The prodigal comes to a transforming experience of repentance. True repentance always issues into joy. The father takes his finest garment, worn only on special occasions or festivals, and puts it on his son -- a sure sign of acceptance to the community. The signet ring, a symbol of trust, and sandals, showing he's a … Continue reading Lavish Love for Returning Prodigals
Devotional Thoughts
Treasuring Prodigals (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)
I recently preached on Jesus' famous parable. Here's what struck me most: As we think rightly of our Father and treasure Him as the real prodigal in this story, we will become more intentional in sharing His pursuit of other prodigals, whether they are prodigal in their rebellion and self-centeredness or whether they are prodigal … Continue reading Treasuring Prodigals (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)
Doing Something Significant for the Kingdom
What does it look like to do something significant for the kingdom of God? This past Sunday we looked at the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25:14-30. We discussed two contrasting views of the Master than result in two contrasting types of stewardship and two contrasting futures. Here is a short excerpt from a … Continue reading Doing Something Significant for the Kingdom
What Matters Most
"What matters supremely, therefore, is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it: The fact that He knows me. I am graven on the palms of His hands. I am never out of His mind. All my knowledge of Him depends on His sustained initiative … Continue reading What Matters Most
Acts 15 – On Resolving Conflict
Acts 15 Devotional Guide - Resolving Conflict What was the nature of the conflicts in this chapter? A. 1st Conflict: Was circumcision required for Gentile converts to Christianity? This conflict centered on theology. It was a public conflict. We ought to ensure that we indeed have biblical warrant before we say, "Except you do so … Continue reading Acts 15 – On Resolving Conflict
Devotional Guide – Treasure the Master (Matthew 25:14-30)
PDF - Devotional Guide - Treasure the Master Monday: What do you believe has been the most exhilarating moment of your life? Think for a moment about your future and the ultimate exhilarating moment for a follower of Jesus. Ask the Lord to give you a renewed longing to hear these words from his lips … Continue reading Devotional Guide – Treasure the Master (Matthew 25:14-30)
Acts 14 – The Habits of the Heart of Gospel People
Devotional Guide - Habits of the Heart of Gospel People The church is called to teach people how to talk, how to act, how to fight, how to love, how to see the world in a peculiar way - a Christlike way. “The role of the church is to cultivate a people who can risk … Continue reading Acts 14 – The Habits of the Heart of Gospel People
A Prayer of Confession based upon Luke 12:13-21
Audio Version: A Prayer of Confession based on Luke 12:13-21 Generous Father, How prone we are to cry ‘foul’ where we have experienced a perceived injustice or personal slight. Yet You are a God of perfect justice who reconciles us to Yourself through an act of inconceivable injustice against Your perfectly innocent Son... Jesus. We find it hard to … Continue reading A Prayer of Confession based upon Luke 12:13-21
A Devotional Guide on “Misplaced Treasure” from Luke 12:13-34
Misplaced Treasure - A Personal Worship Guide Monday: How is God calling you to personally apply Jesus’ caution in Luke 12:15? Confess to the Lord the specific ways that you have struggled with covetousness. which is a desire to acquire more and more material possessions or to possess more than other people have, irrespective of … Continue reading A Devotional Guide on “Misplaced Treasure” from Luke 12:13-34
The Marks of a Missional Church – Acts 13
At our Vespers service this week, we delved into and prayed concertedly through Acts 13 for our church. Acts 13 is a transition chapter in Dr. Luke's letter. The gospel begins to go to the nations. It chronicles the first stages of Paul's first missionary journey. In the process, it highlights the distinguishing marks of … Continue reading The Marks of a Missional Church – Acts 13
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