Posts with the category “habits-of-grace”

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:17; 11:26–29; Revelation 19:6–9Devotion:The Lord’s Supper directs the believer’s attention in four directions.First, we look back. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me...  Read More

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:16–17; 11:23–29Devotion:Paul calls the cup a “participation in the blood of Christ” and the bread a “participation in the body of Christ.” The word translated “participatio...  Read More

Scripture: Romans 6:1–4, 11–14; Colossians 2:12Devotion:Baptism is received once, but its meaning continues to speak throughout the believer’s life.In Romans 6, Paul describes believers as those who h...  Read More

Scripture: Acts 2:37–41; Matthew 28:18–20Devotion:When Peter preached the gospel at Pentecost, his hearers were “cut to the heart.” They recognized their guilt and asked what they should do. Peter cal...  Read More

Scripture: Matthew 28:18–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Acts 2:41–42Devotion:God knows that we are forgetful people. That is one reason we keep photographs, wear wedding rings, observe anniversaries, and...  Read More

Scripture: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” — John 15:11Jesus spoke about joy only hours before his crucifixion.Confusion, persecution, gr...  Read More

Scripture: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” — John 15:9The order of Jesus’ words is important.The Father loves the Son. The Son loves his disciples. Then the discip...  Read More

Scripture: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” — John 15:7Abiding in Christ is sometimes described as though it were a mysterious spiri...  Read More

Scripture: “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5A farm implement may be attached to a tractor and appear completely rea...  Read More

Scripture: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” — John 15:1Throughout the Old Testament, Israel is described as God’s vine or vineyard. God planted Israel to bear the fruit of faith...  Read More

ScriptureHebrews 10:25“…encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”DevotionalEvery Sunday brings us one Sunday closer to the last Sunday.There is a Day drawing near.Chr...  Read More

ScriptureHebrews 10:24–25“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…”DevotionalWe can easily approach church as consumers.Was the sermon in...  Read More

ScriptureHebrews 10:23“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”DevotionalFollowing Jesus can be hard.The original recipients of Hebrews knew that...  Read More

ScriptureHebrews 10:22“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…”DevotionalSome Sundays you arrive at church feeling spiritually strong.Other Sundays you don't.You may come distra...  Read More

ScriptureHebrews 10:24“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”DevotionalWe often describe Christianity as a personal relationship with Jesus. That is wonderfully true—b...  Read More

ScriptureLuke 11:13“How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”DevotionalJesus ends His teaching on prayer by directing our attention away from the quality of ou...  Read More

ScriptureLuke 11:9–10“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”DevotionalSome prayers are easy to pray once.The difficult prayers are the ones we...  Read More

ScriptureLuke 11:3–4“Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins… And lead us not into temptation.”DevotionalJesus teaches us to bring ordinary life before God.Bread.Sin.Temptation.These...  Read More

ScriptureLuke 11:2“Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.”DevotionalPay attention to where Jesus begins.Not with bread.Not with problems.Not with health.Not with schedules.Not even with for...  Read More

ScriptureLuke 11:1“Lord, teach us to pray…”DevotionalThe disciples had prayed before.They had grown up hearing prayers in the synagogue. They knew the Psalms. Prayer was part of their religious life. ...  Read More

Read: Psalm 1:3–6Psalm 1 presents two people, two paths, and two destinies. The righteous are like a fruitful tree, while the wicked are like chaff blown away by the wind. One path is known and guarde...  Read More

Read: Psalm 1:3; John 15:4–5Psalm 1 compares the righteous person to a tree planted beside streams of water. The tree bears fruit, its leaves do not wither, and it remains strong because it has a depe...  Read More

Read: Psalm 1:2Psalm 1 says that the blessed person meditates on God’s Word “day and night.” Biblical meditation is not emptying the mind. It is filling the mind with Scripture and allowing God’s trut...  Read More

Read: Psalm 1:2The blessed person does not merely avoid the wrong path. He has discovered something better: “his delight is in the law of the Lord.”For many Christians, Bible reading can feel more lik...  Read More

Read: Psalm 1:1Psalm 1 begins by describing a person who refuses to be shaped by the world’s rebellion against God. The progression is striking: walking, standing, and finally sitting. What begins as ...  Read More