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
Now to each one a manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). We're exploring what it means to be counter-cultural but to be counter-cultural in ways that serve the common good of both our church community and the world around us. Being counter-cultural doesn't mean that, whatever our culture does, we do the opposite. Rather, we must l...
Keep ReadingAs you come to Him (1 Peter 2:4). A while back my husband's car wouldn't start. The most common issues that would keep a car from starting weren't the cause, so he took it to a mechanic who ran all sorts of diagnostic tests. It was determined that there was a manufacturing defect, and the new part was, of course, back-ordered. Yay, supply chain issues! When my husband co...
Keep ReadingDear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us (I Peter 2:11-12). One thing that I understand well in this passage is what it means to be a foreigner. ...
Keep ReadingBut you are a chosen peopleto declare the praises of Him who called youinto His wonderful light(1 Peter 2:9). Breakaway Cafe, a favorite coffee spot near Briar Chapel, has delicious coffee, so one day I inquired about the brand, knowing they weren't sourcing and making their own. I learned they serve Counter Culture Coffee. Hmmm, Counter Cultureour Scripture theme. As C...
Keep ReadingSee, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame (1 Peter 2:6). In ancient times, cornerstones were critical to correctly orienting a structure. Today we have all the tools and technologies needed to build structure without the need for cornerstones. If a modern building has a cornerstone, it's purely ...
Keep Reading1 Peter 2:4-17 We're exploring how we are to be counter-cultural for the common good. This week's passage starts with a series of who-we-are statements, pivots to talking a bit about who-we-aren't, and finishes with several how-we-ought-to-live commands. (Please take a few minutes to read 1 Peter 2:4-17.) Who we are: Notice that Peter can't talk about who we are without ...
Keep ReadingYour attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God, but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men (Philippians 2:5-7 TLB). We in America hear and talk a lot about rights, and we're pretty keen to fight for the ones most important to us, ...
Keep ReadingWho, being in the very nature Godby taking the very nature of a servantAnd being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself (Philippians 2: 6-8). Our culture loves a good "win/win" scenario. You get what you want, and I get something I want. To get someone to do something, you must give them something. It's the contract our culture expects. On the surface this sound...
Keep ReadingDo nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself...
Keep ReadingDo nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others (Philippians 2:3-4). My first thought when I read this verse is that it's impossible to be so selfless! How can we "do nothing out of selfish ambition?" From the time we are young, we don't ...
Keep Reading