Monday 1 John 1:1-3, 4:7-11; John 13:34-35 As we continue our “in common” series, let’s revisit something exceptionally uncommon in our fallen world, yet commanded by Jesus to be common among believers (John 13:34): agápē love, available to and through God’s people while mysterious to the unredeemed. This love washed over me as I pondered...
Category: <span>Devotions</span>
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June 10 – 14, 2019
Monday Revelation 5:9, 7:9-10; Matthew 1:1-17 Of the accusations frequently made against Christians, topping many critics’ lists are the labels “bigoted” and “narrow-minded.” How valid are these? Is Christianity available to only specific types—particular to race, nationality, affluence, education, etc.—and thereby elitist? Is the opportunity to follow Christ exclusionary? Ancient Israel was called to be...
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June 3 – 7, 2019
Monday 1 Peter 2:9 Remember that day on the playground when two of the most athletic students in the school, your secret heroes, were called out to choose two teams. It went quickly at first, the obvious picks, but then you realized with horror that you were still not part of a team; you had...
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May 27 – 31, 2019
Monday Ephesians 4:4-6; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; 1 Timothy 1:3-7 Has the US ever experienced a season of greater social, political, and religious divisiveness than presently? And the same might be asked of the Christian church. Depending upon the source and definitions, there are hundreds if not thousands of “Christian denominations.” Given Ephesians 4:4-6—“one body … one...
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May 20 – 24, 2019
Monday 1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 John 3 Our passage this week says that we are never finished with love. We were created because of love and for love. We all need and will always need love. But all too often we don’t feel loved. This last week alone I have had three separate situations where...
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May 13 – 17, 2019
Monday 1 Corinthians 13:11-12; John 8:3-11 In our continuing “uncommon love” series, 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 is this week’s featured Scripture. Verse 11 is well-known, though often quoted out of context and, thus, frequently misapplied. Let’s briefly recap the Corinthian situation. “‘The carnalities,’ the things that were troubling the [Corinthian] church [included] … the problem of...
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May 6 – 10, 2019
Monday Luke 15:11-32; 1 Corinthians 13:7-8 Prodigal Father’s Love “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7, ESV). Love never quits, never stops, never runs out. What other passages in the Scriptures speak of love? What Bible stories illustrate love? One love story is the “Parable of...
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April 29 – May 3 , 2019
Monday 1 Corinthians 13:4-6; Galatians 5:13-26 If you’ve ever been to a wedding, Christian or otherwise, you’ve likely heard the Apostle Paul’s concise “love Scripture” shared during the ceremony. This week’s primary Scripture is 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 as we continue exploring “uncommon love.” Paul’s verses capture the attributes and elusiveness of love in less than...
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April 22 – 26 , 2019
Easter Luke 24:13-35; Matthew 28:1-10; John 20:1-18 I can still remember when I first saw this 1601 work of art by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, “Supper at Emmaus.” I was a sophomore in college and visiting the National Museum in London. It was in a room by itself and it caught me off guard. Maybe...
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April 15 – 19 , 2019
Last Week of Lent This week the Gathering Place is open between 7:00am and 9:00pm for a time to prayerfully participate in the Stations of the Cross. Be sure to schedule an hour and walk through this experience. Our Maundy Thursday service is on Thursday at 7:00pm. Mark records the last words of Jesus in...
