The connect devotional is a great way to stay connected spiritually to what our community is learning about God right now. It is in step with the current sermon series, studying the scripture through the lens of life application.
Clicking here to subscribe and receive the Connect Devotional in your inbox
To see past posts, click the "All Posts" button above
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do" (Acts 9:4-6). In Acts 9, we find the incredible story of Saul's transformationa moment that changed the course of his life an...
Keep Reading"He [Paul] will carry My name before the Gentiles and the people of Israel" (Acts 9:15). It's week 4 of our "Ignite!" sermon series, and maybe you've tired of the spark, light, and fire analogies in our devotionals. Would you grant me some grace as I put these images to work just one more time? Chris Rice's 2014 song "Go Light Your World" assumes we have "soul candles" a...
Keep ReadingSee what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes i...
Keep ReadingWhat marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at itwe're called children of God! That's who we really are (1 John 3:1 MSG). Back in the 1870s someone kicked the embers from a bonfire off the side of a cliff in Yosemite National Park. It created what looked like a glowing waterfall to the onlookers below, and that event turned into a tourist attraction that ...
Keep ReadingHow great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that weshould be called children of God! (1 John 3:1) For ignition to occur, it's critical to line up two (or more) items. Sometimes, that alignment must be spot-on. Take the matchbook, for instance. Maybe it's just me, but I strike and strike and strike (while my candle patiently waits) before I get the match tip align...
Keep ReadingNo one who lives deeply in Christ makes a practice of sin. None of those who do practice sin have taken a good look at Christ. They've got him all backward (I John 3:6-7, The Message). About six years ago, my family moved from South Korea to America. Although my kids are half Korean and half American, they had never lived in America before. When Koreans saw my kids, they ...
Keep ReadingBehold the love the Father has lavished upon us, that we might be called the children of God all those who have this hope within themselves purify themselves as he is pure (1 John 3:1-3). Good Monday to you all, and here's hoping this week's Connect Devotionals ignite some good things in us! The books in the New Testament attributed to John the Gospel, three letters ...
Keep Reading"Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized,every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:3-4) In his book "The Spark and the Grind", the artist Erik Wahl explores the power of creativity. You have moments of inspiration, the Spark, then periods of work in between, the Grind. But being...
Keep ReadingAnd suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind,and it filled the entire house where they were sitting (Acts 2:2). The first few moments of silence permit a tantalizing uncertainty. Slowly, the growing vibration of the acoustic invites your curiosity. A noble and inspiring purpose marches in to the roll of snare drums. Then you hear the voice, ready...
Keep ReadingWhen the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the spir...
Keep Reading