Main Point and Overview:    The coming murder of Jesus would cause the corrupt culture to celebrate, while his disciples would mourn. It seemed like all hope was lost. The popular words that we sing in Death was Arrested come to mind: “Our savior displayed on a criminal's cross. Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost. But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand. That's when death was arrest...  Read More

 Have you ever had a scary dream where you found yourself walking on a cold concrete floor down a long dimly lit corridor and you sense that you are being watched, you feel so restricted, the tensions mount, there is no one to help you and no way out. And whew, what a relief, you wake up and realize that it’s just a bad dream.  For many, it’s not a bad dream, it’s real life, and it’s worse than th...  Read More

It is safe to say that winter has welcomed itself to Michigan, I am not sure about you, but I did not welcome it in. For me I love the Christmas season, but I dread the cold. I know that with Christmas and snow comes those sub degree temperatures that feels like we live at the North Pole! The simple task of taking the trash out and letting the dog out to go to the bathroom becomes something I don'...  Read More

Paul and Silas were in Philippi. On one particular morning, they were heading to a place of prayer. While heading there, they were greeted and followed by a slave woman possessed by a spirt that enabled her to predict the future. The spirit in her recognized the Holy Spirit in Paul and Silas, and subsequently called out proclaiming who they were and what they were doing. She got so obnoxious about...  Read More

As I write this devo in the quietness of my home, next to the twinkling of the Christmas tree lights, my children safely tucked into bed, after doing our nightly bible study, prayers, and songs…reading this passage of scripture feels surreal—as it should for you. Most of you, whoever may be reading, are probably doing something similar as you read this devotional. You might be reading this, hopefu...  Read More

What is God’s will for my life and your life? It’s one of those abstract, paradoxical, mysterious, and often unanswerable questions that we sometimes ask as we look ahead to what’s next in our lives, as we consider the future, and when we contemplate our hopes, dreams, plans, and pursuits. We ponder how our desires, and the providence of God might go hand in hand. But where do we look? How do we m...  Read More