Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.-Ephesians 5:1-2...  Read More

I see two primary lessons through this section of Scripture. The first is informative and the latter is imperative. The informative explains what was discussed in the last devotion. The imperative bui...  Read More

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a b...  Read More

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.-...  Read More

 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end....  Read More

Wouldn't it be hilariously ironic if we took the time today to exclusively pray for ourselves not to be so self focused? Lay down your selfishness this morning before the Lord in repentance and acknow...  Read More

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit-Philippians 2:3a17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, wit...  Read More

I often find that the most difficult battle I have is when it comes to truly laying myself down. I may be really good at sacrificing a lot and sometimes really good at not ever expecting anything in r...  Read More

Jesus' teaching is an essential component of the lesson for the original audience. There is a statement that Jesus speaks and a contrast that John is sure to highlight. Among Jesus' teaching He says t...  Read More

As we highlight connections in this passage, I want to look at what the people are crying out during the triumphal entry of Jesus. They are proclaiming a Psalm of Ascent, Psalm 118.    25      Save no...  Read More

In this passage, we are at the start of what we know as passion week. These are the days leading up to the death of Jesus. Just a week prior to His death, we have recorded that the people gathered pal...  Read More

12 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:    “Hosanna!  ...  Read More

We are getting ready to enter the week of Thanksgiving. Why don't you start practice now? Count your blessings. Sincerely. Write them down and give the Lord praise for each of them. Get creative. Get ...  Read More

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Part of the enemy's prerogative his innerworkings ...  Read More

This image of Mary before Jesus, pouring out the best of what she has before Him and humbling herself to the extent that she has is a favorite of mine. I commonly consider this image when I am coming ...  Read More

Given the counter cultural points in the account of Mary pouring the spikenard on the feet of Jesus and wiping His feet with her hair, that would have absolutely stood out in this account. The example...  Read More

There are many connections to make throughout this section. One I want to focus on is the act of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus. There are a few interesting point to note here.Firstly, when someone ...  Read More

Do you remember last week how I said as we get nearer to the most important part of a narrative, it seems to slow down and it really zeroes in? Well this section does just that. There is a lot to unpa...  Read More

Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one...  Read More

Given that suffering is promised, and knowing what we know about persecution around the world, our brothers and sisters overseas are in desperate need for prayer. I encourage you to take time this mor...  Read More

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and com...  Read More

Seeing how Jesus was treated for His righteous serves as an encouragement to me. As a believer, you find very quickly that people very quickly lose fondness for you in your faith. You get mistreated, ...  Read More

The lesson is primarily informative but there is definitely a takeaway that Jesus iterates in just about all His comments about persecution. What we see is how Jesus is treated in light of His recent ...  Read More

I was listening to a teaching a while ago on the Gospel accounts. In this sermon, David Pawson went over the nature of how narrative texts like this would be written. It would start off very fast. Jes...  Read More