Moments For You

It is commonplace in our day to doubt the existence of the devil. Many who believe in God do not believe in the devil at all. When people say, “The devil made me do it,” they mean it jokingly. When someone says, “Oh, you devil,” it’s meant as a kind... Read more →

In the Bible’s account of Noah and the Flood (read Genesis 6-9), we see the dreadful outcome of mankind’s wickedness, the plan of God to rescue and restore humanity, and the faithfulness of God’s chosen servant, Noah. Wickedness Reigns Genesis chapters 4 and 5 set the stage, taking us from... Read more →

I believe hope is one of the most emotionally packed words in any language. When it is spoken, the impossible suddenly becomes possible, darkness is overtaken by light and despair turns to joy. And that’s exactly what happened when a group of women arrived at Jesus’ tomb early on a... Read more →

Imagine the country you once cherished now divided, broken, overrun by corrupt leadership, imperiled by vast international powers, and seemingly on the brink of collapse. Imagine the best of your leaders crippled by poor character, indecision, and unwise international alliances. The political and cultural conditions in Jerusalem in the eighth... Read more →

He should have known better. He never should have stayed at home alone while his army was fighting in the field. He never should have lingered late at night on his rooftop. He never should have set his eyes on that beautiful lady. He never should have inquired about who... Read more →

The Christian life is all about following Christ on a journey of personal transformation. But we were never meant to make that journey alone. We were meant to be accompanied by other travelers, because it’s more fun that way, and because God uses those friendships to shape us—to form us... Read more →

“In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Who is the guarantee of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:13-14). Paul, the human author of these words, is saying that when you listened to... Read more →

I have done my share of grumbling about the way Christmas shopping seems to begin earlier every year. But, to be honest, in my own way I’m much worse than the advertisements and stores. I vote for an early Christmas. A very early Christmas. Isaiah Isaiah would understand what I... Read more →

In 1 Samuel 16 we find David in perfect obscurity, keeping sheep. But he was already chosen by the Lord. In the wilderness, he was under God’s teaching. He was being prepared for public service in the secret school of Him who looks not on the outward appearance, but on... Read more →

“Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). If we stop and examine the weight of these words, the child of God is driven to say, “I must pray, pray,... Read more →

In 1174 the Italian architect Bonnano Pisano began work on what would become his most famous project: an eight-story bell tower in the city of Pisa. There was just one “little” problem: builders quickly discovered that the soil was much softer than they had anticipated, and the foundation was far... Read more →

Over the years, I have heard many stories of missionaries leaving everything behind to follow God’s call to distant lands, to share the Gospel with lost people who have never heard. I often have the tendency to view these individuals, with their extraordinary faith, as—for lack of a better term—“super”... Read more →

It is hard to deny that the world we live in is broken. Terribly broken. We are constantly bombarded with news of senseless shootings and terrorist attacks. Wars continue without end. Natural disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods claim many lives each year. Despite our wonderful modern medical technology,... Read more →

In Old Testament days, the Jewish people had constant and blatant reminders that their sin separated them from God. God manifested His holy presence above the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle and temple (Exodus 25:22). But if anyone casually attempted to approach Him there, they would die! In... Read more →

Within the greatest commandment are two imperatives: “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart … you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:28-31). Love is the core of the instruction. But what does it mean to love? We use that word rather loosely in our... Read more →