July 23, 2021 | Genesis 22:1–18 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue If you visit Jerusalem you can see the Dome of the Rock, an Islamic shrine built in the late seventh century and long recognized as one of the world’s great architectural masterpieces. This is also said to be the site of Solomon’s Temple (2 Chron. […]
July 22, 2021 | Leviticus 4:32–35 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Have you ever worn a brand new white shirt only to mar it with an accidental food stain? Even when you try your best to remove the offending mark, the shirt no longer has the same pristine appearance. The blemish is all you see. In […]
July 21, 2021 | 1 Peter 5:1–11 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue What is a pastor’s main responsibility? “Since the 1960s, we have experienced an evolution in what we expect a local church pastor to be,” wrote J. P. Moreland in Love Your God With All Your Mind. “Forty years ago he was expected to be […]
July 20, 2021 | John 21:15–19 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue When I was young, my mother always told me to eat my peas because they were good for me. As an adult, I know she’s right. Green vegetables are an important source of protein, fiber, and vitamins…and they help lower cholesterol. Canadian researchers recently reported […]
July 19, 2021 | Matthew 10 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue In the military, soldiers are sent out on a mission, following clear directives from their leaders. They need to be ready because they do not know when they will be sent or where they will need to go. They do know that they will need […]
July 18, 2021 | Matthew 7:15–29 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue The English language is filled with sheep imagery. If you can’t sleep, we try “counting sheep.” If you’re accused of something, you try to look “as innocent as a lamb.” Saying you’ll be there “in two shakes of a lamb’s tail” means you’ll be there […]
July 17, 2021 | Zechariah 11:4–17 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Do you believe that following Jesus will make you successful? Does God promise to bless His followers with abundant riches? These ideas are central to what is commonly called the “prosperity gospel.” Leaders within this popular movement are known for their lavish lifestyles, promising health […]
July 16, 2021 | Jeremiah 23:1–6 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue How do you know who to trust? In today’s world, it is easy to be deceived. We’ve all received “official-sounding” phone calls or emails that appear legitimate, but are actually aiming to harm or manipulate us. We’ve seen advertisements for miracle cures for weight loss, […]
July 15, 2021 | Matthew 9:27–38 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue When people are hurting, God responds! Earlier this year, a church in West Virginia decided to host a last-minute food drive to help feed hungry families in their community. In just a few hours, people arrived with enough food to fill the back of a […]
July 14, 2021 | Psalm 100 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue One of the many things we missed during the COVID-19 outbreak was the joy of singing together. But prior to the pandemic, about one in every six Americans sang in a choir! One study listed numerous benefits of singing in groups, including “better mental and […]