Posts with the category “devotional”

Romans 12:6-8The book of Romans is deep. It’s mainly about God’s beautiful plan of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It’s filled with theology explaining how all people, both Jews and Gentiles, can be made righteous before God. This is by His grace and not by our own efforts. The book details the universal need for salvation due to sin and the power of the Gospel. I would encourage you to t...  Read More

Romans 12:3-5  Have you ever played with a Mr Potato Head toy? These few verses remind me of playing with one of those as a kid; you get to place the arms, feet, ears, mouth, nose, eyes, and hat! The individual body parts are stored inside the toy, and you get to place them where you want. Every body part has its own function, but it’s all part of one body. The same goes for our bodies; our eyes a...  Read More

Romans 10:9-10 Do you have any “go-to” verses that you use when you have an opportunity to share the gospel? Oftentimes, when preaching or sharing the gospel, I like to use a few verses in Romans that are often called the “Romans Road”. It is an easy path through a couple of verses that clearly articulate the gospel in a way that can be shared very quickly but effectively. Let’s take a look at eac...  Read More

Romans 5:1-2We just finished celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ as well as the start of the new year. If your family is anything like our family, it is celebrated with lots of food and time spent with family, full of laughter and naps. (Nothing wrong with a post-celebration nap.) Although sometimes I think we can take for granted celebrations, it's awesome to celebrate accomplishments such as g...  Read More

Romans 3:24-26 “Whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood”- ESVPropitiation- oh-no! That is a big church word that pastors like to flex to sound smart. When we come across it in the Bible, it is easy to read over it and move on without exploring the deeper and richer meaning it has for us. In today’s modern, frenzied, and chaotic world, we have lost the patience to slow down and investig...  Read More

Romans 3:10-23If you want to watch me at my worst, it’s usually when I either played sports or watched one of my favorite teams. I always struggle to respond with patience and kindness because, by nature, I am a very competitive person. Over the years, I have had to create boundaries so that I wouldn’t harm a relationship or lose my testimony. I have watched guys get into fights, say inappropriate...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:   What you don’t need is “self-help” or a “YMCA community center” or “religious clichés” or anything else out there that has religious overtones without life-change. At Emmanuel, we are desperate to connect you to the only one who can bring peace and purpose to your life – the Lord Jesus Christ! It begins with a true understanding of our hopeless, helpless, and hapless con...  Read More

1 Peter 1:6-9This week’s devotions are central to the theme of “making the most of our circumstances”. A very relevant topic for sure, as I don’t know anyone who could say that they’ve made it this far in life without experiencing a challenging or painful circumstance. Peter penned a letter to Christian believers who were scattered across the Roman Empire to remind them of the wonderful joy ahead,...  Read More

James 1:2-4, 12Perseverance. It’s a trait that’s needed and applicable to every facet of everyday life: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Physical endurance comes through healthy living. We achieve that through diet and exercise. Granted, as we get older (and I resemble that remark), we might not have the endurance we had when we were twenty, but nonetheless, eating right and keeping act...  Read More

Acts 22:1-21 Who doesn’t like a good story? When it comes to our walk with the Lord and especially your Salvation testimony, we all have a story to tell. It doesn’t matter if you are old or young, saved 100 years ago or saved within the last few seconds; the story matters! For some of you, you may be reading this thinking your story isn't important enough to share, but that is the furthest thing f...  Read More

Acts 21:27-37This scene of Paul is a flashback to when Jesus was arrested. The crowd seizing him, the beatings, the uproar to “get rid of him”. Sound familiar? Paul is now experiencing on a smaller level what Jesus went through. Earlier in the chapter, we see the warnings of other believers urging Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Paul goes anyway, even telling them he is ready to die for Jesus and tha...  Read More

Acts 21:17-26 As Paul arrives in Jerusalem, he knows that trouble probably awaits him. Despite the warnings, Paul continues to go, choosing to submit himself to the leadership of the Jerusalem elders. In doing so, he ultimately is submitting himself to the will of God, even if it might not seem like it in the moment. When Paul meets with James and the elders, they all rejoice and praise God for wh...  Read More

Acts 10The risk is real, and the Gospel is worth the risk! Paul had an understanding that I think is very important. Jesus has given him a second chance. Jesus died on the cross for Paul and for all people. Jesus has given everything for Paul! Paul understands that he must be willing not only to be bound for Jesus and the gospel news but also to die as well. This is not the only time we see this k...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:   The Apostle Paul knew from the beginning that when Jesus called him to Gospel ministry, his purpose would include great suffering. In fact, every time he suffered, he used it as a catalyst for preaching the Gospel. He didn’t see comfort or security as his top priority. Some may say that he was reckless in how he lived; I prefer to say that he was relentless in what he be...  Read More

James 2:1“My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.”Favoritism. As a grandmother, I know I’m not supposed to have favorites, BUT... last week, one of the grands guessed my age to be 41. That grand just might be my favorite! That’s a fun story, but there is another, and I have some regrets about it. It took place a quarter-century ago on a cold, ...  Read More

Galatians 3:8We’ve all heard the saying “There is something for everyone.” The implication is that everyone will find something that suits them. It is often a tag line for an amusement park or a movie. Sadly, modern churches are promoting the same message, conforming to cultural norms for the sake of being popular and accepted. I prefer to look at the Gospel, God’s plan, as “one thing for everyone...  Read More

Luke 2:8-10 When Debbie and I were first married, she accompanied me on a Wyoming hunting trip. We were hunting mule deer on a cattle and sheep ranch that encompassed more than 150,000 acres. This was in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and was beautiful country. As we were entering a large, several-hundred-acre pasture, a herd of sheep heard us opening the gate and came racing over the hill l...  Read More

Acts 17Have you ever had to stand your ground against a group of people who don’t agree with you? Maybe it was arguing why the Lions are the greatest football team to ever exist against your entire family, who are tired of watching them lose year after year. Maybe you’re a die-hard fan of pineapple on pizza, but your spouse and kids can’t stand it. Maybe you value going to church on Sunday, and yo...  Read More

Acts 15 Have you ever played a board game with “house rules”? Each board game gives you a clear list of instructions on how to play the game exactly as it was made. A “house rule” is when someone adds a rule, takes away a rule, or changes a current rule. A common house rule in Monopoly is that any time you have to pay a tax or fee, the money goes to the middle of the board. If you land on the Free...  Read More

Acts 10God is so good! The Salvation Story of Cornelius is truly an amazing one, full of the Spirit and the work of God, and how he works to take care of those who seek Him. The first thing we find out about Cornelius is that he is a God-fearing man, even as a Centurion. He is not a Jew; he did not grow up hearing and believing the same things as the Jews or hearing about Jesus, but God knew Corne...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:   What is beyond human comprehension is that Jesus loves us in spite of us! He didn’t die on The Cross for the wealthy or the talented only; in fact, he died for each of those, plus the poor, abused, rejected, and everyone in between. Over and over again, the Acts of the Apostles proves this reality. The Gospel was not only for the Jews, but it was also for the Gentiles, a...  Read More

Acts 16:1-5One of the greatest experiences in my life was a mission trip to Ukraine. Admittedly, I responded with a forceful “no way” when asked to consider going. The excuses, which were all valid to me, were plentiful in my mind; My four children ages 6-11 can’t be without me for 18 days, I don’t know how to speak Russian or Ukrainian, our finances or lack thereof won’t permit me to go, I don’t ...  Read More

2 Timothy 1:7-12One of my favorite Christian artists is the singer Steve Camp. He was popular in the late 80s and early 90s. I was a fairly new Christian at that time, so I was just “discovering” Christian music. A standout song of his is called “Consider the Cost.” The chorus goes, Consider the cost of building a towerIt's a narrow way that you must comeFor to do the will of the FatherIs to follo...  Read More

Philippians 3:20, Hebrews 13:14 I stood in the Kolkata airport in India, and I experienced something for the first time in my life – I WAS THE FOREIGNER! How many times have we walked around in malls, restaurants, sporting venues, and many other places only to see people who don’t speak the same language as we do? Probably a lot. In that moment, did you ever think that it must be awkward at times ...  Read More

Acts 13:9-11. 46-48Paul and Barnabas worked together as missionaries, traveling to different cities to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Upon reaching the first city of Cyprus, they experienced pushback from a false prophet and later from the Jews. In both instances, they boldly stood up for the truth and did not cower in fear. We see right away the opportunity they have to share the gospel with ...  Read More

Acts 13:4-5, 14:1 Are you the type of person who plans every little detail, or the type who plans almost nothing? Maybe you're somewhere in between? Planning can be very important, as many of us know. You often want a strategy going forward for whatever you’re doing. Let’s say you’re building a LEGO set. What is your strategy? Do you plan to follow the instruction booklet every step of the way? Or...  Read More

Acts 13:1-3, Ephesians 2:10God has given all of us a calling! In this passage of Acts, we get to see a really awesome interaction between the believers and the Holy Spirit, who tells them very directly what they have been called to do. While praying and fasting, the Holy Spirit asks that Saul and Barnabas be set apart to do what He has called them to do. We are also called by God to do things! Now...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:   By definition, a missionary is a “person who is sent into an area to promote his religious mission.” Many of us grew up being taught that this person had to go “overseas” to be considered a missionary when in fact every one of us is “sent by God” to be missionaries, whether it be in our hometown or elsewhere. You and I live in a specific city or town with a specific grou...  Read More

1 John 4:1-3Deceptive imitations are everywhere. I hope that after following along with this week’s devotions, you can join me in saying that you’ve learned a lot this week about how to spot a false teacher and how to avoid their traps. It’s so important to be grounded in God's word and abide in it.  Let’s walk through the first three verses in 1 John chapter 4 together.“1 Dear friends, do not bel...  Read More

2 Timothy 4:1-5I loathe politics. Not government, but politics. I spent 22 years in the military to support and defend the Constitution and the United States as a constitutional federal republic. The issue is the politicking that goes along with it. People, regardless of political leanings, are drawn to those who will “tickle their ears” with grand promises of free stuff and a life of leisure. We ...  Read More

2 Timothy 3:1-5 Let’s be honest, we all know people that we just cannot be around for long or even at all. We must be careful that it is not in a mean way. We must keep in mind that the old saying you will become who you surround yourself with. When you are around people with different moral values from yours, you will begin to question yourself. Notice what we find in 2 Timothy 3:1-5,“But mark th...  Read More

Acts 8:18-25Not everything is what it seems! I love M Street Bakery in Holland. They were the first bakery in Michigan to start the crazy shakes. You know the $10 shakes that are topped with cupcakes, cookies, candy, and whipped cream! Basically, diabetes in a cup! Something M Street also offers are cakes that look like other food items. They usually offer these the week of April Fools. Some of th...  Read More

Acts 8:12-17 Have you ever tried to look a certain way for someone else? Maybe you changed the way you dress or act in front of someone else, but that really isn’t the way you are. You see this a lot in movies when the plot is in high school. Someone acting like they like sports because the person they’re interested in might be a jock. I’m sure we can all think of many examples of this, either in ...  Read More

Acts  8:9-11These verses tell us of a man who did whatever he could as a sorcerer to build himself up. He wanted to use the abilities that he had, the power that he had, completely for himself. He was a man who was there to build himself up completely. He was also very good at it. The people were very convinced and called him the Power of God! But he was nothing more than a boastful man. Praise th...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:   The most dangerous person is not the one who looks and acts evil, but the one who acts good but is evil on the inside! For decades, our society has underestimated the power of evil. We see people depict Satan on Saturday Night Live as a red-skinned, thorn-headed, pitchfork-holding mutant. This is inaccurate. In fact, the Bible describes Satan as the “father of lies” (Joh...  Read More

Acts 4:32-37“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all  that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses s...  Read More

Acts 4:13-31“Who am I?” It is a question most of us have asked ourselves at some point. It often stems from a challenging situation, and you have found yourself in the position of being asked (or compelled) to find a solution and carry it out. I remember the first time I felt really challenged when faced with a situation, I had no idea what to do. In the summer of 1986, I was attending Air Force R...  Read More

Acts 4:5-12 When you hear the term moment of truth, your mind probably instantly goes to a high-intensity situation. Let’s be honest, if you watched the Detroit Lions game this past weekend, you are probably thinking of the final plays of regulation. Detroit is down by 3 and needs a score to tie or to send the game into overtime. Out comes Jake Bates and the field goal team to attempt a 65-yard fi...  Read More

Acts 4:1-4Courage and boldness! Do you have that? The truth is, even Peter was not always courageous and bold. We know that Peter, at one time, denied knowing Jesus three times out of fear and embarrassment. Now, we see a more mature and brave Peter in the book of Acts! Apparently, he had learned from his mistake and was ready for any opportunity! Peter and John proclaim the good news and are in t...  Read More

Acts 3:11-26 Being a parent is a very difficult thing. One of the hardest things is to try to get your child to understand what they did wrong in a situation and to get them to take ownership of it. So often, we try to deflect when someone points out what we did wrong rather than owning our part in it. I have two daughters who are 6 and 4 years old. As siblings do, they often fight with each other...  Read More