February 9, 2022 | Philippians 2: 7-8 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue English Reformer Miles Coverdale described the essence of Christ’s humility in this couplet: “For our sake made he himself small/That reigns Lord and king over all.” The order is important. Jesus already existed as “Lord and king over all” when He was born in […]
January 23, 2022 | Psalm 73 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Mental health is an important dimension of our well-being that we sometimes don’t like to address. In any given year, an estimated 26 percent of adults have a diagnosable mental illness. During our lifetime, at least half of us will have a mental health issue, […]
January 4, 2022 | Isaiah 44:24-28 DEVOTION This Month’s Issue Elisha and his servant woke up one morning to find their city surrounded by an impressive enemy army (2 Kings 6:15–17). “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” cried the servant. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more […]
August 11, 2021 | Hosea 5:1–7 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Have you ever been present in a courtroom when a bailiff says, “All rise,” just before the judge enters the room? Everyone in attendance stands to attention, out of respect—for the judge and for the law. Today’s passage begins with a similar proclamation. “Hear, you […]
August 8, 2021 | Hosea 4:1–3 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Isn’t it fascinating to watch skilled prosecutors argue a case? They clearly articulate the charges brought against the suspect. Then they support those allegations with evidence, logic, and witness testimony. In today’s passage, Hosea called the Israelites into God’s courtroom because God Himself had a […]
August 7, 2021 | Hosea 3:1–5 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue I believe that love is primarily a decision, a choice, an action we take. Hosea 3 reinforces this understanding. In this short and summarized chapter, we return to the story of Hosea and Gomer. From the first-person point of view, Hosea relays a key conversation […]
August 6, 2021 | Hosea 2:16–23 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue I recently read a story by a woman who calls herself “The Restored Wife.” She and her husband endured years of bitter arguments, bankruptcy, an affair, and even divorce. She was planning to take her own life when God broke through and led her to […]
August 3, 2021 | Hosea 1:10, 2:1 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Have you ever heard a salvation story so shocking it dropped your jaw? For the past several years, Christianity Today has compiled the Top Ten Testimonies of the year. Titles include: “How a French Atheist Became a Theologian” and, “I Thought God Could Never […]
July 29, 2021 | Isaiah 11:1–9 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue A beautiful portion of Bach’s Cantata No. 208 is titled “Sheep May Safely Graze.” Sheep and shepherd imagery is used to explain how people benefit when they have good leaders: “Sheep may safely graze and pasture/In a watchful shepherd’s sight. /Those who rule, with wisdom […]
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, […]