Tag: MOMENT WITH GOD A DEVOTIONAL FOR EVERY BIBLICAL BOOK

  • INSTANT DISCIPLESHIP

    Reflections on 1 Thessalonians This past year, my husband has been praying and studying the Bible with Robert, a new Christian. Robert is a former addict, and his life reflected sins from that lifestyle. While he is now committed to Christ, he continues to walk in some of those sins. Many Christian men who have…

  • LIFTING OUR GAZE UPWARD

    Reflections on Colossians The previous months had been rot with bad decisions and the consequences were catching up with me. I worried about the things I needed. I became angry when situations didn’t go as planned. I tried to hide my shortcomings from people and from God. I was frustrated with my sins and their…

  • OUR (IN)SIGNIFICANCE

    Our (In)Significance Reflections on Philippians For most of my childhood, I didn’t know I was weird. I grew up homeschooled, and most of my friends came from conservative Christian households similar to my own. When I finally figured it out, I embarked on a series of attempts to fit in. Often that meant repeating jokes…

  • FINDING TIME FOR GOD

    Reflections on Ephesians When I gave birth to my first child nearly eight years ago, I was totally unprepared for the immense change she would bring to my life. Sure, I knew about 2 a.m. feedings, sleepless nights and endless piles of laundry. I was aware a newborn would be dependent on me and that…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • WRITING THE STORY OF YOUR LIFE

    Reflections on Acts of the Apostles Luke recorded years of the early church’s development in his letter to his friend Theophilus (recorded in the books of Luke and Acts). His detailed notes on eyewitness accounts and his own experience bring clarity to the founding of the church and Paul’s ministry. What if he had never…

  • 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…