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  Philippians 4:10-15 Click here to listen to today’s devotional A lot of us remember Philippians 4 because of verse 13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." But let's also consider the surrounding verses. They offer a meaningful affirmation of how Christ often strengthens us. Paul talks about learning contentment in abundance and scarcity. Then he pauses to thank the Philippians for sharing in his troubles. And there it is. We admire so-called "self-made" people. We celebrate those who pull themselves up by their bootstraps, as if success were a solo achievement. But let's be real. Paul endured prisons, beatings, and hardships, but he never pretended he endured them alone. The strength of Christ came not only through an inward spiritual resilience but also through the outward faithfulness of God's people. Their gifts, prayers, encouragement, and partnership became tangible expressions of God's care. Looking back over my life and ...

  1 Peter 5:6-11 Click here to listen to today’s devotional Last week, I led my first funeral at my new church. Well...sort of. I welcomed everyone, but it was up to others to share memories, read Scripture, and participate throughout the service. It should have felt like an easy first funeral. But, about fifteen minutes before we were scheduled to begin, I found myself walking around the building a couple of times. All the while I was thinking, " This isn't how I would have done it." Some details weren't in place yet. I didn't know the funeral home's normal routine. I wasn't sure who usually handled what. Everything in me wanted to put my stamp on things to ensure it all worked out correctly. Then I caught myself. I talk a lot about letting go of control. I've preached it. I've written about it. I've encouraged people to trust God when life doesn't unfold according to their plans. This was a small chance to decide whether I actually believ...

  Ephesians 6:10-18 Click here to listen to today’s devotional Beginning in the 1700s, early Methodists carried small paper “class tickets.” These tickets weren’t proof that someone was saved, nor were they certificates declaring, “Congratulations! You’re holy now.” They connected people to the larger Methodist societies. The ticket showed that you belonged to a small community of people trying to follow Jesus together. Methodists met regularly to pray, encourage one another, care for each other, and ask how their faith was actually showing up in everyday life. We often make faith very personal. We ask, “Do I believe?” or “Did I go to church?” But John Wesley and the early Methodists asked a deeper question: What difference is your faith making in the way you live? Their three General Rules, do no harm, do good, and stay connected to the practices that keep you close to God, guided their responses to that question. Then they gathered with others who would help them live that way. T...

  James 3:13-18 Click here to listen to today’s devotional After the English Civil War of the 17th century, some leaders in the Church of England were tired of the endless theological battles. Some of them became known as Latitudinarians. Their name came because they argued for a little more latitude or room to choose in matters that weren't essential. They believed Christians could disagree on many secondary issues while remaining united in faith. They valued reason, moderation, and charity over the constant conflict that had brought about so much turmoil. While I'm still learning more about their movement, I find myself admiring their desire. The church today still spends a lot of energy arguing about issues that, while important, often turn into a desire to win debates rather than love neighbors. The Latitudinarians remind me that a gentle spirit often bears more witness than a loud opinion. But their movement also had weaknesses. In prioritizing reason and tolerance, they s...

Genesis 29:9-14 Click here to listen to today’s devotional Recently, a Facebook memory popped up and caught my eye. It was of me wearing a hat and jersey representing that NFL team in Dallas. Now, that's not so unusual for people who live in South Texas. But it certainly is for me. So, there must have been something going on. When people surprise you, it's normal to take a second and ask what happened. Why this sudden change? Jacob's name means "heel-grabber," "deceiver," or "supplanter." Up to this point in Genesis, he's lived up to it. He grabbed Esau's heel at birth, grasped his brother's birthright, and schemed his way into Isaac's blessing. Jacob always seemed to be reaching for what isn't his. Then Jacob comes to a well. In Scripture, wells are often places where God changes stories. Abraham's servant found Rebekah at a well. Moses met Zipporah at a well. Wells are often places of encounter, providence, and new beg...

  1 Corinthians 4:14-20 Click here to listen to today’s devotional I think I've only heard someone say something like "Imitate me" in a classroom or the gym. A teacher might say, "Watch how I solve this problem." A coach yells at you to "Copy my stance!" Their example comes from experience and training. They could have just told me what to do, but I'm better prepared after they've shown me. The apostle Paul says to the Corinthians, "Be imitators of me." At first, it sounds a little arrogant or presumptuous. But Paul isn't asking people to admire him. He's already shown them what a life shaped by Christ looks like. Now, he's giving them the invitation to follow this example. As a spiritual father to the Corinthians, you could apply what we say about parenthood to faith: That faith is often caught before it's taught. Whether we realize it or not, we're all leaving footprints. Someone is learning what it means to foll...

  Genesis 35:16-21 Click here to listen to today’s devotional My family used to call me Turkey because my birthday was close to Thanksgiving. Once, I met a man named Texas who was from New York City; his family was traveling in Texas when he was born. Then there was the kid nicknamed Piojo because he once had lice. Slim, Lefty, Lucky, Red, Moose, and so many more are all examples of how we name people based on some feature of who they are. Have you ever met someone named Ben-Oni? Rachel's death is a heartbreaking and agonizing scene in Genesis 35. As she dies giving birth, she names her son Ben-Oni. That name means "son of my sorrow" or "son of my affliction." But Jacob renamed the child Benjamin, which means "son of the right hand." That was a name associated with strength, honor, and favor. Some scholars suggest that Jacob changed the name because he couldn't bear the constant reminder of Rachel's suffering and death. That's certainly pos...