“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’” Luke 23:34 As we have spent a few weeks on prayer, we have highlighted a few ways in which Jesus prayed. This week, let’s see what Jesus prayed in His final hours, while enduring great physical pain and deep emotional distress….
Prayer: Praying like Jesus, Part II
“For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:8b Last week we began exploring how Jesus prepared himself for prayer. He often would go off alone, away from the noise and the distractions and he focused on his father. In Matthew 26, we read the account of Jesus in the garden…
Prayer: Praying Like Jesus, Part I
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16 When you reflect on Jesus’ time on earth, how do you picture him? Calling His disciples? Performing miracles in common place moments? Loving the unlovely? When you consider his life, living as a Christian, or Christ-like, believer is rather overwhelming! Yet Christ left us many instructions…
Refresh and Renew
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 Last week, I went with my family on vacation. It was the first week-long vacation we have taken in years. Prior…
Obedience, Part III, How Good is Good Enough?
“If you love me, you will obey what I command” John 14:15 I was asked a very interesting question this week. One I think most of us have entertained: If all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, how much is enough? How obedient do I need to be? Accepting Jesus is…
Obedience Part II, Disobedience Defined
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness, I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel.” Jeremiah 31:3-4a Last week we began examining obedience. Sometimes we can learn more about a subject by studying its’ direct opposite. Disobedience is a subject most…
Obedience, Part I, The Story Behind The Picture
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord you God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 28: 1-2 As we read…
The Sons and the Daughters of God
“What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet.” Psalm 8:4-6; Hebrews 2: 6b-8 “In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for…
RECHARGE
“But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. The will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 The idea of burnout is highly referenced in American culture. We have burnout at work, burnout at school, and burnout in ministry. We get…
RESET
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” II Corinthians 5:17 How long have you walked with Christ? Really desired to live like a Christian: become Christ-like? I was so blessed to attend the WinterJam concert this past Saturday night. The devotional theme was “Reset”. Using…