Category Archives: Devotional

The Story: Tempted

The Story: Tempted – Matthew 4:1-11 “Virtue is not virtue if it be untested and unexamined.” – Origen Immediately following his baptism, the Holy Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness. The wilderness calls to mind Israel’s desert / wilderness experience … Continue reading

Posted in Devotional, Faith, God, Gospel, Jesus, Scripture, The Story | Tagged , | 2 Comments

The Story: A King is Born, Part 2

3. Messiah In Luke’s Gospel, he records the announcement of Christ’s birth in 2:8-12. In this text, Jesus is heralded as “Christ” or “Messiah.” The word “Christ” is simply the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for “anointed.” So the … Continue reading

Posted in Devotional, Faith, Jesus, Scripture, The Story, Theology | Leave a comment

The Story: A King is Born, Part 1

There was quite a buzz this summer over the birth of a baby, a royal baby. Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge, born to Prince William and Kate Middleton. Prince George’s parents opted for a more traditional name as opposed … Continue reading

Posted in Devotional, Faith, Gospel, Jesus, Scripture, The Story | Leave a comment

The Story: The Return Home

Do unfinished projects bother you? I have to confess to you that unfinished projects drive me crazy. I tend to be more task-oriented; I love to cross things off the to-do list; so nothing irritates me more than an unfinished … Continue reading

Posted in Devotional, Disappointment, Faith, God, Scripture, The Story | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Story: The Kingdom’s Fall

The Kingdom’s Fall – Jeremiah 29:1-14  Imagine two cities: The first city is a bustling metropolis, full of frenzied activity. Think New York, London, Rome, L.A.. It’s a city that never sleeps, a city of constant sights and sounds and … Continue reading

Posted in Devotional, Faith, God, Scripture, Social Issues, The Story | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Story: Elijah and Elisha

In our study of the Story, we’re seeing that God seems really fond of mentoring relationships: Moses / Joshua; Naomi / Ruth; later on, we’ll see Paul / Timothy. Today, we’re going to look at Elijah / Elisha. To tell … Continue reading

Posted in Church, Devotional, Scripture, The Story | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

All Things New

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” — Revelation 21:5 A few weeks ago, we decided to get away for a short vacation. On the heels of an extremely busy summer, … Continue reading

Posted in Blessings, Devotional, Family, God, Jesus, Kids, Scripture | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Story: The King Who Had It All

“What do you want?” That can be a dangerous question. But it’s an important question, a question we’re confronted with throughout our lives. From our earliest days, our parents ask us, “What do you want to be when you grow … Continue reading

Posted in Devotional, Faith, Scripture, The Story | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Story: The Trials of a King

2 Samuel 7 has been called one of the high points of the OT. As king over Israel, David builds for himself a majestic palace. But after completing it, he makes a sobering realization: “I’ve built this palace for myself … Continue reading

Posted in Devotional, Faith, God, Scripture, The Story | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Story: Giants

David and Goliath.  It’s the classic story, firmly etched in our collective consciousness. The Philistine giant and the young shepherd boy. Brute strength vs. bold faith. The Bible presents Goliath as the Philistine champion. Standing over 9 feet tall, this … Continue reading

Posted in Devotional, Faith, God, Scripture, The Story | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment