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Your Biblical Devotional is Not the Bible

By
Christianity Today
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devotional

What do Bible teachers do for fun on a Friday night? They check the Amazon lists to see which Bible translation holds the top spot.

The last time I looked, it was the New International Version (NIV). The NIV has been the best-selling translation in the US for decades, but on Amazon’s rankings, the translation sat at No. 5, beat out by two children’s Bibles, an audio Bible, and at No. 1, a popular devotional guide that somehow made its way into the Bible category.

The devotional far outshone the Bibles on the list, boasting 5,800 five-star reviews in 18 months. Seeing it in the top spot was a reminder of how many Christians rely on daily devotions as a formative practice and how big a business devotional books have become.

But how are these resources forming us? Does a devotional yield devotion in the biblical sense?

Again, I scanned through the descriptions for other popular devotionals on Amazon. Among the 10 bestsellers, one offered 365 days of “inspiring, unexpected, humble teaching on grace and love that will prepare you for the day ahead.” Another provided “an inspiring Bible verse to reflect and meditate on throughout your week.” Still another promised that readers would “be inspired to activate living your life on mission.” The takeaway was clear: Daily devotion involves being inspired.

But another defining element also emerged consistently in the descriptions. One book was “designed to help alleviate your worries as you learn to live in the peace of the Almighty God.” Others promised “words of encouragement, comfort, and reassurance of God’s unending love,” the ability to tackle life “with the wisdom and comfort of the Bible.” Another takeaway: Daily devotion involves being comforted.

According to the bestseller list, to be devoted is to be inspired and comforted. But according to the Bible, it’s something much more.

Has Your Devotional Replaced the Bible?

The Bible uses the term “devoted” to mean consecrated, or set apart for special service. As a museum devotes a wing to displaying a particular art form, so God devotes us to display His image. Yet we sometimes mistakenly equate devotion with emotion. Devotion is not mere feeling, but …

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The Valley of Faith, Not Fear

By
Keiston France
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valley of faith

The 2000 movie “The Legend of Bagger Vance” is one of my favorite motivational films. I was recently talking to someone and speaking highly of the movie when they made the comment, “Well, I’m just not into golf.” I chuckled and said, “Then you may like it because it’s not about golf.”

If you’ve seen “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” you know it’s about life – particularly the low places we all find ourselves in from time to time. Matt Damon plays a man named Rannulph Junuh who has lost his sense of purpose after a traumatizing experience during World War I. Junuh tries to isolate himself from anything and anyone that reminds him of his past, including the game of golf.

Though he has given up on himself, not everyone has given up on him. He is asked to play in a golf tournament to generate local interest and, at first, uses sarcastic wit to brush off the request. But something is stirred by the request: a distant memory of his passion for golf. One night while half-heartedly hitting golf balls into a field, a stranger emerges from the darkness. This stranger takes on the challenge of helping Junuh “find his swing.” It is a process that transforms Junuh as a person and, in the process, makes him a better golfer.

The Valley of Faith

spiritual warfareSometimes we can have an issue in a particular area such as our family or a relationship that can affect all areas of our life. Until we find a resolution we feel stuck. I refer to these times as valleys as opposed to mountain tops.

Most of us feel like life would be perfect if we could avoid the valleys and stay on the mountain tops. I once heard a man say in church, “I met God on the way up, but I got to know Him on the way down.” That statement played over and over again in my mind.

God is Nigh in the Valley of Faith

The valleys need not be feared or dreaded. Rather these can be the times when we find ourselves closest to God. Psalm 91:1 offers us comfort that “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

In the movie, Junuh listens to what his mysterious new friend has to say at first. When his golf game begins to improve dramatically, he believes he no longer needs help. During the tournament, his game becomes sloppy. However his arrogance prevents him from asking his friend for advice, and his friend is not eager to rescue him. Junuh completely loses focus. Literally hitting his ball off course and into a wooded area, he finds himself again in the shadows. His mind begins swirling out of control. Before he completely loses hope, his friend is near him, talking him through his emotions, clarifying reality versus illusion and reassuring him of a good outcome.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says, “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God loves us so much that He allows us to end up in valleys. Sometimes we end up there because of our own doing. Other times life takes us in an unexpected direction through no fault of our own. Regardless of the reason, we have two choices: We can give up or have faith.

Valleys are where we are humbled. There, we can cling to Him and we can be transformed, emerging from the shadows stronger than before.

If you find yourself in a low time in a relationship, school experience, or job situation know that God can use this time to renew you. If you look back you will see that God has already shown Himself faithful to you time and time again. His promises are echoed throughout Scripture as stated in Romans 8:28 (NIV): “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

The outcome depends on your willingness to trust God. Think about it.

So, What’s The Play Call?

  1. What is your “valley” right now?
  2. Are you relying on God to help you in the situation, or are you trying to do it on your own?
  3. What would it look like for you to fully surrender to God in this area? In every area?

Let’s pray:

“God, you have shown me Your mercy and blessings time and time again. I know You are good, and I trust that You will help me through these valleys. Just like Your Word promises, as I draw near to you, I know that You will draw near to me. I rely on Your grace today. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”

 

Are Coronavirus Church Closings a Form of Persecution?

By
Christianity Today
-

Amid mounting allusions to “persecution” because of church closings on health grounds due to the pandemic, I want to provide some respectful perspective for my fellow American Christians.

I’ve worked my entire 20-year career on international religious freedom, meeting persecuted Christians from around the world. I’ve heard their stories, seen their tears and wounds, and lost friends. From those encounters, I’ve learned persecution is intense, and it is violent.

Therefore, I hope Americans will set the term persecution aside, so it doesn’t lose its intensity or veracity.

The United States is one of the most open and liberal countries for freedom of religion and belief. From our first settlers seeking freedom to practice their faith, to our founding values starting with the First Amendment and consequent laws and now a long-running string of Supreme Court victories, Americans of all faiths (and no faith) have become accustomed to ever-expanding religious liberties. It’s part of American exceptionalism.

And this exceptionalism carries over into how our country promotes and protects religious freedom for all internationally. During my time at the State Department under both the Obama and Trump administrations, we helped carry this out, preaching the values of religious liberty as a social good as well as confronting persecutors. The US is the foremost advocate internationally—full stop. Persecuted people of all faiths pray for our intervention and desire to flee to our shores.

With the pandemic, it’s been unsettling for Americans to see local and state governments direct the closure of churches (as well as synagogues, mosques, and temples) for health reasons. It’s not something most of us have experienced before. However, I know many churches have found innovative new ways to gather virtually, or outdoors, for Sunday worship or fellowship. My church is no exception. It’s better than nothing, and we benefit from our communities of faith during these challenging times.

While the temporary closures are jarring for Americans, foreign governments permanently shut down places of worship all the time. Sadly, …

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Are You Spiritually Shallow? Don’t ‘Believe Harder,’ Go Deeper in Faith

By
Christianity Today
-
faith

When I was a kid, I had a recurring nightmare that a loved one in my life was possessed by a demon. Immersed in this dream world, I often thought of Jesus’ words from Matthew 17:20: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,” then “nothing will be impossible for you”. This spurred me on to fresh efforts at casting out the demon, but nothing ever worked. In response, I tried conjuring up even more faith from somewhere within myself.

A similar impulse remained throughout my adolescence and early adulthood. Whenever I came to a spiritual or religious difficulty—whether it was trying to break a sinful habit, discerning God’s will, or growing in intimacy in my relationships—my impulse was the same: If I could just believe harder (whatever that meant, I was never sure), then I’d be able to move whatever mountain lay before me.

I’ve learned over time that deepening faith is not just a mental exercise. It requires action. This lesson was recently reinforced by Rich Villodas’s The Deeply Formed Life: Five Transformative Values to Root Us in the Way of Jesus, which invites Christians to penetrate further into the mysteries of our faith, the history and traditions of our global church, our relationships with others, and the reality of our own inner lives.

In the midst of a national pandemic that forces us to cover our faces and mediate our social engagements (including worshiping God) through computer screens, Villodas’s book could not come at a more opportune moment.

As the lead pastor of New Life Fellowship in Queens for seven years, Villodas guides the reader from experience. He leads a flock that is one of the most multiracial Protestant churches in the United States. And with New York City as their home, the members of New Life Fellowship fight against the tide in what is perhaps the cultural capital of shallowness (which I say from experience and out of great love for that godforsaken place).

Cultivating Faith

prayer requestsAmericans in 2020 live in a milieu of shallow social interactions. Many of us uproot from our homes for college or work and live among people with whom we have no deep connection. Social media platforms grant us fragmented views into our peers’ lives, and algorithms herd us into polarized tribes. Screen addiction pulls us along cursory binges of information. These mediums encourage us to define our worth based on our appearance, …

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Team Jesus: Get Off the Sidelines and Get in the Game!

By
Keiston France
-
get in the game

What does it mean to be sitting on the sidelines? It means we’re not in the game. In sports, there’s a limited amount of athletes who can be in a game at one time, and there are many reasons why certain ones have to sit out: they are injured, they aren’t starters, they’re lower on the depth chart, they don’t quite have the skills, or they’re just fans.

But what about those times when we are healthy, skilled, and highly capable enough to be in the game, but we still choose not to go in?

This is rare, but it does happen. Maybe we’re afraid, not comfortable with a situation, or we’re losing and don’t want to be blamed for it. Sometimes, it’s just more comfortable to sit on the sidelines or be part of the crowd as a spectator. But, to me, this goes against what we are called to be as Team Jesus, God’s competitors.

Every Player on Team Jesus is Called to Get in the Game

team jesusAs true competitors or everyday Christians, we should want to be in on the action, and when we can’t it burns on the inside. Whether we feel capable or not, if Jesus Christ (our coach) calls us up and gives us playing time, it is our job out of obedience to not sit on the sidelines but to get in the game. If we have absolute faith in Him and know that He will show us the way, it is pleasing to Him. Plus, as it says in His Word, God has not created us to be fearful. If we believe that, then we know that fear is straight from the enemy.

Second Timothy 1:7 tells us that God didn’t give us a timid spirit, but one of power, love, and self-discipline. If we’re called into the game, are we going to worry about our talents, the enemy, or are we going to be disciplined and run in because God has the faith in us to put us in the game?

Through Jesus Christ, we are given the keys to fully unlock all the confidence we need. As it says in Philippians 4:13, we can do all things through Him who gives us strength. So, get off the sidelines, focus on Him, and sprint toward the action. Think about it.

So, What’s The Play Call?

  1. Do you ever fear getting in the game? Why or why not?
  2. How can you gain strength and confidence next time you are given an opportunity for something?
  3. How are you reacting to a current difficult situation you are facing? Are you placing it at God’s feet? Do you really trust Him?
  4. Is fear getting in the way of God’s plans for you?

 

Can We Pray for Our Leaders and Still Hold Them Accountable?

By
Christianity Today
-
pray for our leaders
Image: Jacquelyn Martin / AP Images

For the last few days, Americans have been shocked and concerned about the president’s hospitalization due to COVID-19. The reactions have been varied, and many have been decidedly theological. As Kate Shellnutt reported recently for CT, “Several pastors and ministry leaders encouraged Americans that this was a time to pray for the president and the country regardless of their political stances.”

For some leaders, that invitation might come easily. But for others of us, prayerful action comes in the context of a more conflicted view of the current administration. How exactly do we respond to news of the president’s illness?

Seen from one angle, the answer is straight forward. We pray. In my Anglican church, we intercede for our leaders every Sunday with some version of the following:

We pray that you will lead the nations of this world in the way of righteousness; and so guide and direct our leaders, especially the President of the United States, Donald Trump, that your people may enjoy the blessings of freedom and peace. Grant that your leaders may impartially administer justice, uphold integrity and truth, restrain wickedness and vice, and protect true religion and virtue.

At the center of this prayer is the idea that all governments have a solemn responsibility to work on the side of truth, justice, and integrity. They are supposed to inspire virtue and limit the damage of vice. The prayer pertains not only to them as persons but to their powerful influence over the lives of so many.

This year, especially, church leaders have had much to say about the culture and ethos of this country and how it’s shaped by governors, local officials, and especially the president. Christian intercession, then, is not about blind allegiance. It is a recognition that the wellbeing of many often rides on the decisions of a few.

The scope of that influence is precisely why I have prayed for Trump, often daily, throughout the entirety of his presidency. I have disagreed strongly with some of his policies and actions. But when I disagree, I do not pray less; I pray more. As David French writes, “Christians of all political persuasions should humbly (and with full knowledge of our own frailty) seek true repentance from men and women in power. Their transformation benefits us all.”

For me, …

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Better Than Goodyear: How to Handle Life’s Slow Leaks and Blowouts

By
Alecia M. White
-
life's slow leaks

The other day, I went into my office building to work. It took 25 minutes on the interstate to get there. Once I took my exit and got to the street I needed to turn on, my tire pressure light came on.

Once I heard the “ding” and realized what it was, I’d decided to go after work to have my tires checked. By the time I made it to the parking lot, which was about a minute up the road, my dashboard showed how much air was in each tire. The tire that was low was at 18 psi and needed to be at 36. By the time I made it to the speed bump (about 12 seconds of driving), my tire was at 16 psi. I headed to a Goodyear Tire store that was right across the parking lot from my job. It took me about 2 minutes to get there, but upon arrival, my tire was sitting at 10 psi. 

I ended up leaving my car and walking to work. About an hour later, the gentleman working there called and told me that they couldn’t repair my tire because there was a large piece of steel lodged in it. This meant that I had to purchase a new tire.

Now, I was slightly frustrated about the new tire but majorly grateful that my tire didn’t blowout on the interstate. I tried thinking about all the places I’d driven, trying to figure out where I could have driven over the thing stuck in my tire. It could have been anywhere, and I have no idea if this was a slow leak situation or if I had just run over whatever caused it.

Either way, I was close enough to help where I didn’t need to call my roadside service or come out of the office to a flat tire. 

Life’s Slow Leaks Don’t Catch God Off Guard

goodyear
Jared C. Tilton/NASCAR via Getty Images

Yes, this did get me to thinking. Many times, we travel through life and have various situations that come against us – these would be our flat tires. Now, it is so easy to become frustrated, angry, hurt, all of those emotions. I am not telling you that you shouldn’t feel any or all of these, but I am telling you to assess the situation.

My tire did not blow while I was driving 60 MPH. No, it leaked slowly as I was going 35, then more swiftly as I was driving 5. My point is that, though you may feel like your tire pressure is going at an expedited pace, God will be there for you, even if you do have a “blowout”. He sure will, He will be there to be your help (like Goodyear Tire) when that large piece of steel comes from nowhere.

Before you disagree, think about the fact that you have not completely lost your mind. Yes, there have been times when you felt you would, I have had those times, too! But, God has kept us. Of course, there have been days when you wanted to give up, today may even be that day, but God is with you.

My careful driving did not keep me from having to purchase a new tire unexpectedly, just like my relationship with God does not keep me from some hardships.

But, like that Goodyear across the parking lot, He is right there when I need Him.

 So, What’s the Play Call?

We won’t always be able to gauge when we will have a “slow leak” of things coming at us. We may be more surprised when we have that major life “blowout”, but we have to know that God is there. Here are a few things to remember when life’s tire pressure is low:

  1. Trust God. I know it may seem like a difficult task at times, but He knows exactly what to do about whatever problem you may be having. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thin own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5
  2. Pray. Prayer is communication with God, so keep those lines open. I have learned that even when I feel helpless, talking to Him calms these nerves of mine. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
  3. Get to your help. I had to make my way to that tire place, all while praying I’d make the 2-minute drive without a complete flat. By the way, calling God’s name will get you to Him. “Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.” Psalms 105:4
  4. Think good thoughts. This can seem hard as well, especially when it seems everything is going wrong. Remember, God is keeping you. Allow your mind and heart to dwell on the good things. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 
  5. Be grateful. Even if the only thing you can think of is that you woke up another day. Having a heart of gratitude makes room for God to work on your behalf. “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

We cannot help having a few flats along the way in this life, but we can let God be the “Goodyear” in our lives. 

 

Giving Back: Are You a Cheerful Giver?

By
Charlene Evans
-
heart

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ Martin Luther King, Jr.

“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.” Maya Angelou

“The only way you can serve God is by serving other people.” Rick Warren

“Only a life lived in the service to others is worth living.” Albert Einstein

“Happiness… consists in giving, and in serving others.” Henry Drummond

“Identify your divine gift and use it to serve humanity.” Lailah Gifty Akita

Trust me…I could have made this whole article about a list of quotes pertaining to Giving Back through acts of service because that is how important serving others is to me.

Giving back started in the home for me, so growing up, I always tried to find ways to do something for others. My mom and dad are givers and being around consistent giving is contagious. I can’t tell you the countless times that if there were other kids around and my momma wanted to give us a snack, every child with us received a snack.

The same thing happened during the holidays – my mom would buy extra gifts and place them under the Christmas tree. If family or friends stopped by, whether their visit was planned or not, they left with a gift. I have countless examples that I have witnessed that I could list. But, something I despise so much is the complete opposite of a giver – and that is someone who is selfish.

Do You Have a Heart for Giving Back?

Selfishness is such a pet peeve of mine.

Oftentimes, it’s hard for me to understand the heart of a person who is selfish when nothing we do can be accomplished ALONE…ever. Yep, I said it…think about that for a minute.

And now think about how impactful and powerful God could really use you if you used your gifts, talents, and abilities with the goal of helping someone else!

Being a giver and creating a life of service to others has been the most fulfilling part of my life. I take great joy in being a blessing not for acknowledgment or show, but because I am the child of the Most High God who gave the most sacrificial gift to us all – His son Jesus the Christ so that we may have life and have it more abundantly!

So, even if your parents never taught you what it means to ‘give to others’, you have one of the greatest examples in Jesus who gave unselfishly! I promise you, in some of my most hurtful, disappointing times in my life, I found ways to give of myself. And guess what? It took my mind off of me and put it on someone else in need.

It’s a feeling that can’t be explained and what ends up happening every time I do that, God replenishes my heart and restores my joy.

So, what’s the play call?

There are so many examples of giving in the Bible, but here are 3 scriptures that I love in reference to giving:

  1. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35
  2. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
  3. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

 

Wounded Healers: Heal Others With Your Personal Scars

By
Christianity Today
-
wounded healers

When asked to describe 2020 thus far, many have used the words uncertain, divisive, and disruptive. When I asked my friend this question, her response summarized it sufficiently: wounding.

let it goNow over 200,000 people have died from COVID-19 in the United States, almost 70 times more than those who died in the September 11 attacks and more than Vietnam, Korean, and Iraq wars combined. Even if we avoided the virus, we have experienced its wounding effects. In March, the Dow Jones recorded its worst point drops since the Great Depression. By July, 48 million people had filed for unemployment. Mental health professionals are seeing surges in people suffering from their mental and emotional well-being. Wildfires still rage on the West Coast. Viral videos of racial injustice prompted peaceful protests, demonstrations, riots, and looting in cities across the country. The nation is trying to reckon with something that African-Americans have long realized: racism has deeply wounded our country. All of this has led to a palpable us-versus-them mentality, especially as we approach a polarized presidential election.

Pain and suffering have always been present; but this year they have intensified, accelerated, and become more deeply divisive. How can Christians lead and serve in our astoundingly complex reality?

In times of tragedy, the late children’s television personality Fred Rogers is often quoted: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” We’ve all seen and experienced scary things—and we will continue to see and experience scary things. But what if now is the time the world is looking for the healers? What if the helpers are primarily healers?

Continue reading…

Be Ye Perfect: The Easiest Way to Live a Perfect Life

By
Keiston France
-
perfectionists

On June 2, 2010, MLB pitcher Armando Galarraga was one out away from a perfect game: no hits, no walks, no errors. An easy ground ball was hit to the first baseman who tossed the ball to Galarraga, who was covering the first base bag. His catch clearly beat the runner to the bag for the final out of the game, but a veteran umpire called the runner safe, therefore ending Galarraga’s perfect game. This mistake showed that even the veteran umpire wasn’t perfect. And, in reality, none of us are.

Every one of us makes mistakes. We all make misjudgments, bad calls and show our imperfections in a variety of ways. But, there was one Man who lived the only perfect life in history: Jesus Christ.

More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus lived a life of perfection here on an imperfect earth. Everything He did was perfect. He spoke all the right words at the right times, did all the right actions, and perfectly demonstrated God’s character and love.

On March 14th, 2011, I was one serve away from a perfect game. After winning 11 perfect matches in a row, I only needed one more to have a perfect game. I was shaking so badly that I could barely hold my racquet. With the whole tennis facility watching me, with a score of 40 all, I stepped up, tossed the ball in the air, and right when I made contact with the ball I knew I had blown my chance at a perfect game. My serve went wide. I ended up winning the match 6-0, 6-1 instead of 6-0, 6-0. It was a great game, but not perfect.

Be Ye Perfect in Jesus Christ

breath of lifeThis experience made me more aware of how amazing it is that Jesus lived a perfect life. It is truly amazing that in all the turmoil and negativity of a sin-filled world, He still lived perfectly. He didn’t tremble at the thought of perfection. He didn’t even second-guess Himself. He knew that everything He was doing was exactly right.

While our goal every day should be to strive for Jesus’ model of holy perfection, we must understand that we will never be perfect in the sense of never making a mistake. We are all sinners, and we will make daily errors in actions, words, and thoughts. The closest we will get to perfection is by having a relationship with Jesus Christ – the One who made the perfect sacrifice of His life to save us from our sins.

So, What’s The Play Call?

Yes, by all means, continue to aim for Christ-like perfection. But, focus more on cultivating a healthy personal relationship with Jesus, willing to repent to Him for the sins that you do commit. Doing that will bring you as close to perfection as humanly possible.  Think about it.

  1. Do you strive for perfection in life, sports, or anything else you do?
  2. What is your standard for perfection? Is it Jesus? If not, what is it and where does your standard come from?
  3. How should you react when you sin? (Specifically think about conviction, repentance, grace, and forgiveness.)
  4. What can you do to better stay on Jesus’ path of perfection?

 

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