Glory
Today’s Bible Reading: John 17:1–8
I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. -John 17:4
The movie Glory celebrated the first African-American units to serve in the United States Army. Set in the Civil War, the film was based on historical accounts and made for brilliant storytelling! But in the end, almost all the key characters…
The Heart of a Servant
Today’s Bible Reading: John 13:1–11
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. -Mark 10:45
From time to time, King James V of Scotland (1512–1542) would set aside his royal robes to dress in the clothes of a commoner. Why would he do such a thing? So he could…
Where It All Began
Today’s Bible Reading: Philippians 2:3–11
The Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. -1 John 4:14
Perhaps you recall the words of this classic Christmas carol expressing wonder at the birth of Jesus:
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.…
Before and After
Today’s Bible Reading: Galatians 4:4–7
When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law. -Galatians 4:4–5
My wife, Marlene, and I enjoy watching home improvement programs. We love learning from the experts as they transform a tired living space into something new and remarkable. But there’s a…
The Time Is Today
The musical group The Association sang “The Time It Is Today” in the 1960s, calling young people to live for something more than themselves—to make a difference in the world in their own generation. That same call comes to followers of Christ today. We are given this moment in time to represent our God in the world. And, like Elijah,…
Times Of Frailty
Few emotions so quickly expose the frailty of men and women as the emotion of despair. When we are battling with our own hearts—regardless of the reason for the struggle—we can find ourselves in a life-and death war. Despair, that darkest of human emotions, can woo us, entice us, and even destroy us. Sometimes we meet it...
- at our job,…
Times Of Conflict
Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” (Jn. 18:38). People are still asking that question today.
The issue was the same in Elijah’s day—the people had rejected the God of truth for the lies of the gods of the land. Truth had been lost in a culture of idolatry.
In the time that had elapsed since the prophet had left Zarephath,…
Times Of Faith
Someone has defined “faith” with the acrostic, “Forsaking All I Trust Him.” That’s certainly what happened with Elijah. He had forsaken all to trust God. After he confronted King Ahab and ridiculed his idol, Baal, he ran into the wilderness. But he had to trust God to provide for him in a desolate place.
Elijah had learned that God could provide…
Times Of Training
Several years ago, sports-shoe maker Nike ran a series of ads themed, “What are you getting ready for?” One showed an NFL football player throwing himself down a steep, rocky hill. Another had a soccer player doing everything in life with his feet. The point? What we do today is getting us ready for something.
What are you getting ready…