Big Buts of the Bible

Read Luke 22:31–34 Sometimes the greatest hope in a passage isn’t found where we expect. Take Peter, for example. By the time we reach Luke 22, he’s become one of Jesus’ closest followers. He’s bold. Confident. The first to speak. The first to volunteer. The first to declare that he’ll never leave Jesus. If you… Continue reading

But Wait! There’s More! If you grew up in the ’60s, ’70s, or ’80s, you’ve probably heard one of the most famous conjunctions in television history. “But wait… there’s more!” Ron Popeil built an empire on those four words. Whether he was selling the Pocket Fisherman, the Veg-O-Matic, or the world’s greatest smokeless ashtray (was… Continue reading

There are some portions of Scripture that become part of you almost by accident. For me, Psalm 3 is one of them. Back in 1987—during my teenage, wannabe Christian rock star days (yes, there really was a band, and yes, there really was big hair)—our group, Staircase, played a song based almost word-for-word on Psalm 3… Continue reading

An Excerpt from Chapter 1 Devotional Reflection Read Matthew 1:20–25 Whenever angels appear in the Bible, they almost always begin with the same words: “Do not be afraid.” That makes sense. When God breaks into an ordinary life, it usually means something unexpected is happening. Joseph certainly hadn’t planned for this. Like anyone preparing to build a… Continue reading

One of the hardest parts of saying goodbye is wondering what comes next. The disciples were facing exactly that. For three years they had walked dusty roads with Jesus. They had listened to His teaching, watched Him heal the broken, calm storms, welcome outsiders, forgive sinners, and love people no one else seemed to notice.… Continue reading

He who works his land will have abundant food, BUT he who chases fantasies lacks judgment. (Proverbs 12:11) Working the ground beneath your feet rarely feels exciting, but it is where God most often grows lasting fruit. Chasing shortcuts and empty promises may sparkle for a moment, but faithful, everyday obedience is what produces a… Continue reading

“So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor… But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread…” (Exodus 1:11–12) Some of the greatest pivots in Scripture don’t happen because circumstances improve. They happen because God is at work in the middle of circumstances that refuse to. Pharaoh had a… Continue reading