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A Servant’s Heart: Suffering
I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting. Isaiah 50:6 (NLT) In continuing our examination of the third of four Servant Songs in Isaiah 50, we find a portrait of a servant who willingly…
Read MoreA Servants Heart: Listening
The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away. Isaiah 50:4–5 (NLT) The book…
Read MoreChoose Wisely
But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today: Which will you worship—the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living? As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 (CSB) We face choices…
Read MoreDoctrine Matters
For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3–4 (CSB) How do…
Read MoreOur Daily Bread
Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11 (NIV) Fifty years ago, the first Price Club opened in San Diego, it was followed by Costco, Sam’s Clubs, and a few others. The era of the big box club store began where people could buy foods and other products in great quantity at discount prices. The…
Read MoreBeware of Drifting
So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1 (NLT) What causes people to depart from the ways of the living God? There are examples of people having traumatic experiences, a death of a loved one, or a financial or health related crisis,…
Read MorePersistence
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. Luke 18:1 (NLT) Persistence is the opposite of “giving up.” However, persistence only has value if we pursue the right things. We admire stories of those who persisted, and persevered, in the face of overwhelming odds.…
Read MoreYesterday, Today, and Forever
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NLT) We do not need to be reminded that we live in a society whose standards are ever evolving, and inarguably, moving away from the truth of the gospel message. There are enormous pressures confronting the church to acknowledge, accept, and adapt the practices…
Read MoreFollow Me (as I follow Christ)
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) Paul’s words to the Corinthians, while inspiring, also cause thoughts of inadequacy or unworthiness. “Follow me, or my example” is not a suggestion, but a command. We can feel the weight of responsibility. We may defer, or demure, while recounting our…
Read MorePerfect Love
There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:18–19 (CSB) What causes you to be frightened? Are you afraid of the future, or maybe you are afraid that…
Read MoreFind Us Faithful
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) There are distinguishing attributes of the servant of Christ. We must be obedient, diligent, humble, persevering, courageous, devoted, and uncompromising. Is it possible that all of these could be summed up in a single word, faithful?…
Read MoreDeception and Discernment
A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. Proverbs 15:14 (CSB) Some days, the limits of incredulity are stretched so far that it makes one wonder if everything is on the verge of collapsing. This week, the Supreme Court is hearing a case on “transgender” athletes in high school sports.…
Read MoreOn Display
Instead, I sometimes think God has put us apostles on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world—to people and angels alike. 1 Corinthians 4:9 (NLT) People and products are put on display for two main reasons. First, like…
Read MoreThe King Is Coming
After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from…
Read MoreThe True Light
The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. John 1:9 (NLT) The beginning of John’s Gospel is filled with references to the Light. The Word through the life of Christ brought light to everyone, and the light shines in the darkness (V4, 5). John the Baptist…
Read MoreOrder or Disorder?
God isn’t a God of disorder but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33 (CEB) The Corinthian church was at times chaotic. They had their divisions, with some members loyal to various apostolic authorities. Even around the Lord’s table, those who had an abundance refused to share with those who were in need. Paul was exercising his…
Read MoreDevoted to Prayer and the Word
The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.…
Read MoreCommissioned!
Commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, because he will lead these people over and will enable them to inherit the land you will see.” Deuteronomy 3:28 (NET) Being commissioned by God means being sent — chosen for a purpose that is bigger than yourself. It isn’t just about having a task; it’s about being…
Read MoreThe Chosen
You did not choose me, but I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. John 15:16 (CSB) Choosing is a part of life. From the playground to adulthood, to be chosen boosts…
Read MoreMake Disciples
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations… Matthew 28:19 (CSB) The command to make disciples is clear. There can be no misunderstanding of the mandate that Jesus gave his followers. And yet, discipleship is viewed as optional for those who want to be “advanced” Christ-followers. We should start by asking, “What is a disciple?”…
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