With different backgrounds, we share one hope and one mission
The ways we vary can hardly be counted: age, gender, cultural, community, race, and more. But the one we worship and the mission we share all center around just one name.
They did their best to shut him down. But we know why they failed
The apostle John gives us a hint in the fourth Gospel of the attempts and desires of some religious leaders who simply wanted the teaching of Jesus to go away.
Jesus changed everything. Yet some things seem still to be the same
Jesus’ offer of living water is for far more than parched lips. And we can be carriers of this blessing to our world today.
Rise above rote: ideas for those who lead the Communion service
Our Communion service can degenerate into routine if we’re not careful. Here are some ideas to keep that from happening. From a new handbook published by Outreach, Inc.
Hymns of hope in the middle of lament: Jeremiah’s example for today
We remember the hymns because they remind us of what Jeremiah knew: God is the only anchor steadfast and sure in troubled times.
Living stones, holy priesthood, the theme passage for my life
1 Peter 2:1-12 has been a theme passage for my life. Here Peter tells us that we are “like living stones being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
When the assignment is just too hard, here’s what God will do
What God told Jeremiah to do didn’t make sense. How God asked Jeremiah to move forward seemed far too difficult. But he obeyed, just as we can.
Our path in history did not start, nor will it end, with today
Sometimes we need to be reminded that our moment has a history and our history forms a path for those who are yet to be born.
God is there, even when your hopes and expectations are dashed
Exiles may be surprised by the way their present doesn’t match the future they dreamed about in the past. But God is always there.
The questions of this prisoner echo doubt we sometimes face, too
He had given his whole life on behalf of this one, but still he doubted if he was THE One. We can relate.
What we need if we want to grow fruit—or a relationship with God
Everything God has created has seasons of rest and seasons of productivity. And everything God created depends on him for life and growth.
Why look for what he’s offering instead of what we say we want
They were looking for little more than just another meal. How often could something similar be said of us?
Jesus offers so much more than what some daily seek from him
These followers were the classic example of missing the best by seeking only the immediate good.
Go ahead and plan. But you don’t know what tomorrow may bring
James tells us to humble ourselves before the Lord. Nowhere is that a bigger challenge than when we come to the issue of planning for tomorrow.
‘Do I have enough?’ A story to help us deal with our common question
Sooner or later, all of us confront the question of enough. And Jesus always, always shows us the answer.
Pondering what the Holy Spirit will do in my little life today
A study of Francis Chan’s book makes me wonder how willing I am to seek and submit to the Spirit’s power every day.
Three familiar stories, three opportunities truly to see Jesus
Three stories in two chapters lead us to one inescapable message. The grace and power of Jesus are for everyone, and for today.
He knew but loved. Can we love even when we know what they did?
“He told me all that I ever did.” Suppose someone knew you that well? How would you expect them to respond to you?
How we can relate to those who don’t know Jesus: five lessons
On the face of it, this was a conversation that should have gone nowhere. But Jesus employed approaches that led to a life-changing result.
How to plant carefully for an abundant and beautiful harvest to come
Our world is desperate for a good harvest of righteousness and peace. And the book of James tell us how to achieve one.