As the Day Ends “But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” — 1 Corinthians 9:27 Paul understood that proclaiming truth to others did not exempt him from living under that truth himself. The expressionContinue reading “Faithful Labor Without Losing the Soul”
Author Archives: Intentional Faith
When God Sounds the Alarm
DID YOU KNOW The book of Joel places two truths before us that we must never separate: God is compassionate, and God is untamable. His patience should not be mistaken for weakness, and His judgment should not be interpreted as cruelty. Joel describes a devastating crisis, calls God’s people to repentance, and points toward theContinue reading “When God Sounds the Alarm”
When Bitterness Becomes a Heart Condition
On Second Thought “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.” — Ephesians 4:31 We live in a time when people are increasingly attentive to physical health. We check blood pressure, monitor cholesterol, examine food labels, and learn the warning signs of aContinue reading “When Bitterness Becomes a Heart Condition”
Why Will You Die When God Calls You to Live?
The Bible in a Year “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” — Ezekiel 33:11 Ezekiel 33 placesContinue reading “Why Will You Die When God Calls You to Live?”
The Verdict Christ Has Already Changed
In the Life of Christ “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” — John 3:18 When I read John 3:18, I hear both wonderful assurance and an urgent warning. Jesus doesContinue reading “The Verdict Christ Has Already Changed”
A Faith That Grows With Us
As the Day Begins “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.” — Psalm 71:17 The writer of Psalm 71 looks backward with gratitude and forward with continued dependence. God had been his Teacher from youth, and the lessons learned in earlier years had become aContinue reading “A Faith That Grows With Us”
Grace for Me—and Mercy for Them
By His Word “And Jonah prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness…. Then said theContinue reading “Grace for Me—and Mercy for Them”
Today’s Spiritual Disciplines
Welcome to a new day of walking intentionally with God. Today’s readings will guide us from hearing God’s gracious Word to trusting Christ, turning from sin, forgiving others, preparing for judgment, and serving faithfully before resting in the Lord. Today’s Spiritual Discipline Theme: Receiving God’s Grace and Allowing It to Reshape How We Live GraceContinue reading “Today’s Spiritual Disciplines”
Peace at the Gateway of Faith
As the Day Ends “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” —Romans 5:1 Evening Devotional Meditation As this day ends, Romans 5:1 invites us to rest not in what we accomplished but in what Christ has accomplished for us. The Greek word dikaiōthentes, translatedContinue reading “Peace at the Gateway of Faith”
Faithful Before the Spotlight
DID YOU KNOW Did you know that Stephen’s powerful public witness began with quiet service to overlooked widows? When Stephen first appears in Acts 6, he is not standing before the Sanhedrin, preaching to a crowd, or performing signs and wonders. He is selected to help oversee the daily distribution of food to widows. ThisContinue reading “Faithful Before the Spotlight”