If I were a campaign manager or the agent for some up and coming star, my plan for their initial rise into publicity would be to go big right from the start. Yet that's not how God did it. Jesus' ministry doesn't begin with some big party but with the simple act of baptism. A fact that I've been stirring over all week. God is so good my friend and I can't wait to tell you why. Deeper Devos >>> https://deeperdevos.org Devotional Scripture: Mark 1:8-11...
Aug 27, 2019•12 min
John the Baptist may not be a popular guy to imitate but let me tell you, that guy, had something figured out we'd do well to pay attention to. We're in Mark 1:4-7 today and I can't wait to share with you what I discovered. Deeper Devos >>> https://deeperdevos.org
Aug 20, 2019•11 min
Welcome back friends! Show of hands, who's ready to study the gospel of Mark? Me! Mark is a fast-paced book summarizing the divine character and ministry of Jesus, but not to worry because we’ll take it slow. There is much for us to discuss as we dive deep into the Holy Spirit inspired words recorded by John Mark, who was Peter’s writer and interpreter, the cousin of Barnabas, and also co-missionary with the apostle Paul. Mark 1:1-3 https://deeperdevos.org...
Aug 13, 2019•14 min
It's our last week in Ephesians and it's a good one! The Apostle Paul has some great words for us today, particularly on the subject of prayer. Even Paul, the very guy who wrote the book of Romans, asked for prayer to make the gospel clear. And if he needed it, how much more so do we? Friends, we underestimate our need for prayer but the Bible certainly doesn't, telling us to pray all the time and on all occasions. Prayer isn't just a last resort; it's the secret to a successful life. Ephesians ...
Jun 25, 2019•13 min
Did you know the Bible tells us to fight? Though it's not the kind of fighting we're most familiar with, I assure you, it's an everyday battle. One of temptation and fear and doubt. And the only way to fight and win is with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. The cool thing is Jesus showed us how. We just need to follow His example. Deeper Devos >>>> https://deeperdevos.org
Jun 18, 2019•12 min
I’m sure we could make a list of activities requiring helmets: biking, skiing, motor cycle adventuring. But did you know living a Christ-centered life requires a helmet too? Seriously! A helmet of salvation to be exact, because one of the enemies favorite targets is the mind. Deeper Devos Website: https://deeperdevos.org
Jun 11, 2019•12 min
What is faith and how in the world do we use it as a shield? Those are the questions we're diving into today. But to figure out what faith is, we also need to know what it isn't. And that is unfortunately where we can easily get confused. Deeper Devos Website >>> https://deeperdevos.org
Jun 04, 2019•10 min
We aren't talking about just any given pair of shoes today. These are shoes of “readiness given by the gospel of peace.” But what in the world does that mean? And perhaps even more important, what do these shoes look like? Oh friend, I'm telling you, these are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn and I can't wait to tell you about them. Because I have no doubt you're going to like them too. Deeper Devos >>> https://deeperdevos.org
May 28, 2019•12 min
The breastplate of righteousness is crucial for the believer. And when I say crucial, I mean crucial. But why? And how do we put it on? But maybe more importantly, how do we keep it on? That's what we're talking about today. It's the second piece of armor Paul urges us to put on in Ephesians 6:14 and it's a good one. Deeper Devos Website >>> https://deeperdevos.org
May 21, 2019•12 min
We're digging into the armor of God over the next several weeks and I couldn't be more excited. This week is all about the belt of truth and you guys the symbolism is amazing. Our verse today is Ephesians 6:14, "“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth…” So come on - let's get started! Deeper Devos Website >>> https://deeperdevos.org
May 14, 2019•14 min
God is real. Angels are real. Satan is real. Demons are real. There is a battle going on we can’t see. One of good and evil. (Hollywood didn’t think that stuff up.) It’s happening every day, and I believe all the more as the day of the Lord draws closer. We’re in Ephesians 6:10-13 today talking about what it means to be strong in the Lord. And I’m telling you, it doesn’t include sitting around in our Christian comfy pants. Deeper Devos >>> https://deeperdevos.org...
May 07, 2019•12 min
Whether you work in an office, on a job site, or at home—we have a responsibility and a purpose centered around one thing: the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's for this purpose Paul urges slaves to obey their masters in Ephesians 6:5-9 not just with eye-service but a sincere heart. And it's for the same purpose that today - we do the same. We're talking about the work place today (including you, stay-at-home mama's) so come along friends because we've got things to talk about! Deeper Devos Website &...
Apr 30, 2019•11 min
Continuing his mandates on submission, the Apostle Paul turns his attention to the family as we dive into Ephesians 6. Specifically, his command is for the kids. But as we dig deeper, I think we’ll see it’s actually for us parents. Discipline is today’s topic. If you have kids, we’ve got some things to talk about. Deeper Devos >>> https://deeperdevos.org
Apr 23, 2019•11 min
Have you ever heard the argument that the Bible is unfair to women? It's out there, but it's not true. And it's proven right here in Ephesians 5:25-33. Deeper Devos >>> https://deeperdevos.org
Apr 16, 2019•12 min
Submission is not a popular word, especially when it's regarding women verses men. Or better yet, a wife to her husband. The world tells us submission is a weakness, but God says something much different. But what does it mean for a wife to submit to her husband? Does it mean we bow to his every whim? No and to say so is to grossly take the Bible out of context. We're in Ephesians 5:22-24 today. Deeper Devos Website >>> https://deeperdevos.org...
Apr 09, 2019•13 min
After directing the Ephesians to be “filled with the Spirit” Paul goes on to say in Ephesians 5:19-21, “but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” And at first glance it may seem as though Paul is just adding to our already longer than we'd ...
Apr 02, 2019•12 min
So how would you explain the filling of the Holy Spirit? Does it seem like a foreign concept to you too? Paul says to be filled with the Spirit, so we are tackling the idea today to hopefully gain a better understanding of what it really means. Deeper Devos >>> https://deeperdevos.org
Mar 26, 2019•12 min
You can be really smart apart from knowing Christ. You can build stuff and know stuff and research stuff and speak way over my head on various subjects, without having Christ as your Savior, but you can’t be wise. Wisdom comes from God alone. So what's the difference between being smart and being wise? Well, I'm glad you asked because that's where we're headed. Deeper Devos >>> https://deeperdevos.org
Mar 19, 2019•12 min
We are great at pointing out people’s sin, but how good are we at pointing those same people to Christ? Ephesians 5:8 says, “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” But what does it really mean to walk as children of light? For more head to https://deeperdevos.org
Mar 12, 2019•12 min
We’ve all had moments we weren’t sure we wanted to claim our family or our ancestry or our kids, but what about our Christianity? Ephesians 5:1 says we're to look and act just like our Father in heaven. So is there a family resemblance? There should be. The Apostle Paul doesn't beat around the bush in Ephesians 5:1-6, so neither do we. Deeper Devos >>> https://deeperdevos.org
Mar 05, 2019•11 min
Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Yet sometimes keeping God's commands gets labeled as legalism. But is it? I'll give you a hint. It's not. We're in Ephesians 4:25-32 today looking at seven characteristics every believer is called to display. Deeper Devos >>> https://deeperdevos.org
Feb 26, 2019•11 min
My mind can take me crazy places. As a six on the Enneagram, I’m prone to thinking things like, “Oh no, I probably need a hip replacement,” the minute my hip starts hurting and I can’t figure out why. My saving grace is the Holy Spirit who gives me not only the capability but also the capacity to think rightly. The key is renewing my mind, as Paul says in Ephesians 4:23-24. But what does that really mean? Is it simply the power of positive thinking or something more? Deeper Devos >>> ht...
Feb 19, 2019•11 min
There is a trend right now, especially in Christian literature (if you can call it that), of self-focus. Do what makes you happy. Be who you want to be. Find yourself. Let yourself shine forth. Take care of yourself first and foremost. But this trend of love thyself first is not of God. Since when does the Bible say to turn inward? Since when are we to be self-focused? Deeper Devos >>>> https://deeperdevos.org
Feb 12, 2019•12 min
Before Christ we were in rough shape. Ephesians 4 doesn't beat around the bush. But in Christ we are a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come. But when we sin, choosing to walk in our “former manner of life” (Eph. 4:22) instead of our new one, it’s like smearing mud all over the wallpaper of righteousness Christ just took the time to hang on the walls of our new heart. Deeper Devos >>>>> https://deeperdevos.org
Feb 05, 2019•11 min
I’m good at excuses. I think most of us are. Rebuttals? They come naturally. But according to Ephesians 4 we have no excuses. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up. >>>> https://deeperdevos.org
Jan 29, 2019•10 min
In his letter to the Ephesians the Apostle Paul focuses on four specific gifts that are for the equipping of the church body. And guess what? One of those gifts is your pastor. It's true your pastor is a gift from Christ to you. Do you believe it? Ephesians 4:11-16
Jan 22, 2019•11 min
Unity and uniformity are two very different things. Yet sometimes I think we get them confused, especially in regards to the church. Replacing the need for unity with uniformity. But which should it be? Or is it both? Ephesians 4 has a few things to say on the topic.
Jan 15, 2019•11 min
Rules and expectations are a good thing. Most organizations have them; most employers have them. And it's fine; it's expected. Yet for some reason when it comes to Christianity and expectations are brought up, people run for the doors. Deeper Devos >>>> https://deeperdevos.org
Jan 08, 2019•12 min
What if I told you the question of who God is could be answered with the Christmas story - would you believe me? I don't think God intended his identity to be complicated. We're the ones who complicate it. In fact, I think God's made it quite clear. But for starters lets just say this: He's the God who came anyway.
Dec 18, 2018•11 min
It's week 2 of our advent series: Life's Deepest Questions Answered by the Christmas Story. This week we're tackling a big one: Is God faithful? Listen friend, God has not left us and the story of Christ's birth is pleading with us to see it.
Dec 11, 2018•12 min
