Devotional

Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “That’s what you say.” (Luke 23:3, CEB) As we continue the journey through Lent and consider the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, this scene in scripture where Jesus is brought before Pilate always draws me into the narrative. Pilate was told Jesus had claimed to be a king, but this was a label that was given to him. In John’s gospel, Jesus’ longer reply to Pilate explains,…

We all know the weight of guilt, the nagging feeling that lingers when we fall short or mess up. In Psalm 32, David reflects on the powerful gift of God’s forgiveness and the peace that comes with it. He begins by proclaiming, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven,” reminding us that true joy comes from experiencing God’s grace and mercy. David knows what it’s like to carry the burden of unconfessed sin. In verses 3-4, he describes how…

It was a short friendship. He walked into the church, and I introduced myself to the newcomer as Pastor Wanda. We instantly became friends, and everyone introduced themselves that first day. He said he felt like family.  I told him he was family.  He loved coming to church and only missed when he was ill. He loved eating the noon meal with us and I tried to always send food home with him.  He sat at the same table every…

2 Corinthians 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” One of the last conversations my nephew had with his father was about perspective, “Dad, it’s all about your perspective”.  And while my brother-in-law was unable to revive his son, my nephew is now in heaven in the presence of Jesus.  If Jesus gave him a choice of whether to…

Luke 4:18,19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed, To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”   These words show up twice in the Bible, here in Luke and in Isaiah 61. Jesus read these words from Scripture on the appointed…

10 The Lord proclaims: When Babylon’s seventy years are up, I will come and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. 12 When you call me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. 13 When you search for me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me. 14 I will be…

This last week, I had the opportunity to attend M25 – a Nazarene conference held every four years focused on evangelism.  I’d estimate there were about 3500 Nazarene pastors, leaders, and laity from across the USA/Canada region in attendance.  It was a powerful time of reconnecting with God and ministry refocus for me.  I was blessed by the twice daily full conference worship services that included preaching by General Superintendent Carla Sunberg, USA/Canada Regional Director Stan Reeder and best-selling author…

This week many of us will celebrate Valentine’s Day. We will spend way too much money on cards, flowers, and a special dinner.  Most spouses or girlfriends will appreciate the special attention they receive on that special day.  But what about the other 364 days of the year?  My years of working as a marriage and family therapist suggests one day is not enough. The word most often used in Scripture for “love” is “agape.”  It is a verb.  It…

And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:5,6 I used to think…

“Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) In life, we often encounter moments of challenge, doubt, and darkness. It is during these times that our inner light, our hopes, dreams, and faith can become dim. The world around us might try to extinguish it, whether through negativity, disappointment, or the pressures of daily life. But God, in His wisdom, has given us people who are meant to walk alongside us, friends who can shield and protect that…

“There’s a season for everything and a time for every matter under the heavens: a time for giving birth and a time for dying…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, CEB) You might think, “Wow, that’s an encouraging passage to start with,” but there’s a reason my mind wandered to Ecclesiastes. As we begin a new year, I’ve been reflecting on a book that offers a timely perspective. In Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman, the author reminds us that the average person lives…

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: [a] The old has gone, the new is here!18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself…