Tag: Devotional

  • CONNECTING HISTORICAL DOTS

    Connect The Testaments1 Chronicles 4:24-5:26; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; Psalm 78:1-12 Biblical lists can be annoying, but they’re also a testament to God’s faithfulness. It’s a true gift when someone in a faith community records the history of the group and their work—particularly when God has answered prayers. By looking through a recorded history, like 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…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Why should Christians imitate Christ? They should do it for their own sakes. If they desire to be in a healthy state of soul—if they would escape the sickness of sin, and enjoy the vigour of growing grace, let Jesus be their model. For their own happiness’ sake, if they would drink wine on the…

  • DYSFUNCTIONAL PROBLEM SOLVING

    Connect The Testaments1 Chronicles 3:1-4:23; 1 Timothy 3:8-16; Psalm 77:1-20 When I locate a problem, I often fixate on it. I think that if I analyze it enough, I can solve it. This is a problem when I come to difficult issues that require someone else’s expertise. Stubbornly, I want to figure out the problem…

  • 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…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Our Lord Jesus is ever giving, and does not for a solitary instant withdraw his hand. As long as there is a vessel of grace not yet full to the brim, the oil shall not be stayed. He is a sun ever-shining; he is manna always falling round the camp; he is a rock in…

  • SMALL STARTS

    Connect The Testaments1 Chronicles 2:1-55; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Psalm 75:1-76:12 In Paul’s qualifications for overseers, he mentions a necessary trait for anyone who wants to lead in a community: “He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household,…

  • INTO THE MESS

    Reflections on Jonah “Cookies are not treasure!” Max’s shrill voice rose over the din of the cafeteria, causing every head to turn. “Treasure is permanent!” he wailed. I had to summon all my strength to keep a straight face in front of the infuriated 8-year-old. Max was one of 96 kids attending a summer day…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    The believer in Christ receives a present justification. Faith does not produce this fruit by-and-by, but now. So far as justification is the result of faith, it is given to the soul in the moment when it closes with Christ, and accepts him as its all in all. Are they who stand before the throne…

  • A SENSE OF HISTORY

    Connect The Testaments1 Chronicles 1:1-54; 1 Timothy 2:1-15; Psalm 74:1-23 When I was in sixth grade, my teacher assigned our class a family genealogy and history project. At first it was frustrating. It seemed like unnecessary work. But eventually I became obsessive over it as I discovered our family stories. Many of us share this…