Dr. James Tour is a professor at Rice University. His church has a ministry to support families dealing with the challenges of cancer. People need treatment like chemotherapy for months at a time, so families from their church welcome these families into their homes.Sometimes, as we know, even children get cancer. In the midst of … Continue reading Not alone in your struggles
salvation
Born to die? Why?
I recently heard a story about an ancient King. He was known for being perfectly just and perfectly loving. It was discovered that someone was stealing gold from the royal treasury. The King said that the punishment would be ten lashes. The next week, more gold was taken. And more the week after that. Each time … Continue reading Born to die? Why?
His performance, not yours
While in college John Ortberg had to attend mandatory chapel services. They had assigned seating. It was a clever format. After all, since the services were mandatory, and since the students had assigned seating, it was easy for the monitors to see who was (or wasn’t) in attendance.During one of the semesters a controversy broke out. … Continue reading His performance, not yours
Perfect love casts out fear?
One of the most well-known verses in John the apostle’s first letter is this: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). People tend to quote that verse to say we never have any need to be afraid of anything. However, the second part of the verse explains the context: … Continue reading Perfect love casts out fear?
To give you the crown of glory
Two students were knocking on doors evangelizing. One of those doors was answered by a mother. It was not a good day. The house was crazy, kids were going nuts, and she was clearly tired and frazzled. They asked her: “Are you interested in eternal life?” Looking around at her chaotic life she replied: “Frankly, … Continue reading To give you the crown of glory
Are you dying for him?
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).In A Tale of Two Cities two men look a lot alike. Their names are Charles and Sydney. They both fall in love with the same woman. She falls back in love with … Continue reading Are you dying for him?
Without him nothing, with him everything
In 2 Corinthians 5:20 Paul writes: "We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."As the people of God this is what we want for all people, including our friends, family members, schoolmates, co-workers, everybody!But what's the big deal about reconciliation?Think first about separation and hostility. There are two opposing sides. Reconciliation happens when … Continue reading Without him nothing, with him everything
If you are “in Christ” his Spirit is in you
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)In the previous devotional we talked about how Jesus' righteousness, faithfulness and perfection gets credited to us. When his people stand before their Maker, God he sees not their sin (because Jesus has paid … Continue reading If you are “in Christ” his Spirit is in you
Are we coming to worship entitled or thankful?
Today is Friday. In two days from now Christians all over the world will gather together to worship God. They will do so in simple church buildings or fancy ones. They will gather in storefronts or movie theatres. They will gather in someone’s home or out in a field.No matter what their surroundings look like, … Continue reading Are we coming to worship entitled or thankful?
The slavery of sin
An angel told Joseph something significant about Jesus’ role: “[Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). What does it mean for Jesus to save someone from their sins? Firstly, he saves us from the “consequence” … Continue reading The slavery of sin
