Posts with the category “ur-devotionals”

Sometimes, being generous is difficult, especially when we’re concerned about our economy! But we can find encouragement from the early church. Many new believers in the first century faced incredible...  Read More

READ: John 15:13I love history. Specifically, I enjoy learning about the kinds of men and women willing to stand up for good, even to the point of death. You feel the weight of their service when you ...  Read More

READ: Hebrews 12:1-2, Matthew 26:36-39My grandfather was the epitome of a hard worker. I am sure we all have examples of someone who works hard, is committed to the process, and eventually becomes a m...  Read More

READ: Luke 14:26Sara and I recently welcomed our fourth child. I cannot think of a better picture of dedication than a mother with a newborn. Her commitment and self-sacrifice to the survival and grow...  Read More

READ: Philippians 3:7-8, Romans 12:1Have you ever wondered if someone will follow through with a promise? You’d probably feel more confident knowing they have “skin in the game”. This simple phrase me...  Read More

READ: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27I grew up playing several sports, and with three siblings who also played sports, we were always on a court, in a pool, or at a field. We enjoyed the bright lights of the bi...  Read More

READ: John 6:1-13We've developed a mindset of generosity, learned to steward what we have, and have prepared ourselves to be generous. What do we do now?Find opportunities to bless others, of course!U...  Read More

READ: John 6:1-13Growing up, I had little money. There was always a strong temptation to hold tight to everything I had and keep it from others. I lived paycheck to paycheck, prioritizing my own needs...  Read More

READ: John 6:1-13After developing a mindset of generosity, we must acknowledge our responsibility to steward God's blessings. Webster's Dictionary defines stewardship as "The careful and responsible m...  Read More

READ: John 6:1-13When reading these verses, the focus is often on the miracle performed by Jesus, demonstrating His supernatural power and ability to meet people's physical needs. The boy's generosity...  Read More

READ: Hebrews 10:23-25As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been in various discipleship communities and relationships over the years. From those experiences, I can tell you that there is nothing quite as exci...  Read More

READ: Proverbs 27:17Our verse today always gives me a mental picture of two swords clanging together. I have no idea if that is how iron sharpens iron, but it’s the image I get. Perhaps you will see a...  Read More

READ: Colossians 1:28In our verse today, Paul explains the essence of discipleship well. He says we are to proclaim (share, preach) Christ, admonishing (warning, holding to account), and teaching (ins...  Read More

READ: Matthew 28:19-20One of my honors and privileges as an early childhood educator in a Christian school is helping young children memorize the word of God. In the last few weeks of the school year,...  Read More

READ: Matthew 4:19-20When Jesus called Simon and Andrew to be his disciples early in his ministry, he already knew their job description. No longer would they be working on a fishing boat, hauling in ...  Read More

READ: John 16:33"In me, you may have peace." This is the same peace that Jesus referred to earlier. "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you" (John 14:27). This peace gives us comfort when life...  Read More

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:14The instruction to encourage is not optional. We are commanded to encourage. We are told to encourage the fainthearted – those in fear and doubt who lack courage and resolutio...  Read More

READ: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7I love how well 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 lays out how important love is in everything we do. Our motives must be pure. Sometimes, we can get caught up in how nice it feels when s...  Read More

READ: Ephesians 4:29I need to confess something. Sometimes, I can be a negative person. My natural tendency is to focus on what needs to be fixed and only sometimes on what is going well. This often l...  Read More

READ: Hebrews 10:24-25Have you ever noticed that the more time you spend doing something with a group, the more you feel encouraged to keep doing it? I’ve had a gym membership for a couple of years no...  Read More

READ: Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3One of the most joyful and fulfilling ministries at Faith Bible Church is Core Team 6. Unless you've had a sixth grader go through our children's ministry, you m...  Read More

READ: James 1:22-25My family started attending Faith Bible Church in the late spring, almost at the end of the school year. After attending for a few weeks, my wife and I noticed a sign in the prescho...  Read More

READ: 1 Corinthians 12:4-7Many years ago, when my wife and I were involved in the Young Marrieds ministry at our church, we had been asked to serve on the leadership team. Several current leaders move...  Read More

READ: 1 Corinthians 12:8-11As I wrote in Monday's devotional, spiritual gifts assessments can be very helpful. However, you also need godly people to tell you what they see in your life. I had no delu...  Read More

READ: Ephesians 4:15-16Discovering my spiritual gifts was the easy part, using them hasn't always been. The church we were part of years ago offered an online gifts assessment, which we then discussed...  Read More

READ: Psalm 119:24, Proverbs 28:5, 2 Peter 1:19, Psalm 34:10Colossians 2:6 tells us that ". . . as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." Once we accept Jesus Christ as our substitu...  Read More

READ: Proverbs 16:9, Deuteronomy 11:18-19, 1 Peter 3:15, Isaiah 30:21Every good book or blockbuster movie engages us with the excitement and drama of the story. The Acts of the Apostles also does the ...  Read More

READ: Matthew 5:13, Colossians 1:10, Matthew 25:35-40Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose? These foundational questions often baffle people. Many search their entire lives for the answers. Do y...  Read More

READ: Psalm 16:11, 2 Peter 1:3, Psalm 46:10, Luke 10:38-42We live in a fast-paced world. Our culture demands constant effort each day. Individual achievement is paramount, and one grows weary trying t...  Read More

READ: John 3:16, 1 John 4:1, John 13:35, Psalm 5:3Weddings and funerals commemorate life events. Though one evokes great joy and the other great sadness, during these events, it means the world to be ...  Read More