Read: Heb 13:1-6 Sometimes when I am met by a need or a context where I know I should move forward and respond, I push back and either procrastinate or simply turn away. Why do I do that? Is it fear that my incompetence might be exposed Is it a sense that I might not [...]
Archive for the ‘Devotional Readings’ Category
The Interference of Self
Posted in Christian faith, Devotional Readings, Grace, Opposition, Popularity, Presence, Relationship, Spirituality, Struggle, Trials, tagged Fear, Love, Procrastination, Self, Selfishness on May 26, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Watch what God does, and then you do it
Posted in Christian faith, Devotional Readings, Family, Grace, Incarnation, Mission, Presence, Relationship, Spirituality, tagged Imitation of Christ, Influence, Injustice, Justice, transformation on May 25, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Read Eph 5:1-20 The command to ‘imitate God’ seems impossible to honour. How can failed and fallen human beings imitate God? True, but that’s not what Paul is getting at. He is asking us to imitate God in his values and character toward people and their world. This makes it more exciting than impossible, right? [...]
The Surprise of Grace
Posted in Christian faith, Church, Devotional Readings, Election, Grace, Spirituality, tagged Grace, Sovereignty on May 24, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Read Romans 5:-11 “We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his doors to us … we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God graciously pours into our lives through his Holy Spirit.” Grace surprises us. Sometimes this comes with the realisation [...]
Power and Self
Posted in Christian faith, Devotional Readings, Grace, Spirituality, tagged Love, Power, Selflessness, Servanthood on May 23, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Read: Gal 5:13, John 13:3,4 When we think of power, and self, and what we might do if we had unlimited power and freedom, it is understandable that we start to think about ourselves. Take a different career track. Or retire and cruise the Whitsundays. Buy a new house. Deal with the challenging relational situation [...]
Not much to look at…
Posted in Christian faith, Devotional Readings, Grace, Opposition, Pastors, Popularity, Preaching, Presence, Relationship, Spirituality, Struggle, Trials, tagged inferiority, powerlessness, Weakness on May 21, 2011 | 2 Comments »
Read: 2 Cor 4 I don’t like being weak, and I certainly don’t like being perceived as weak. So I engage in the stupidity of covering up. It is a clumsy attempt to project some other reality, one of relative strength and having it together. I think I shortchange God when I do this. Paul [...]
Offended?
Posted in Christian faith, Comfort, Devotional Readings, Grace, Mission, Spirituality, tagged Gospel, Grace, Hope, mission, Skandalon on May 20, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Read Ezekiel 34 (again) The audacious message of grace is Jesus has offensive undercurrents. Not that God is offensive, but more that we might find his grace offensive.Think about it: Paul reminds us that the message of the cross is a stumbling block and foolishness to many (1 Cor 1:23). That puts it mildly. It [...]
The Audacity of Grace
Posted in Christian faith, Church, Church systems, Devotional Readings, Grace, Mission, Pastors, Teachers, Teaching, Trials, tagged Grace, Hope, Leadership on May 19, 2011 | 2 Comments »
Read Ezekiel 34:11-16 I am struck by the contrast between the abusive shepherds of Israel and the Lord, who is the good shepherd. A context of the shepherd’s self interest and abuse we are drawn to the breathtaking faithfulness of the Sovereign Lord. He knows all, and decides to do all to change this ugly [...]
Motive, value and direction
Posted in Christian faith, Devotional Readings, Pastors, Presence, Spirituality, Teachers, tagged Decision, Heart, Values on May 18, 2011 | 4 Comments »
Read Ps 131 I find myself still thinking about yesterday’s reading: Jeremiah 23. I suppose that as a shepherd I should take more time with passages that challenge those of my craft and calling who have strayed from the path. Yesterday I wrote that a thousand prior decisions lead to an eventual change of value [...]
What I am posting about lately
Posted in Christian faith, Devotional Readings, Spirituality, tagged Devotion, faith, spirituality on May 17, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Just to fill you in… I thought I would just give you an update about how the blog is working of late. I have been following a guide for daily devotional reading: A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants (Job & Shawchuck). This great resource was recommended to me by Jack de Vries, [...]
Are you standing in God’s council?
Posted in Christian faith, Devotional Readings, Popularity, Preaching, Spirituality, Teaching, tagged Affirmation, Deceit, Popularity, Trap on May 17, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Read Jeremiah 23 This is a sobering read. God’s prophets were using their power unjustly, and the God whose words they should be speaking has a broken heart and trembling bones because of their unfaithfulness (23:9,10). These prophets are speaking grand words among their friends (23:25,35,36). It’s funny how the words they had crafted for [...]
What I am doing- DaveGroenenboom: Looking forward to preaching at +Gateway Community Church tomorrow morning. Loving the way the message of Jesus… https://t.co/o0ty46y7 May 26, 2012
- DaveGroenenboom: Sitting in a regional church meeting for the CRCA, where reports are given on what happened at our recent Synod.… https://t.co/pftoTSTa May 26, 2012
- DaveGroenenboom: Why I love the work of International Justice Mission: 42 men, women and children freed from slavery. Read the story… https://t.co/tkCi5sEb May 25, 2012
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