Upside Down
Read: Acts 17:1-9 These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also. (v. 6) How did you react the first time you understood the gospel of God’s grace in Jesus? Joy? Worship? Guilt? Fear? Rebellion? The one thing the gospel doesn’t do is leave anyone the same. The men in the mob […]
World-Changing Prayer
Read: Revelation 8:1-5 He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. (v. 3 NIV) When I’m struck by the thought of world-changing prayer, I come back again and again to these words in Revelation 8. Here’s how they begin: “When he […]
The Lamb and His Great Multitude
Read: Revelation 7:9-17 There before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. (v. 9 NIV) When I muse on what it will be like at last when we are with the Lord and his people, no passage sums […]
Worthy is the Lamb
Read: Revelation 5:1-14 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain.” (v. 12 NIV) When I find myself longing to worship Jesus, to see him in the fullness of his glory, to pour out my heart to him, the vision given to the apostle John in Revelation 5 seems to […]
When Believers Die
Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (v. 18 NIV) In the early days after Jesus’ resurrection, many believers seemed confused about the situation of their loved ones who had recently died. Where were they? What could be the hope of their grieving loved ones who remained? The apostle Paul sensed this […]
God’s Promised Gift
Read: Acts 1:4-14 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. (v. 8 NIV) In today’s reading, we hear again Jesus’ instruction to and his promises for his disciples. They ask him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (v. 6 NIV) But he redirects their curiosity and […]
In the Spirit and in Truth
Read: John 4:19-34 The true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. (v. 23 NIV) When I was in college, struggling to maintain a vital devotional life, I was greatly helped by these words in today’s key verse. Two things impressed me: […]
Teach Us to Pray
Read: Luke 11:1-4 Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples. (v. 1 NIV) For years I have looked on these opening verses in Luke 11 as the fullest and richest in all the Bible on the life of prayer. They start with a word about Jesus himself at prayer. He prayed prodigiously—early […]
An Undivided Heart
Read: Psalm 86:8-13 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness. (v. 11 NIV) When I dwell on this passage, I never fail to be enriched. It begins with praise. “Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours” (v. 8 NIV). Our God is unique, who […]