Eye-Witness to the Word of Life | 1 John 1:1-4 | This Week’s Devotions
The Sunday sermon is only the beginning. These five daily devotions are designed to help you sit with 1 John 1:1–4 through the week, turning the truth of John's eyewitness testimony over in your mind and applying it to your daily life. We encourage you to start by watching or listening to the full sermon, then work through one devotion each day.
Eye-Witness to the Word of Life | 1 John 1:1-4 | Walking in the Light
The Apostle John wastes no time. Rather than opening with a traditional greeting, he goes straight to his foundation: that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and touched with our hands — the Word of Life.
He Passed Through the Heavens | Luke 24:44-53 & Hebrews 4:14-5:10 | The Ascension of Jesus
The ascension of Jesus Christ is one of the most practically significant — and most neglected — doctrines in the Christian faith. We confess it in the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed, but for many believers it functions as little more than a transitional fact: Jesus rose, then He left, now we wait.
This week's sermon from Luke 24:44–53 and Hebrews 4:14–5:10 challenges that assumption. When Jesus ascended, the disciples didn't grieve — they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. Why? Because they had come to understand that His departure was not a loss but an accomplishment. The cross and the empty tomb were not detours; they were destinations. And the ascension was the plan all along.
Devotions | Redemption Secured | Ruth 4
Last Sunday, we reached the conclusion of our journey through the book of Ruth, moving from the quiet "happenstance" of the fields to the public and certain finalization of a royal legacy. In the message, Redemption Secured, we witnessed Boaz take his stand at the city gate to resolve the legal hurdles that stood between Naomi’s emptiness and God’s promised restoration. We saw that true redemption is never free—it required Boaz to sacrifice his own interests, just as our True Redeemer, Jesus Christ, emptied Himself to buy us back at the cross.
Redemption Secured | Ruth 4:1-22 | Redeeming Love
Have you ever looked at a 3-dimensional "Magic Eye" image? At first glance, it looks like a meaningless pattern of ink, but once your eyes adjust, a complete picture comes off the page.
This Sunday, we saw the book of Ruth do the exact same thing. In chapter 4, the "messy" story of funerals, famines, and foreigners suddenly clicks into focus as a royal legacy. We followed Boaz to the city gate, where he legally secured the redemption of Ruth and Naomi. While a closer relative walked away to protect his own temporary inheritance, Boaz stepped forward with integrity, becoming the grandfather of King David and an ancestor of the Messiah.
Devotions | The Redeemer’s Kindness | Ruth 3
This Lord’s Day, we continued our journey through the book of Ruth by entering the high stakes and quiet tension of the threshing floor in chapter 3. In the message, "The Redeemer’s Kindness," we explored Ruth’s daring move—not of seduction, but of radical, risk-taking faith as she appealed to the character of Boaz. We saw how Ruth moved beyond the fringes of the field to seek full inclusion and rest under the "wings" of her redeemer, providing us with a beautiful picture of how we approach our True Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
The Redeemer’s Kindness | Ruth 3 | Redeeming Love
Ruth 3 is one of the most tension-filled chapters in Scripture. On the threshing floor, Naomi’s plan unfolds, Ruth takes a bold step, and Boaz is faced with a significant decision.
Every part of this moment carries risk. Each person involved could take the easy path—one shaped by convenience, desire, or self-preservation. But instead, Ruth acts with integrity, and Boaz responds with godly character.
Devotions | Under His Wings | Ruth 2
Last Sunday, we continued our journey through the book of Ruth by looking at the quiet but powerful providence of God in chapter 2. While the world might see a series of "lucky breaks" or random coincidences, we witnessed the sovereign hand of God guiding a vulnerable widow to exactly the right field at exactly the right time.
In the message, "Under His Wings," we explored how Boaz serves as a "type" of Christ—our true Kinsman-Redeemer—who goes above and beyond to show grace and provide a refuge for those who deserve nothing. If you missed the service or want to revisit how Boaz's extraordinary generosity points us to the Gospel, you can watch the full sermon here.
Under His Wings | Ruth 2 | Redeeming Love
It is an amazing feeling when someone goes above and beyond for you. In our world of limited resources, we rarely see people disregard their own limitations to help someone else—especially someone who has no claim on them. Yet, this is exactly the type of generosity we see in Boaz as we move into the second chapter of Ruth.
This week, we followed Ruth into the fields. As an unclean Gentile and a poor widow, she expected only the scraps left on the fringes. Instead, she found a man who provided safety, water, a seat at his table, and an abundance of grain that left her mother-in-law, Naomi, astonished.
Devotions | Where You Go, I Go | Redeeming Love
This Lord’s Day, we continued our journey through the book of Ruth, moving from the tragic "dead ends" of Moab to the first stirrings of hope in the land of Judah. In the message "Where You Go, I Go," we witnessed the radical contrast between Orpah’s logical departure and Ruth’s extraordinary vow of covenantal loyalty. We saw that even when we feel "empty" or "bitter" like Naomi, God is a master of navigating us back to the center of His redeeming love.
Devotions | The Breadless House | Redeeming Love
Have you ever felt truly lost? Not just "wrong exit on the highway" lost, but a deep sense of disorientation and hopelessness as you try to navigate life’s trials?
Last week, we launched our new five-week series, "Redeeming Love," by looking at the somber opening of the book of Ruth. In that message, "The Breadless House," we explored how Elimelech and Naomi reacted when the "House of Bread" (Bethlehem) ran dry. We saw the dangerous allure of seeking provision in "Moab"—choosing worldly security over faithful obedience to our Covenant God.
The Breadless House | Ruth 1:1-5 | Redeeming Love
Have you ever felt truly lost? Not just "wrong exit on the highway" lost, but a deep sense of meaninglessness in navigating life’s trials?
This week, we began our study of the book of Ruth by looking at the first five verses of chapter one. The story starts in a dark place: a famine in Bethlehem (the "House of Bread") and a family’s decision to leave the Promised Land for Moab. We see the tragic consequences of seeking "bread" apart from God’s covenant, as Naomi is left widowed and childless in a foreign land.
It’s the Eighth Day | Luke 24:1-12 | Resurrection Sunday
When we experience loss, we generally know what to expect. Since the banishment of our first parents from the Garden, death has reigned with a predictable, heavy rhythm. We work for six days, we rest on the seventh, and the cycle repeats—until, one day, it stops.
But as we see in Luke 24, the women who went to Jesus' tomb to perform the expected rituals of death found something earth-shattering. The stone was rolled away, and the body was gone.
Having Obtained Eternal Redemption | Hebrews 9:11-22 | Maundy Thursday
Is Jesus merely a moral teacher, or something more? While many view Him as a guru of "enlightened living," the events of Maundy Thursday reveal a deeper mission. Our problem isn't just a lack of kindness; it is rebellion against our Creator.
In this sermon, we explore Matthew 26 and Hebrews 9 to see how Jesus replaced the temporary sacrifices of the Old Covenant with a "once for all" sacrifice. By shedding His blood, Christ didn't just modify our behavior—He obtained our eternal redemption.
Victory Over the Grave | True Immortality in a Digital Age
In recent months, many of my conversations have centered on a discussion on what it means to be human in our modern times. We live in a time of total connectivity, yet it feels like we are more disconnected than ever from one another and from our humanity. These conversations have driven me to read several books that explore this idea.
One thing I have seen in books, online articles, and even social media posts is the obsession with trying to use technology to cheat death. From mechanically altering the human body to the idea of uploading one's consciousness from a fragile human frame, the suggestion of achieving immortality or extended earthly existence is quite popular, particularly among the very rich. Some tech billionaires have dropped unbelievable sums of money into the idea.
Devotions | More Than a Parade | 5 Devotions on the Significance of Palm Sunday
We often approach Palm Sunday with the expectation of a celebratory parade—palm branches, "Hosannas," and the excitement of a King finally claiming His throne. But as we see in Matthew 21, Jesus didn't just come to Jerusalem for the curb appeal. He came as the Divine Inspector to look past the external fanfare and address the "rot" hidden deep within the religious system and the human heart.
More Than a Parade | Matthew 21:1-17 | Palm Sunday
When Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the city was stirred with a nationalistic hope for a new government. However, Jesus didn't head for the Roman fortress; He went to the Temple. In this Palm Sunday message, we examine the "upside-down" nature of Christ's Kingdom—where a donkey is the royal transport and a cross is the royal throne.
The Prayer That Works | James 5:13-20 | Faith That Works
We are an incredibly connected people. We carry devices that "blip and bleep" at us constantly, creating a persistent state of digital overload and anxiety. Yet, when those bars on our phones disappear or a system goes down, we often feel a different kind of stress—the fear of being out of the loop.
The Patience of the Farmer | James 5:7-12 | Faith That Works
We’ve all heard the phrase "a watched pot never boils." While we know the physics of the stove don't change based on our attention, the cliché rings true: when we dwell on our expectations, time seems to stand still.
In his sermon on James 5:7–12, our pastor explores the biblical call to a different kind of waiting—the "patience of the farmer." This isn't just about passing time; it's about establishing our hearts. Just as a farmer doesn't just stare at the dirt but actively removes weeds and fertilizes the soil, we are called to actively cultivate our spiritual lives while we wait for the Lord’s return.