Posts with the category “devotional”

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

Acts 3:1-10Peter seized an opportunity to do the right thing and lead himself to spread the Word of God! The man asked for his wants to be met. Peter, using the power given to him by God, heals the man! The man wanted money. He is a beggar. He is lame, cannot work on his own two feet, and is begging people for handouts. He has clearly been doing this for some time, because he is recognized instant...  Read More

What do you do when the opportunity to impact a life is right in front of your face, but it’s going to cost you something? The disciples knew that their testifying of Jesus Christ meant painful pushback from the culture they were living in at the time. The name Jesus was a polarizing name that was not well accepted among the religious elite and Roman authorities. It didn’t matter to these brave me...  Read More

John 14:1-5In the spring of 2008, sweet 95-year-old grandma came to live with our full frenzied four-teenager family. Grandma Cece, or GG as the kids called her, had always been very active. Even in her 90’s she was taking daily walks, volunteering in the gift shop at the local hospital, serving at church, teaching women’s Bible study, but macular degeneration was a thief of her eyesight and life ...  Read More

Acts 2:37-47Every now and then, I love pulling up videos of the old Billy Graham Crusades. Although old, they are timeless. The passion with which he speaks is mesmerizing. He was a gifted speaker with the matchless message of the Gospel. It wasn’t until after I got saved that I began to appreciate his crusades and the impact they truly had…and still have to this day. But as great as the messenger...  Read More

Acts 2:14-36 We all know someone who is very blunt; they say what needs to be said, and they keep on their way. It’s often viewed as a bad thing to be called a blunt person, but that doesn't always have to be the case.  As we talk about often at Emmanuel, we must be willing to stand up for truth, but not by cutting people down and bashing them, but rather by sharing the truth in love. However, the...  Read More

Acts 2:1-12Have you ever felt that nudge to say something to someone about Jesus? Have you felt that same nudge telling you to stop doing something that you shouldn’t be doing? How about the unusual peace you’ve had during a hard time? The strange sense of comfort you’ve experienced when all seemed lost? That’s the Holy Spirit within you! In Acts 2:1-12, we read about the arrival of the Holy Spiri...  Read More

Acts 1:12-14 What is your first response when you are in fear? What about when something doesn’t go the way that you wanted it to go or how you thought it should? I think we can all admit that when fear arises, we often do not go to prayer as our initial response. We often get consumed with our fear and everything that could possibly go wrong. Sometimes we let our fear grow to an extreme and allow...  Read More

Acts 1:7-11Jesus has returned to Heaven! Jesus, in front of his followers, ascends into Heaven. Imagine being there. This would be such a surreal moment. Jesus, the man whom you put your trust in, the man who died on the cross, who then came back, is now leaving again. Their question, their hope, is that He will restore the kingdom of Israel. Jesus gives an amazing answer! It is not for us to know...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:   Sometimes it’s hard to see what God is doing…until he opens our eyes! The twelve disciples of Jesus were in this situation. They had heard over and over again about the Kingdom of God, but they misunderstood its meaning for a long time. Even in the days leading up to Jesus’ death on The Cross, they were filled with fear and wonder as they realized that the kingdom Jesus ...  Read More

Nehemiah 13:14, 22, 29, 31As Thanksgiving approaches, I’ve noticed news outlets, social media posts, and radio announcers remind us that the season to be filled with gratitude, remembrance, and thankfulness is upon us. It‘s funny that we must be reminded to be filled with or demonstrate those traits. The first item of gratitude that comes to my mind is that God is constant, unchanging, and unwaver...  Read More

Romans 7:21-25One of the great things (and there are many) about Paul’s writings in the New Testament is the honesty with which he writes. He is quick to call out things when warranted, but he is also quick to use himself and his own struggles as examples of what it means to live for Christ. These verses perfectly capture the struggle that not only Paul was dealing with, but the struggle that ever...  Read More

Nehemiah 13:23-31 I often remind Sarah that she made the decision to marry me when I am being crazy with Paisley running around the house, dancing in the kitchen, or outright just being crazy. (If you know me well, you know I am just a giant kid at heart ?) The same is true when she does something outside of the normal day to day life we live. It's all fun and games, but the reality is we do have ...  Read More

Nehemiah 13:15-22As we reach the end of Nehemiah, we see the relief of the walls finally completed despite all the pushback along the way. However, we see that when Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem, he finds things out of order. In the Ten Commandments, the fourth is “Remember the Sabbath Day”, yet the people inside the walls started to get away from it over time, just like their ancestors did previo...  Read More

Nehemiah 13:10-14 Now, this may be an odd devotional for me to write as a person who is in a position of leadership here at Emmanuel. However, these passages and principles are so important for us to know, we cannot just skip over them. It is important for us to care for our leaders in multiple ways. How often do we look to pray for our spiritual leaders? How often are we looking to encourage them...  Read More

Nehemiah 13:1-9Nehemiah cracks down in this passage on those who stood against him when he was trying to rebuild. He makes sure there is a consequence to those leaders who would not listen or were trying to openly oppose them. He quite literally throws out their things. He also has the rooms purified! This was a special place, an important place. While reading this, I asked the question, "Who is i...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:   Just because you’re living for God now does not mean that you will be living for God tomorrow! Let that resonate in your mind for a minute. Nehemiah learned this lesson the hard way with the people he was attempting to lead. Nehemiah had returned to Babylon, most likely summoned back to his role as Cupbearer to the King. His work was complete. The walls were restored, an...  Read More

Nehemiah 12:27-47  I enjoyed reading about the joyful celebration of the dedication ceremony, which, as verse 27 describes, was filled with “songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.” To summarize the remainder of today’s passage, the Levites were called to lead the service and first went through acts of purification. Then, 2 groups of choirs and musicians were organize...  Read More

1 Corinthians 9:14I think if you were to poll pastors on what is the most controversial (if not difficult) topic to preach on, it would be on giving (tithing). Why? Because it is about money. Tithing, or a tenth, goes back to the book of Genesis when Abraham gives a tithe to Melchizedek as a way of expressing thanks to God for a victory. This became part of the Mosaic law. The New Testament does n...  Read More

John 12:1-8 As a parent, it's interesting to me to sit back and watch Paisley do things by herself. I often wonder why in the world she is doing that, but the same is true for anyone. Have you ever wondered that not just from your kids, but from strangers out in public or even family members?  I always love reading today's Bible story, here you have Jesus and his disciples eating dinner with Lazar...  Read More

Nehemiah 12:44-47Praise the Lord for our leadership at Emmanuel! Until I was on staff, I did not fully grasp how much our pastors take on. Sitting in staff meetings, I am able to hear some of the day to day things that are on their plates. I’ll tell you it’s far more than just preparing and delivering a sermon on Sunday mornings. The pastor, as the shepherd of his flock, tends to the needs of his ...  Read More

Nehemiah 12:31-43 How do you tend to respond to God providing in your life? Do you take time to stop and recognize how God got you through the possible trial or hardship in your life? Do you just jump to the next thing and quickly forget about everything because you're caught up in the busyness? When God works in our lives, we must stop and praise Him. He is worthy of our praise!   Here in Nehemia...  Read More

Nehemiah 12:27-30The wall has been built! Praise the Lord! After building the wall, the Levites came back to sing praise to the Lord and worship the Lord. They are having a time with intentional praise. God is good, He helps us with our needs, and has done so much for us. We are coming into a month where we focus specifically on Thanks. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. We take time to gathe...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:   After a major spiritual victory in your life, do you take the time to praise the Lord? Nehemiah did. In fact, he led the entire nation of Israel in a very intentional and inordinate “program of praise” to God for his power, protection, and provisions in rebuilding the broken-down walls of Jerusalem. Often, in our lives, it is easy to take God’s goodness for granted. We m...  Read More

Matthew 5:6This title! I’d love to hear from any one of you about how happy or blessed you feel when you’re hungry. Is anyone happy when they are hungry? And maybe there is a reason that you’ve been told that you get “hangry” when your food cravings aren’t fulfilled.  The title of today’s devotion comes straight out of the book of Matthew: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...  Read More

Matthew 5:3-4Several years ago, the movie “Unbroken” was released. Based on the book of the same title, it tells the story of Louis Zamporini. He was an Olympic athlete who, at the start of World War Two, became a bombardier. He survived being shot down, stranded at sea, and eventually as a prisoner of war. It is a fantastic tale of overcoming great odds and forgiveness. During a Billy Graham revi...  Read More

Nehemiah 10:30-39 Have you ever gotten that feel-good attitude when you complete a task or goal? The kind that makes you stop for a minute and say what’s next! I’m ready to tackle anything! Well, I imagine that is what Nehemiah and his team felt like as well when they finished the project.  When we complete a major task or overcome a setback, we tend to find our purpose to continue to keep going. ...  Read More

Nehemiah 9  This is a lengthy chapter of Nehemiah, but I promise it’s worth your time reading it. This is such a powerful moment for the Israelite community. They spent half a day reading from the Law, worshipping, and confessing sin to God. Almost the entire chapter is a prayer to God by the Levites. Throughout the prayer, there is a consistent theme of remembrance. The Israelites had turned thei...  Read More

Nehemiah 8:5-9 When you think of something as broken, do you think of it in a negative way or a good way? Being broken can really have two different meanings. We typically think of something that is broken as something that is either no longer good or trash unless it can be fixed. There is another side of being broken that can be a good thing. There are many examples that we could think of. Take a...  Read More

Nehemiah 8:2-3What an amazing passage showing people who are hungry for the truth! This is something I have been thinking about a lot lately, about how many people are hungry for truth. Many people are seeking today for something to help them feel whole. Something to hold on to. So many things in this world promise to be the truth or to give a sense of purpose in this world. The Bible tells us the...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:   Often, a physical problem eventually sheds light on a spiritual problem. For Israel, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was a physical problem. After they had achieved this daunting task, they soon realized what the “greater reason” was for rebuilding the walls – spiritual revival! When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he found more than just broken walls; he found broken l...  Read More

Nehemiah 7:4-63Can you imagine being carried away into exile, barred from your homeland, and expected to live under another country’s rule?   As we’ve journeyed through the book of Nehemiah, we’ve been reminded that this is exactly what happened to the citizens of Jerusalem at the hands of the power-hungry ruler of Babylon, King Nebuchadnezzar, who initiated the Babylonian captivity of the Jewish ...  Read More

2 Peter 3:17-18Ever since Christ’s ascension, there has been the anticipation that He’s return is imminent. And it is right to have felt, as then, and to feel even now this way. For man does not know the day of His return. Even though there have been two millennia, Christ’s return remains at “any moment.” Eschatology, the study of end-times, is dicey. It’s important to have an understanding of wha...  Read More