When we turn from sin and put our faith in Jesus, one of the great things we experience is God in us. The Holy Spirit indwells us and gives us a new heart and mind. Then, as we follow Jesus, the Spirit spends the rest of our lives reshaping and refocusing who we are and… Continue reading The Fruit of the Spirit (part 1)
Tag: devotion
The second most important thing about the return of Jesus (a meditation on a life lived in expectancy)
“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware like a trap.” ~ Jesus, Luke 21:34 A good way to start a debate or even an argument among Christians: bring up Jesus’ return. For centuries many godly people… Continue reading The second most important thing about the return of Jesus (a meditation on a life lived in expectancy)
A prayer for every day (a meditation on growing in faith)
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” ~ Luke 17:5 The Christian life is built on the foundation of faith. It is by faith we are saved and it is by faith we are to live each day as followers of Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-10, Hebrews 10:36-39). Faith starts with belief, specifically a belief… Continue reading A prayer for every day (a meditation on growing in faith)
Holy Celebrations (a meditation on the joy of salvation)
Sometimes in popular culture Christians get the reputation of being like sticks in the mud. We’re not all that fun. While cultural (especially Hollywood) stereotypes of faithful followers of Jesus are drastically overblown (most of the time), sometimes they also bubble up with hints of truth. In contrast to the stuffy and stoic fun-hating image… Continue reading Holy Celebrations (a meditation on the joy of salvation)
Yeah, God’s that big… (a meditation on the God who cannot be contained)
All humans have these ceaseless yearnings…not simply because we are incomplete but because God is infinite. God’s wonder and beauty become overwhelmingly attractive because they are infinite and inexhaustible. ~ Os Guinness, Fool’s Talk But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I… Continue reading Yeah, God’s that big… (a meditation on the God who cannot be contained)
Things that matter; things that distract (a meditation on time well spent)
I’m not sure who first coined the terms, but Chuck Swindoll has spoken and wrote about the tyranny of the urgent. Stephen Covey in his book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People discussed the same ideas under the labels of urgent and important. Essentially, our lives are made up of years, each of which has… Continue reading Things that matter; things that distract (a meditation on time well spent)
Are you willing to lose to gain? (a meditation on the heart of the Christian life)
“For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” ~ Jesus, Luke 9:25 In a single moment we come alive. Two cells fuse together and begin to multiply and grow, reproducing and reshaping until organs and body parts develop. Then we burst forth into the world… Continue reading Are you willing to lose to gain? (a meditation on the heart of the Christian life)
The Son of God (a meditation on who we are in Adam and who we are in Jesus)
As followers of Jesus, when we hear the phrase “the son of God” Jesus will likely be the first name that pops into our heads. After all, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son…” as John 3:16 goes (ESV). Yet when we read the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3,… Continue reading The Son of God (a meditation on who we are in Adam and who we are in Jesus)
None Beyond the Reach (a meditation on how the gospel can impact anyone, including a terrorist)
…though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ~ Paul, 1 Timothy 1:13-14 What do you think when you see a stranger walking… Continue reading None Beyond the Reach (a meditation on how the gospel can impact anyone, including a terrorist)
Good Reads 07.15.15 (on: family devotions, the gospel and same sex relationships, and more)
Here is a collection of good reads gathered from across the internet this past week. Be sure to check them out! On family devotions: How We Do Family Devotions by Tim Challies (click here to read more) I think family devotions is like a lot of things in the Christian life: We have made it… Continue reading Good Reads 07.15.15 (on: family devotions, the gospel and same sex relationships, and more)
First Baptist Church 