Category: Daily Readings

(This is 24 hours late since I went early yesterday to hike in Palo Duro Canyon. It was a perfect day for that!) The second half of Acts 2 tells us clearly who a Christian is, and what he/she does. A Christian is one who responds to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, first with […]

It was announced in Acts 1 that when the Holy Spirit came, the disciples would receive power to witness for Jesus. Chapter 2 tells us of the fulfillment of this promise. The Holy Spirit came to them, filled them, and they began to prophecy and testify about Jesus, who had come and walked among them, […]

If you are reading this, one thing is sure: your heart is beating! You were probably not thinking about that until I mentioned it. Unless you are like Richard, my friend who teaches the Sunday School class I attend, you may take your beating heart for granted. He deals with A-fib and he was very […]

I have always considered the question posed by the angels in Acts 1:11 to be one of the most relevant questions in the Bible. It is just as much for us as it was for the disciples. “Why do you stand her looking into the sky?” I can feel the sense of spiritual bewilderment evident […]

Beginning this Sunday, November 13, the ICF will begin studying together on Sunday mornings the book of Acts. This in an invitation for you to participate in this study by attendance, if possible, but even more so by reading the book of Acts along with us. I will return to my practice of writing a […]

In the text of my sermon for this Sunday, there is a reference to two mountains (Hebrews 12:18-24). If you read this passage, you will see quite a contrast between the two. My study Bible labeled them the mountain of fear and the mountain of joy. A mountain is sometimes used as a metaphor to […]

May 24 (Reading for May 23-29: Romans 16). I write this final devotional for Romans early this week since I will drive later today to Arlington for the Big 12 Baseball Tournament. After my return next week, I will make a trip to Guadeloupe June 23-July 30. This will be my last devotional, at least […]

(May 19-Reading Romans 15:14-33, NIV) I am doing something new, sending this by iPhone. I left my computer with completed devotional in Temple at Jonathan’s house. Paul speaks in this text about holy boasting, when it is not only permissible but also recommendable to boast about the work of God in and through our lives. […]

May 12 (Reading for May 9-15: Romans 15:1-13). If you consider yourself to be strong spiritually, you could test that by evaluating the way you relate to those you consider “weak.” It is easy to relate to those who are “strong” like you. But how do you relate to the “weaker” brother, who may be […]

May 2 (Reading for May 2-8: Romans 14). Part 2 of devotional taken from my second book. The full text of our reciprocal principle states: “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way” (Rom. 14:13). What did Paul mean […]

April 25 (Reading for April 24-May 1: Romans 14. Since we will not have a lesson on Romans 14 on Sunday, May 1, we have two weeks to look at this chapter. I am posting the first part of a devotional at the beginning of this week and will conclude it next week). This devotional […]

April 19 (Reading for April 18-24: Romans 13, NIV). (This is coming to you early since I am going to Roswell to see my sister later today and will not be able to post it on Thursday. This devotional will cover Romans 13:8-14). I see two major themes: verses 8-10 show us how we are […]

April 14 (Reading for April 11-17: Romans 12, NASB). After presenting the necessity of being a “living sacrifice,” Paul in 12:3-21 described “resurrection life” in very practical terms. He first emphasized HUMILITY: “I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think” (v. 3). He then stressed […]

April 13 (Reading for April 11-17: Romans 12, NASB. This devotional is a day early, as it is Part 1 (12:1-2). Part 2 (12:3-21) will be posted tomorrow. Today we talk about celebrating Christ’s resurrection by offering our body as “a living sacrifice.” We read about victory over the PENALTY of sin: “There is now […]

April 7 (Reading for April 4-10: Romans 11; both NASB and NIV are used). “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). […]