LESS IS MORE April 22, 2020 | Matthew 18:1–9 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Did you know chickens have a social hierarchy? It’s where we get the phrase “pecking order.” The order is determined by pecking. The stronger and healthier chickens bully the weaker ones into submission, accompanied by a lot of squawking. Therefore, whoever takes […]
AN UNWELCOME PREDICTION April 20, 2020 | Matthew 16:13–28 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in event of success.” According to legend, prior to his arctic expedition Ernest Shackleton posted this ad. If Jesus had published an […]
A PECULIAR MISSION April 8, 2020 | Matthew 10:1–20 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Billy Graham was famous for his large evangelistic meetings. He followed in the steps of other evangelists, such as George Whitefield and D. L. Moody. Graham was a pioneer in evangelism by radio and television. His aim was to invite all people […]
UNEXPECTED GUESTS April 2, 2020 | Matthew 2 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Even though I grew up in an unchurched home, our family had a small nativity scene that we put on display each Christmas. I was fascinated by the story of Christ’s birth and especially intrigued by the Magi. I spent hours under our […]
A SURPRISING ARRIVAL April 1, 2020 | Matthew 1 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Surprises can be paralyzing . . . or at least for 1/20th of a second. That’s what Tania Luna, a researcher who studies how surprise affects the brain, says. She says surprises can freeze our attention and intensify our emotions. She will […]
GATES OF THE NEW JERUSALEM March 31, 2020 | Revelation 21:9–27 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue After crossing the River of Death in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian and Hopeful continue on to Mount Zion and the Celestial City. The King’s trumpeters welcome them with joy. Approaching the gate, the two pilgrims find “written over it, […]
NO ONE CAN SHUT IT March 30, 2020 | Revelation 3:7–13 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue The 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago made the controversial decision to remain open on Sundays. Many Christian leaders responded by boycotting the Fair, but D. L. Moody said, “Let us open so many preaching places and present the gospel so […]
THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED March 28, 2020 | Luke 11:1–13 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Have you heard the term “arrow prayer” or “javelin prayer”? These are short, perhaps urgent prayers that you can pray throughout the day. A longer prayer time or praying with a friend might not be possible at any given moment, […]
VICTORY OVER THESE GATES March 27, 2020 | Matthew 16:13–20 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Open Doors USA compiles an annual World Watch List of “the 50 countries where it’s most dangerous to follow Jesus.” In 2019, the top five nations on the list were North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, and Pakistan. One of every nine […]
GOD OPENS PRISON DOORS March 26, 2020 | Acts 12:1–18 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue The Jewish leaders were so jealous of Jesus’ disciples that they arrested them and threw them in prison (Acts 5:17, 18). “But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out” (v. […]