Jesus calls us to live sacrificially. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34). But what is sacrifice? Here’s one way to think about it. Sacrifice is giving up something good for something great. For example, if you are fasting, you sacrifice a good … Continue reading Sacrifice is giving up good things for great things
kingdom of God
God is under no illusions
“‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1:17-18). Jesus’ first followers had different professions. Some were fishermen. Matthew was a tax collector. Jesus himself was called a carpenter, having apprenticed under Joseph. Clearly, these were working-class people. But there’s … Continue reading God is under no illusions
Seize kingdom moments
A man was in a nursing home. He wasn’t having a good day. He was feeling low and disheveled. One of the nurses noticed. So she brought him a comb so that he would feel better. It did. Yes, he was able to brush his hair. But even more than that, he knew that someone … Continue reading Seize kingdom moments
Go out of your way to say it
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Go out of your way to say, “Way to go!” You’re right. Seems a bit gimmicky, doesn’t it? Perhaps. But hear me out. Jesus often taught about the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is where and when God rules as King … Continue reading Go out of your way to say it
An unshakable kingdom
[Note: I'm on vacation next week so the devotional will go on pause after today and will return on March 20th.] Certain events and experiences can shake and unsettle us. A world war can do that. So can events like September 11, 2001. I still remember the day. When terrorists flew planes into the World … Continue reading An unshakable kingdom
The other-worldly kingdom
In John 18:36 when standing before the Roman governor, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Let me note a few things. First, his kingdom isn’t just about heaven. It includes heaven but is not limited to heaven. He teaches us to pray that God’s kingdom comes and his will is done “on … Continue reading The other-worldly kingdom
Making margin
I recently had the opportunity to interview the Rev. Dr. Sarah Han. She’s a professor at Tyndale University in Toronto (and also a friend) who is writing a book about “margin.” Having margin in your life is having mental and emotional space in your life. It’s also having a schedule which isn’t consistently jam-packed. Sarah … Continue reading Making margin
Presently, not just eventually
“make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue…” (2 Peter 1:5, ESV) Salvation. It’s a big word. When a lot of people hear that word, they think about heaven. And they should; it’s one of God’s promises. When you believe in who Jesus is and what he has done for you on the cross, … Continue reading Presently, not just eventually
Illness has an end-date
There are seven miraculous “signs” in John’s Gospel. One is the healing of a boy with a death-threatening fever. “The royal official said, ‘Sir, come down before my child dies.’ ‘Go,’ Jesus replied, ‘your son will live’” (John 4:49-50). But what purpose do these signs serve? They certainly provide compassionate help! But they also confirm … Continue reading Illness has an end-date
The fresh air of friendship
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). Glenn Peterson is the President and Superintendent of the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada. Recently he said, “You can never have enough kingdom friends.” Isn’t that the truth! In a world with a lot of isolation and … Continue reading The fresh air of friendship
