“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). There are different types of prayers. Free-form prayers are prayers you say as the words come into your mind. There are also set prayers. These are where the words are always the … Continue reading A prayer for all Christians
spiritual disciplines
To help you love others
In the previous devotional I encouraged us to think about spiritual disciplines. According to Jeff Loach, they are “historically and biblically rooted ways to deepen your relationship with God.” They are faith-based practices which form you to be more like Jesus. I referenced Bible-reading, prayer, corporate worship, and fasting. These are some of the most … Continue reading To help you love others
God doesn’t expect us to grow on our own
Spiritual disciplines. According to Jeff Loach, they are “historically and biblically rooted ways to deepen your relationship with God.” Although some people can get tripped up by the word “discipline,” they needn’t be. These are faith-based practices which form you to be more like Jesus. (Have you ever noticed that the word “discipline” looks a … Continue reading God doesn’t expect us to grow on our own
Attention to detail
The biblical stories are filled with details. Although some of them may seem curious or confusing, they are significant. Since they are inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16) they are there for a reason. And if they exist to teach us and give us hope—which Romans 15:4 says they are—then we are wise to pay … Continue reading Attention to detail
Vantage Point
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Each of the four Gospels tells us something important about the life and significance of Christ. A common illustration people sometimes use … Continue reading Vantage Point
PRay the long game
The past few devotionals have been focused on perseverance and playing the long game. With that in mind, let me introduce what I think is a helpful play on words: Pray the long game. Playing the long game (without the ‘r’), is about saying and doing things in the here and now which will help … Continue reading PRay the long game
It’s about Jesus
I’m often curious about the day-to-day spiritual practices of famous, faithful people. Did they shine only when others were watching, or was their devotion to God sincere and consistent? Did Saint Francis ever have dry spells in his prayer life? Was Billy Graham gracious to others when he was off the stage? Did Augustine frequently … Continue reading It’s about Jesus
Showing God his own handwriting
In Psalm 25 David is in distress. He doesn’t get into the specifics, but he’s very aware of his own sin (verses 7, 11, 18), experiences guilt (verse 11), and is under the threat of enemies (verse 2). In the midst of this prayer he says: “Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they … Continue reading Showing God his own handwriting
Seeking his face
You’re probably going to be more courageous if you know that God is close to you. When I was in elementary school, there was a mean kid on the playground. But I had two older brothers. The mean kid was less scary when my brothers were around. You probably see the connection. ‘But,’ you ask, … Continue reading Seeking his face
Roots, testing and falling away
The Parable of the Sower is one of Jesus’ most famous parables. A sower sows some seed—which, Jesus indicates, is a metaphor for the word of God. Ideally, the seed lands on receptive soil. That’s what you and I should want for everyone. But there are a few situations which don’t work out. One is … Continue reading Roots, testing and falling away
