Moments For You

Try to put yourself in the mind of one of the eleven apostles on that hill in the first century. Standing on the Mount of Olives they heard the now familiar command, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). Then they watched... Read more →

When I teach on the Great Commission, I often begin by asking my students, “What is Jesus’ primary emphasis in the Great Commission?” Typically, most students reply, “evangelism.” I then ask them to read the Great Commission from Matthew 28:18–20, after which I ask my question a second time. The... Read more →

On my first day of high school I was six feet tall. When I went to my physical education class the teacher, Mr. Koepp, approached me and introduced himself as the freshman basketball coach. He asked if I had ever played basketball and told me to try out for the... Read more →

The Bible makes it clear that when a person is in a real relationship with God, they will serve God (see Luke 4:8). It’s always been God’s intention to make us like His Son, Jesus (Romans 8:29). When we look at Jesus’ life, there’s no denying that He was a... Read more →

“The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Matthew 20:17–28 is an interesting section that is tied together by one theme: Jesus Christ preparing to suffer and lay down His life at Jerusalem. This... Read more →

In Romans 7:1–6, the marriage relationship is used to illustrate the power of Jesus Christ to change the human heart. “A married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage … you also have... Read more →

Matthew 25:14-30 contains the parable of the talents. In this story, a man is about to go on a long journey to a faraway country. Before he leaves, he calls three of his servants and gives them each a certain number of “talents” (varying amounts of money). While the master... Read more →

“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord” (Romans 12:11). We started hiking with our children when they were very young. Of course when they’re toddlers, you have to carry them a lot. But as they grew older and got too heavy to carry, they... Read more →

“We are looking for volunteers for the _______ ministry.” If you’ve been to church for more than three weeks you’ve likely encountered some sort of announcement asking for help from the church to serve. We understand why: churches have a number of ministries that require volunteers to coordinate service together.... Read more →

Opportunities to serve Christ are not limited to what takes place among gatherings of Christians. God calls us to serve Him in many ways. As Colossians 3:17 teaches, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father... Read more →

While we may sometimes fail to see any immediate results from serving the Lord, Malachi 3:16–18 is a remarkable passage that tells us God is watching and is documenting the faithful deeds of His children: “The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before... Read more →

“Jesus … said, ‘It is finished,’ and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit” (John 19:30). Both Matthew and Mark record that Jesus cried out in a loud voice just before dying. It’s possible that this is the content of that loud cry. This is not Jesus finally... Read more →

 Of the last sayings of Christ on the cross, none is more important or more poignant than, “It is finished.” Found only in the Gospel of John, the Greek word translated “it is finished” is tetelestai, an accounting term that means “paid in full.” When Jesus uttered those words, He... Read more →

 Could you improve on a masterpiece? Imagine that you are walking through the Louvre museum in Paris. As you approach the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, would you think about taking a palette and brushes and touching up the painting? Maybe put some more color in her cheeks? Perhaps... Read more →

 Someone reading this article—it may be you—has failed the Lord, and you think perhaps God is finished with you. In Joshua 7 we read that, coming off the incredible victory over Jericho, God’s people Israel met a stunning defeat against the small city of Ai, because there was sin in... Read more →