As much as Evangelicals talk about having a personal relationship with Jesus, many of us in practice have more of a personal relationship with the Bible. Does God stand wild and free behind, above, beneath, and around the text, poised to pounce and prod us by the Spirit? Or, like Thomas Jefferson, do we stand over the text, combing it for principles we admire, while denying the presence of the supernatural? … More The Untamed Word
The YouVersion Bible app is great, but it can promote a self-centered approach to faith. The Common Lectionary offers a communal and Christ-focused alternative. By following it and the Church Year Calendar, believers can align their lives with the events of Jesus’ life and engage in shared biblical reflection and worship. … More The Downside of Bible Apps
“Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other? They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow” (Tozer). … More When the Spirit Builds the Church
NEW! Introducing “Daily Sparks,” short video reflections to help keep you walking in the light. … More NEW: Daily Spark Videos
“Daily Sparks” are short, uplifting video reflections from Pastor Jeremy to start (or finish) your day!.
This Sunday my sermon is on prayer. Here’s a repost. Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. … More Inhabiting the Lord’s Prayer
By Skye Jethani | With God Daily Devotional In my previous role as an editor at Christianity Today, I had the opportunity to engage many Christian leaders and to see “behind the curtain” of numerous ministries. Often I came away from these encounters deeply encouraged and grateful. Sometimes I did not. Occasionally, my time with … More Doctrine, Demons & Disciples (Skye Jethani)
This series is expounding some of the Bible passages that have been most significant in my own faith journey. –JB 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. From my point of view, … More LIFE VERSES 4: Hebrews 4:12
SIGNS, SIGNS, EVERYWHERE THERE’S SIGNS “They’re not just for decoration.” That’s what I tell my beginning drivers as they nervously drive down the road with tunnel vision, never reading the myriad of signs lining the roadside. Signs warn us of potential hazards ahead. They inform us of services up the road. They regulate traffic flow … More RUSH HOUR 7: Road Signs & Warning Lights
Once we have found ourselves traveling down God’s Holy Highway, with the wind of the spirit at our backs and the bright morning Son lighting the road ahead, there are still some basic driving tips we can follow to make the trip safer, more enjoyable and problem-free. One of the many jobs I have had … More RUSH HOUR 6: Eyes on the Road!
The decision to make a U-turn in life is much more difficult when everyone else seems to be headed in the same direction. I mean, come on! Can all this traffic possibly be going the wrong way? I mean, isn’t it safest to just go with the flow if you’re not sure what direction you should be headed? … More RUSH HOUR 5: Going Against the Flow
Turn around. Change direction. Make a U-turn. These are all accurate renderings of the Greek word metanoia, which is translated “repent” in most Bibles. The word ‘repent’ is loaded with religious baggage, notions of gloom and doom, judgment and wrath, hellfire and brimstone. But the word literally means “change” (meta) of “mind” (noia). Why even … More RUSH HOUR 4: Time to Make a U-Turn
You have heard it said, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” But I’m more convinced it is paved with bad directions. If Eve’s grave sin in the garden was a failure to follow God’s directions, her punishment has been putting up with Adam the rest of the way who refuses to … More RUSH HOUR 3: Asking for Directions
The Christian life should be a life on the road. It should be viewed as a long, exciting road trip. We are like “Christian” in John Bunyan’s classic allegory The Pilgrim’s Progress, who is “a man on an adventurous journey across rough terrain, over sunlit hills, and through dark valleys… From the City of Destruction … More RUSH HOUR 2: On the Road Again
“The gate is wide and the road easy that leads off a cliff, and there are many who drive it. But the gate is narrow and the road is bumpy that leads to life, and there are few who take it.” Matthew 7:13-14 “There will be a highway called the Holy Road… It’s for … More RUSH HOUR 1: Buckle Up
The average American has a 21 minute commute and spends 175 hours per year in the car—and that’s just for work! Over a 40-year career, one will spend approximately 291 full days behind the wheel! That’s a lot of time to think about all the spiritual lessons one can glean from their time behind the wheel. Join Jeremy … More NEW SERIES: Rush Hour
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, … More Advent 2012 – Weariness (by David Brown)
“I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can … More Advent 2012 – Contentment (by David Brown)
John 5:1-15 “Jesus went…to a pool (in Jerusalem) where a great number of disabled people used to lie-the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked … More Advent 2012 – Personal Touch (by David Brown)
“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Eph. 1:22-23). Paul pushes hard here. First, who leads your church? Whose agenda always seems to get passed? Pastor? Key elders? Prominent, influential … More EPHESIANS 8: Jesus our Head and Body (1:22-23)
We have been observing the season of Advent with the help of Mark D. Robert’s Devotional centered around the ceremony of the Advent Wreath. Finally our wait is over as we welcome our Savior to the world with the lighting of the 5th candle. Merry Christmas! JB The Lighting of the Christ Candle: The Waiting … More Advent Devotional: Christmas Eve/Day (by Mark Roberts)
We are following the Advent Devotional written by Mark D. Roberts on our journey to the stable. This fourth Sunday we light another candle on the Advent Wreath as we expectantly wait for the coming of the Son! Grace and peace, JB The Lighting of the Fourth Candle: Waiting for the Son The Fourth Sunday … More Advent Devotional: 4th Sunday (by Mark Roberts)
We are joining Mark D. Robert’s journey through Advent with the help of his devotional. Today we light the 3rd Advent Candle while we wait for the joy brought by the coming King. Grace and peace, JB The Lighting of the Third Candle: Waiting with Joy The Third Sunday of Advent (or thereabouts) [Re-light the … More Advent Devotional: 3rd Sunday (by Mark Roberts)
I am posting Advent devotionals this December prepared by Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts. Enjoy! Advent is a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping. Beginning four Sundays prior to Christmas and ending on Christmas Eve, Advent helps us to prepare for the coming, or “advent” of the Christ child at Christmas. (The word “advent” comes … More Advent Devotional: 1st Sunday (by Mark Roberts)
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (Phil 2:12-13). I recently went whitewater rafting down the … More PHILIPPIANS 19: Row, Row, Row Your Boat (2:12-13)
Jeremy L. Berg 