When did you last wrestle someone? Perhaps it's been a while. Perhaps you never have! I'm not a professional. I'm a father (which, for the record, includes a good deal of wrestling). You need to have your feet firmly planted on the ground. If you don't, you get taken down pretty quickly. Today's devotional is … Continue reading Feet firmly planted
Personal, but never private
In yesterday’s devotional I highlighted the exceptional courage of the first apostles. As far as we can tell, all but one of them died for their faith. One writer has stated that God is personal, but never private.* How very true. Our faith is internal AND external. It impacts who we are on the inside … Continue reading Personal, but never private
Courage is fighting alongside the King
Whatever happened to those first apostles? Shortly after the resurrection, this new movement of Christ-followers took off. Initially they were called the people of “The Way.” The word “Christians” also came into use fairly early. Jesus’ people were first referred to by that title in Antioch (see Acts 11:26). Some of the things we know … Continue reading Courage is fighting alongside the King
Doubt your doubts
Perhaps you sometimes have doubts about various aspects of your faith. Perhaps you’ve also thought to yourself, ‘If only I could have seen Jesus when he was resurrected; then I’d have total confidence.’ You may be surprised to hear this, but seeing the risen Jesus in the first century was not a slam-dunk guarantee that … Continue reading Doubt your doubts
Casual and casualty sound so much the same
“Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position” (2 Peter 3:17) It’s no coincidence that casual and casualty sound so much the same. Let me explain what I’m getting at. Casual … Continue reading Casual and casualty sound so much the same
Too honest not to tell the truth
This week we’re talking about having confidence in the resurrection. More specifically, we’re talking about how to defend against conspiracy theories that say it never really happened. When we understand these—and know how to defend against them—we grow in confidence. A modern popular theory is that the early church must have made up resurrection stories … Continue reading Too honest not to tell the truth
There exists such overwhelming evidence
This week’s devotionals have been focusing on the resurrection. It is foundational to our faith. Yet people continue to come up with conspiracy theories which try to deny it. When we understand these—and know how to defend against them—we grow in confidence. One conspiracy theory is that Jesus’ dead body was simply stolen. But that … Continue reading There exists such overwhelming evidence
Out of the cross
The physical resurrection of Jesus is foundational to our faith. Without it, Paul says your faith is “futile” (1 Corinthians 15:17). It is of “first importance” (verse 3). Jesus predicted it. It is one of the reasons he now reigns as Lord. But some people challenge the idea. They say that Jesus never really died. … Continue reading Out of the cross
Putting some sand on the bridge
Indiana Jones was played by Harrison Ford. There’s a scene in one of the movies where he had to get across a huge gorge, but couldn’t jump that far. His map indicated that he could walk across, but he couldn’t see a bridge. He was in a hurry because people were chasing him and he … Continue reading Putting some sand on the bridge
God entrusts us with certain potential
“There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord” (1 Corinthians 12: 5). If you had the ability to give someone a special talent or gift—like, for example, the ability to fly—wouldn’t you expect them to use it? I’m sure you would. Well, God gives us special talents or gifts. And I’m sure he … Continue reading God entrusts us with certain potential
