Tag: repentance

August 28, 2025

August 28th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Ephesians 1-2

Highlight Verse:

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Did you know that you bring God pleasure?

I’ve written before about how I understood God’s love when my first child was born.

To sum it up, there is nothing I wouldn’t do to protect my children and there is nothing my children could do that would make me love them less.

There is one shortfall in that comparison to God’s love.

He chose us!

He made a great sacrifice, literally, to adopt us.

Our middle daughter was adopted by my wife and her late first husband.

They experienced great joy when they brought her home and a second wave of joy when the adoption was finalized.

Of course, we love all our children equally.

God loves the billions of His children equally.

But you and I have the power to bring pleasure to the God who created the universe.

All we have to do is accept adoption into God’s family.

I believe that continues beyond the day of adoption.

Every time with do what He has called us to do, we bring Him pleasure.

What has God called you to do while you are here on Earth?
What do you think of the fact that you give God pleasure?
August 21, 2025

August 21st, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Galatians 5-6

Highlight Verse:

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I lived in the South for a total of 12 years. I might go back there for more after I retire.

Why?

Because there’s a lot of people there who know how to live out the second part of this verse.

Oh, they have as many quarrels and differences as any where else, but when someone is hurting, they put aside those differences and help each other without a second thought.

In today’s reading, Paul shifts from telling the Galatians to not be legalistic to what they should be doing instead.

They, and we, should serve one another in love.

That’s not just for those in your same denomination or political party.

Verse 15 makes it sound like the Galatians didn’t get along with each other well at all.

Despite that, or maybe because of that, Paul commands them to serve each other in love.

While he lists 15 results of sinful nature, more than half of those are about getting along with each other. (5:19-21)

He calls us to be free from all sin, not just the classic naughty sins but from anything that would keep us from expressing God’s love to one another.

What ways have you found to serve your neighbor in love?
Does that service to your neighbor have an effect on your heart toward them?
August 17, 2025

August 17th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalms 99-102

Highlight Verse:

“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve been noticing several posts in social media claiming that Gen-Z is coming back to God in droves.

I checked the research to see if that was true.

According to Google, most research shows that the decline in number of Christians in America has stalled.

As the research is normally out of date by the time it is published, it is quite possible that the downward trend has reversed.

Having been in next generation ministry for a long time, I can tell you the recent trends in our area.

There was a great decrease in church attendance among youth during and just after the pandemic.

Now that trend has reversed.

Our last big student event had record breaking attendance.

More importantly, most of our students are serious about learning more about Jesus, salvation, and how to live the best life.

Why?

Honestly, I see much of the interest lately being driven by celebrities who have turned to Jesus. People like Jelly Roll, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, and Chris Pratt being bold with their faith have inspired many.

Add to that the fact that a large number of Christian influencers have become very popular on Tik Tok and other social media outlets.

Young people want to know what this Jesus is all about.

As in today’s highlight verse, God is continuing His faithfulness to this generation and they are responding!

Now is an amazing time to reach out to the next generation with the Gospel.

I firmly believe we need to take every advantage of this time to share the Gospel.

What first drew you to Jesus?
What are you doing to make that happen for the next generation?
August 14, 2025

August 14th, 2025

Thursday – Letters

Reading – Galatians 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul’s letter to the Galatians was aimed at correcting the legalistic teaching of another teacher who had led many away from the true Gospel.

The new Christians of Galatia were easily led astray by eloquent teaching.

They no doubt thought they were learning to grow deeper in their faith.

Instead, the were leaving the Good News of Jesus behind.

So how do we know when someone is truly teaching the Gospel?

Eloquent preaching using Scripture is a favorite tool of those whom I’ve heard called modern-day Gnostics.

I use that term to refer to those who think they have exclusive knowledge that is essential to be in right standing with God.

In that description is the way to distinguish them.

Those who claim to have the only exclusive accurate interpretation of the Bible – don’t.

If the attention is on them and their unique message, they match Paul’s description in today’s highlight verse. They crave your attention.

When you study the Bible, I urge you to use multiple reputable sources (commentaries, Hebrew and Greek dictionaries, and concordances) to understand it.

I dare say that none of us will be 100 percent correct in our interpretations of the Bible but we can cling to the essentials of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus alone.

Those who claim that you need to believe their unique interpretations to be saved are likely lost themselves.

Have you ever been led astray by a unique teaching? How did you figure out the truth?
What do you do to make sure what you are being taught is accurate?
August 11, 2025

August 11th, 2025

Monday – Gospels

Reading – Matthew 3-4

Highlight Verse:

“But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.” So John agreed to baptize him. After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

During this week in 1977, I attended confirmation camp.

It was life changing.

That week I realized that God was real and gave His life that I could live eternally.

The change to my life was phenomenal.

And I celebrated a year later in my confirmation ceremony.

It was anticlimactic to say the least.

But at least I wasn’t one of those crazy evangelicals who got dunked under water.

Then I started reading and studying the Bible.

I began to understand that baptism was supposed to be a radical act that publicly confessed the serious change in my life.

Eventually, I took that radical step and on a cool autumn evening in Santa Cruz at a big church party, I was baptized by immersion in an unheated hot tub.

Did the heavens open and a dove descend? Of course not.

Did I come out of the water feeling different? Well, I was cold.

More importantly, I had the satisfaction of being obedient to what God made clear in his Word.

I certainly don’t think that my salvation depended upon my being baptized.

But I do think that it is important to be baptized after coming to faith in Jesus.

If even Jesus felt like it was right for Him to be baptized, how could I do less?

Our church is performing baptisms this coming Sunday (Sept 17, 2025). If you are local to the Denver, Colorado area and want to get baptized, message me and I’ll let you know the details.

If you are elsewhere and you have trusted Jesus for salvation but have not yet been baptized, I encourage you to find a local church that baptizes by immersion and make your faith public.

For those who have been baptized, what has it meant for you?
If you trust Jesus and haven’t been baptized, what’s holding you back?
August 2, 2025

August 2nd, 2025

Saturday – Open topic

Reading – Matthew 6:14-15; 18:21-35.

Highlight Verses:

““If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The other day, someone pulled across the road directly in front of me. I slammed on the brakes and laid on the horn.

I somehow managed to keep my mouth shut and fingers tucked away.

As the car passed me the driver gave me a look as if to say, “What’s your problem?”

At that point, the thought crossed my mind, “Do I really have to forgive someone who is unrepentant?”

I knew the answer. Forgiving that person, or anyone else who does me wrong in anyway, is essential.

In most cases, it makes no difference to the other person.

It makes all the difference to me.

Unforgiveness would make me a slave to anger. It would close me off from God’s forgiveness.

It’s not even an option in my book.

Have you ever struggled with unforgiveness?
Have you experienced the freedom that comes with forgiving others?
August 1, 2025

August 1st, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 25-27

Highlight Verse:

“I will gather together all the armies of the north under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, whom I have appointed as my deputy. I will bring them all against this land and its people and against the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy you and make you an object of horror and contempt and a ruin forever.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭25‬:‭9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve never felt comfortable with the fact that Jeremiah speaks of God lashing out against Israel.

But think about this. The destruction was done by violent nations.

If it wasn’t for God’s protection over Israel, these nations would have conquered Israel long before.

In God’s eyes, allowing Israel to be conquered was the height of anger; anger motivated by love.

In a sense, God takes the credit for the violence against Israel.

It kinda reminds me of Jesus taking the credit for all our sin.

In both cases, God’s actions are motivated by love for His people; a tough love to be sure, but love, nonetheless.

It’s a difficult concept to grasp, violence equaling love. But God’s goal was always to bring His children back to Him.

Have you ever had to exercise tough love on your kids, letting them feel the full consequences of their actions?
Has tough love ever brought you back in line? Share your stories.
July 30, 2025

July 30th, 2025

Wednesday – History

Reading – 1 Samuel 21-22

Highlight Verses:

“David heard these comments and was very afraid of what King Achish of Gath might do to him. So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard.”
‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭21‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

They say the truth is stranger than fiction.

Quite frankly, I can’t imagine someone making this up. But I’ve written about the unflattering stories of the Bible being evidence of its veracity before.

The question that rises for for today is, is it okay to lie?

Some would point to this passage and say that if David lied, it must be okay to lie when it is expedient to.

Before we jump to that conclusion, I should point out that David was not God. His actions should not be used to define what is or isn’t sin.

Don’t forget there is a commandment against lying.

You could argue that the commandment speaks of “bearing witness” implying a legal context.

But then, there’s Proverbs 12:22 stating that lying lips are an “abomination” to God. That’s pretty strong language.

That begs the question, what would I have done in David’s place?

Hopefully, I would have the foresight to stay away from Achish.

But if David messed up like that, I probably would too.

In which case I would probably lie, knowing that to be a necessary compromise to ensure that I would be around to continue what God had called me to do.

Would it be sin? Maybe. If so, Jesus already paid the price for it.

Yes, we should not go willingly into sin, but I don’t think that qualifies as willful sin.

What do you think? Is lying always sin? Why or why not?
July 20, 2025

July 20th, 2025

Sunday – Poetry

Reading – Psalm 86-88

Highlight Verse:

“Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭86‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David knew what he was talking about here.

He’s been called a “man after God’s own heart.”

But even David had to ask God to give him purity of heart.

Some versions say, “unite my heart.”

David realized that his heart was divided between his selfish desires and dedication to God.

If we are honest, I think we can all say that about our hearts.

It’s likely that our hearts won’t be completely pure until we reach heaven.

In the meantime, we weed out that which divides our hearts.

But just like my yard, the weeds come back.

The gardens of our hearts need constant attention.

May we daily pray, “Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.”

And follow that up with actually removing that which divides our hearts.

Have you made a habit of daily asking for purity of heart?
If you have been doing that daily, how has it changed your life?
July 18, 2025

July 18th, 2025

Friday – Prophets

Reading – Jeremiah 19-21

Highlight Verse:

“Then say to them, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: As this jar lies shattered, so I will shatter the people of Judah and Jerusalem beyond all hope of repair. They will bury the bodies here in Topheth, the garbage dump, until there is no more room for them.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭19‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This chapter was harsh.

First God tells Jeremiah to take a new pot out to the dump.

In his day, the dump was considered “unclean.” Only the unfortunate souls assigned to work there would go there.

On top of that, he has to declare that all the bodies of the unclean people will be dumped there when Jerusalem is attacked.

I bet he ruffled a few feathers.

In fact, I know he did since he landed in jail over it.

Why did God use such harsh imagery in this chapter?

To give people reason to repent.

God didn’t want the kind of outcome that was prophesied.

God wanted people to repent and escape that kind of disaster.

Sadly, his prophesy came true and many perished.

But the nation survived.

We were rescued.

I don’t know how effective such harsh prophecies would be today.

I do know that people still need to hear the Gospel and sometimes God calls us to do unusual things to bring people to Himself.

Has God ever had you preach the good news of the Gospel in an unusual way?
What were the results?

Tag: repentance

Did you know that you bring God pleasure?

He chose us!

All we have to do is accept adoption into God’s family.

Every time with do what He has called us to do, we bring Him pleasure.

Because there’s a lot of people there who know how to live out the second part of this verse.

They, and we, should serve one another in love.

While he lists 15 results of sinful nature, more than half of those are about getting along with each other. (5:19-21)

Now that trend has reversed.

Young people want to know what this Jesus is all about.

Now is an amazing time to reach out to the next generation with the Gospel.

They no doubt thought they were learning to grow deeper in their faith.

Those who claim to have the only exclusive accurate interpretation of the Bible – don’t.

When you study the Bible, I urge you to use multiple reputable sources (commentaries, Hebrew and Greek dictionaries, and concordances) to understand it.

It was anticlimactic to say the least.

I began to understand that baptism was supposed to be a radical act that publicly confessed the serious change in my life.

But I do think that it is important to be baptized after coming to faith in Jesus.

If even Jesus felt like it was right for Him to be baptized, how could I do less?

At that point, the thought crossed my mind, “Do I really have to forgive someone who is unrepentant?”

It makes all the difference to me.

Unforgiveness would make me a slave to anger. It would close me off from God’s forgiveness.

I’ve never felt comfortable with the fact that Jeremiah speaks of God lashing out against Israel.

If it wasn’t for God’s protection over Israel, these nations would have conquered Israel long before.

It’s a difficult concept to grasp, violence equaling love. But God’s goal was always to bring His children back to Him.

They say the truth is stranger than fiction.

Before we jump to that conclusion, I should point out that David was not God. His actions should not be used to define what is or isn’t sin.

But if David messed up like that, I probably would too.

But even David had to ask God to give him purity of heart.

In the meantime, we weed out that which divides our hearts.

May we daily pray, “Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.”

This chapter was harsh.

God wanted people to repent and escape that kind of disaster.

I do know that people still need to hear the Gospel and sometimes God calls us to do unusual things to bring people to Himself.