Scripture: Matthew 3:13–17 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way... Continue Reading →
Guided by Light, Blinded by Power
Scripture: Matthew 2:1–12 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east and have come to pay him homage.” 3 When King Herod... Continue Reading →
25 Books Every American Christian Should Read (Updated)
A few years ago, I was inspired by Renovaré’s list of 25 books every Christian should read to write my own. Reading that post this week I realized it is no longer true (if you’re curious it is here). As I have grown over the last few years I have realized two important truths. First,... Continue Reading →
Love Chooses Faithfulness Over Fear
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned... Continue Reading →
The Joy of the Lord
Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11 2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight,... Continue Reading →
How Would You Respond?
Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33 22 Immediately he made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but by this time the boat, battered... Continue Reading →
Hope in Daniel 7: The True Human vs. the Beasts
Scripture: Daniel 7:1-3, 13-18 In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream: 2 I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, 3 and four great beasts... Continue Reading →
A Reputation Worth Redeeming
Scripture: Ruth 4:1-12 No sooner had Boaz gone up to the gate and sat down there than the next-of-kin of whom Boaz had spoken came passing by. So Boaz said, “Come over; sit down here.” And he went over and sat down. 2 Then Boaz took ten men of the elders of the town and said,... Continue Reading →
When the Walls Fell
Scripture: Joshua 6:15-27 15 On the seventh day they rose early, at dawn, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. 16 And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, “Shout!... Continue Reading →
Make Them One
Scripture: John 17:13-26 13 But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong... Continue Reading →
Squinting in the Light 