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.
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For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:13-14). I've always loved books and movies where the story builds to a powerful climaxthose thrilling, heart-pounding, emotional moments- that eventually lead to the resolution when everything falls into ...
Keep ReadingWhen the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eatwith tax collectors and sinners?" (Matthew 9: 11) College sports are exciting. They're fun to watch, fun to talk about, and fun to be a part of. And everyone loves cheering for the home team. Here in North Carolina, the center of the college sports universe, we know who that is, right? You p...
Keep ReadingIn his defense Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working." (John 5:17) Twister has always been a favorite movie of mine, and I recently watched the more recent iteration that followed, Twisters. It did not disappoint! The plot for both are the same: rag tag group of storm chasersyou guessed it!--chase storms to gather data...
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 ReadingSteve Tamayo These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter),James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges,which means "sons of thunder"), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas,James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.Mark 3:16-19 (These devotionals from Februa...
Keep ReadingMatthew 26:26-28 [The CD team, on summer hiatus, prays you'll be blessed by these June 2021 devotionals which aligned with a sermon series on Community, Purpose, Love.) We end our Community, Purpose, Love series on a high note by gathering on holy ground: The Lord's Table, which we will celebrate this Sunday. Jesus gave us a simple but deeply profound drama to reenact re...
Keep ReadingNone of the rulers of this age understood the wisdom of God, for if they had,they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Corinthians 2:6-16). [The CD team, on summer hiatus, prays you'll be blessed by these devotionals from April 2021. They aligned with the sermon series, "Influence."] This week, we're looking at the interplay of "wisdom" and "Spirit" and "the min...
Keep ReadingNehemiah 4 (The devotional writing team is on summer hiatus and prays you'll be blessed by this week's devotionals from Sept. 2020.) What are you trying to rebuild? It isn't likely the walls of a city, but whatever it is, it matters: to you, to God, and perhaps to others. Just know this: opposition will come. Here in this week's scripture passage, for Nehemiah and the Je...
Keep ReadingThen the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you havestruggled with God and with humans and have overcome" (Genesis 33: 28). Oh no! Did you hear? Grandma is coming in hot. Your cousin is being a drama llama. And did you check that voicemail from your sister? It's only May but Christmas is already ruined! Maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration...
Keep ReadingThen Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is ...
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