Tag: devotional

  • Not the Christ, not Elijah, not the Prophet. Who is John the Baptist? Studying John 1:19-23

    Not the Christ, not Elijah, not the Prophet. Who is John the Baptist? Studying John 1:19-23

    John the Baptist is one of the most intriguing people we meet in the gospels. He has a unique role in history as being the forerunner to Christ. In John 1, John the Baptist is being questioned about his identity. He helps clarify who he is by clarifying who he isn’t.  Verse 19: And this…

  • You’re (probably) misquoting Philippians 4:13 – and why it matters

    I can do all things through him who strengthens me.-Philippians 4:13 According to Bible Gateway, Philippians 4:13 is the second most popular verse in the New Testament, only behind John 3:16. It’s a verse memorized and beloved by many. But for as popular as this verse is, it’s also often misunderstood and taken out of…

  • The gospel is unstoppable in a world that is often hostile

    Paul was the greatest missionary who ever lived. When writing to the Philippians, he was in jail. That’s the last place he needs to be! Why would God allow this to happen? Wouldn’t it be better for Paul to be out in the mission field sharing Jesus? Regardless of what is happening in the world,…

  • Yom Kippur and what Jewish holidays can teach Christians about the gospel

    Originally published September 29, 2017 under the title “A priest, two goats, and salvation” For observant Jews all over the world, this evening, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur in Hebrew) is celebrated. The Day of Atonement is the most holy of days in the Jewish calendar. It’s an annual picture of forgiveness that people…

  • The life of faith and settling for less

    Originally published August 14, 2018 In Numbers 32, the Israelites are pursuing the Promised Land when some of the tribes decide that they would prefer to stay outside the land. The chapter begins with: “Now the people of Reuben and the people of Gad had a very great number of livestock. And they saw the…