The ascension of Jesus is an event which has been somewhat neglected. Perhaps the idea of Jesus going away to be with his heavenly Father forty days after his resurrection seems kind of weird, or perhaps even unimportant. But to think that would be a mistake. Luke 24:51 says: “While [Jesus] was blessing them, he … Continue reading The control room
Podcast
Signs at football games
Have you ever noticed that some people hold up signs with Bible verses at football games? If so, perhaps you think that’s weird. There was a time when I would have agreed with you. But Tony Campolo tells a story that makes us think again. A man was sitting at home watching the Superbowl. At … Continue reading Signs at football games
Do you need consistent encouragement?
A man we’ll call Taher lived in Iran where it is dangerous to be a Christian. His house was ransacked. He was taken from his wife and two daughters. He spent time in jail, interrogated at night between midnight and 4am. He was told to write down the names of other Christians. He didn’t. Eventually … Continue reading Do you need consistent encouragement?
Is fasting the black sheep?
Fasting is like the black sheep of the spiritual disciplines. Prayer, Bible-reading, worship, simplicity, and servanthood are much more on display. But fasting is often tucked away, kind of awkward, and a bit neglected. And yet there it is. Fasting was practiced by Moses, David, Elijah, Esther, Daniel, Anna, Paul and, of course, Jesus. After … Continue reading Is fasting the black sheep?
Focus less on loses and more on gains
When we think of a “witness,” we perhaps think of someone testifying in a trial. They have seen something personally which they speak about publicly. As a result, truth and justice are served. But this isn’t without risk. In fact, there is often a consequence to being truthful. In the New Testament, the apostles were … Continue reading Focus less on loses and more on gains
When witnesses are silent
Truth is silenced when witnesses are silent. This statement presupposes that truth actually matters and that witnesses have a vital role to play in sharing that truth for the benefit of others. If you’ve ever been an actual witness on a witness stand, or even if you’ve watched crime shows on TV, you’ll know that … Continue reading When witnesses are silent
The needs he has already addressed
Martin Rinkart was a German who lived through the Thirty Years’ War. Plus, the plague struck in 1637. More than 8000 people died in his town. He was a pastor and buried 4000 of those people, sometimes in mass funerals for 50 people at once. This man, with these experiences, wrote that great hymn of … Continue reading The needs he has already addressed
Don’t give up
We’ve been talking about the parable of the sower in Luke 8. A farmer sows some seed which Jesus has explained represents the word of God. The seed doesn’t always land on receptive soil. But it does in verse 15: “the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who … Continue reading Don’t give up
The primacy it requires
In the previous devotional we talked about the parable of the sower. In it, Jesus describes a farmer sowing seed. Some of it is snatched away, some lands on rocky soil, and some is choked out by thorns. But then in verse 8 we learn how “other seed fell on good soil. It came up … Continue reading The primacy it requires
Inseparable
In the parable of the sower, Jesus talks about a farmer sowing seed. Some of the seed is snatched away, some lands on rocky soil and doesn’t take deep root, and some starts to grow but is choked out by thorns. In verse 15 he says: “But the seed on good soil stands for those … Continue reading Inseparable
