All Scripture references are quoted from the Christian Standard Bible (unless otherwise noted).
“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.” – John 15:5 Yesterday we celebrated Independence Day; the day America declared our independence from Great Britain. But as I reflected throughout the...
June 28, 2023 “I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the...
June 21, 2023 “But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.” – Galatians 5:15 Have you ever heard the term “collateral damage”? It refers to the destruction of private property or the death of innocent civilians during a time of war....
June 14, 2023 “Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s residence and gathered the whole company around him. They stripped him and dressed him in a scarlet robe. They twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and placed a staff in his right hand....
May 31, 2023 “For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.” – Galatians 5:13 Yesterday my 11-year-old son wanted to go buy a used video game for an older system he has....
“According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.” – Romans 12:6-8 Our church...
“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.” – James 1:5 What do you usually pray for? If you were to go back through the last several weeks and make a list of your prayer requests,...
“You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” – Jeremiah 29:12 Yesterday I had to drive to Denver for a doctor’s appointment. That sentence involves two of my very least favorite things: driving to Denver and going to the doctor. You combine...
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Have you ever had someone say, “I like your shirt,” or “Nice shoes,” or “cool car”? Those are very simple things and, in the end, not all that important. But even...
“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am serving the law of God, but with my flesh, the law of sin.” – Romans 7:24-25 Is everything okay?...
April 19, 2023 “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” – Romans 12:9-10 Yesterday I got the chance to hang out with my dad. It wasn’t really anything spectacular; we went to the...
“Come and listen, all who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for me.” – Psalm 66:16 Last night I had the privilege of speaking to a doctorate seminar on the subject of “spiritual formation through suffering.” I have been a guest speaker on this subject many times...
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“For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.” –...
“A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” – John 10:10 This week in our country we experienced a horrible tragedy when children were blatantly murdered as they went about what they thought would be...
“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” – Proverbs 16:2 “Why did you do that?” This is a question I’m sure we’ve all heard before. Usually, it comes up when someone has done something stupid, or something cruel, or they have really messed...
“When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.” – Matthew 9:36 My wife and I both have Tuesdays off. We usually spend the day running all over town doing errands. Not the most exciting “date-day,” but at...
“As for those of you who are left, I will make their hearts so fearful in the lands of their enemies that the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. They will run as though fleeing from the sword, and they will fall, even though no one...
“For a command is a lamp, teaching is a light, and corrective discipline is the way to life.” – Proverbs 6:23 If you have ever been a parent, I’m sure you’ve had this experience: You lay down a rule and immediately your child begins asking questions to push the boundaries. They...
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” – Hebrews 13:17 Yesterday I had lunch with a group...
“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” – James 1:2-4 As I look out my window...
“He was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.’” – Luke 11:1 My son recently started playing basketball for the local parks and rec league. He has never played basketball...
“You turned my lament into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, so that I can sing to you and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.” – Psalm 30:11-12 Here in Pueblo, we have had a long stretch of sub-freezing temperatures, along with...
January 25, 2023 “Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice.” – Ephesians 4:31 Wednesday is trash day at my house. As you can imagine, with seven people living in our home, it is important to pay someone to come get all...
“But you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.” – 1 Timothy 6:11 Whenever my kids have a day of no school and no extracurricular activities, they always ask to watch TV, play on the computer, or play video games. My wife...
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” – Luke 22:42 What is faith? I’ve heard a lot of definitions over the years, and many of them are excellent. I’ve never tried to create a definition of my own because I...
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all you have done; I reflect on the work of your hands.” – Psalm 143:5 Yesterday my wife and I had the opportunity to share the testimony of our relationship with a group of high school students. We talked about how we...
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” – Hebrews 4:15 Chances are, you have felt a whole range of emotions over the last...
“See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated ‘God is with us.’” – Matthew 1:23 How would you feel about a friend who would not spend time with you unless you set aside special moments to only be...
