Devotion
The Vitality of Christian Community

The Vitality of Christian Community

With church attendance rebounding since the pandemic, Christians need to be encouraged to recall and remember what the writers of the Bible say about the vitality of Christian community, not to mention the command from God to meet together. Now more than ever,...

Ministry of Ḥesed

Ministry of Ḥesed

IV. Notes Towards a Ministry of Ḥesed Thoughts on ḥesed Does a ministry of ḥesed exist? I suggest that we can identify the ministry of ḥesed as, first of all, whatever springs from a heart that is like God’s heart—compassion, mercy, love, forgiveness, peace, faith,...

Why Memorize Scripture?

Why Memorize Scripture?

No one in the history of the church has had as much access to Scripture as we do in the twenty-first-century Western world. As I sit at my dining room table in southern Missouri, there are seven Bibles I could reach in ten steps or less. But this hasn’t always been...

The Spirit’s Power

The Spirit’s Power

Our Longing for Closeness Bone of My Bones The English word for intimacy comes from the Latin word intimus, meaning “inner.” Thus, intimacy involves two people opening their inner selves to each other. It is entering into each other’s lives emotionally,...

Holy Spirit’s Power

Holy Spirit’s Power

The Power of the Spirit in Our Weakness A former acquaintance, whom I will call Jim, left his lucrative career to enroll in a graduate program in Bible. He became quite legendary as a man of prayer. Later, while visiting me, Jim seemed obviously discouraged. He shared...

Discovering ḥesed

Discovering ḥesed

II. The Great Gift Thoughts on ḥesed In my childhood years, people told me many times, “God loves you.” I was hardly in a position to disagree, but mentally I often added, “and He has a long list of improvements He wants you to make.” I am afraid that sounded to me...

Revitalize Bible Reading

Revitalize Bible Reading

Does Bible Reading Make You Feel Frustrated and Bored? It May Be Time for a Reset. “Can I share a secret?” the woman asked. Sitting in an empty sanctuary with an interviewer and a cameraman, about to begin recording, she suddenly felt the need to come clean. “I’ve...

Ḥesed and Friendship

Ḥesed and Friendship

I. “Learn what this means…” Thoughts on ḥesed … [Jesus] said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners...

Embracing Advent: A Season of Yearning and Anticipation

Embracing Advent: A Season of Yearning and Anticipation

As the calendar year winds down, as the days darken and grow short, as Christmas songs spill from crowded stores and children set about making wish lists for Santa, the church’s year dawns. On the fourth Sunday before Christmas, Advent begins. The first day of Advent...

Don’t Wait Until You “Have Time” to Develop Healthy Habits

Don’t Wait Until You “Have Time” to Develop Healthy Habits

It’s easy to believe that once you graduate, get married, get a better job, settle down, or [insert whatever other milestone you’re hoping to reach next], you will have more time to focus on Bible study, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines. Quite the opposite is...

The Vitality of Christian Community

The Vitality of Christian Community

With church attendance rebounding since the pandemic, Christians need to be encouraged to recall and remember what the writers of the Bible say about the vitality of Christian community, not to mention the command from God to meet together. Now more than ever,...

Ministry of Ḥesed

Ministry of Ḥesed

IV. Notes Towards a Ministry of Ḥesed Thoughts on ḥesed Does a ministry of ḥesed exist? I suggest that we can identify the ministry of ḥesed as, first of all, whatever springs from a heart that is like God’s heart—compassion, mercy, love, forgiveness, peace, faith,...

Why Memorize Scripture?

Why Memorize Scripture?

No one in the history of the church has had as much access to Scripture as we do in the twenty-first-century Western world. As I sit at my dining room table in southern Missouri, there are seven Bibles I could reach in ten steps or less. But this hasn’t always been...

The Spirit’s Power

The Spirit’s Power

Our Longing for Closeness Bone of My Bones The English word for intimacy comes from the Latin word intimus, meaning “inner.” Thus, intimacy involves two people opening their inner selves to each other. It is entering into each other’s lives emotionally,...

Holy Spirit’s Power

Holy Spirit’s Power

The Power of the Spirit in Our Weakness A former acquaintance, whom I will call Jim, left his lucrative career to enroll in a graduate program in Bible. He became quite legendary as a man of prayer. Later, while visiting me, Jim seemed obviously discouraged. He shared...

Discovering ḥesed

Discovering ḥesed

II. The Great Gift Thoughts on ḥesed In my childhood years, people told me many times, “God loves you.” I was hardly in a position to disagree, but mentally I often added, “and He has a long list of improvements He wants you to make.” I am afraid that sounded to me...

Revitalize Bible Reading

Revitalize Bible Reading

Does Bible Reading Make You Feel Frustrated and Bored? It May Be Time for a Reset. “Can I share a secret?” the woman asked. Sitting in an empty sanctuary with an interviewer and a cameraman, about to begin recording, she suddenly felt the need to come clean. “I’ve...

Ḥesed and Friendship

Ḥesed and Friendship

I. “Learn what this means…” Thoughts on ḥesed … [Jesus] said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners...

Embracing Advent: A Season of Yearning and Anticipation

Embracing Advent: A Season of Yearning and Anticipation

As the calendar year winds down, as the days darken and grow short, as Christmas songs spill from crowded stores and children set about making wish lists for Santa, the church’s year dawns. On the fourth Sunday before Christmas, Advent begins. The first day of Advent...

Don’t Wait Until You “Have Time” to Develop Healthy Habits

Don’t Wait Until You “Have Time” to Develop Healthy Habits

It’s easy to believe that once you graduate, get married, get a better job, settle down, or [insert whatever other milestone you’re hoping to reach next], you will have more time to focus on Bible study, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines. Quite the opposite is...

Helping Your Small Group Thrive

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