Posts with the category “devotional”

Colossians 1:18When I was in junior high many years ago, I was part of a youth ministry program called The Eagles. My youth pastor had created it to be a discipleship program. One in which we would grow closer to God in Bible reading, Scripture memory, Service projects, Church attendance, and a few other things I’ll mention in a bit. He set it up to be that you earned points for these different th...  Read More

What is your favorite Bible verse? Why is it your favorite verse? Take some time to think about it and write it down. It is always great to hear what everyone’s favorite verse is because everyone’s is different. It’s incredible to hear how each person comes to the Lord in a different way and what passages of scripture might point out to them more. This week you will get a chance to know each staff...  Read More

Hebrews 12:1-3 Distraction. The definition of distraction; a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else or extreme agitation of the mind or emotions. Do you ever feel like your name could be right there in the dictionary being used as one who is easily distracted?  There are so many distractions in life that turn our attention away from the task at hand. Some of the d...  Read More

1 Timothy 6:11-21“See it through to the end,” brings to mind images of riding a challenging situation to its completion. Often it is associated with athletics. The idea is to not give up and claim the prize at the end. Even if for no other reason just to say, “I did it.” Recently, I was able to watch my son and some of his coworkers compete in the “Tough Mudder.” It is a race, of sorts, filled wit...  Read More

Philippians 3:15-16 My husband is the biggest goofball I know! From the moment I met him, I couldn’t stop laughing. When it’s just us two, there is a comfortable side of him that’s much different than his professional self. I joke around that he’s still a kid, just a big kid. When it’s time to be serious though, Brandon can get the job done. As a volunteer in the children's ministry at Emmanuel, h...  Read More

Philippians 3:13-14 Do you ever look back at your life with regret? Perhaps you have something in your life that you wish you had done differently. I know that I have many things in my life that I wish I had done differently. I am sure that we can all think of some things that we wish that we hadn't done. Some of that list probably comes from before we even knew Jesus.   Here in chapter 3, Paul gi...  Read More

Philippians 3:12As I grew up, I became an avid fan of hockey, and in particular, the Detroit Red Wings. I still remember my dad coming into my bedroom when I was a kid and asking me if I had ever heard of the Red Wings' new draft pick. His name was Steve Yzerman. Of course, Yzerman would become one of the greatest players in NHL history in the next two decades.For many years, the Red Wings would p...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:     “Sit back and relax, you’ve done enough” is a cultural slogan that doesn’t fit Christianity! Neither is, “you could never be used by God because of your past!” Those two thought processes are in contrast to the challenge the Apostle Paul gave to the Philippians. Remember, Paul wanted the church to follow his passionate example. He was a man who had experienced it all! ...  Read More

Psalm 139:1-10 If you’ve ever spent any time with a toddler or a young child, then you’ve probably experienced a multitude of “whys”. A recent conversation with one of my grandchildren went something like this;  Them: “Can we go to the park today?”Me: “No, not today.”Them: “Why?”Me: "Because it’s raining.”Them: “Why?”Me: “Because God sent rain to water the flowers.”Them: “Why?”Me: “Because the flo...  Read More

1 Timothy 6:6 What brings you contentment? There are lots of “things” in life that do so. The older I get I think contentment becomes a bit easier. When I was young, there was a drive for materialism. I graduated high school and college in the 80s. The 80s introduced us to MTV and 24-hour music videos. The 80s brought changes economically and socially. Perhaps what the 80s are most known for (besi...  Read More

Luke 18:9-14 Just last week, Pastor John preached about being dependable. Are you teachable, serving, and humble? He used this point to draw a clear line about who should get the credit; that's right! Remember it's not about you or me. It's ALL about our heavenly Father. We must constantly remind ourselves of this truth and keep watch over what motivates us. Are we doing things to make ourselves l...  Read More

Read Philippians 3:7-11 “Oh to be like Thee! Oh to be like Thee!”. You may have heard or sung that hymn before. To be like Jesus every day is the ultimate goal! Paul had the right idea when it came to being like Jesus. In verse 10, Paul says he wants to KNOW Jesus and be like him. Oh, that I may know him! That you may know him. Not just about him but to follow him. Paul is such a great example to ...  Read More

Philippians 3:2-6 Have you ever felt like you had something to brag about or that you are really good at? Some of us may be really good at a sport, some of us not so much. Maybe some of us are really good at singing or playing an instrument, but some of us like myself are not. Maybe there isn't a skill that you are thinking of but possibly your family name and the weight it might hold. In a lot of...  Read More

Philippians 3:1“If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times!” Have you ever heard that from your mother or father? You know, usually connected to your name including your middle name. It’s in those moments where you know you’re in big trouble. I have two middle names. So, when my mom spoke all four of my names, I was on the verge of extinction ?!  There’s something to be said about repet...  Read More

Warnings are important, and they usually come from those who know and love us the most. The Apostle Paul wanted the Philippians to understand that there were threats to their ongoing influence for Christ. There would be those who arrogantly pointed to a “list of do’s and don’ts” attempting to force the Philippians to comply to what wasn’t Biblical. It is no different in our culture today – it just...  Read More

When was the last time you received a letter in the mail? No, not a bill, financial statement, or a postcard promotion for a new roof or landscaping services. A letter! With the advances in technology, email, text messaging, and social media, the art of letter writing delivered via snail mail has greatly diminished. I wonder how many of us recall the days of having a “pen pal”? Today as we read, I...  Read More

I remember the first computer programming class I had a long time ago (44 years ago to be exact). It was an introduction to data processing, teaching the basics of the “BASIC” computer language. The first time I had the computer count to ten on its own, using “yes” and “no” questions, I thought I was a rocket scientist. The programming took some trial and error, but I finally got it to do what I w...  Read More

Let's start the day with a mind-blowing discovery. The word team is not spelled with an I! The Christian lifestyle is not about yourself but what Jesus did in our place. Today's Bible verses tell us:“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:...  Read More

If I am being completely honest, this is a very difficult devotional to write. With lots of prayer, many discussions with my wife, and wise counsel from trusted friends and family, this devotional will be my last. Over the last 6 months, God has been stirring our hearts towards a direction that I never expected to happen. Hannah and I have had the desire to be at church within our community, where...  Read More

Philippians 2:25-30 “But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sor...  Read More

Wow! This is gonna be a tough one. Please bear with me. When I read this passage from Paul to the Philippians, I felt it in every fiber of my body. Paul was at a place in his life where he had become a spiritual father to a few younger guys who were extremely precious to him. He had taught them. He had mentored them. He had challenged them. He deeply loved them. He was extremely proud of them. Whe...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:   Dependable servants are hard to come by in today’s day and age. People are always asking the question – what’s in it for me? From social media posts to vying for attention in the crowd, the human heart naturally seeks to be “center stage.” Finding people who simply want to serve looking for no accolades or attention is countercultural. This is what we are called to be…de...  Read More

How beautiful it was to celebrate our graduating seniors this past Sunday. It’s always an exciting time as these graduates envision and embrace their future and navigate into adulthood. During moments like this, there is this slight twinge of thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have a do-over?” I know that I could’ve and should’ve heeded the title of this devotion a lot better over the four decades s...  Read More

Whatever goes around comes around. This little “ism” has rung true since time in memorial. The consequences, both good and bad, of our decisions always find their way back. With the inception of recorded media, and more recently the internet, if someone said it, odds are high that it was recorded and remains in posterity. Politicians are most notably susceptible to this dilemma. “I was for the war...  Read More

“This little light of mine,I'm gonna let it shine.This little light of mine,I'm gonna let it shine.This little light of mine,I'm gonna let it shine.Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”You are welcome, this song will be stuck in your head for the rest of the day— but that’s not a bad thing! Today’s Bible reading is talking about the light that comes from Jesus Christ. As Christians we all kno...  Read More

If I were to decide today, that tomorrow I am going to run a marathon with my brother from another mother, Pastor Matt Hatton, without any training, you would probably think I am crazy and doomed for failure. Running a race is something you have to train for and prepare for, especially a long race like a marathon. You have to set yourself up for success, and that begins with learning the basics an...  Read More

“Ahh… you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but blinding!” – Bane (The Dark Knight Rises)Darkness. That was all the blind beggar had ever known, he was born in it. He had no conception of colors, red, yellow, black, or white, the vivid water colored picture of a su...  Read More

I still remember my high school graduation. It seems like yesterday. I also vividly remember the day of my Open House, and how I played in the Michigan Association of Christian Schools Baseball State Championship that morning before my Open House. Lots of memories. Lots of excitement. Lots of opportunities in front of me. I couldn’t wait for the “next step” in my life.It seems like yesterday that ...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:   There’s a big difference in being with someone to motivate and challenge him and attempting to do it from a distance. In some ways, our church building is a “protective cocoon” every Sunday as we gather with people who love us, believe in what we believe, and love the same Lord Jesus Christ. Then, we go out into the culture which is often filled with viewpoints that are ...  Read More

Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”How many times have you been hurt in church? How many times have people failed you in church? Next question might hurt a bit. How many times ha...  Read More

The title of today’s devotion is a phrase that has probably come out of our mouths at one point or another. Maybe you said it to a child, or to someone in the movie theater, library, hospital, in the classroom or even at a church gathering. As I think back to the full-nest days with four kids who were just five years apart, I recall saying things like; “use your inside voices”, “shhh”, or “quiet”....  Read More

If you have siblings like me, you know all too well the arguments they can get into. From stealing things (AKA Borrowing) to just plain silly disagreements. As a parent it's almost unavoidable. In the moment we think it's the end of the world and we wish to never speak or see of them again, (not really meaning it) and within hours we are best friends living our lives as if nothing happened. I wish...  Read More

The two things that they (whoever “they” may be) say should not be brought up are religion and politics. Certainly, social media has put that theory to the test and proven it to be true. Nothing like reading a war of electron words for entertainment. But truly, those are questions and conversations that do come up eventually, particularly when you start to take a dating relationship to the next le...  Read More

James 1:22-25 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror  and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what the...  Read More

James 1:19-21 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”           The nickname “diarrhea mouth” isn’t just...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:   In this next section, James bridges the all-important gap of knowledge and action. It’s not enough to know about the truth; you must do the truth! He gives to us some important formulas beginning with QUICK TO LISTEN + SLOW TO SPEAK + SLOW TO ANGER. The key to growing our relationships, both with God and others, is our intentional application of this spiritual formula. W...  Read More

2 Timothy 2:22-26 "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructe...  Read More

Sin. I’ve done it and shamefully continue to do so in one form or another. Sometimes it’s my actions but more so it’s my thoughts. Regardless, it’s wrong in the eyes of God and I’ve experienced a variety of consequences and embarrassment. Can you relate with remorse, guilt, and shame? Can you relate to the consequences; personal, familial, societal, and spiritual separation from God? And let’s not...  Read More

We all at some point or another have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe it was a car accident, something spilled on you, etc. It's never a good thing or good timing. The effects of the aftermath seem to be intense. We see in today’s Scripture that David was in the wrong place and the wrong time. Now the story of David and Bathsheba could fill this entire devotional booklet plus a cou...  Read More

We’ve all heard the saying “The grass is always greener on the other side.” How many times have we looked at someone else’s life and thought, “Gosh, do they have it good.” It is a natural tendency to do so. It could be because they have more money, a better job, better marriage, better kids, a better car, and on and on. But envy is an unhealthy thing. It can cause depression, withdrawal, and a who...  Read More