[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
Knowing God first
In yesterday’s devotional we looked at Daniel 11:32. In the second century B.C. a vile leader named Antiochus IV was wreaking havoc and destruction. He was persecuting God’s people and even set up pagan sacrifices in the Jerusalem temple. In response, a group of people remained true: “the people who know their God shall stand firm and … Continue reading Knowing God first
Know God, stand firm, take action
On the surface, Daniel 11 is not a happy piece of reading. In it, the archangel Gabriel tells Daniel what is about to happen in the coming centuries. There is a lot of war, bloodshed, political gamesmanship, and persecution. Amongst other things, a vile leader named Antiochus IV, rises to power, desecrates the Jerusalem temple by … Continue reading Know God, stand firm, take action
I have stored up your word in my heart
In his wisdom, God has given us certain things to do. They are for our good. They are a conduit for his grace in our lives. These are things like prayer, reading the Bible, and the Sacraments. There are more, but these are some of the most commonly referenced.Today I’d like to share something with you … Continue reading I have stored up your word in my heart
He treats me as his favorite
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” … Continue reading He treats me as his favorite