(The following is the January 30 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Matthew 23 and pay close attention to verses 23-24.) In Matthew 23:23-24, Jesus condemned the scribes and Pharisees for being consumed with some detailed rules while ignoring weightier matters like justice, mercy, and faithfulness. That is, …
Category: Devotionals
How Do You Define ‘Security’?
(The following is the February 1 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Matthew 24 and pay close attention to verses 32-35.) How often do people place their hope and trust in what they see, touch, or accumulate? Many search for security in a larger bank balance, higher salary, …
Genuine Faith Endures
(The following is the January 31 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Matthew 24 and pay close attention to verses 9-13.) Do you know people who seemed committed to Christ earlier in life but turned away from the faith? What does Scripture say about such people? Was their …
Are You For Christ or Against Him?
(The following is the January 14 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Matthew 12 and pay close attention to verse 30.) It would be interesting to see the results of an opinion poll that asked, “Are you for Jesus, against Jesus, or indifferent?” We would likely have respondents …
The Qualifications of Deacons
(The following is the September 28 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read 1 Timothy 3 and pay close attention to verses 8-13.) The New Testament identifies the deacon's role as practical service and ministry. While some personal characteristics overlap those of the spiritual shepherds in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, the deacon’s function …
