Posts with the category “devotional”

1 Corinthians 10:11-13 In the 80’s there was this weird band called “DEVO”, they wore strange upside-down flowerpot looking hats. They wrote a song called Freedom of choice. The song is musically terrible; this is coming from a guy that has no musical talent. It’s so bad, I’m beginning to wonder if I couldn’t have been a rock star in the 80’s. There are a couple lines from the song that relate to ...  Read More

1 Corinthians 10:6-10 Growing up in a large family (I am the youngest of 6) we had plenty of life experiences to share. By watching each other do things, we were able to learn from each other. Whether it be how not to do something or using another’s trial run to accomplish a goal before them. Long story short, we took what we saw or heard and used it. The same thing is being taught here in chapter...  Read More

1 Corinthians 10:1-5 When I was a kid, I attended a Christian school. My parents decided that this was the best option for my education. Quick disclaimer: The educational choice of Christian school, public school, or home school is completely the choice of the parents. I am not advocating for any one educational choice. What I am advocating for is living with gratitude.My point of bringing up the ...  Read More

Week 9Main Point and Overview:    The Apostle Paul used himself as an example of disciplined maturity in chapter 9; now, he uses Israel as an example of spiritual immaturity to avoid. In fact, he wanted the Corinthians to see Israel as a warning, an example to them of what NOT TO DO! How many times have we repeated the same sinful mistakes of people from the past? In “real time,” we vowed never to...  Read More

2 Timothy 2:23-26 My favorite nickname that is floating around our culture is “keyboard warriors.” I don’t doubt that real life faith-based arguments happen in person. But nowadays, a majority of them happen online. People bicker back and forth in Facebook comment sections about hot topics in the church; creation, science, homosexuality, alcoholism, divorce, sexual immorality, legalism, tithing - ...  Read More

Proverbs 12:16 I cannot think of a single person who likes to be insulted. No one likes to hear that they have done something wrong or that someone does not like them or something that they did. All people like to try and defend their actions. The unfortunate thing is that there is always going to be someone who just doesn’t like the way you do things. People are also sinners, meaning that they ca...  Read More

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 In 1976 one of the most iconic motivational movies of all time came onto the scene. Rocky is a well-known story of struggle and determination that shows the potential of an underdog on the rise and with arguably the most recognizable movie theme song. The first sixteen bars of “Gonna Fly Now” are probably playing in your head right now. The infamous training montage has the p...  Read More

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 This year we celebrated the 250th anniversary of America. A country based on a simple concept. Freedom! The Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” In America we are free to pursue what...  Read More

1 Corinthians 9:3-12 Just the other day Sarah and I took Paisley to the movies for the first time to see Toy Story 5 (pretty good movie). For our household we have watched the first through the fourth one about 5 times each leading up to this point, as Paisley loves Buzz and Woody. During Toy story 5 Paisley was blown away at all the Buzz Lightyears that started the movie out, so much so that dad ...  Read More

1 Corinthians 9:1-2 You are going to face critics! You are going to face antagonism and pressure from people! You are going to have people who are going to attempt to discredit your testimony, purpose, and authority! How’s that for an encouraging way to start this devotional?! Sadly, it’s the truth. Over the years, I have had people tell me that I was “too young,” “too inexperienced,” “too simple,...  Read More

Week 8Main Point and Overview:    After the Apostle Paul had spent 18 months starting, building, and discipling the Corinthians, he left. It was during this time that a group of antagonists rose up calling Paul’s “credentials” into question. The danger in this was that if the Corinthians were persuaded to believe these antagonists, they could be susceptible to rejecting Paul’s doctrinal teachings ...  Read More

Ephesians 5:2 & Romans 12:10 One of my favorite verses is 1 John 4:19 - “We love because He first loved us.” 7 words. 1 BIG meaning. We have the opportunity to love others because we were first loved by Christ. We can love selflessly, honestly, without conditions - because we have seen Jesus Himself do that for us.Something I ask myself often is “are my actions reflecting Christ?” There are lots o...  Read More

1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 What we want to see is people coming to Christ! Our God is so good, and He has given us a way to know Him! This is something that we want to share with all people of the world! Paul is saying in these verses not to cause anyone to stumble. Do not think so highly of yourself that you cause those around you to not be able to find Christ. What matters is not our glory, but th...  Read More

1 Corinthians 10:23-30 1 Corinthians 10 was one of those beautiful chunks of scripture that was repeatedly talked about with our children. It’s filled with valuable life lessons. Verse 13 was so helpful in helping us teach our kids to navigate peer pressure and to help them make wise choices even when no one is watching. This verse reminds us that no temptation is inescapable and that God is faith...  Read More

1 Corinthians 8:8-13 I love this time of year. The weather, outdoor activities, and firing up the smoker to cook some BBQ ribs or chicken. During Michigan summers, many of us will attend a cookout or open house to gather for a meal and fellowship. In Corinth they would do similar types of gatherings, but these gatherings were based on idol worship. Meat would be sacrificed and “blessed” by false p...  Read More

1 Corinthians 8:4-7 I think it's safe to say that we all know how to ride a bicycle. Most people were taught at a young age with a parent or sibling to lovingly show us. Thinking back on your experience of learning to ride a bike, how well would it have gone if someone never took the time to show you, let alone explain it? How often do we as believers do this very same thing in our walk with Jesus...  Read More

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 One of our DNA Values is JOURNEY OF FAITH: Everyone is at a different stage in their journey of faith. We embrace that reality. Our gatherings have you in mind. Each week we offer a message that is both understandable and “apply-able.” We also offer class options in our growth process that will meet you where you are. We are a church filled with people struggling with different...  Read More

Week 7Main Point and Overview:    As people were coming to Christ in Corinth, there were so many backgrounds and upbringings to overcome. Unfortunately, that was not happening in an expedient manner. One such background involved meat that was offered in sacrificial worship to pagan gods. Meat that was bought in the marketplace was likely to have been symbolically offered to an idol in one of the m...  Read More

Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”Hebrews 13:4Reading this verse, I am immediately drawn to the idea of “all.” Whether you are married, dating, divorced, widowed or single; you should honor marriage. If this was true, if every single person honored marriage, adultery wouldn’t exist. If eve...  Read More

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 Be Different! The world we live in is full of immorality. Unfortunately, we live in a world where comfort and pleasure is many people’s entire motivation. The Bible tells us to act differently as believers. 1 Thess. 4:3 uses the word “sanctified.” This means to be “set apart.” Once we become believers the Holy Spirit becomes a part of our daily walk. He is there with us. He h...  Read More

Proverbs 5:18-19 Marriage is one of God's greatest gifts, designed to reflect His love, faithfulness, and holiness. In Proverbs 5:18–19 says, "May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth... may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.” Ooh la la! These verses reveal that God created marital intimacy to be enjoyed exclusively between...  Read More

1 Corinthians 7:10-14 When I was growing up, I had an aunt that was a believer and an uncle that wasn’t. At family gatherings and holiday parties, the contrast was dramatically evident. My uncle at times seemed to lean into showing his unbelief in an outward fashion. Even as a kid, I noticed the awkwardness of the situation and interaction within the family. I also noticed my aunt’s persistence in...  Read More

1 Corinthians 7:1-5 Let's just get to the point today, how well are we protecting our marriage? Do we give 110% effort to protect them at all cost? I hate to compare marriage to a game of football, but think of the Detroit Lions offensive side of the ball. The quarterback is protected by his line, that is their sole job. You often see quarterbacks going out of their way to make sure his linemen ar...  Read More

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 Are we actually any different? That’s a question that must be asked when it comes to the church versus the culture. I grew up in a Christian home…barely. My dad and mom gave their lives to Jesus right before they were married. So, I have lived in the “heart” of Christianity. Unfortunately, I have watched students in my Christian school, kids in my youth group, adults in my ch...  Read More

Week 6Main Point and Overview:    Think “Sin City” Las Vegas! That was Corinth! Surrounded by prostitution, drunkenness, and gross amounts of idol worship, the Corinthians had a ton of temptation surrounding them. Even the “religions” were filled with immorality. The temple of the “love goddess” Aphrodite was in Corinth. This temple employed more than a thousand prostitutes as priestesses, and sex...  Read More

Galatians 6:1-5 Have you ever looked in the mirror just to look at something behind you? Maybe you notice the pile of dirty laundry sitting on the bed behind you. Or you try to examine your outfit just to see your kid dumping toys all over the floor behind you. See, sometimes instead of focusing on ourselves and our sin, we like to look around and focus on everyone else’s sin first.Matthew 7:3-5 s...  Read More

Matthew 5:3-4 God is here for those who are broken-hearted! Growing up my pastor at our church would say that the church is made of broken people. All of us are broken people. We all have done things that we are not proud of, we have all fallen short, sinned, and everyone one of us has had people treat us poorly or sin against us. God says that He is here to comfort those in mourning. He says thos...  Read More

2 Corinthians 2:5-11 The church in Corinth struggled with serious moral and relational problems. Paul understood that discipline was necessary to protect the purity of the church, but he also knew that restoration was essential to reflect the heart of Christ. Biblical discipline was never intended to permanently exclude a repentant believer; its goal was repentance, healing, and renewed fellowship...  Read More

Matthew 18:15-17 Confrontation is something that most of us don’t look forward to doing. The idea of addressing the wrongdoing may feel judgmental. Often believers avoid confrontation, just letting it go, or have a confrontation that is done in a public way that causes more harm than good. Neither of these solutions address the real problem. Neither of these situations are what Jesus expects out o...  Read More

1 Corinthians 5:4-5a, 6b-13 Let’s start with the elephant in the room, confronting things is not an easy thing. It takes a lot of courage to confront someone who is doing something wrong. Imagine being Paul, talking to the church in Corinth. There was open unrepentant sin that was being tolerated. In a city that wouldn’t address issues, Paul comes in and urges the believers to confront it. He tell...  Read More

1 Corinthians 5:1-3, 6a When I was in youth ministry many years ago now, I went to a Youth Specialties conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In one of the big-group sessions, the speaker spoke about something he called “the clustering effect.” He proceeded to describe to us the hypocritical tendencies of most youth. For example, a student is one minute having sex with his girlfriend in the backs...  Read More

Week 5Main Point and Overview:    Is our church a “country club,” or is it the “pure bride of Christ?” Many churches are filled with people who “show up” but don’t “stand up” to sin, either theirs or the sin of others. Have you ever heard the phrase: “They want their cake and to eat it too?!” They want the “blessings” of Jesus, but they are not truly committed to following his clear expectations. ...  Read More

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 This portion of Scripture really challenged me this week. When it comes to teaching the Gospel, sometimes I feel like I am repeating myself. And I am. But it isn’t boring. It isn’t mundane. The Gospel is more than just words. Or a story. The Gospel is life. Jesus is alive and the story of His birth, death, burial and resurrection is anything but boring. With teaching kids, I a...  Read More

Romans 1:16; 15:13 The power of the Holy Spirit is within us! There are 2 things in life that the Bible tells us are real power, but I think we as believers have a hard time believing it. The power of prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. Both seem sometimes like spiritual “talk” without meaning. Have you ever had someone come up to you and spill out their heart? You are sitting there listening...  Read More

John 14:15-17; 16:13 This week’s devotions have been so helpful, and I need all the help that I can get. ?Pastor Ken’s devotion, “The Spirit Factor” yesterday was on point! The Holy Spirit is no gimmick. In fact, the Holy Spirit is right alongside God the Father and Jesus the Son. Rather than a trick or a scheme, the Spirit is active and the divine presence of God living within believers, guiding ...  Read More

1 Corinthians 2:10-16 The other day, my wife couldn’t find her phone as she was rushing out the door to go to work. The frantic search started in the usual spots she’s in while getting ready and still couldn’t find it. This widened the search into the laundry room, her car, I went and checked the basement, checked the crevasses of the living room couch and love seat. Found a dog toy, ink pen, and ...  Read More

1 Corinthians 2:6-9 Have you ever been absolutely convinced you were right—only to discover you were spectacularly wrong? Maybe you sent a text to the wrong person, searched everywhere for your glasses while they were on your head, or confidently put together furniture only to end up with "extra" pieces. Human wisdom can be a little overrated!In today's passage Paul writes to the church in Corinth...  Read More

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Over the years, I have heard a ton of opinions about the Gospel. Some people teach an “easy believeism” where they will tell you that all you need to do is trust in Jesus for salvation with no expectation of anything else such as life-change. Then, I have met others who teach a “Lordship salvation” meaning that when a person is saved, Jesus is instantly the Lord of their lives....  Read More

Week 4Main Point and Overview:   Over the years, many people have gotten “hung up” on “new ideas” from “relevant speakers.” Many times, they compare what they are hearing with the truth of Jesus’ Gospel. If the church is not careful, it can become “bored” with the “simplicity of the Gospel” looking for something that is more “new and fresh.” In the Apostle Paul’s day, he was surrounded by philosop...  Read More

Psalm 34:1-3 I can’t help but think of the Forrest Frank song: Celebration! We sing it with the kids on Sunday mornings and it is such a beautiful reminder to truly Praise God for all He has done! One of the things I love most about the idea of celebration is that it can be done even in the midst of tragedy, heartbreak, uncertainty, doubt and depression! Even in the worst of the worst situations, ...  Read More