As the “big game” approaches, we can expect to hear someone from the winning side talk about their faith in Christ. But what should we think about Christian athletes as spiritual role models? Christian Athletes as Disciples Last month, I wrote a column on prayer in sports (What Place Does Prayer Have in Sports for Fans and Athletes?) I contrasted prayers by fans for their team to win with prayers by athletes. I suggested that athletes could reasonably pray for... Read more
In Leviticus 6, God repeatedly tells Moses that “the fire doesn’t go out” on the altar. What does that tell us about the Holy Spirit’s work in us? Scripture: Leviticus, chapters 4-6; Acts, chapter 14 Leviticus 6:8-13 (NASB): Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law for the burnt offering: the burnt offering itself shall remain on the hearth of the altar all night until the morning, and the fire on... Read more
“How can I know God’s will?” By listening to Him! In Acts 13, we see an example. The Holy Spirit said… and God’s people responded! Scripture: Leviticus, chapters 1-3; Acts, chapter 13 Acts 13:1-13 (NASB): Now there were prophets and teachers at Antioch, in the church that was there: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy... Read more
Many people reject or ignore the Bible as irrelevant to modern life. However, the Bible demonstrates the practical aspects of God’s laws for everyday life! Scripture: Exodus, chapters 23-24; Psalm 14; Acts, chapter 5 Exodus 23:1-9 (NASB): You shall not give a false report; do not join your hand with a wicked person to be a malicious witness. You shall not follow the crowd in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to join together with... Read more
Throughout Scripture, God encounters people. Their responses vary based on their circumstances and belief. How do we respond to the presence of God? Scripture: Exodus, chapters 17-20; Acts, chapter 2 Exodus 20:18-26 (NASB): And all the people were watching and hearing the thunder and the lightning flashes, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it all, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself... Read more
Part 2 of “My Favorite Bible Passages? Here Are 7 You Should Know“ Every Christian ought to have favorite Bible passages. God’s Word guides us and forms us in the image of Jesus! Here are more Bible passages you should know. “Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is... Read more
“What are your favorite Bible passages?” That’s a common question among believers. And for good reason! As the writer of Hebrews puts it, “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). But it’s hard to identify “favorite Bible passages,” for two reasons. First, I... Read more
We live in an age when many warn, “The end is near!” In Luke 21, Jesus warns His disciples about such teachers: “Do not go after them!” Scripture: Exodus, chapters 1-2; Psalm 88; Luke, chapter 21 Luke 21:1-9 (NASB): Now He looked up and saw the wealthy putting their gifts into the temple treasury. And He saw a poor widow putting in two lepta coins. And He said, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than... Read more
We often grow attached to places in this world – a favorite vacation spot, or a retirement destination. Joseph’s story reminds us: this place is not my home! Scripture: Genesis, chapters 49-50; Psalm 8; Luke, chapter 20 Genesis 50:15-26 (NASB): When Joseph’s brothers had seen that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!” So they sent instructions to... Read more
Many people struggle in their faith when things don’t go their way. In today’s passage, God reminds us that just as “the Lord was with Joseph,” so He will be with us! Scripture: Genesis, chapters 39-41; Luke, chapter 16 Genesis 39:1-10 (NASB): Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. And the Lord was with Joseph, so... Read more
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