Philippians 2:19-24Listen to today's devotionalFor a while, I've been ruminating over a sermon idea. It'd be an illustration or maybe an entire message. I'd call it "The Lost Art of Visiting."I've asked the seasoned saints about it, and they remember. They remember pastors and church leaders and friends showing up at their doors. Not for a meeting, not for an obligation, but just to be there with them. Just to check in. A way of proving, You are seen....

 2 Kings 4:1-7Listen to today's devotionalWhen most people think of "the lectionary," they recognize it as a schedule of readings pastors use to order weekly worship. That’s true, but the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) also includes daily Bible readings. Each morning, I reflect on these passages and choose one to share in our daily devotional.Often, common themes emerge, almost explicitly. Today is one of those days.Psalm 53 speaks of the fool who denies...

 Psalm 53Listen to today's devotionalOn April 1st, watch what you hear and see. It could be a prank or a joke, something someone devised to make you an April Fool. Most of the antics on this day are simple and fun. And you, typically, might only fall for one or two. But don't fall for the greatest of fools' bait.Psalm 53 opens with this declaration: "Fools say in their hearts, 'There is no God.'"When you study Psalm 53, you also study Psalm 14. They're...

 Revelation 19:1-8Listen to today's devotionalBurying the alleluia is a spiritual practice that dates back to the Middle Ages. It's a simple act of worship. Or non-worship, I suppose.Typically, during Lent, the church would not sing hymns that included the word alleluia. The translation of the word is "Praise the Lord." As such, to sing or repeat it is an act of praise, worship and even joy. Lent is a more penitential season. And, when...

 Listen on SpotifyWatch on YouTube Monday: Introduction to GraceMain Passage: Luke 15:11-32 (Parable of the Prodigal Son)Reflection:Today, we begin our journey into understanding the depth of God's grace through the Parable of the Prodigal Son. This story is essential for comprehending the infinite love of God and how it calls each of us, regardless of where we find ourselves. By reflecting on the themes of "come home," we see how these two simple words...

 Joshua 4:1-13Listen to today's devotionalGod doesn't need our perfection to be God. And we know the Lord's goodness and holiness don't stand on our merit or our righteous abilities. Who God is and what God does is enough.We're used to thinking our testimonies have to recount earth-shattering, life-changing experiences. It's doesn't feel right to celebrate the small moments of peace or revelation. While there are times we move mountains with God's help,...

 Joshua 4:1-13The man showed me the picture of Earth he had carried for decades. I had seen the picture in history books and online. But this was his picture. He had been part of the space mission that first provided this image. After its success, this was a keepsake given to crew members and others involved. So, this wasn't just a picture of a historical event. This was his cherished reminder of what that day was to him. And with the picture came the...

Numbers 13:17-27It's the classic good news, bad news scenario. The spies have spent 40 days surveying the promised land. They've seen what this place of promise is, what it offers and who lives there. Interestingly, their report doesn't seem to include anything we wouldn't have already known. The good news is "look at this fruit!" The bad news is "the people!"I'm not quite sure who initiated their exploratory mission. Numbers 13 says "the Lord spoke to Moses"...

 Psalm 39I used to joke that I became a preacher because the church was the only place that said my big mouth was a spiritual gift. But one doesn't need to be loud or boisterous to put one's foot in their mouth, do they?We all run that risk.So, maybe, you can relate to the psalmist as he opens Psalm 39. He shares with us what he, presumably, told himself, "I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue" (39:1). Now, I can only base my reading...

 Romans 2:1-11From time to time, I preach a good enough sermon that someone has a wish. Their wish is that so-and-so would have been there to hear it. That's a relative or friend they know. And the reason is always the same. They really should've been there because they really needed to hear it.Now, how many of us don't need to hear gospel-focused reminders? I like to remind my wish makers that so-and-so wasn't there. They didn't hear it. You did. And...

Listen on SpotifyWatch on YouTube  Monday: Turning Off the NoiseScripture Reading: Philippians 4:8-9Devotional: Begin your week by reflecting on the pervasive influence of news and media in our lives. How often do you find yourself consumed by the news cycle, seeking to validate your pre-existing beliefs rather than seeking truth? Today, challenge yourself to discern between entertainment-focused news that stirs division and news that genuinely...

 Daniel 12:1-4Do you feel the world is broken? If someone sang that in worship, your next response would probably be: We do. That's the opening line to Andrew Peterson's "Is He Worthy?"In that song, not only do worshippers acknowledge the brokenness of the world, we admit the shadows deepen around us as well. Why would that be a song of praise? Because it leads to a confident assurance that Christ is worthy. But it begins with the unquestionable distress...

 Psalm 63:1-8A good comic doesn't need sophistication to make us think. One stand up comic's set comes to mind to demonstrate this. Speaking of us in the U.S., he painted a picture of a thriving society. His proof of our triumphant posture was waterparks.After building momentum with several water-themed jokes, he finished off by saying, "That's how you know we've made it. Other people in the world can't find water to drink and we're over here playing...

 Luke 13:22-31I reflect often on a drawing called The Narrow Way. It's of a person maneuvering herself from a cross-shaped pit. As you view the picture, you can tell this is no easy task. The soul's will must contort the body to escape the angles of the cross. I haven't seen the picture in quite a while, but it's as vivid in my mind as it was the first time I saw it. It's a reminder to me of the challenge to walk faithfully a cruciform life.In Luke's...

 1 Corinthians 10:1-13Being that Ecclesiastes is one of my favorite books of the Bible, I regularly call to mind that "there's nothing new under the sun." Yes, there are circumstances happening to us and all around us that couldn't have happened before. Quite often, though, only the details have changed. What we're facing, what's at stake and what we should do follows a pattern the world has seen from us before. Mark Twain said it differently from the...

 Listen on SpotifyWatch on  YouTubeWhen we align ourselves with God's rhythm, we resist evil, embrace love, and find that God is already waiting for us with open arms. Monday: Recognizing Life’s RhythmsScripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8Devotional:The rhythms of life are evident all around us, from the changing seasons to the daily patterns of work and rest. In the same way, our spiritual lives follow rhythms that God has set in place. Recognizing...

 Exodus 33:1-6Listen to today's devotionalFor about a week now, I have been, literally, stiff-necked. Several projects have required my attention be set on a computer screen a bit more than usual. My eyes are typically the first to signal it's time for me to get up from the desk. This time, it's been my neck.That is, of course, a physical affliction. But it's easy to make a few spiritual connections.As a reminder, in Exodus 33, the Lord told the Israelites...