is widely known, but the specifics of what it means are a little vague. Aside from obedience (i.e., avoiding sin and following what God asks of us), there are specific ways to show God admiration. In 1 Chronicles,…

  • IS THIS WHERE GOD WANTS ME?

    Reflections on the Gospel of Luke I often wondered whether business in general, and sales-related business specifically, could be amenable to the Gospel. As a 20-something young professional finding success in the business world, I began to feel uneasy about my work. “Can I follow God in this position?” I wondered. “Is this really where…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Frequently we pray that God would not forsake us in the hour of trial and temptation, but we too much forget that we have need to use this prayer at all times. There is no moment of our life, however holy, in which we can do without his constant upholding. Whether in light or in…

  • ON A MISSION

    Connect The Testaments1 Chronicles 14:1-15:29; 2 Timothy 1:1-2; Psalm 83 We’re on a mission from God.” Whenever the Blues Brothers delivered this line, they were met with a less-than-enthusiastic reception. While they had a different “mission” in mind, their famous line summarizes Paul’s ministry, and their reception is strangely related to a pressing problem in…

  • MADE PURE

    Reflections on the Gospel of Mark “Who touched my garments?” Jesus’ voice rises over the chatter. A great hush falls over the crowd. Heads turn left and right, looking for the person in question. One of the disciples pipes up: “You see the crowd pressing against you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” Slowly,…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    In looking back upon the character of our prayers, if we do it honestly, we shall be filled with wonder that God has ever answered them. There may be some who think their prayers worthy of acceptance—as the Pharisee did; but the true Christian, in a more enlightened retrospect, weeps over his prayers, and if…

  • THE FIGHT AGAINST IT

    Connect The Testaments1 Chronicles 12:1-13:14; 1 Timothy 6:11-21; Psalm 81:1-82:8 Fear is poisonous. When it drives our decisions, it will slowly destroy us—causing us to make moves that are against God’s will and detrimental to ourselves and others. The antidote to fear is complete reliance on Yahweh, our God, and His work through the Spirit.…