Episodes

  • Affliction can be an accelerant

    Affliction can be an accelerant
    May 15 2026
    Affliction can be an accelerant which refines you to bless others in your future with greater integrity, wisdom or power.Let’s unpack that sentence a few ideas at a time. First, affliction. It’s one of those things that isn’t nice, but can serve a greater purpose over the long haul. Consider what God’s people were told in … Continue reading Affliction can be an accelerant
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    2 mins
  • Diamonds don’t start as diamonds

    Diamonds don’t start as diamonds
    May 12 2026
    Diamonds. People love them. They’re valuable, obviously.But did you know that diamonds don’t start as diamonds. They start as simple carbon. So, how are they transformed?Through pressure.The same principle sometimes applies to humans. Difficulty and affliction—“pressure”—can often refine us into someone who is more faithful, humble, wise and strong.The apostle Peter speaks to this in 1 … Continue reading Diamonds don’t start as diamonds
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    2 mins
  • Keep focused on the end game

    Keep focused on the end game
    May 14 2026
    In 1 Peter 1, the apostle is encouraging his readers to persevere and to have hope, even when they are experiencing hardship and affliction. In verses 8-9, he says: “Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your … Continue reading Keep focused on the end game
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    2 mins
  • Why does the true soldier fight?

    Why does the true soldier fight?
    May 11 2026
    There is a lot of battle and warfare language in the New Testament. For example, we are to “take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm” (Ephesians 6:13). In Romans 13:12 we are told to put on the “armour … Continue reading Why does the true soldier fight?
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    2 mins
  • You’re in good company

    You’re in good company
    May 13 2026
    When we open the Bible, it’s not just about what we’re learning, but who we’re learning it from. Take, for example, the letter of 1 Peter. It was written by Peter the apostle (of course), who walked and talked with Jesus. But let’s notice six details about his life. He was passionate, imperfect, rebellious, reconciled, suffering and … Continue reading You’re in good company
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    2 mins
  • Try something radical

    Try something radical
    May 8 2026
    “…make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness…” (2 Peter 1:5-8).In the past few devotionals, we’ve been talking about spiritual disciplines, and what to do when you feel as if you’re in a bit of a rut.As a … Continue reading Try something radical
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    2 mins
  • When you feel in a spiritual rut

    When you feel in a spiritual rut
    May 7 2026
    In the previous devotional, we talked about spiritual disciplines. These are deliberate, repetitive, biblical practices the Holy Spirit uses to make us more like Christ.Even still, there are times when we can feel stuck. When that happens, one suggestion is to shake things up. Here are some examples.I know people who have moved their morning prayer … Continue reading When you feel in a spiritual rut
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    2 mins
  • Joy is what happens when

    Joy is what happens when
    May 6 2026
    I recently presented a workshop on spiritual disciplines. These are deliberate, repetitive, biblical practices the Holy Spirit uses to make us more like Christ.Some of the most well-known practices that fit into this category are prayer, Bible-reading, fasting, worship, serving others, etc. There are others, but those are some of the most popular.Over time, we … Continue reading Joy is what happens when
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    2 mins