READING: One-year plan: Judges 20-21, Luke 13:18-14:14 Two-year plan: Leviticus 26, Mark 4:10-25 ——— Nothing would stop Jesus from completing the Father’s plan. Nothing. Not even the king who wanted to kill him.  Word came to Jesus that Herod wanted him dead, but those words hardly concerned Jesus. Rather, He simply continued His work, casting out demons, healing the sick, and making His way to Jerusalem. In that holy city, there He would indeed die – but according to the plans of the Father rather than the plans of the king. No earthly king could interrupt the plan of the true ..read more

READING: One-year plan: Judges 16-19, Luke 12:49-13:17 Two-year plan: Leviticus 25, Mark 3:31-4:9 ——– I have written other devotions about the woman bent double under the influence of an evil spirit in Luke 13. She had been that way for eighteen years—surely long years of discouragement and pain. My guess is that she had surely sought help, but no one had an answer.  Until Jesus showed up, that is.  When Jesus showed up, the evil spirit faced his demise in the woman’s life. With His few words directed to the woman (rather than to the spirit) and with the touch of His hands, Jesus fre ..read more

He was a uniquely humble leader, but it seems to me that John the Baptist had numerous reasons to be tempted with pride. Think about it:  Prophets announced his coming years before his arrival. Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1 foreshadowed his coming. He would be the fulfillment of prophecy, the first prophet to speak to the Hebrews in centuries.  He was to pave the way for the Messiah. Nobody else in all of history was to be the forerunner of Christ. It’s no wonder Jesus said that no one born of woman was greater than John (Matt. 11:11).  His birth was miraculou ..read more

READING: One-year plan: Judges 12-15, Luke 12:22-48 Two-year plan: Leviticus 23-24, Mark 3:13-30 ——– I’m a worrier. I don’t always let things bother me, but when I do . . . I tend to let those “things” (whatever they are) consume me. If I have a concern at work, I don’t know how to leave it at the office. If someone’s upset with me, I’m restless until we at least attempt reconciliation. I sometimes get far too stressed over financial issues and ministry burdens. I don’t like these facts about myself, but I can lie awake at night for hours if something’s really eating a ..read more

READING: One-year plan: Judges 9:22-11:40, Luke 12:1-21 Two-year plan: Leviticus 22, Mark 3:1-12 Sometimes you read the Word, and its simplicity is glaring and helpful at the same time. Today’s reading moves me in that direction, particularly as it forces me to ask, “What am I really living for?”  Just before speaking the parable of the rich fool, Jesus said these words: “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). There’s much in those words, but I’m captured by the urgency (“watch out” and ..read more

READING: One-year plan: Judges 7:1-9:21, Luke 11:14-54 Two-year plan: Leviticus 20-21, Mark 2:13-28 ———- Jesus gave His disciples the model prayer we read last Friday, and He followed that teaching with a parable about seeking God. Jesus uses that story to remind us that (1) our God is a good Father; (2) He surely gives greater gifts than the good gifts that evil fathers give; (3) He delights in giving Himself to us. In essence, Jesus’ story leads me to ask, “If I really believe God is a good Father who lovingly gives us His gifts and His Spirit, why would I not run to Him with my every n ..read more

Regardless of a church’s size, the small group is a place of teaching, fellowship, prayer, and pastoral care. The adage, “A church must grow smaller as it grows larger” is more than a church growth cliché; it is a principle of Great Commission growth. Many small groups, though, turn inwardly. Here are some ways to strengthen the outward focus of your church’s small group ministry. Be clear about the purpose of the group. Every small group exists for some reason. The problem is that many small group leaders and participants don’t think about, aren’t clear about, or even disagree about the ..read more

Today, I will be preaching at a church in Kannapolis, NC. Would you please take time to pray today not only for me, but also for any others who are preaching as guest speakers in churches around the country? God knows who they are ..read more

2 Chronicles 31:20-21 “Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the Lord his God. He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God’s temple, in the instruction and the commands, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.” Be diligent in your service to the Lord today. Do only what is good and upright and true, and the Lord will be honored ..read more

If your church deals with this issue (and, I don’t know any that don’t . . .), maybe this post will help you ..read more