There Is a River
Such a one is like a tree planted near streams; it bears fruit in season and its leaves never wither, and every project succeeds. Psalm 1:3 (NJB) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker – There is a river that flows from the throne of God, down the celestial main street and into the hearts of those who believe in the Lamb (Revelation 22); the river then flows like streams of living water through those who are one with Jesus (John 7). We hear the river whisper, “If anyone is thirsty, let …
Our God Does Not Grow on Trees
He burns part of the tree to roast his meat … Then he takes what’s left and makes his god. Isaiah 44:16-17 (NLT) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker – In 1980, Howard Cosell interrupted a “Monday Night Football” game with the announcement that John Lennon, of the Beatles, had been murdered outside his New York City apartment. In an eerie moment, ABC Sports respectfully cut sound from the game just as a play broke on the field, leaving television viewers – numbed by the news – sitting in silence while …
Hopefully in Love
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. 1 John 4:16 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker – We were singing when I noticed the typo. The lyrics to the praise tune were supposed to be, “I’m hopelessly in love with you.” But someone accidentally typed: “I’m hopefully in love with you.” The first suggests an abandonment to love: “God, I’m in this relationship head-to-toe, no matter where it leads.” The second suggests tentativeness: “Gee, I hope I can love you God.” We …
God Loving Us Perfectly
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ …. Colossians 2:9-10 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker – Perfect love desires communion, the sharing of life together, and so it cannot be expressed from a distance. God so perfectly loved the world that he came up close in Christ, stepping into the brokenness of our lives (1 John 1:1-3): · Into our emptiness, Jesus brings fullness and completion (Colossians 2:9-10). · Into our deficit, Jesus brings …
We Are Desperate for You
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1 (NASB) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker – Lord, we’re desperate for you. We’re bunched up in confusion, moving by impulse and fear, flitting here and there like a frenzied flock caught in the wilderness of the far country. We are here! We are here! And we know you hear. You’ve heard us before; you’ve swept in and saved us from our hopeless paralysis. Do …
A Resolution Worth Keeping
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is from Jon Walker. How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions? You remember that list you made with optimistic enthusiasm but unrealistic expectations. One of my friends started making New Year’s resolutions like, “I won’t lose ten pounds this year,” and “I commit to watching the Super Bowl this year.” I suspect Paul only had one resolution on his list: “This year I resolve to …
Nurturing a Quiet Soul
But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:2 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker – My older sister, Lori Hensley, a very serious prayer warrior, once taught me to meditate on Psalm 131 to help me move toward God’s peace that passes all understanding: We keep our hearts humble. This doesn’t mean we have a low opinion of ourselves. A humble heart means we know our position in Christ, and so we …
Love That Sweats
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker – When Jesus loves, he works up a sweat; he rolls up his sleeves, gets on his knees, and washes our feet with his blood, sweat, and tears. He labors at love, though his love is never like labor. He’s a giver, not a taker, loving us into being with a …
Jesus and the Brooklyn Dodgers
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. Colossians 2:16 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker – During World War II, a common practice among U.S. guards was to ask questions that, presumably, only someone from the U.S. would know (in the days before the Internet and worldwide television). They’d ask a question like, “What league does the Chicago Cubs play in?” One legitimate U.S. general was held for several …
Love Needs No Because
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. Romans 5:7 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker – The love of God needs no because. He does not give his love because of something that you’ve done. He does not give his love because of something he will gain. He does not give his love because it’s something you have earned. He gives his love with no because. We come at love with conditions: you can take …
