When you’re young, certain ideas seem big, bad or burdensome.One of them is “responsibility.” It probably made you think about cutting grandma’s lawn or doing chores when you didn’t want to.Over time, however, you realize there’s more to it than that. It’s “response-ability.” God has given us certain abilities, and when we respond to the … Continue reading Set apart for God’s special purposes
Feelings can betray
Faith is more than feelings. And that’s actually very good news. Let me explain.Our feelings are important. They tell us things about what we are experiencing. The risk is when we falsely equate certain feelings with the presence of God, or with a “spiritual” idea that we think is God-given. For example, if I’m in a … Continue reading Feelings can betray
Affliction can be an accelerant
Affliction can be an accelerant which refines you to bless others in your future with greater integrity, wisdom or power.Let’s unpack that sentence a few ideas at a time. First, affliction. It’s one of those things that isn’t nice, but can serve a greater purpose over the long haul. Consider what God’s people were told in … Continue reading Affliction can be an accelerant
Keep focused on the end game
In 1 Peter 1, the apostle is encouraging his readers to persevere and to have hope, even when they are experiencing hardship and affliction. In verses 8-9, he says: “Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your … Continue reading Keep focused on the end game
You’re in good company
When we open the Bible, it’s not just about what we’re learning, but who we’re learning it from. Take, for example, the letter of 1 Peter. It was written by Peter the apostle (of course), who walked and talked with Jesus. But let’s notice six details about his life. He was passionate, imperfect, rebellious, reconciled, suffering and … Continue reading You’re in good company
Diamonds don’t start as diamonds
Diamonds. People love them. They’re valuable, obviously.But did you know that diamonds don’t start as diamonds. They start as simple carbon. So, how are they transformed?Through pressure.The same principle sometimes applies to humans. Difficulty and affliction—“pressure”—can often refine us into someone who is more faithful, humble, wise and strong.The apostle Peter speaks to this in 1 … Continue reading Diamonds don’t start as diamonds
Why does the true soldier fight?
There is a lot of battle and warfare language in the New Testament. For example, we are to “take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:13). In Romans 13:12 we are told to put on the “armour … Continue reading Why does the true soldier fight?
Try something radical
“…make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness…” (2 Peter 1:5-8).In the past few devotionals, we’ve been talking about spiritual disciplines, and what to do when you feel as if you’re in a bit of a rut.As a … Continue reading Try something radical
When you feel in a spiritual rut
In the previous devotional, we talked about spiritual disciplines. These are deliberate, repetitive, biblical practices the Holy Spirit uses to make us more like Christ.Even still, there are times when we can feel stuck. When that happens, one suggestion is to shake things up. Here are some examples.I know people who have moved their morning prayer … Continue reading When you feel in a spiritual rut
Joy is what happens when
I recently presented a workshop on spiritual disciplines. These are deliberate, repetitive, biblical practices the Holy Spirit uses to make us more like Christ.Some of the most well-known practices that fit into this category are prayer, Bible-reading, fasting, worship, serving others, etc. There are others, but those are some of the most popular.Over time, we … Continue reading Joy is what happens when
