Jesus actually rose from the grave. Actually. Physically. Incredibly!Because of that, everything was different. Everything is different.He paid for and conquered sin. He defeated death. He saved his people. His love triumphed! His reconciling work extended—and extends—to the entirely of the world, bringing unity to all things in heaven and on earth (Ephesians 1:9-10).He also … Continue reading When the Devil reminds you of your past
The Up Devo
These records tell me all kinds of bad things about you
Today is Good Friday. It’s a solemn time to remember and give thanks for what Christ did for us on the cross.Billy had a younger sister who was confined to a wheelchair. He took her to school and brought her from class to class. He was happy to do so. He was caring for his … Continue reading These records tell me all kinds of bad things about you
All she had to live on
Today is Maundy Thursday. It’s not as well-known as Palm Sunday, Good Friday or Easter Sunday. But many churches have special services.The name comes from Jesus’ words in John 13:34. He gave us a “new command” (Latin: mandatum novum) to love one another as he has loved us. In Mark 12 we have a beautiful example … Continue reading All she had to live on
He sees and values you
In yesterday’s devotional we looked at David. Actually, we looked at how God looked at David: “The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).This was true not only for David, but for you. The Lord looks … Continue reading He sees and values you
People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord?
Other people are more successful than you, more popular than you are, more good looking than you are, make more money than you do, are more accomplished than you are, are smarter than you are, and stronger than you are.(Before you throw something at me, hold on for a moment.)David was a young shepherd boy. … Continue reading People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord?
Thy sea is so great, and my boat is so small
John F Kennedy served as the President of American in the early 1960’s. I recently heard that he had a copy of an old Breton prayer on his desk: “O God, thy sea is so great, and my boat is so small.” How true. It’s a commentary about those times when life seems overwhelming. It’s … Continue reading Thy sea is so great, and my boat is so small
Play your part
The Apollo 13 spacecraft launched into orbit in 1970. Many of us know the general parameters of the story because we’ve seen the moving starring Tom Hanks.In short, things go sideways. Stuff starts breaking and the lives of the astronauts are in danger. At home, everyone watches their TV screens in suspense and send up … Continue reading Play your part
Whose likeness is this?
In yesterday’s devotional we focused on a passage from Mark 12 where some hypocritical leaders were trying to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar.Today let’s zero in on another element of Jesus’ response. As usual, there is more going on in the text than what first meets the eye.They asked him … Continue reading Whose likeness is this?
Render to Caesar
In Mark 12, some hypocritical leaders were trying to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar.It was a clever trap. Caesar (the Roman emperor) was a man named Tiberias. He was not very popular, could be very cruel, and levied heavy taxes on the people. The Jews felt like they weren’t fully … Continue reading Render to Caesar
Priorities and social pressure
In yesterday’s devotional I highlighted something from Augustine: “The essence of sin is disordered love.”In short, we all love certain things and certain people. But if we get the order wrong, that’s a problem. For example, if I love my job to the neglect my family, that’s sin. In that scenario I’m living in a … Continue reading Priorities and social pressure
