Daily Devotional
November 15, 2024
In Galatians 4-6, Paul discusses the transition from the law to faith, explaining that Christians are heirs to God’s promise, not slaves to the law, and he uses the allegory of Sarah and Hagar to emphasize freedom from the law. He urges the Galatians to live by the Spirit to avoid the corruption of the flesh, calls for mutual support within the community, and stresses the importance of new creation over circumcision or uncircumcision in the final chapters.
Read Devotional
Today’s Reading: Read Galatians 1-3 Imagine being in class and listening to the teacher give instructions on how to complete an assignment. Now, think about...
Read Article
Daily Devotional
November 14, 2024
In Galatians 1-3, Paul defends the gospel he preaches, emphasizing that it was received directly through revelation from Jesus Christ, not from human sources, and stresses the futility of adhering to the law for justification. He confronts the Galatians for turning to a different gospel and articulates that justification comes by faith, not by works, reinforcing the unity and equality of all believers in Christ.
Read Devotional
Today’s Reading: Read James 1-5 What’s the difference between being smart and being wise? Someone who is smart most likely knows a lot! They probably...
Read Article
Daily Devotional
November 13, 2024
In James 1-5, believers are instructed to endure trials joyfully, seek wisdom from God, and demonstrate their faith through tangible actions, including controlling their speech and showing impartiality. This book emphasizes the practical application of faith, the dangers of an unbridled tongue, and the critical importance of actions that align with professed beliefs, culminating in a call to patience, prayer, and compassionate community behavior.
Read Devotional
In this enriching episode of the Sermon Notes podcast, host Jay Strother and guest Brian Ball delve into the critical themes of prophetic signs, everyday faithfulness, and the urgent call to live a life reflective of biblical principles. Jay and Brian unpack Paul's teachings on the "day of the Lord" and the importance of faith in action, drawing on examples from the early church and contemporary stories.
Read Article
Today’s Reading: Read Acts 12-14 Spend some time as a family today talking about how each person got their name. In my family, my oldest...
Read Article
Daily Devotional
November 12, 2024
In Acts 12-14, King Herod's persecution of the church leads to the martyrdom of James and the miraculous escape of Peter from prison, followed by Herod's grim demise, while Paul and Barnabas engage in missionary journeys that spark both conversion and controversy among Jews and Gentiles, illustrating the spread of Christianity and its challenges through miraculous healings, confrontations, and the foundational establishment of new church communities.
Read Devotional
Today’s Reading: Read Acts 9-11 Imagine you have a plate full of chocolate chip cookies. Also imagine you are in a room with 12 other...
Read Article
Daily Devotional
November 11, 2024
In Acts 9-11, Saul's dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus leads to his transformation into a fervent proclaimer of Jesus as the Messiah, and his subsequent baptism and evangelistic efforts highlight the spreading of the gospel. Meanwhile, Peter's vision and subsequent interaction with Cornelius extend the Christian message to the Gentiles, culminating in the baptism of Spirit-filled Gentile believers and the church's expansion to Antioch, emphasizing the inclusivity of God's salvation plan.
Read Devotional
GOSPEL CONVERSATION OPPORTUNITY This week we walked through the last week of Jesus’ life and learned about his crucifixion and resurrection. Both of those were...
Read Article
Daily Devotional
November 9, 2024
In Acts 5-8, the early church experiences both internal challenges, such as the deceit of Ananias and Sapphira, and external pressures, including the miraculous release of the apostles from prison and Stephen's martyrdom, which intensifies the persecution leading to the gospel's spread beyond Jerusalem. Miraculous healings, conversions, and the empowerment of believers by the Holy Spirit underscore the growth and resilience of the Christian community despite opposition.
Read Devotional
