‘He must increase.’ Give it time. ‘I must decrease.’ Same for us
When John the Baptist said, “He must increase and I must decrease,” he demonstrated that Jesus was the way, the truth, and the life and that the disciples (and everyone else!) needed to spend time with Jesus.
It’s getting colder, time for shelter from the winter to come
I’m bringing tender plants inside to escape the winter freeze. It’s something like what all caregivers do.
The wind of God’s Spirit, the impact of our demonstrated love
What if our job is not to convince, but just to love? What if all we know is a barrier to learning what will really impact our neighbor?
WOMM—it’s a strategy to use for far more than attracting customers
“Come and see” is an invitation for our time. But if someone responds to such words from us, what will they find?
Listen first, and when you decide to speak, heed this advice
To follow the teaching of James, we start by listening before we speak. We sew the Word of God in our hearts and surrender our words to him before we utter a thought to another.
Again and again the scripture affirms: Christianity = actions
In spite of today’s prevailing tendency to make our position clear on every topic, the watching world will learn most about our faith and our God by what we do.
Advice from James on how the Word can make a difference in our world
Sometimes we fail to listen. Sometimes we only consume and fail to act. In a few sentences, James challenges us to correct both errors.
To get around a roadblock, first you must admit it’s really there
There’s no advantage to calling your situation worse—or better—than it actually is. Admitting that is the first step toward dealing with your current problem.
Here’s what we sometimes need most to remember: how it all began
Jesus, the Light of the World, who created light from the beginning, will be a presence and power in our lives today.
Trials, trouble, hope, and courage—possible for every believer
It is neither instant nor natural to think of facing trials joyfully. And joyfully doesn't mean some sort of denial or silliness. It is a deep awareness that our suffering aligns us deeply with Jesus who suffered for us.
How to keep ourselves from failure when we see an enemy stumble
I keep looking for the exempt clause for this instruction found in Proverbs 24: “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles.”
Why the high wall of our imagination will never be high enough
Our imagination can create much for our future and help us understand our past. But It’s not enough to sustain or to save.
What I’m learning about the benefit of being the last to speak
I did OK in school, but I seldom spoke up. I’m learning later in life that may be a pretty good approach.
How one father’s love helped me understand the way God loves me
I’ll never forget the video of the listless child—and how her father described her, and what this shows me about my Father’s love.
Now is the time to remember what’s ahead and what to do while we wait
Jesus told his disciples what to do with themselves after his ascension before he returned again. We, too, can obey what he taught.
How to respond to the cheers from Heaven coming our way today
Now is our time to throw off the distractions weighing us down and move forward in response to the encouragement we’re receiving from on high.
Breaking bread together—a strategy from Jesus for us to use today
They were simply offering the hospitality expected of them, but soon they realized they’d had an encounter like none other.
Sometimes Jesus walks beside me, too. But I wonder if I even see him
Sometimes we do not realize that we have in fact had an encounter with Jesus who is living inside of the person who helps us.
When you need a friend, here’s the One better than any other
I need my friends. I highly value my friends. But none of them can offer me what Jesus brings.
Sunday review: September 19-24
We need to live each day understanding that it is but a moment in the eternity God is controlling. Build your confidence in his plan for the future as you read again some of the devotions posted this week.