Following Jesus
Jesus’ initial call to his disciples is the same as his invitation to us: “Follow me.” As Jesus-followers, we’re to partner with him in bringing God’s kingdom to life in our world. How? By loving one another as he has loved us (John 13:34). Although the command is simple, living it out is challenging.
- Holding onto Faith in the Dark (Part 1)
Harry and I faced a dilemma when a church in Hong Kong asked us to consider a pastoral role. In the dark about God’s will, we struggled to hold onto our faith amid our uncertainty. Joseph also grappled with his faith as he faced Mary’s unexpected pregnancy. Both stories highlight faith and the quest for divine direction in challenging times. - The Key to SurvivalThe Bahrain Tree of Life, thriving in the desert with no clear water source, parallels the resilience of persecuted Christians who flourish against adversity. Scientists speculate an underground water supply sustains the tree, symbolizing Christians’ unseen spiritual sustenance. The tree inspires believers to live by faith and rely on Jesus’ support and strength.
- Do You Need Aggressive Grace? (Part 2)The story of Kalani illustrates God’s radical forgiveness and aggressive grace. Despite a severe attack and her husband’s murder, Kalani forgave her attacker and continued to pastor her village. Her journey mirrors the prophet Hosea’s commitment to aggressive grace and radical forgiveness, offering a powerful example of overcoming evil with good.
- Do You Need Aggressive Grace? (Part 1)Kalani, despite surviving a traumatic attack that left her a widow and disabled, returned to her village to continue her husband’s ministry, choosing forgiveness over revenge. Her actions echo the biblical story of Hosea’s radical forgiveness and aggressive grace.
- How to Reverse Spiritual Burnout ~ Part TwoSpiritual burnout becomes a real possibility when we allow busyness, even busyness for God, to replace time spent with him. How can we reverse it?
- How to Reverse Spiritual Burnout ~ Part OneLife’s overwhelming demands may lead to an empty heart and an evaporating sense of God’s presence. What then? Jesus sees our desperation and offers to reverse spiritual burnout by refilling our souls with his life-giving joy.
- When God Doesn’t Meet Our Expectations (Part 2)Pilate’s Passover entry into Jerusalem offers a competing vision and strategy for victory when God doesn’t meet our expectations. Will you follow Jesus or Pilate?
- When God Doesn’t Meet Our Expectations (Part 1)We beg God for answers, but his responses either confuse or seem nonexistent. What should we do when God doesn’t meet our expectations?
- How to Reconcile Our Pain with God’s LoveMary gave birth to the Messiah, but she also bore shame, heartache, and confusion throughout Jesus’ life. How could she reconcile God’s love with her pain? How can we?
- How to Understand God’s Question: “Where Are You?”A new year allows us to start over. God challenges us to use this season to question our priorities, activities, and relationships and align our primary concerns with his. We begin by considering his first question to Adam: “Where are you?” He also asks us–not where we are physically but where we are spiritually. How will you answer?
- How to Tell Time God’s WayWhy must we wait for answers to our prayers? Is God’s way of telling time different from ours?
- How to Choose: Stand Up or Fit In“When Forced to Choose” ~ a preview from my upcoming hybrid devotional/Bible study book, Where Is God When I Hurt? What do you think?
- Discovering the One Who’s Hidden in Plain SightSometimes what we think we’ve lost is hidden in plain sight. Maybe our inability to see God isn’t because he’s invisible but because our presumptions limit our perception. What then?
- Change ~ How to Become More Like JesusDid you make New Year’s resolutions? Which areas of your life do you hope to change, and how will you make that happen? Did you include becoming more like Jesus this year? Read about a change that can help you move toward that goal.
- How to Experience the Excitement of the ShepherdsHas Christmas become an endless list of errands and events that leave you exhausted? Is it possible to rekindle our joy and rediscover the excitement of the first witnesses? When we follow the steps of the shepherds, we can experience their excitement.
- How to Rejoice When Life Drains Our JoyThe Bible tells us to rejoice always. But how can we do that when life runs roughshod over us? How can we be both faithful and real?
- Is Peace Possible?Regardless of political persuasion, most of us lament the current polarization in our country. Is peace possible? Will you be a purveyor of peace?
- How to Win the War Against WorryDespite knowing worry brings neither peace nor results, many succumb to the temptation. Discover steps to win the war against worry.
- Searching for Signs of HopeThe pandemic has driven many to consider Christ. Are we searching for a manageable Messiah or One whose word and wisdom we can trust?
- How to Navigate an Uncertain FutureWith the pandemic, political changes, and personal crises, we face an uncertain future. How can we navigate to better days?
- Paralyzed by the Pandemic ~ How to Find HopeMany in our world feel paralyzed by the pandemic. How can we find healing and hope when God doesn’t do what we request or expect?
- Exile ~ Successful Strategies for EmancipationThanksgiving restrictions imposed by authorities leave some of us feeling as if we’re in exile. Regardless of how we define exile, we long for the end. How can we find freedom?
- How to Eliminate Our EnemiesEnemies: we may have them even if we don’t want them. Jesus told us to love them. But how and why? Can’t we just eliminate them?
- How to Avoid Asking the Wrong QuestionWhen I face difficulties, I often ask what I should learn. But what if that’s not the point? Maybe the challenges we encounter aren’t meant to teach us but to make us.
- Changing Cultures ~ From One Extreme to AnotherIs the US changing cultures, exchanging one extreme for another? From hyper-individualism to toxic tribalism. How should believers respond?
- 4 Steps to Redeem the Culture WarThe US is witnessing a cultural shift that feels like a culture war. How should Christians respond? Discover 4 steps to redeem the opportunity.
- Depression ~ How to Turn Brokenness into BeautyDepression can leave us feeling broken and useless. In Elijah’s story, we can discover steps that lead to healing and allow God to turn our brokenness into beauty.
- Overcoming Depression ~ How to Find Your WayDepression will either define us or refine us. Join Elijah on Mt. Horeb, where he met God. Discover how God’s question to Elijah can direct our steps in overcoming depression.
- Fighting Depression ~ God’s Provision for ElijahGod’s treatment plan for fighting depression begins with rest. But what did that mean for Elijah, and how can it help us?
- Elijah’s Battle with Depression ~ and OursElijah’s battle with depression began after receiving a death threat from Jezebel. How can his story help us when we feel depressed?
- Racial Reconciliation ~ More than RelationshipsRacial Reconciliation ~ More Than Relationships: Whites and non-Whites see the racial divide from different perspectives. Do we need more than interracial relationships to achieve racial reconciliation?
- For Such a Time as This ~ Why Me? Why This? Why Now?What does God want us to do in this place at this time? He has a purpose and has placed us where we are for such a time as this. Read to discover what we can do to promote healing.
- Anger: Is Mine Righteous?Anger may be America’s favorite sport. Long-term conflicts have risen to the surface, resulting in rage. Some defend their wrath, calling it “righteous anger.” Can we be righteous and angry at the same time? Click the link to discover what the Bible says.
- Where’s the Good?Do you wonder how anything good can come from the pandemonium we’re experiencing? The Bible promises God can bring good from everything, but how?
- Gideon ~ Overcoming Obstacles to PeaceSurrounded by demonstrations and discontent, the obstacles to peace can seem overwhelming. Gideon and the Israelites also faced desperate circumstances. Learn steps to peace, overcoming what seems overwhelming.
- What Does God Want?God desires justice and mercy. How can we do both? Aren’t they opposites? How should God’s followers respond to injustice and protests?
- Joshua ~ Overcoming Unseen EnemiesJoshua faced both seen and unseen enemies in Jericho. His primary enemies were unseen. We too face unseen foes. Discover the key to overcoming your invisible opponents.
- Moses ~ How to Fight through FearAre you fighting through fear? Moses fought that battle too. Check out his experience and God’s promise. What helped Moses can also help us.
- Jacob ~ How to Win the Big OneThe battle we’re facing is a big one. How can we win against this unexpected foe? As Jacob discovered, God’s help can come in surprising ways.
- Martha & Mary ~ What Is God Saying?Many opinions exist about what God is saying in the COVID-19 pandemic.We know God is always speaking. Learn from Martha & Mary how to hear what he’s saying.
- The Shunammite Woman ~ Making Room for GodBy making room for God in her heart and home, the Shunammite woman discovered God’s grace and provision. What difference does he want to make in our lives?
- Widow of Zarephath ~ The Gift of EnoughThe widow of Zarephath expected she and her son would starve after their next meal. Then Elijah introduced her to the One Who Is Enough. Do you know him?
- Mary Magdalene ~ When You’ve Lost EverythingLike Mary Magdalene, we may fear we’ve lost everything. Jesus met her in her grief, not to help her recapture the past, but to invite her into a new future.
- Mary and Martha ~ Disappointed in GodMary and Martha were disappointed when Jesus didn’t heal their brother. What did they discover when their expectations and experience with God didn’t match?
- The Widow of Nain ~ Hope for the HopelessMany today fear a hopeless future. With the loss of her only son, the widow of Nain was also devoid of hope. But in crisis, God meets us in unexpected ways.
- A Bleeding Woman ~ Turning Fear into FaithBoth the bleeding woman and the desperate father struggled with fear and faith. Discover how they, and we, can turn our fear into faith.
- Naomi ~ When You’ve Lost GodWhen life caves in, even Christians can feel they’ve lost God. Naomi blamed God for her losses. Learn the five steps she took to rediscover his presence.
- Rahab ~ Guidelines for Making Godly ChoicesWe make choices every day about which god to follow—the gods of our culture or the One True God. What can we learn from Rahab about how to choose wisely?
- Job’s Wife ~ Tragedy: Asking God, “Why?”How do you respond when tragedy strikes? The first question many ask is, “Why?” Job’s wife also questioned. Discover how God can help.
- Deborah ~ Courage to Leave Our Comfort ZonesComfort zones can become cages. Stepping out requires courage but positions us to be difference-makers. Discover how God used Deborah to make a difference.
- Hebrew Midwives ~ Choosing Faith over FearIn uncertain times, we may be overcome with anxiety. What does your fear reveal about your faith? Learn how the Hebrew midwives faced fear with faith.
- Leah ~ How to Break Free of BitternessBitterness bonds us to our pain and our past. Like us, Leah had opportunities to choose bitterness. Learn God’s way to break free.
- Rachel ~ Avoiding Derailment by DiscontentLike Jacob’s wife Rachel, most of us struggle to be at peace with what, where, who, and how we are. How can we derail discontent before it derails us?
- Rebekah ~ Is It Ever Right to Do Wrong?Different cultures define right and wrong differently. Was Rebekah right or wrong to help Jacob get Isaac’s blessing? How can we make the best choice?
- Mary ~ Responding to the UnexpectedWhen Mary met the unexpected—an angel named Gabriel—her response changed her life and ours. Our response to the unexpected also has a far-reaching impact.
