Tag: MOMENT WITH GOD A DEVOTIONAL FOR EVERY BIBLICAL BOOK

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • THE HIGH COST OF SIBLING RIVALRY

    Reflections on Obadiah During my years in pastoral ministry, I have discovered a strange reality: It seems more conflicts occur within the church than without. This dysfunctional church-family dynamic is a far cry from the Apostle Paul’s admonishments to “Love one another with brotherly affection” (Rom 12:10). Shouldn’t people who have the Holy Spirit living…

  • AS WE FORGIVE OTHERS

    Reflections on Amos I lay awake, staring into darkness, mentally replaying a conversation from earlier that day. My friend had misunderstood me and then condemned me for it. I felt deeply wronged. I also felt a toxic mixture of anger, self-pity and self-righteousness creeping through my veins. It is often much easier to pray, “Forgive…

  • KINGDOM HERE, KINGDOM COME

    Reflections on Joel The book of Joel reminds us that the Day of the Lord is coming—a time when “everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” (Joel 2:32) and God will restore his people. But sometimes that day seems far away. When I was 13 my mom had a seizure…

  • THE GRACE SCANDAL

    Reflections on Hosea I’m learning that grace is not like glory. Grace applies in all moments, all postures. It doesn’t wait for anything. Where there is darkness, there can also be grace. Though glory may require acknowledgment, grace can stand quietly in the shadows. The book of Hosea portrays a wonderful picture of grace: “Then…

  • MEETING GOD

    Reflections on Daniel As we know from the book of Daniel, God watches over his people. We can take comfort in the fact that his wisdom far exceeds our own (Dan 2:20–22). But in the midst of difficult circumstances, it can be challenging to remember that God is always near. April 11 came and went.…

  • GOD, NEAR AND FAR

    Reflections on Ezekiel Today we often take our church buildings for granted; but in Ezekiel’s day, the temple was a big deal. The temple served as God’s earthly dwelling place, representing his presence among his people. Because of the people’s disobedience and idolatry, however, God removes his glory from the temple (Ezek 10:1–22). Yet in…