Edit Your Life
Read: Acts 5:1-11 Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. (Gal. 5:16 NLT) When I first started writing, I hated editing. However, the more I write, the greater my appreciation for editing. Now I enjoy running what I write through editing tools that show me […]
Foreign Currency
Read: Matthew 6:19-24 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (v. 20) When I was in high school, a cafeteria worker from Mexico gave me a special gift. It was a key ring with a hundred-peso coin hanging from […]
Make It Personal
Read: Acts 26:4-18 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. (v. 13) Attending my niece’s high school commencement ceremony, I expected the principal to give some remarks. However, his words were far from personal. About […]
The Centurion
Read: Matthew 27:45-56 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (v. 54) Roman centurions were a tough bunch. In charge of a hundred Roman soldiers, they could afford to […]
The Thief
Read: Luke 23:32-43 Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. (v. 43) Our reading today opens, in part, with this simple but profound statement: “there they crucified him” (v. 33). For a first-century audience, it needed no further explanation. Anyone under the thumb of Rome would know immediately what this meant. […]
Denial
Read: Mark 14:26-31; 66-72 Jesus said to [Peter], “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” (v. 30) Not once. Not twice. But three times. Peter thought he was strong. Peter thought he was courageous. Peter thought he could take on the world, or at least […]
Betrayal
Read: Matthew 26:17-29 Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me. (v. 21) Imagine the scene: Jesus had his friends around him. They were his beloved disciples, including Peter, full of fire and impulse. Peter’s brother Andrew was present as well, along with two brothers, James and John. Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew the tax […]
July 2024 Prayer Guide
INDONESIA — Five new listener communities will soon be started in Simalungun, Indonesia. Prospective leaders are lined up for each community group. Our team is planning to visit the area to provide the necessary training for the leaders before they begin community activities. Pray that these new communities will turn into a source of support […]
Planting Wheat
Read: John 12:12-26 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (v. 24) Today’s reading took place during Passover, the Jewish festival commemorating God freeing his chosen people from slavery in Egypt. Jewish people from all […]