20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that…
Category: Devotional
The Source of Christian Unity
Christian unity is an interesting topic; I think it’s especially relevant in our contested, fragmented, and polarized time. To some Christian unity is a cute idea, to others it’s a pipedream, and still to others it’s just irrelevant–I’m right, you’re wrong, end of the story. I think the Scriptures teach, however, that our posture towards brothers and sisters in Christ…
Can you overcome by dying? Win by losing?
29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come,…
But When Will Our Sorrow Turn to Joy?
20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a…
How Is it Better if You Go?
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it…
You have hope.
Being hated is a hopeless feeling. Few things discourage us more than rejection from someone we want to accept us. We’re tempted to put our hope in the affirmation of others–to find our moods, our peace of mind, our joy–sort of fixed to how others esteem us, what they think about us. Walking the way of Jesus in the world…
You will bear witness.
John 15:26-27, “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.” The hatred of the world is an opportunity for the people of God to:…
You will be hated.
Sticking with Jesus can be costly. You can do all the things he tells you to do and still suffer. When are you tempted to quit something? When it gets hard. But there’s an even deeper pain than the pain of a tough workout, a long trek, or a crummy job–the pain of rejection, the pain of being disliked, the…
Five Marks of a Branch on the True Vine, Part 4
Let’s consider the sort of life that flows from God into us and through us. This is part four of a four part series. Read parts one (spiritual fruit), two (powerful prayer), and three (sacrificial love) now. Full Joy 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my…
Five Marks of a Branch on the True Vine, Part 3: Sacrificial Love
Let’s consider the sort of life that flows from God into us and through us. This is part three of a four part series. Read parts one (first mark: spiritual fruit) and two (second mark: powerful prayer) now. Sacrificial Love 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep…