Thoughts, devotions, and more from Jeffrey K. Ross, author of "Next Step Devotions"
I have served as a deacon for decades across two churches. Long before becoming a deacon, the church in which I grew up elected a friend and me to serve as "junior deacons" while we were high school teenagers—a non-voting position meant to expose us to the role and encourage our growth. From that time …
Continue reading Book Review: “Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church” by Matt Smethurst
(The following is the February 13 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Mark 3 and pay close attention to verses 22-30.) When religious leaders claimed that Jesus cast out demons by the power of the ruler of demons, he pointed out their illogical reasoning: “How can Satan drive out Satan? If …
(The following is the October 11 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Titus 2 and pay close attention to verses 1-8.) Paul gave Titus instructions for men and women in the church, both young and old. Each has a vital role to fill: Older men are “to be self-controlled, worthy of …
(The following is the September 16 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read 1 Thessalonians 3 and pay close attention to verses 11-13.) Is it easier to love people like us or those who are different? Most people drift toward others like them in personality, social status, intellect, physical capabilities, faith, politics, …
(The following is the October 26 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Hebrews 10 and pay close attention to verses 19-25.) Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God expects believers to have a personal faith in God that they live out within a broader faith community. The author of …
