AnotherJohn.Com

  Acts 2:37-42 Click here to listen to today’s devotional Peter had just stood up to tell the story of Jesus, and then lands his sermon with a sentence that feels like a punch to the chest: “God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.” “Cut to the heart,” the people ask, “Brothers, what should we do?” What do you do when you realize you got something wrong? You believed something you no longer believe. You had an attitude you’re embarrassed to admit. You hurt somebody. You spent years walking in a direction that wasn’t taking you where God wanted to go. Peter told them, “Repent and be baptized.” There’s some holy irony there. Peter has just told them, “You crucified Jesus.” Now he tells them to be baptized in Jesus' name. The name they rejected became the name they were about to center their life around. That’s repentance. We sometimes think repentance means a religious apology. While confession matters, repentance goes further. Repentance is changing you...

  Romans 1:8-15 Click here to listen to today’s devotional I took a head start on my new church. They didn’t know it, but before I ever unpacked a box or preached a sermon, I was already praying for them. I’ve made it a personal commitment that no one prays more for my church than I do. Now, I don’t say that to brag about my prayer life. I say it because I want prayer to be underneath everything we do. If something beautiful grows here, I want us to remember where it came from. The apostle Paul seems to understand this. Before he ever arrives in Rome, he tells the church, “I remember you always in my prayers.” Recognize that he hasn’t shared a meal with them. He hasn’t sat in their homes or learned all their names. But he has already carried them to God in prayer. Soon, I’m going to invite my church to join me. I always welcome the prayer competition. Try to out-pray me. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen? We become a church full of people trying to pray more for one anothe...

  Joshua 18:1-3 Click here to listen to today’s devotional We were eating our eggs and bacon at a men’s Bible study, reading Joshua 18, when I kept going back to something Joshua asked the people: “How long will you be slack about going in and taking possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?" Remember, Joshua was one of those brave spies in Numbers 13. Back then, he would have been about forty, part of that original group sent to scout the land. Now, he’s an old man. And yet, it doesn't sound like he's softened his passion. He still speaks with urgency and fire. As the leader, he expects that God’s people should step forward into their promise. That means a lot to me in part because I’ve heard the warning several times in my life, “Just wait until you get older.” As if age automatically drains your joy. But I don’t think that’s the way it has to be. I’ve been fortunate to know many older saints who didn’t just get older; they grew olde...

  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...