So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again (Matthew 26:44, esv). We tend to think of prayer as asking for things—prayers of petition. And that’s a biblically valid function of prayer. But sometimes prayer is not so much about getting something from God, as much […]
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV). When you’re overwhelmed by a problem […]
When Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed” (John 5:6, esv)? Far be it from me to find fault with Jesus’ bedside manner, but . . . “Do you want to be healed?” doesn’t seem the most […]
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13, esv)! Two guys go into the temple . . . That’s how one of Jesus’ parables from Luke 18 begins. Now neither one of these […]
And the Lord sent Nathan to David. . . (2 Samuel 12:1a, esv). Here’s an uncomfortable thought: A genuine friend will restrain or correct you at times. Not only does a biblical friend hold you up when you stumble, but that friend also holds you down when you stray. We stumble under the heavy pressures […]
David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find […]
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God (1 Peter 4:1–2, ESV). Suffering […]
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:1–2, esv). Doesn’t it seem like everybody knows this verse? Especially that first phrase. People who don’t even believe in God’s Word quote this one […]
105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. 107I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word! —Psalm 119:105-107 How can you know God’s will? How can you get on the right […]
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came (Matthew 4:1–3a, esv). Faith is as practical as you can get. It’s not ivory tower, abstract, feel-good thinking. Faith is for […]