Jesus and the Fig Tree
[Note: This week I will be chronicling the events of Holy Week with a short devotion each day.] Yesterday launched the holiest week on the church calendar. We call it Holy Week, the last week of Jesus’ mortal life. It began yesterday with Palm Sunday, Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem. There were shouts of praise […]
1984 and Jesus’ Ekklesia
Where am I and how did I get in this handbasket?! Some days when I wake up and look at our nation I ask that question. What we’re seeing played out in our world right now, at a greater magnitude than I’ve seen in my 51 years, is a battle of kingdoms. It isn’t new, […]
Authority and Power
The ekklesia had an inauspicious beginning: They were hiding in the upper room. True, they were praying, but I bet there was no small measure of fear in their group. Luke doesn’t mention their fear, but I think we can assume it was there. A conspiracy against this band of disciples reached the highest positions […]
But Some Doubted
“The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name […]
The Church and the Gates of Hades
“… and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” (Matthew 16:18, CSB) This is Jesus’ very first mention of “the church” as he’s responding to Peter’s confession of Jesus as Messiah. That truth would be the bedrock of the church – the church would build […]
Who is My Neighbor?
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, ESV) Look around and you will see injustice everywhere. Some of it is perceived…but most is very real. After all, ours […]
Justice and Grace
“When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will refuse to look at you; even if you offer countless prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from my sight. Stop doing evil. Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the […]
Everything that can be Shaken
“But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ,” (Philippians 3:20, The Message) That verse came to mind Wednesday as I watched the unbelievable images from our Nation’s Capital. Regardless of your political views, I’m sure you’d agree that our […]
God Moves Deliberately
“And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) God’s in the business of meeting needs: When Adam and Eve discovered they were unclothed…God made them coverings from animal skins When the world needed saving from a flood, God gave us Noah When Abraham needed […]
God Moves Personally
“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means God with us.” (Matt. 2:23) Monday was Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. December 7, 1941 is a day that will live in infamy – the vicious attack led our nation to war. We had […]
The God of Miracles
“For nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).” We serve a miraculous God. From time to time he will suspend his own laws of nature to help his children. Why, you ask? C.S. Lewis says it best: “Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole […]
A Change in Perspective
“If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3) Jesus said that to his disciples on the night of the “Last Supper.” He had just explained to them that he would be betrayed, denied, […]
