Daily Devotional from Psalm 116—Verse 1I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.Ask people what they think some of the most important qualities in a friend would be, and you will regularly get “good listener” in that list. We need sounding boards, to help us process our emotions or work out our faith, or make decisions. Sometimes we need a listening ear as we dig deep ...  Read More

Daily Devotional of Acts 6--Verse 7And the Word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly. Do you see the correspondence? Sowing and Reaping. Seedtime and Harvest. One comes before the other. Some people hold the notion that the church brought forth the Scriptures. But this text shows us that the Scriptures are actually responsible for the church. When the Wo...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Acts 5—Verses 41-42Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.Wow. The apostles were beaten—and they rejoiced!It’s so backwards in our world to find joy when we suffer. It’s human nat...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Acts 4—Verses 29-31“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the ...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Acts 3--Verses 9-10All the people saw [the lame beggar] walking and praising God, and they recognized that he was the one who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. So they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him.Our testimony of what God has done in our lives is the best witness of Jesus in our lives. Everyone knew who this man was...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Acts 2--Verse 42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.After Pentecost, the early Christians, before they were even known as Christians, were devoted to spending time together. Our verse today, and others that follow, tell us they were sharing meals together, praying, praising God, selling property to...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Proverb 10— Verse 7The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.Reading this made me think of Arlan Askew, one of the long-time saints of our church who is now in heaven. I think of how he brought his pocket change every month for the BGMC offering, in a hand-carved barrel. How he drove my kids around in his tractor-trailer. How he would buil...  Read More

Daily Devotional from Acts 1--Verse 7It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.Whenever our family goes on a long trip, our youngest child will usually and persistently ask, “When are we getting there?” And often our response is the same, “we’re not sure; just enjoy the ride.” I think God answers that question similarly, “Just trust me on the timing ...  Read More

Daily Devotional from John 21--Verse 17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” This last chapter of John is so powerful. Peter had betrayed Jesus 3 times, and now Jesus gave Peter the c...  Read More

Daily Devotional from John 20—Verses 21 and 22Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”In Genesis 2 God created man and woman with a purpose. He told them to work and keep the land, He breathed his life into them and gave them a duty. Humans fell awa...  Read More

Daily Devotional from John 19--Verse 2The soldiers also twisted together a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and clothed him in a purple robe.A coronation is usually a grand affair. A kingdom-wide celebration of the crowing of a new king. It is big and flashy. It signals to the entire kingdom that a new king or queen is in rule.But the coronation of Jesus looked different. It was solemn. Dark. ...  Read More

Daily Devotional from John 18--Verse 36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”Pilate had nothing to fear from followers of Jesus - their mission was not to overthrow Roman rule. If only the Crusaders had listened to the  words of J...  Read More