, The Triumphant Entry Devotions on Matthew 21:1-13 Monday–The Triumphant Entry “Go into the village ahead of you and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her, untie them and bring them to me” (Matthew 21:3). Ten year-old Nathan slid the patio door of his Phoenix home open and stepped onto […]
Christian Faith
Devotions on Matthew 25:13-46, The Son of Man Comes
The Son of Man Comes Monday–The Son of Man Comes “When the Son of Man comes to his glory and all the angels with him, then he will set on the throne of his glory” (Matthew 25:31-32). Very few high school students make it through four years of education without at least once being called […]
Devotions on Matthew 25:1-13–The Ten Bridesmaids
The Ten Bridesmaids Matthew 25:1-13 Monday–The Ten Bridesmaids “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom” (Matthew 25:1). James was on the hunt. He had recently graduated magna cum laude from a well-known college. Armed with his degree, he was looking for a […]
Matthew 18:15-35, Forgiveness+
Forgiveness+ Devotional Thoughts on Matthew 18:15-35 Monday–Forgiveness+ “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone” (Matthew 18:15). Jesus’ instructions seem so simple, but we certainly have a difficult time following them. Karen and Juanita served on their congregation’s outreach committee. During […]
Matthew 16:24-17:8 — Following Jesus
Following Jesus Matthew 16:24-17:8 Monday–Following Jesus “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross” (Matthew 16:24). Denying oneself is not an American tradition. American’s have accumulated the greatest personal debt in the world largely because when we see something we want we purchase it immediately. Americans are […]
Matthew 6:19-34–Your Treasure-Your Heart
Your Treasure-Your Heart Devotions on Matthew 6:19-34 Monday–Your Treasure-Your Heart “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Heidi was a special education teacher. She loved her job, and as a follower of Jesus, Heidi thought that it was the vocation to which she had been called. When she […]
Matthew 4:1-17, Jesus Tempted
Jesus Tempted Devotional Thoughts on Matthew 4:1-17 Monday–Jesus Tempted “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). Odd. We never think of the Spirit leading us anywhere with the intent of having us tempted by the devil. We even pray in the Lord’s Prayer, […]
Matthew 3:1-17–Prepare the Way
Prepare the Way Devotional Thoughts – Matthew 3:1-17 Monday–Prepare the Way“Repent for the kingdom of God has come near” (Matthew 3:2). Diego was following the directions of his GPS but he had a nagging feeling that he was going the wrong way. The neighborhood that he was driving through didn’t look familiar to him. When […]
Luke 2:1-14–The Birth of Jesus Christ
The Birth of Jesus Christ Luke 2:1-14 Monday–The Birth of Jesus Christ “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus” (Luke 2:1). It was a week before Christmas, one year ago, when Kai was called into his boss’s office and informed that he was being let go. The bottom dropped out of […]
Matthew 1:18-25–Story of Jesus Birth
Story of Jesus Birth Devotions on Matthew 1:18-25 Monday–Story of Jesus Birth “Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place this way.” (Matthew 1:18a). My wife, Faye, and I moved to Arizona from the Mid-West. We have two granddaughters who live in Minneapolis—a fifteen hundred mile, three hour flight from us. We keep […]