June 15, 2020 | Hebrews 12:1–3 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Christ’s death on the cross was an amazing act of sacrificial love. But was it joyful? Why does Hebrews 12 say that Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before him” (v. 2)? Pastor and theology professor Geoff Holsclaw explained that in this verse […]
June 14, 2020 | Philippians 1:12–18 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue “You may find yourself fighting against God if you fail to realize as Paul did here that the whole of your past has had the hand of God in it . . . even with failure in the past,” said author Paul Little, speaking about […]
AS GOOD AS HIS WORD April 29, 2020 | Matthew 28:1–15 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the linchpin of the Christian faith. “If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of […]
A MISUNDERSTOOD QUESTION April 28, 2020 | Matthew 27:45–56 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue After Steve Jobs died, his family reported that his last words were “Oh, wow!” Blues singer Bessie Smith’s last words were “I’m going but I’m going in the name of the Lord.” Singer Frank Sinatra’s final words were less hopeful. It is […]
Too Good for salvation? MONDAY 27/4/20 Ephesians 2:1-10 When Jesus walked this earth, one group of people consistently refused Him—the Pharisees. The most outwardly righteous people of that day couldn’t see themselves as sinners. These religious leaders assumed they had no need for Jesus, who said He came to seek and save the lost (Luke […]
A SURPRISING SILENCE April 26, 2020 | Matthew 27:11–31 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue According to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly, everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Most of us believe it is a virtue to stand up for ourselves, especially when we believe […]
A DISTURBING DINNER April 25, 2020 | Matthew 26:17–30 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Most church congregations follow a familiar order of service. We usually know the number of songs we will sing and when we will pray. We know when to stand and when the pastor will begin the sermon. When the order is changed, […]
SURPRISE RETURN April 24, 2020 | Matthew 24:36–44 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue “Are we there yet?” Any parent who has taken the family on a long road trip has heard this question. Fortunately, modern GPS technology has made the answer simple to find. If only it made the waiting easier to bear! Therefore keep watch, […]
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 […]
INADEQUATE FAITH April 21, 2020 | Matthew 17:14–21 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue There is no more helpless feeling than that of parent by the bedside of their ill child. It’s been called “a deep and hollowing pain.” Jesus, who often ministered to the sick and their families, certainly knew this. That’s what makes His reaction […]