READ: Psalm 116, Zephaniah 1, John 20, 1 Thessalonians 2 WHAT SHALL WE RENDER? We suppose all kinds of ridiculous things about Jesus. We suppose He is a gardener (John 20:15) or that He is in debt to us for the labor of our hands. We think wrongly about what we can give to God, […]
Region: Arab World
Abiding in Jesus: September 22
READ: Psalm 115, Habakkuk 3, John 19, 1 Thessalonians 1 NOT TO US Not even our crucified life is about us. Jesus has to be the center of our crucifixion. Yes, we must bear our own cross (John 19:17). Yes, a crucified life has implications for our loved ones (v. 25). But in the end our […]
Abiding in Jesus: September 21
READ: Psalm 114, Habakkuk 2, John 18, Colossians 4 THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY TRUST Reformations past and present start by faith. Faith most simply defined is trust: “Just from Jesus simply taking, life and rest, and joy and peace” (Louisa Stead). We Trust Jesus to Satisfy Our Longings. Habakkuk warns against the proud man […]
Abiding in Jesus: September 20
READ: Psalm 113, Habakkuk 1, John 17, Colossians 3 LET’S GLORIFY JESUS Our work is to glorify Jesus (John 17:4). Even as Jesus lived to glorify the Father, we live to glorify the triune God. When God is glorified to the maximum, our little lives can give, our work is finished, and it is time […]
Abiding in Jesus: September 19
READ: Psalm 112, Nahum 3, John 16, Colossians 2 PEERLESS PRESENCE Presence Is Explanation. As Jesus is wrapping up His earthly ministry and giving His beloved disciples final instructions, He informs them “these things I did not say to you at the beginning because I was with you” (John 16:4, emphasis added). God’s presence is our explanation! Christians (especially […]
Abiding in Jesus: September 18
READ: Psalm 111, Nahum 2, John 15, Colossians 1 LIVE DEAD JOY The Joy of Being Hated. Jesus intends for His joy to abide in us and that our joy be full (John 15:11). In the same breath as bestowed joy, Jesus reminds us that being chosen for His joy demands being hated by the world […]
Abiding in Jesus: September 17
READ: Psalm 110, Nahum 1, John 14, Philippians 4 CUSTOM MERCY “Look upon me and be merciful to me as your custom is toward those who love Your name” (Psalm 119:132). God’s nature is mercy based. God is both more merciful and more terrible than we imagine. He is not a tame god. God is not […]
Abiding in Jesus: September 16
READ: Psalm 109, Micah 7, John 13, Philippians 3 PUNISHMENT Disciples of Jesus have lost appreciation for punishment. Christianity is not a consequence-free zone and grace does not preclude discipline. Even godly people (like generally good children) need punishment from time to time, something taken away, something denied, something painful to teach a lesson. David […]
Abiding in Jesus: September 15
READ: Psalm 108, Micah 6, John 12, Philippians 2 RESURRECTION One of the ironies of the crucified life is that it so easily leads to arrogance. We can be so proud of our sacrifice that we nullify it. Jesus humbled Himself in obedience to the point of death, making Himself of no reputation (Phil. 2:7-8), while […]
Abiding in Jesus: September 14
READ: Psalm 107, Micah 5, John 11, Philippians 1 THE POWER OF THANKS The psalmist pleads, “Oh that men would give thanks to the Lord” (Psalm 107)! Giving thanks obviously pleases God, but as with many of God’s instructions, it also satisfies us. A beautiful mystery in our faith is that fulfillment and satisfaction are directly tied […]
