This Sunday we are looking at John 6:1–13 and the feeding of the five thousand. Before we get into this devotional, I encourage you to stop here, read the story, and then come back. In this passage the disciples are presented with a problem. They had to provide food for a large number of people, but they didn’t have the…
Scripture References: Lamentations 3:40, Jeremiah 7:1-11, 30-31, Matthew 21:12-13, 1 John 1:9, Psalm 139:23-24 Introduction: 40 Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! – Lamentations 3:40 ESV One of the most dangerous states we can fall into is complacency. When I step back and reflect on my own life, I can remember times where I probably thought…
Two years ago, I was part of a group of men in our church who challenged each other to be more disciplined in our lives. Diet and exercise were, of course, part of the program, but so was studying and memorizing Scripture. Each man was given a chapter of Ephesians to memorize and then recite to each other after a…
A while back I was taking my youngest to one of her sporting events when, out of the blue, she asked me, “How can someone be born again?” I hadn’t been paying much attention to the radio, but it turns out one of the songs mentioned being born again. I immediately started chuckling to myself because her question was the…
Scripture References: Genesis 15:15-16, Deuteronomy 9:4-6, Deuteronomy 18:9-12, 2 Kings 21:6, 8-9, Galatians 3:7-9. Introduction: Have you ever come across topics from the Bible that are hard to swallow? I think if we’re honest, there are times when we come across a topic or question that can be uncomfortable to talk about, particularly if they are being asked by an…
Our key text for this Sunday is Hebrews 10:24–25: 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Depending on what browser you’re reading this on, you…
Scripture References: Isaiah 44:1-2, 9, 12-18, 24. Proverbs 3:6, Colossians 1:16-17, Acts 17:28-29, Daniel 4:28-33. Introduction: “Aha! Look what I’ve created! I have made FIRE!” If you’ve seen the movie Cast Away, then you probably remember this iconic line. After being stranded on a desert island for a considerable amount of time, Tom Hanks’ character in the movie shouts this…
Scripture References: John 14:15, Romans 4:1-3, Genesis 12:2, Genesis 15:1, 5-11, 17, Ephesians 2:8 Introduction: We live in a performance-driven culture. We feel that constant pressure to perform on a daily basis. Whether that is at work, school, family responsibilities, community activities…you name it. This may lead us to ask questions regarding our relationship with God. What does God expect…
Scripture References: Hebrews 13:8, James 1:26-27, Isaiah 58:3-9a, Micah 6:8, Matthew 22:36-40, Matthew 28:19-20a Introduction: The God of the New Testament is the God of the Old Testament. Perhaps the author of Hebrews states it even better: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8 ESV I begin with this, because I think we are…
Imagine with me the following scenario. You are having a conversation with a loved one on the couch (you get to pick whether it’s a spouse, parent, child, grandparent, friend—whomever you like). You realize that you left something on the end table next to their end of the couch. You politely ask them to pass you the item. To which…