Focal Passage: John 5:5-16

Few difficulties in life are more dangerous than hopelessness. In 2020, Anne Case and Angus Deaton co-authored a book titled, Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism, where they researched a unique rise in death rates among white, middled-aged, American men. While life expectancy had been on the rise through the 1900s, studies revealed a noticeable decline among men, ages 45-54, since 2000 — a decline exclusive to the United States. 

In a nation overflowing with advanced healthcare, astonishing technology and accumulated wealth, what could possibly lead to an increase in the death rate? According to Case and Deaton, this unique group of men have been adversely affected by economic instability, lower education levels, joblessness, disintegrating families and other cultural maladies.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 4:11-26

Over the past few months, our church has been engaged in a search for two new ministry leaders. As numerous résumés have arrived and our committee has diligently considered each one, it doesn’t take long upon an initial glance to know if a candidate meets our criteria and is qualified for the role. Our team has been quick to set aside those who don’t qualify and pursue those who do. 

While this method is what most search committees utilize when making personnel decisions, we as believers can unknowingly use this same rubric when it comes to who we consider might believe the gospel. 

Because of our own lack of faith, we often look at a person’s life and appearance, their past, and other details, and determine that our evangelism would automatically fall on deaf ears. I think we’ve all been guilty of bypassing people that we predetermine are “unsavable.” However, in John 4, Jesus reminds us through His encounter with a Samaritan woman that God is able to change anyone’s life when they turn to the Savior.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 3:4-18

Over the years, I’ve found New Year’s Day to be so refreshing and encouraging. Have you ever felt this way?

Whether it’s psychological or practical, there is a sense in which beginning a new year offers closure to the failures and disappointments of the past, and provides hope, renewal and fresh motivation for what is ahead. 

For many, this might mean a change in diet and exercise, or a commitment to be more financially responsible, or a plan to start a new project or goal. Whatever the case might be, Jan. 1 offers an invitation to start over and begin something new — and that can be very liberating to experience. 

When it comes to a saving relationship with God, the Bible likewise emphasizes that a major restart is needed in our lives. But rather than us just making a few changes and improvements to who we are, the Scriptures indicate that the Holy Spirit must totally transform our hearts if we want to be right with God.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Luke 2:1-15

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!”

These are the majestic words spoken to the lowly shepherds by an angel on the night Jesus was born. On that ordinary evening none of them were expecting to hear this extraordinary message, much less see the dark sky filled with the radiant light of countless angels hovering above. However, the greatest announcement in history had been given — God’s long promised Savior had arrived to bring salvation to the world! 

Given that most shepherds in the first century were common laborers and not astute Old Testament theologians, the significance of this event probably didn’t register with them at first.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 2:11-23 

If you were able to travel back to the first century and meet Jesus, what would you expect Him to be like? 

Most would think of Jesus in terms of the old hymn by Charles Wesley, “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild … Loving Jesus, gentle lamb …” After all, when we read the Gospels, we find a Jesus who is obedient to the Father, gracious toward sinners, patient with children, concerned for the needy, humble in service, and overflowing with a spirit of meekness, joy, and love. 

But what if you happened to be in the temple during Passover, on the day when John describes Jesus as being filled with rage at the sight of corrupt merchants? 

How would you feel watching Jesus overturn tables, pour out money jars, and chase away these fraudulent opportunists with a corded whip? While most picture Jesus as meek and mild, this chaotic scene would have been radically different. But why did Jesus respond like this? Doesn’t this seem out of place and uncharacteristic of Christ? I think there are at least two reasons we must consider.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 1:40-51 

I recently noticed an advertisement on social media from a low-budget airline offering a $100,000 signing bonus for qualified pilots. 

Such an offer seemed really impressive to say the least. However, after reading the comments below, some of which were written by pilots in the industry, it was clear that the company’s offer was misleading. A few of the pilots even warned others to be skeptical about Internet ads that seem “too good to be true.” 

While such a warning is wise for online activity, some people are equally skeptical when it comes to the claims of the gospel. When they first hear about the good news of Jesus, along with grace, forgiveness and eternal life, they wonder if such an offer is “too good to be true.”  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: John 1:1-14

One of the great blessings I experience each year is reading the Bible through. I particularly enjoy the chronological reading plan because it organizes the daily reading schedule according to when the events took place in history. 

For example, the plan begins with Genesis 1-11 but then moves to Job before returning to Genesis 12-50. Most scholars believe that Job took place during the period between Genesis 11 and 12. It’s really interesting to read the entire Bible this way, especially how the Psalms and Prophets are organized. 

However, I’ve always wondered why the chronological plan begins with Genesis 1 rather than John 1. Most would assume that Genesis 1 should come first because it documents creation, while John should come later because he introduces the life and ministry of Jesus. But in terms of true chronology, John 1 records details that took place much earlier than Genesis 1 – eternally earlier – because there we discover the existence of Jesus before anything else was created.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Micah 7:1-10, 18-20

Hope is a strange thing to us because we didn’t come up with it. We see our limitations when we utter the word. We use the word almost as a wish, crossing our fingers. When the Bible speaks of hope, it’s not in reference to wishful thinking. It’s rooted in a confident, certain future, because the Bible knows God’s character. For those in Christ, our hope can be confident, certain! 

Tom Watson, founder of IBM understood the principle of hope. A junior executive with the company once managed to lose over $10 million in a venture that was considered risky even by company outsiders. Watson found out about the disaster and called the young man in. 

The young man came in and said “I guess you want my resignation.” Watson said, “You can’t be serious! We just spent $10 million educating you!” Courage like this takes conviction and hope. Watson was hopeful that his investment into people, even when they failed, would prove more fruitful in the long run. He understood failure is critical to growth. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Micah 4:6-8; 5:1-9

In Instanbul, Turkey several years ago, a shepherd was briefly distracted on the job. He turned to see one of the sheep in the herd walk over to the edge of a cliff. The sheep jumped to his death. Then another followed, and another, and so on. 

Before he could corral the herd, more than 500 sheep had jumped from the cliff, resulting in around $100,000 worth of losses. And it started with one. Those who jumped later were saved as the pile got higher and the fall more cushioned. Nobody is still certain what drew these sheep to a cliff. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Hosea 14:1-9

There’s a sense in which all of us should long for the Day of the Lord, also known as Christ’s return. God has put that longing inside us, but that longing goes beyond us as well! All of Creation is groaning! (Romans 1) 

And we can feel the magnitude of it each time we look at tragedy or sorrow and desire justice for injustice. Dylan Roof going into a church and gunning down nine people in hatred. A gunman walking into an Orlando nightclub, killing a mass of people, a bomber wreaking havoc on the city of Boston.

Consider the historical trajectory of warfare. In 1945, America was the first nation in history to have the ability to rule the world uncontested. Only America had an atomic bomb at that time. This was an opportunity to rule the world, but America walked away from it. They had power and chose not to wield it.  [Read more…]