“So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night.” – Nehemiah 4:9 In the book of Nehemiah, the Israelites are rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem after they had returned from their exile in Babylon. And as is usually the case, they have enemies who...
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37 How important is forgiveness? Jesus often links our forgiveness of others very closely to God’s forgiveness of us. For instance, in the Lord’s Prayer,...
“Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” – Haggai 1:4 During the time that the book of Haggai was written, God had rescued his people from exile and brought them back to the Promised Land. When they arrived, he...
“Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming...
“From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’” – Matthew 27:45-46 If someone were to ask me what the...
“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”– Galatians 6:2 I find myself facing the interesting challenge of writing a devotional from a hospital bed today. As I lie here, I thought of all the lessons I’ve taught in the past during trials; I...
“As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’” – 1 Corinthians 12:20-21 As a pastor, I often run into people around town who have been...
August 14, 2024 “Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.” – Colossians 4:2 I have a piece of paper hanging over my desk in the office that reads, “My Prayer for Mesa Christian Fellowship: I pray that you would see more clearly and discover new beauty in your...
“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love,...
“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me.” – Psalm 27:10 Rejection. That is a painful word. We have all experienced it in some fashion, whether from an employer, friend, loved one, or even our own parents. The closer the person, the more painful the rejection....
“For through faith you are all sons of God in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:26 This week I have been at a family reunion for the children of my grandpa and grandma on my mom’s side. When this group gets together, I am always amazed at the great variety. We are...
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 As many of you already know, working on old cars is my hobby. I...
“So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:18 Yesterday my wife and I got to experience a bittersweet moment. We went back to the site of Black Forrest Camp...
“But beyond these, my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body. When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: fear God and keep his commands, because this is for all humanity.” – Ecclesiastes 12:12-13 Yesterday...
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and gloom and broke their chains apart.” – Psalm 107:13-14 The other day my wife and I went to Lowe’s to pick up some things for the house. When...
“If we say, ‘We have no sin,’ we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:8-9 I have seen a couple funny videos...
June 5, 2024 “One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound wisdom.” – Proverbs 18:1 Since I broke both of my shoulders and tore several tendons and ligaments, they have lost a lot of elasticity. This means that, though they are often stiff and sore, they are...
“He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.” – Colossians 2:14 When I was a little kid growing up in church, I often heard songs about how beautiful the Cross is....
“How happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk according to the Lord’s instruction! Happy are those who keep his decrees and seek him with all their heart.” – Psalm 119:1-2 As my children are becoming adults, I have noticed that one of the most difficult things to do is...
May 15, 2024 “A king is not saved by a large army; a warrior will not be rescued by great strength. The horse is a false hope for safety; it provides no escape by its great power. But look, the Lord keeps his eye on those who fear him –...
“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.’” – Genesis 2:18 We need each other. The Bible is so clear on this from cover to cover. In the book of Genesis, God states that each creation is good as he creates it. But then,...
“To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak so defiantly.’ No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges:...
“For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb.” – 1 Peter 1:18-19 I have always been amazed by people...
April 17, 2024 “I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” – Ephesians 1:16 I have always been a strong believer in thanksgiving being a vital part of prayer. It has always been my practice to start every prayer with “thank you.” Before I ever...
“Samuel replied, ‘Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following the Lord. Instead, worship the Lord with all your heart.’” – 1 Samuel 12:20 Shame is a powerful thing. The truth is all of us have done things we are ashamed of. Usually,...
“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.” – John 19:30 When Jesus walked this earth, he had a group of thousands that listened to his teachings, and a group of 12 disciples that went with him everywhere....
“Joshua was now old, advanced in age, and the Lord said to him, ‘You have become old, advanced in age, but a great deal of the land remains to be possessed.’” – Joshua 13:1 When it comes to the conquest of the Promised Land, the first person we think of is...
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” – Romans 8:1-2 I have an uncle who is an excellent mechanic. When I am working on my...
“Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3 Yesterday a good friend stopped by my shop to give me a hand with an old 1972 F100 pickup truck I am restoring. As we talked, we shared stories of times we should have gone back...
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.” – Psalm 100:4 Those of you who have spent any time with me know that I begin almost every prayer with “thank you.” I believe it is proper to always enter the...
