July 1, 2021 | Psalm 23 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue According to one Bible app, the most popular verse of 2020 was Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you.” In 2019, it was Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything.” In 2018, it was also Isaiah 41:10, and in 2017, it […]
June 8, 2021 | Psalm 80 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the wayward son recognizes his sin and comes to his senses, saying: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired […]
June 4, 2021 | Psalm 76 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Investment advisors often use the phrase “Past performance is no guarantee of future result.” The phrase serves as a kind of disclaimer. Just because a particular company has performed well in the past, there is no guarantee it will do so in the future. While […]
May 29, 2021 | 2 Thessalonians 3:6–10 DEVOTIONS In fixer-upper shows, the most amazing transformations happen when a house has experienced neglect. Ceilings leak. Floorboards are rotted. The structure has disintegrated due to the neglect of the previous owners. It takes a lot of hard work (and money) to restore the home to its former […]
May 28, 2021 | 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5 DEVOTIONS A recent survey by Arizona Christian University found that most American adults believe a gospel of works, that is, they don’t believe the true gospel at all. About 48 percent think that if they are generally good or do enough good things during their life they will […]
May 26, 2021 | 2 Thessalonians 2:5–12 DEVOTIONS In 1997, musician and author Michael Card released an entire album on the Book of Revelation. Titled Unveiled Hope, the album includes songs such as “To the Overcomers,” “The Song of the Lamb,” and “The New Jerusalem.” Its main purpose is to celebrate the completion of God’s […]
May 25, 2021 | 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 DEVOTIONS When natural disasters and wars occur in rapid succession, many people begin to talk about the End Times. They wonder what day the Lord might return, and which living person might be the promised Antichrist. According to the Moody Bible Commentary, the Antichrist who is controlled by […]
May 23, 2021 | 2 Thessalonians 1:7b–10 DEVOTIONS What is biblical justice? How is it different than what we mean by justice today? Pastor and author Tim Keller explained: “In the West, when we think of justice, we think of individual rights. We think justice means freeing individuals from the constrictions of the group, freeing […]
May 9, 2021 | 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue When I was a child, pastoral prayers were a main feature of our church worship service. When the prayer began, I knew to settle in for a long one. Over the years, it seems that pastoral prayers have diminished in length and prominence or […]
May 6, 2021 | 1 Thessalonians 2:13–16 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue When Paul arrived in Thessalonica, he presented the gospel first to Jews in the local synagogue, as he often did. Some believed, but others responded with hostility, stirring up mob violence and driving the apostle out of the city. When he moved on to […]