Tag: Devotional

  • CHEATER, CHEATER

    Reflections on Galatians Admit it. We’ve all done it, seen someone do it, or thought about doing it at some point during our education: cheating. If you won’t admit it, I will. From one saved-by-grace cheater to another: there’s no way I would have passed my freshman-year, high-school Latin class without the pimple-laden brunette who…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    David passed that gloomy brook when flying with his mourning company from his traitor son. The man after God’s own heart was not exempt from trouble, nay, his life was full of it. He was both the Lord’s Anointed, and the Lord’s Afflicted. Why then should we expect to escape? At sorrow’s gates the noblest…

  • IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON

    Connect The Testaments1 Chronicles 26:1-27:34; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Psalm 89:23-52 I like to operate when I feel like I’m in control. When I haven’t gathered enough information or I feel uncertain of my circumstances, it’s tempting to avoid making a decision or taking action. Paul knew that this type of outlook was detrimental to Timothy’s…

  • SORRY, NOT SORRY

    Reflections on 2 Corinthians During my senior year of high school, several of my Christian friends began running with a rougher crowd—and picking up their vices as well. Concerned and perhaps a little self-righteous, I approached my friends, questioning their behavior and urging them toward holiness. I was taken aback when they were not only…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    A little thorn may cause much suffering. A little cloud may hide the sun. Little foxes spoil the vines; and little sins do mischief to the tender heart. These little sins burrow in the soul, and make it so full of that which is hateful to Christ, that he will hold no comfortable fellowship and…

  • TURNING OUR LIVES FROM NOISE TO MUSIC

    Reflections on 1 Corinthians “Focus on your relationship with Jesus.” When my friend—whom I had traveled several thousand miles to see—said this, I knew it was the answer to all of my questions. I had been so focused on God’s calling that I had neglected my relationship with the caller, Jesus. My pastor had warned…

  • BLESSED STICKY NOTES

    Connect The Testaments1 Chronicles 21:4-25:31; 2 Timothy 3:10-17; Psalm 89:1-22 A great friend of mine keeps sticky notes with prayer requests on a bathroom mirror. They serve as a reminder of the needs of others. This friend never seems to have an “off day” or feel sad about their particular situation. Maybe these notes play…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    “Be ye angry, and sin not.” There can hardly be goodness in a man if he be not angry at sin; he who loves truth must hate every false way. How our Lord Jesus hated it when the temptation came! Thrice it assailed him in different forms, but ever he met it with, “Get thee…

  • THROUGH DESPAIR

    Connect The Testaments1 Chronicles 23:1-23:32; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; Psalm 88 Sometimes we go through dark periods in our lives where the misery feels never-ending. Trial hits, pain hits, and just when we think life might get “back to normal,” we are hit by yet another difficulty. At times like these, we may feel forgotten by…

  • THE CURE FOR SUFFERING

    Reflections on Romans When I enter my weekly Bible study, I know I’ll hear laughter. Not always from every person, but definitely from John. His laughter is loud and rhythmic—that sort of from-the-gut outburst of emotion. He’ll laugh after a set of worship songs, during a prayer request, or when my two-year-old son runs and…