Matt. 10:38–39 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. Read the context In high school, two of my friends trained for the Marines by running in a weighted vests after class. I jogged along uninhibited. I remember thinking: drop the weight... it'll be easier. But that was the point. The Christian life is that kind of training. Jesus said so himself... take up your...
1 day ago • 1 min read
1 Tim. 6:11–12 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Read the context If you walk against a crowd... expect to bump into people. That's the reality of the Christian life — it's a call to live differently. Is it worth it? Paul says this fight of faith is...
2 days ago • 1 min read
Psalm 27 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Read the context Everything is instant in our world today. Groceries, movies, even the ability to see someone via video chat. I don't want to wait. "Patience is a virtue" I don't desire. But faith is a waiting game. When life drags on, when health makes days feel like years, the waiting is real. But the Lord is coming. He...
3 days ago • 1 min read
1 Kings 19:15-18 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. ...Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” Read the context Elijah ran away from the pressure of persecution. He was convinced he was...
4 days ago • 1 min read
Jer. 20:11-12 But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; — so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; — their dishonor will never be forgotten. Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous — and probe the heart and mind,let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause. Read the context Persecution was about all that Jeremiah knew. He was opposed by kings, priests, and the people for speaking the truth of God's word....
5 days ago • 1 min read
Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Read the context Sparrows were cheap. Nobody kept track of them. But God was. The world can feel hostile toward your faith: comments from friends, a culture that makes light of what you take seriously. It's easy to wonder: am I the punchline to God too?...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Acts 7:55–60 Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. ... While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried...
7 days ago • 1 min read
2 Timothy 4:6–8 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Read the context Sitting in a jail cell, awaiting his death, Paul could easily loathe his reality or regret his...
8 days ago • 1 min read
2 Timothy 4:1–3 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears...
9 days ago • 1 min read