Over the past several months we have been spending some time with Daniel. When he was captured, he was most likely around 15-years-old. At the end of the book, he was in his late 80’s or early 90’s.After the Babylonian captivity had formally ended, many of his people were allowed to return to their homeland. We … Continue reading Being a part of a plan even when life isn’t going as planned
Focus on what’s best
1 Corinthians 10:31 is well-known. That’s where Paul writes: “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”Several years ago, I was discussing this verse with a group of high school students. One of the students asked: ‘Why does God want us to focus on him so much? Isn’t that kind of selfish? … Continue reading Focus on what’s best
Born again?
The phrase “born again” gets thrown around a lot. But what does it actually mean? The original context was John 3 when Jesus was speaking with Nicodemus: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).*Nicodemus struggled to understand. How can a person enter into … Continue reading Born again?
With both wings, not just one
In 1 John 3:23 the apostle writes: “And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another...”Catherine of Siena was a well-known Christian from the 1300’s. She lived in Italy. She became known for her extreme devotion to God and her unyielding love for others. Early … Continue reading With both wings, not just one
Keep believing and keep going
[Request in footnotes]~In these devotionals not only have we been spending time with Daniel, but we have been spending time thinking about the big picture hope we have as the people of God.The Bible tells us the large-scale narrative arc of human history. Although there are many problems in the world, and although sin and … Continue reading Keep believing and keep going
Wounded on the battlefield, but help is coming
[Request in footnotes]~Hope is the underrated weapon of our faith. Even if it’s not underrated, it’s certainly underappreciated. Since the Bible is the very word of God, we know how human history is going to unfold and turn out since various biblical passages speak about it. For example, we know that Jesus will return. All people … Continue reading Wounded on the battlefield, but help is coming
When you’ve seen the final score
When you know the end of the story it can change your experience as you live through the middle of the story. Let me provide a small analogy from the world of baseball. I cheer for the Toronto Blue Jays, but I don’t watch all the games. They play most days, and a lot of games … Continue reading When you’ve seen the final score
Waiting for the light to break
Recently, my wife Laura heard something on the radio. She shared it with me, and now I’d like to share it with you. It was about Chris Tomlin, the well-known singer of songs like How Great is our God, Glorious Day, and Whom Shall I Fear? When he was young, he got mononucleosis. As a result, he … Continue reading Waiting for the light to break
Take action as the hands and feet of Christ
This week we have been thinking about Daniel 11:32.In the second century B.C., Antiochus IV was working mayhem. He was a cunning man of violence. He desecrated the Jerusalem temple and persecuted the people of God.Some people gave in. Others didn’t. There were resisters. Verse 32 provides this detail: “the people who know their God … Continue reading Take action as the hands and feet of Christ
Standing firm
This week we’re looking at Daniel 11:32. In the second century B.C. the murderous Antiochus IV was wreaking havoc. He was persecuting God’s people and even set up pagan sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple. In response, a group of people resisted and remained true: “the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” Despite … Continue reading Standing firm
