Today’s Verse – James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. —James 1:5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… So often, we act out of ignorance and face grave consequences for our hasty and unguided actions. God longs to grant us spiritual wisdom that not only helps us make wise choices but also gives us the ability to act and react with grace and wisdom. Before we face a new day with its challenging situations and decisions, let’s seek God’s face and ask for his gift of wisdom. My Prayer… Holy Father, I need your wisdom to help me make the right decisions in the challenges and situations that will confront me today. Please pour your wisdom into my heart so that my actions, words, and choices will please you and bless those around me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Acts 1:14
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. —Acts 1:14 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus’ resurrection changed everything! “The women,” as the gospel writers referred to them, were faithfully present with Jesus throughout his crucifixion and resurrection. After the LORDs ascension, they were still present, obediently praying in expectation with the leading disciples. As we might expect, Jesus’ mother is there praying as well. Look carefully at Luke’s description (Acts 1:14-16) and notice that even Jesus’ brothers, once doubting and ridiculing of him (John 7:1-7), now praying in expectation of their risen brother’s release of power through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Yes, they are waiting, but not idly waiting. Yes, they are praying, but they are also expecting the great work of the risen Jesus, which he would do through them! God does amazing things when people who love the risen Jesus pray with expectation. So what are you waiting for? Get with a group of those who love Jesus, and pray with expectation for Jesus to accomplish his work through you! My Prayer… Almighty and All-powerful God, please bless my efforts as I seek to encourage others to join me in fervent prayer. I pray that you will bring revival among those who call on your name and a stirring among those who are hungry, but don’t yet recognize their hunger is for Jesus. Please bring revival to your people and an outpouring of grace to those who need to know Jesus as their Savior. In Jesus’ name, I pray with expectation. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Daily Prayer for May 3
But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:20-21, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we thank you that the Savior has been with us on the earth and that in our day we can still follow him and wait for your will and your rulership. For you are Almighty God, and your kingdom must come, your will must be done, and all promises be fulfilled. Carry out your will, we ask and beseech you. Establish your kingdom among all nations, even if today this is possible with only a few. For through your working, hearts can change so that your name may be praised and all promises may be fulfilled. Thanks be to you for allowing us to live in such great hope. Stay by us in our work on earth so that it may be done in your service. In every situation deepen our longing for the Savior to come and establish your kingdom. Be with us during the night and bless us in your great goodness and faithfulness. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Hunting the Wild Fringe Lily Donal McKernan Searching for an elusive flower in rural Australia, a father and daughter uncover a world of biodiversity. Read now Riding the Greyhound Sarah Ball Long distance bus rides mean being trapped for hours with other people’s troubles. But I’ve found something more. Read now Definition of a Good Farmer Philip Britts Long before regenerative agriculture was a thing, this farmer advocated for respect and care for the land. Read now Jimmy Carter and Servant Leadership Andy Stanton-Henry Even if Jimmy Carter wasn’t the saint some have made him, we could use more examplars of his approach to leadership. Read now Who Will Help a Stranded Manatee? Boze Herrington A. M. Juster’s children’s picture book Girlatee smuggles a timely message into a breezy tale. Read now
Today’s Verse – Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. —Proverbs 10:12 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Our worst tendencies want to repay evil with evil, spite for spite, pettiness with pettiness, and hatefulness with hatefulness. God has always wanted his people to be his redemptive influence in their world, society, and relationships. Paul reminded the Christians in Rome to “not repay evil with evil” (Romans 12:17). Jesus said: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:44–45) The apostle Paul also taught Christians in Rome: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:18-21) Love removes the teeth from difficult situations while hatefulness only stirs up bitterness and spite. God’s wise Old Covenant king shares a similar truth in our verse today. We are called to be a different kind of people, a JESUShaped people who leave the world a different and better place than we found it. It isn’t always easy, but Jesus’ way is powerful and redemptive in a world where most people expect the worst! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Father, I confess that when I’m wronged, I become angry and am often tempted to strike back in kind of try and get even. Please, remove the baser, self-serving side of my character through your Holy Spirit’s cleansing and redeeming influence on my heart. May the love your Spirit inspires in me be seen in how I treat others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
02 May 2025
Let us make every effort to pass on a godly heritage to our children. We need to teach them the word of God and show them how to have a good relationship with God. Getting them to understand that and to practice it is the best we can do for them. It will be their source of guidance and their orientation point in life. Judges 2:6-15.
Resurrection 2.3: Unless…!
If Jesus was truly raised from the dead, then this new reality would call for Thomas to radically re-orient his life [Let me tell you about] the gospel of God — the gospel he promised before and through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 1:4-5). “Unless…” We must not rush past Thomas’ demand for proof! We must not confuse Thomas’ demand with uncertainty or doubt. His “Unless…” would have never been uttered if he hadn’t demanded to know for certain that Jesus was alive. After all, the Jesus Thomas had loved, the Jesus he had followed, was the Jesus who had died so gruesomely, utterly rejected and humiliated, leaving Thomas and his friends devastated, fearful, and without hope. While some view Thomas as far less than a hero, I love Thomas’ reaction to the other disciples: Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:24-25). For some, belief in Jesus’ resurrection sure seems to be easy for them. For others, trust in Jesus’ resurrection was a faith into which they were born and raised. For others, however, faith in Jesus’ resurrection seems impossible, or at best, very hard to believe. I am so thankful for Thomas. He doesn’t mention doubt. There is nothing said about Thomas doubting in the Bible. “Doubting Thomas” is our title for him. The truth is far harsher: Thomas didn’t doubt. Thomas wouldn’t believe. “Unless…” Don’t rush past Thomas’ demand for proof! He needed more than a few friends getting all excited about an idea before accepting their idea as his reality. He wanted hard evidence that Jesus was raised from the dead before he would have a faith he owned for himself. We live in a day when so few people look at anything critically. We will buy almost any story on the internet if it supports our biases. We want to be part of groups that share our prejudices. We want to connect with ideas and movements that excite us and attach us with others who are like us. Thomas could have acquiesced to the opinion and pressure of his buddies. He didn’t. He wouldn’t! “Unless…” Thomas said. He had to know for sure that Jesus had triumphed over death and was alive. If Jesus had defeated death through resurrection, then this new reality would call for Thomas to radically re-orient his life. The truth of a resurrected Jesus meant that Jesus was even higher than the person Thomas had followed for over three years. This reality — and the resurrected Jesus behind it — would call him to give up everything to help others know Jesus and who he was. He was ready to do that if he could know it was true, but he wouldn’t believe it. “Unless…” We can be thankful that Jesus helped him with his demand! A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop [disbelieving] and believe” (John 20:26-27). I know the word “disbelieving”, that is in brackets in the verses above, is “doubting” in nearly every translation you’ve ever read. But the word Thomas used is not the word for doubt, but the word for unbelief. In fact, the word for believing is pistos, and the word for disbelieving is apistos. That “a” (or alpha in Greek) on the front end of the word makes the word mean the opposite of believing. In my world, there is a big difference between doubters and those who won’t believe. There is a harder edge toward faith when someone has chosen not to believe. Thomas emphatically said he “certainly would not believe” (John 20:25):[NOTE] he had made a choice, a commitment, not to believe. So, Jesus gave Thomas undeniable proof that he was alive after being dead. He gave him similar proof to what he had given the other disciples when he had asked those disciples to touch him and then ate fish with them after his resurrection (Luke 24:36-43). Jesus told Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side.” Why am I making such a big deal about disbelieving and believing? Because of Thomas’ reaction to Jesus who demonstrated that he was alive, triumphant over death and the grave. Once he realized that Jesus was truly alive, this was his reaction: Thomas said to [Jesus], “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). John had told us at the beginning of his good news story of Jesus that Jesus was God — creator, eternally existent, the source of light and life (John 1:1-13). John also told us that Jesus was God walking among those he created and making known to them how the eternal and almighty God loves us and cares for us (John 1:14-18). John wanted everyone to know that any title given to Jesus, any description of Jesus as a great teacher, a powerful spiritual being, or a great man, is an insult to Jesus. Such depictions fall far short of Jesus and his true identity! The resurrected Jesus demonstrated that he was alive to Thomas. His victory over sin, death, and hell show us that he is both “Lord and God”! So, the real question
Today’s Verse – 1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect… —1 Peter 3:15 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… How do we effectively share our faith, especially in situations hostile to us and our faith? First, we consciously submit our hearts to Christ as LORD. Second, we prepare a presentation — or several presentations, depending upon the circumstances — that focuses on the hope we have in Jesus. Finally, when we share our reason for hope, we do it with respect, gently sharing our faith with others. Of course, we will never have an opportunity to share our faith if we don’t live a life of faith that impacts those around us with God’s goodness, holiness, and grace. My Prayer… Holy God and loving Father, please use my influence and the quality of my life to bring others to Jesus. Please give me wisdom as I seek to lead the following friends to Christ… (Please specifically mention several of these precious people by name!) May my words and actions lead them closer to you and show them my respect and the love you have for them as your creations. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
30 Apr 2025
The devil is so keen on distracting Christians from the commission to go and make disciples and minister to the people because he knows the impact that can have on humanity. May we see through his plans and persevere and impact the world for God’s glory. Luke 10:1-16.
Resurrection 2.2: Sometimes, I Doubt!
Do doubts mean I don’t believe? Life is hard. People can let us down. Church people can wound us. Our prayers can feel like they go unanswered and ignored. Our physical health can deteriorate. Aging can steal a loved one’s mind before that precious one’s body gives out. We grow weary and worn by our circumstances or the monotony of our lives or the lack of joy we meet in each day. Before long, we can find ourselves beginning to doubt. We can sometimes doubt God’s goodness or doubt Jesus’ concern for us or doubt the historical reality of Jesus’ resurrection. Unfortunately, we fear to talk to anyone about our doubts. We wrestle with them alone. But why are we afraid to admit our doubts? Have we forgotten that we are not alone in having doubts? When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they [the apostles] did not believe the women, because their [the women’s] words seemed to them like nonsense (Luke 24:9-11). The apostles of Jesus doubted the news of his resurrection when they first heard. They were broken, weary, fearful, and shattered by their abandonment of their Lord, the ordeal of his crucifixion, and the horrors of Golgotha. Doubt was much easier to muster than faith or hope. Why do we give Thomas the nickname “Doubting Thomas”? Didn’t he state the obvious? Don’t we all know that dead people don’t rise from the dead and we’re not going to believe resurrection happens until we see it? So, if we watch and listen to the reactions of Jesus’ first disciples to his resurrection — if we linger with them in their doubt — then maybe we can find some peace and hope in our doubts! Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:24-25). The first reaction of nearly all of Jesus’ closest friends to reports that he has risen from the dead was pretty much like our initial reaction would be: “I doubt it!” The women who went to the tomb weren’t expecting him to rise from the dead (John 20:1-2; Luke 24:1-6). The apostles who heard the women’s testimony about Jesus being raised from the dead didn’t believe them (Luke 24:9-11). Peter and John weren’t expecting Jesus to be raised from the dead when they ran to the tomb based on the women’s report (Luke 24:12; John 20:3-9). The disciples on the road to Emmaus weren’t expecting Jesus to be raised from the dead and did not recognize him even as he walked, talked, and taught them (Luke 24:13-35). The rest of the apostles were not believers in Jesus’ resurrection until he appeared to them in the upper room and ate fish to prove he wasn’t merely a vision (Luke 24:36-45). Even as Jesus neared giving his final words to his disciples, some still doubted (Matthew 28:16-17). Skeptics doubting the bodily resurrection of Jesus shouldn’t surprise anyone. In fact, our occasional moments of doubt as Jesus’ followers shouldn’t surprise us. To put the matter simply, our experience makes clear that dead people don’t rise from the dead. Funerals are our final farewell to the bodily presence of those we love, not a prelude to their appearance at a dinner party three days later. A buried person’s body might appear again for exhumation, but not for conversation at a celebration dinner (Luke 24:36-43) or a beachside picnic (John 21:1-14). Doubters are not bad people; they’re just realistic ones. Those early doubters were not faithless, just normal. However, their skepticism followed by their passion become the foundation for the essential conviction of Christian faith: Jesus died, was buried, and was raised never to die again, and, fully alive, Jesus appeared to people who knew him (1 Corinthians 15:1-7). Christianity isn’t a religious philosophy, but a faith built on a historical fact: Jesus rose from the dead. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then Christianity and Christian faith are futile and pitiable — as the apostle Paul said (1 Corinthians 15:). Those early Christian witnesses of the resurrected Jesus were either liars and lunatics, or they were witnesses to a resurrected Jesus they called Lord. Those early doubters-turned-to-witnesses, however, become one of the foundations on which we can build our faith. They proclaimed a risen Jesus whom God made both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:33-36). They proclaimed this to the people who first had Jesus condemned and executed (Acts 2:32-36; Acts 4:1-13) — people they feared and from whom they hid in a locked room (John 20:19). They openly proclaimed Jesus’ resurrection fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, allowing for anyone who wanted to try and contradict them (1 Corinthians 15:3-7). They wrote about Jesus’ resurrection while there were still witnesses around to either confirm or deny their claims and in the places where Jesus was known. Even more astonishingly, these once timid and fearful folks were so emboldened after their encounters with the resurrected Jesus that they were willing to give their lives for their testimony (Acts 4:18-34; Acts 12:1-4). This change may be the greatest testimony of all because their message didn’t make sense to their world (1 Corinthians 1:20-25, 30-31; 1 Corinthians 2:1-2). Their proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead wasn’t easily received by a world that didn’t believe in any form of bodily resurrection (Acts 17:12-16, 30-32; 1 Corinthians 2:3-5). Despite every reason not to proclaim this message of a resurrected Jesus, those early disciples completely reoriented their lives to declare it. Peter
Daily Prayer for April 30
He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:41-42, NIV Dear Father in heaven, we lift our eyes to you. You allow earthly events to follow their own course, and even your own Son had to suffer and die. But your plan is already prepared and you will act in our time according to your will. We pray, “Your will be done, your will!” In the midst of all the suffering let your love be revealed in many places, wherever it is possible for people to understand it. You have always protected us; protect us still. You have done much for us and we want to praise your name. We want to be people who always acknowledge you and praise you, for you will never let any be lost who hope in you. Be with us this night, help us, and send us the strength we need to serve you, also in our everyday life. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Jimmy Carter and Servant Leadership Andy Stanton-Henry Even if Jimmy Carter wasn’t the saint some have made him, we could use more examplars of his approach to leadership. Read now Who Will Help a Stranded Manatee? Boze Herrington A. M. Juster’s children’s picture book Girlatee smuggles a timely message into a breezy tale. Read now “If I Go Back, They Will Kill Me” Sarah Killam Crosby Helping refugees in Greece and Nevada has given me a different perspective on views I hear from many Christians today. Read now The Story of a Controversial Devotional Painting Joseph Michael Fino, CFR Most devotional art is old, formal, and sentimental. The painting I brought to church on Divine Mercy Sunday, a week after Easter, was none of these. Read now Not Just Good, but Beautiful: Complementarity as Divine Harmony Pope Francis Over a decade ago, Pope Francis reflected on the beauty of complementarity between man and woman in marriage. Read now