Category: MOMENT WITH GOD-A DEVOTIONAL ON EVERY BIBLICAL BOOK

  • 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…

  • 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,…

  • HOLDING OUT ON FORGIVENESS

    Reflections on the Gospel of Matthew Last year I was hurt by a close friend, and my reaction was to cause hurt in return. Actually, it may have been the other way around. The entire incident was so passive and internal that it’s hard to say how it all started. Either way, it resulted in…

  • HOT OR ICED?

    Reflections on Malachi Malachi preached to a nation that had forgotten how to worship appropriately; he urges them to wake up and renew a right relationship with the Lord. Do we need a similar reminder? Recently, our worship pastor led a mission team to an orphanage in Haiti. When he returned, he shared something profound:…

  • REALLY MEANING WHAT YOU SAY

    Reflections on Zechariah My sister and I are close in age, and when we were children, we were best friends. But we fought as often as we played together, and many of our afternoons ended in tears. Our fights ended the same way—standing face to face, forced together by a parent. My mother brooked no…

  • BUILDING GOD’S CHURCH

    Reflections on Haggai For the first time in two years, my husband had steady employment. With a 10-month-old baby and a newborn on the way, I clung to the promise of stability. I dedicated myself to readying the nursery, organizing the house, sewing curtains and finding ways to make our lives more comfortable. I guarded…

  • SHINING BY HIS POWER

    Reflections on Zephaniah “I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord (Zeph 1:2). Zephaniah has a bleak introduction. The prophet goes on to describe “the great day of the LORD” (Zeph 1:14), bringing with it “distress and anguish” and “trouble and ruin” (Zeph 1:15). In the midst of this…

  • STRENGTH, COURAGE, REST

    Reflections on Habakkuk “The Soverign LORD is my strength” (Hab 3:19); “Be strong and courageous” (Josh 1:6). In the midst of seemingly hopeless or overwhelming situations (e.g., Hab 1:3–4; 3:17), these verses remind us to listen for God’s voice and know that he is near. I read the words again and repeated them in a…

  • THE CURE FOR CYNICISM

    Reflections on Nahum “Why should I care?” In my work with at-risk youth, I’m often confronted by that question—and it comes not only from the kids I’m working with, but also from my own cynical thoughts. Serving with children who are living on the fringes is not easy. Some of these kids have experienced the…

  • SUPERNATURAL JOY

    Reflections on Micah Micah prophesied a message of judgment and hope to a struggling people. Micah 7:18 expresses joy for a Lord who “delight[s] to show mercy.” But how do we find hope or joy in all situations? During college, I spent a summer working in a large city in India with Christian believers from…