Tag: Devotional

  • 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.…

  • 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…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Most manifestly the confidence which the Psalmist here expressed was a divine confidence. He did not say, “I have grace enough to perfect that which concerneth me—my faith is so steady that it will not stagger—my love is so warm that it will never grow cold—my resolution is so firm that nothing can move it;…

  • MOTIVE IS EVERYTHING

    Connect The Testaments1 Chronicles 11:1-47; 1 Timothy 6:3-10; Psalm 80:1-9 It’s not often that we take an honest look at our motivations. But it’s important to reevaluate them regularly. When our sight is not fixed on God, we might become entranced with goals that conflict with godliness. Even though we might initially be performing the…

  • 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:…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Changeful experience often leads the anxious believer to enquire “Why is it thus with me?” I looked for light, but lo, darkness came; for peace, but behold trouble. I said in my heart, my mountain standeth firm, I shall never be moved. Lord, thou dost hide thy face, and I am troubled. It was but…

  • THE POWER OF WORDS

    Connect The Testaments1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14; 1 Timothy 5:18-6:2; Psalm 79:1-13 Gossip kills churches. And gossip is always painful, especially when disguised as concern. A request to “pray for so-and-so because of this thing they did” is not asking for prayer; it’s gossiping. If you know some personal detail about someone’s mishap, don’t share it with…