Intimacy with God
Read: Genesis 3:1-12 But the Lord God called to the man . . . “Where are you?” (v. 9) Many years ago, I was a fan of Guideposts, a magazine full of heartwarming, personal stories of relationships with God. One day I decided to try to write for this magazine, so I read back issues and the editor’s guidelines […]
In the Likeness of God
Read: 2 Corinthians 4:1-12 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord. (v. 5) When a child is born, someone inevitably will say, “He’s the spitting image of his dad.” In terms of physical appearance the boy is a lookalike. But as a child grows, someone might remark: “He’s a hard worker […]
Who Shapes Me?
Read: Romans 12:1-8 Do not be conformed to this world. (v. 2) How hard do you fight against being conformed to the culture around you? Do you dream of owning the latest electronic device? Do you excuse your bad language by saying, “I hear it all the time”? Do you judge, not love? We adapt pretty […]
Train Yourself to be Godly
Read: 1 Timothy 3:14-4:16 Godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (v. 8 NRSV) In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell reports that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to achieve mastery in a field. Baseball players, violinists, computer programmers, and inventors all need to spend […]
Opening the Door
Read: Revelation 3:19-22 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. (v. 20) When I was six, our minister (who looked like God to me) bent down and warmly spoke to me. I felt loved and welcomed at church. At thirteen, the time had come to profess my faith and join my church as a full […]
New Life in Us
Read: John 12:16-26 Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (v. 24) My granddaughter helped me plant snow peas, poking the earth with her finger, placing a seed into each hole. For that seed to sprout, it must lose its protective […]
Suffering with Us
Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 As you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. (v. 7) Everything was ready for Kathy’s leadership team dinner; her famous lasagna had just come out of the oven. That’s when the call came. Four of the student leaders, on their way to dinner, were in a serious […]
Leading and Guiding Us
Read: Psalm 23 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. (v. 4) Pastor Jon was at a crossroads. The church he had lovingly served for many years was declining in membership. His wife, Karen, was declining in health. She had not […]
Forming and Growing Us
Read: Galatians 5:16-25 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (vv. 22–23) Kara turned off the TV with a sigh. More news of conflict around the world, more fighting between people in her own community. Sometimes division and conflict felt nonstop, stirred up by leaders and the media, […]