Ordinary Time Year A

Human Creativity With God (Psalm 104)

From the beginning, God intended human work as a form of creativity under or alongside God’s own creativity.

Praise to the One Who Stretches Out the Heavens

Psalm 104 celebrates God’s greatness by reflecting on the wonders of creation. As we see the glories of this world, even in...

Spiritual Gifts in Community (1 Corinthians 12:1–14:40)

The use of what have come to be called “spiritual gifts” (12:1) seems to have caused much contention in the church of...

Authority (Psalm 8)

Psalm 8 is an exception in Book 1, as it does not pertain specifically to David. Its concern is with all human authority, not only David’s rule. Although God created the entire universe...

Assessing Performance (2 Corinthians 10–13)

Why Women Volunteer for Tasks That Don’t Lead to Promotions If women are disproportionately saddled with work that has little visibility or...

Go and Make Disciples (Matthew 28:16-20)

The Great Commission is to “make disciples,” not merely to “win converts.”

Best of Daily Reflections: When Work Seems Useless

In Isaiah 49, the Lord speaks to his Servant, sometimes pictured as Israel, and at other times pictured as an Israelite who...

A Light to the Gentiles

This verse from Isaiah is doubly shocking.

Christian Leadership as Service (1 Corinthians 4:1–4)

In this passage, Paul offers a definitive statement of what it means to be a leader.

Store Your Treasure in Heaven, Not on Earth (Matthew 6:19-34)

Not only are we to ask God for our daily provision, but we also are warned against stockpiling material wealth and other...

Living the Will of God - Worrying Well: Matthew 6 Sermon Notes

Matthew 6:19-34 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in...

Commit Your Work to the Lord: Work and Stress: Sermon on Matthew 6

Text: Matthew 6:25-34: Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will...

God’s Presence in the Midst of Disaster (Psalm 46)

No matter how great the disaster, God is greater still.

Be Still!

“Be still and know that I am God!” There are few verses in the whole Bible that I need to remember more than this one.

Best of Daily Reflections: How Does God Bring Destruction?

...

Father, I Entrust My Spirit into Your Hands

Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last. Luke 23:46 Today...

The Gospel of Salvation—Paul’s Vocation (Romans 1:1–17)

The opening verse of Romans announces Paul’s own vocation, the work that God has called him to do: proclaiming the gospel of...

Judgment, Justice, and Faith (Romans 3)

Entrepreneur Takes Employment Practice from Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned and Fallen Short (Video)

Entrepreneur hires ex-felons because nobody's past is clean.

Moral Guidance (Matthew 7)

The Pastoral Lifestyle of Abraham and his Family (Genesis 12:4-7)

When Abraham left his home in Haran and set out for the land of Canaan, his family was probably already quite large...

Abraham’s Journey Begins with Disaster in Egypt (Genesis 12:8-13:2)

The initial results of Abraham’s journeys were not promising. There was fierce competition for the land (Gen. 12:6), and Abraham spent a...

Best of Daily Reflections: Play Skillfully

May we "play skillfully" at work, in our communities, as we serve at church, in our families, and in every other facet...

Anxiety When Unscrupulous People Succeed (Psalms 49, 50, 52, 62)

Sometimes the godly have a skewed perspective on how God governs, and this causes them needless anxiety. They think that the righteous...

An Exemplary Faith: Abraham Trusted God’s Promises (Romans 4)

As we have seen in Romans 1–3, the cross of Christ brings salvation to all people—Jews and Gentiles alike. In Christ, God...

Jesus Heals Many (Matthew 8-9)

In chapters 5 through 7, we heard Jesus teaching about the kingdom of heaven coming to earth. In chapters 8 through 9, we see him enacting that kingdom through deeds of compassion and...

Living in God’s Presence

Recently, I’ve been thinking about what it means to live all of the time in God’s presence.

A Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

Psalm 116 celebrates God’s goodness. The psalmist has experienced God’s grace in manifold expressions. God has heard his prayers (116:1). God delivered him from death (116:3-6), guided his steps ...

The Meaning of Law in Exodus (Exodus 19:1-24:18)

We begin by recognizing that Exodus is an integral part of the whole of Scripture, not a stand-alone legal statue. Christopher Wright...

Shout to the Lord?!

I can still remember Mrs. Merrill calling the first-graders to worship in the Sunday School of Hollywood Presbyterian Church. Quoting from the King James version of prophet Habakkuk, Mrs. Merrill...

You Belong to God

Know that the LORD is God—he made us; we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep of his own pasture. Psalms 100:3 I’ll never forget my first baseball uniform. As a...

Six Days Shall You Worship

Where do you worship? When I ask Christian businesspeople that question, I always get the same answer—the church they attend on Sundays. And no wonder. On Sunday mornings, we go to worship...

Grace Transforms Suffering in Our Life in Christ (Romans 5:1–11)

In Romans 5:1–11 Paul offers more encouragement by reminding the Romans that through Christ we have already “gained access” to God’s “grace...

Jesus Heals Many (Matthew 8-9)

In chapters 5 through 7, we heard Jesus teaching about the kingdom of heaven coming to earth. In chapters 8 through 9, we see him enacting that kingdom through deeds of compassion and...

God’s Grace in the Midst of Judgment (Psalm 86)

Although God’s judgment takes the fore in Book 3 of the Psalms, we also find God’s grace. “Be gracious to me, O...

Where Is God’s Country? What Difference Does It Make?

...

Teach Me Your Ways!

Psalm 86:11 is one of my favorite Scripture verses. In fact, I used this verse as the basis for my pre-sermon prayer for many years when I was the pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church.

Heartburn for God

Most of us have experienced heartburn at one time or another. We eat a particular spicy meal, or we eat too much at Thanksgiving, and in a couple of hours our insides feel...

Best of Daily Reflections: A Time of Favor

But I keep praying to you, LORD, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer...

Best of Daily Reflections: When You Can’t Stop Crying Out to God

Most of the teaching I have had throughout my life as a Christian have been trustworthy, based on an accurate interpretation of...

The Claimant’s Psalm (based on Psalm 69)

"I can't authorise your unemployment claim." The waters have come up to my neck.

Walking in Newness of Life (Romans 6)

Although God’s grace has come into the world to bring reconciliation and justice, there are still evil spiritual powers at work opposing...

Laborers Deserve Their Food (Matthew 10)

In chapter 10, Jesus sends out his disciples to proclaim the coming kingdom and to demonstrate it through powerful deeds of mercy...

Best of Daily Reflections: Praise the Lord Anyway

It's easy to praise God when life is good. It's a gorgeous spring day . . . praise the Lord! I just...

Walking in Newness of Life (Romans 6)

Although God’s grace has come into the world to bring reconciliation and justice, there are still evil spiritual powers at work opposing...

Best of Daily Reflections: Consider Yourself Dead!?

In Romans 6, Paul responds to a possible implication of the fact that we are brought into right relationship with God by...

Laborers Deserve Their Food (Matthew 10)

In chapter 10, Jesus sends out his disciples to proclaim the coming kingdom and to demonstrate it through powerful deeds of mercy...

Superman and Psalm 45

When we pray for our leaders, as Scripture urges us to do, we should ask the Lord to lead them in the ways of truth, humility, and justice.

When Work Is a Pleasure (Song of Songs 1:9-2:17)

In Song 1:9-2:7, the man and woman sing of their devotion to each other. He speaks of how beautiful she is, and...

Calling on God in Truth

Psalm 145 celebrates the greatness and goodness of God.

The Invasive Power of “Sin” (Romans 7)

In chapter 7, Paul continues to emphasize that newness of life in Christ frees us from being “captive” to the “old written...

My Yoke Is Easy (Matthew 11:28-30)

As we walk through Matthew’s Gospel, we see that opposition to Jesus—his message and his actions—is increasing. It culminates in Matthew 12:1...

Dying Well: The Ultimate Harvest

I met Lee Hough over a dozen years ago when I was trying unsuccessfully to break into the book publishing business. He served as a literary agent for one of my friends, and...

Living According to the Spirit Leads to a New Quality of Life (Romans 8:1–14)

Believers are free from the law, but walking in newness of life is based on a firm...

Parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13)

Beginning in chapter 13, in the face of opposition, Jesus’ teaching style changes. Instead of proclaiming the kingdom clearly, he begins to...

Where Shall I Go? Psalm 139 and Luke 15 Sermon Notes

Psalm 139:7-12 Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven...

Search Me, O God

Psalm 139 begins with David’s acknowledgement that God has “examined” his heart.

Who Is Like God?

In Isaiah 44, God speaks through the prophet to highlight his divine uniqueness. Though there are many other “gods,” they are mere idols, formed by human hands from material elements. For example,...

God’s Grace in the Midst of Judgment (Psalm 86)

Although God’s judgment takes the fore in Book 3 of the Psalms, we also find God’s grace. “Be gracious to me, O...

Teach Me Your Ways!

Psalm 86:11 is one of my favorite Scripture verses. In fact, I used this verse as the basis for my pre-sermon prayer for many years when I was the pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church.

Suffering With Christ in Order to Be Glorified With Christ (Romans 8:15–17)

Paul contrasts life in the Spirit with life under the Jewish law. Paul says believers have received...

Eagerly Awaiting Bodily Redemption for Ourselves and God’s Creation (Romans 8:18–30)

Being “glorified” with Christ (Rom. 8:17) is our hope for the future. But according to Paul that...

Parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13)

Beginning in chapter 13, in the face of opposition, Jesus’ teaching style changes. Instead of proclaiming the kingdom clearly, he begins to...

Producing True Value at Work (Psalms 127 and 128)

As Psalm 107 speaks of large-scale economic activity, so Psalms 127 and 128 speak of the household, the basic unit of economic...

The Work of Marriage, Raising Children, and Caring for Parents (Psalm 127, 128, 139)

The work of marriage, childbearing and caring for parents comes to the fore again in Psalms 127...

The Blessing of Fear

When I was a child, I was afraid of sirens. If a police car was racing through our neighborhood with its siren blazing, I’d plug my ears and find a safe place to...

Solomon Succeeds David as King (1 Kings 1-11)

Upon succeeding David as king, Solomon faces the vastness of his duties (1 Kings 3:5-15). He is acutely aware that he is...

The Word Gives Life

...

Eagerly Awaiting Bodily Redemption for Ourselves and God’s Creation (Romans 8:18–30)

Being “glorified” with Christ (Rom. 8:17) is our hope for the future. But according to Paul that...

Nothing Can Come Between Us and the Love of God (Romans 8:31-39)

God is for us, says Paul, having given his own Son for “all of us” (Rom. 8:31–32). Nothing is able to come...

Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love

...

Parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13)

Beginning in chapter 13, in the face of opposition, Jesus’ teaching style changes. Instead of proclaiming the kingdom clearly, he begins to...

Bringing Our Enemies and Opponents to God (Psalms 4, 6, 7, 17)

After Psalms 1 and 2, Book 1 has many psalms in which David complains to God about his enemies. These psalms can...

Ultimate Satisfaction

Psalm 17 overflows with David’s prayers of asking: hear my plea, listen to my cry, pay attention to my prayer, declare me innocent, show me your unfailing love, guard me, protect me, rescue...

Servant at Work (Isaiah 40ff.)

Isaiah paints a picture of the values that must characterize the people of God.

Calling on God in Truth

Psalm 145 celebrates the greatness and goodness of God.

God’s Character is to Have Mercy on Everyone (Romans 9–11)

In Romans 9–11, Paul returns to the immediate problem the letter is meant to address—the conflict between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Since...

Interpret That

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a long robe with sleeves. But when his brothers...

Seek the Lord

Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. Psalm 105:4 Psalm 105 calls God’s people to give him thanks and praise in response to his “wonders” (105:5). The bulk of...

Remember God’s Wonders

Psalm 105 begins with a call to praise the Lord (v. 1). It adds that we should sing praise to him (v. 2), rejoice (v. 3), and seek his face (v. 4). Then...

God’s TLC

Sometimes you run out of words. ...

The Economic Consequences of National Wrongdoings (Psalm 81, 85)

Despite the attention to personal judgment we have seen in Psalm 73, in most of Book 3, it is the nation of...

Best of Daily Reflections: Hope for the Formerly Faithful

What can the formerly faithful hope for? How will God respond to them?

God’s Character is to Have Mercy on Everyone (Romans 9–11)

In Romans 9–11, Paul returns to the immediate problem the letter is meant to address—the conflict between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Since...

A Pleasure We Need Today

Psalm 133 envisions pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem to celebrate a religious festival. Though they have come from diverse places throughout the Ancient Near East, the pilgrims experience profound...

Servant at Work (Isaiah 40ff.)

Isaiah paints a picture of the values that must characterize the people of God.

The Sabbath for Gentiles

Throughout Isaiah we see God’s vision, not only for the people of Israel, but also for all peoples. Though his salvation is focused upon Israel, it is not for Israel alone. Isaiah 5...

God’s Shining Face

May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us. Psalms 67:1 The New Living Translation of Psalm 67:1 speaks of God’s face smiling with favor on us...

The Expansive Prayer of an Expanding Heart

To be honest, we begin our relationship with God because of what's in it for us personally. We recognize that we need...

God’s Character is to Have Mercy on Everyone (Romans 9–11)

In Romans 9–11, Paul returns to the immediate problem the letter is meant to address—the conflict between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Since...

Downward Mobility: Desperate Dogs: Matthew 15 Sermon Notes

The Main Text: Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came...

The Work of Midwifery and Mothering (Exodus 1:15-2:10)

In the midst of harsh treatment, the Israelites remained faithful to God’s command to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28). That entailed...

Best of Daily Reflections: If Not for You, God

Every time I placed my foot, I prayed that it would hold, and, honestly, I was frightened.

Our Heavenly Help

Psalm 124 offers a stirring word of encouragement.

God Will Work Out His Plans for My Life

When life goes in directions we didn't expect, and when those directions include suffering and frustration, we can easily become discouraged.

The Community of Grace at Work (Romans 12)

How can we live as a community that embraces the gift of grace that's been given us?

God Calls Us: Exodus 3 Sermon Notes

Exodus 3:1-12 Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness...

Calling, Kingdom, Identity: I Will Send You (Exodus 3 Sermon Notes)

Exodus 3:7-15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have...

Seek the Lord

Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. Psalm 105:4 Psalm 105 calls God’s people to give him thanks and praise in response to his “wonders” (105:5). The bulk of...

Remember God’s Wonders

Psalm 105 begins with a call to praise the Lord (v. 1). It adds that we should sing praise to him (v. 2), rejoice (v. 3), and seek his face (v. 4). Then...

Faith in God’s Provision (Jeremiah 8-16)

We see in Jeremiah 5 that the people did not acknowledge God’s provision. If the people did not acknowledge God as the...

Daily Confections?

The Bible-based devotions that I write each day are called “Daily Reflections.” But, in light of Jeremiah 15:16, I wonder if they should be called “Daily Confections,” as in “something delightful...

Standing On Solid Ground

Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the LORD. Psalm 26:12 We don't know the exact context for Psalm 26. It could be that David was impressed with the...

Specific Behavioral Principles to Guide Moral Discernment (Romans 12:9–21)

Paul identifies specific guiding principles to help us serve as conduits overarching concern to let love be...

Psalm 149

The Lord takes pleasure in song, dancing, and the music of instruments (Ps. 149:2-3), as do musicians, dancers, composers, songwriters, choreographers, film scorers, music librarians, teachers, arts organization workers and donors, choir members...

Praise and a Sword?

Psalm 149:6 is one of many verses in the Psalms that can, at first, startle or even shock us.

The Call to Warn Others (Ezekiel 33)

Ezekiel chapters 18 and 33 serve similar thematic and structural functions within the book as a whole.[1]The call to personal righteousness in...

Renew My Life!

I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness. Psalm 119:40 Psalm 119, the longest of the Psalms with 176 verses, celebrates the truth and power of God's revelation. In...

Living Under the Power of God (Romans 13)

Romans 13 serves as an encouragement that God is sovereign over every earthly authority.

What Should We Do With Romans 13?

When I was sixteen years old, I received my first driver’s license. That precipitated a moral crisis for me. I noticed that most of the cars on Southern California freeways exceeded the speed...

Conflict Resolution (Matthew 18:15-35)

All workplaces experience conflict. In this passage, Jesus gives us a template for dealing with someone who has wronged us. He does...

Tremble!

One Saturday morning when I was a teenager, my friend Mike and I rode our bikes to our school in order to play handball. The school was deserted, and we had our pick...

Best of Daily Reflections: What If Your Soul Is Hard as a Rock?

He turned the rock into a pool of water; yes, a spring of water flowed from solid rock. Psalm 114:8 Do you...

God Meant All for Good (Genesis 50:15-21)

The penitent words of the brothers led Joseph to one of the finest theological points of his life and, indeed, much of...

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

I cannot read Psalm 103 without thinking of Bill Cody. Bill was the Director of Laity Lodge, the retreat center associated with The High Calling, from 1965 through 1979. As you may recall, I was a...

Welcoming Overcomes Quarrels Over Differing Opinions (Romans 14:1–23)

“Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions,” begins Paul (Rom. 14:1). The “weak...

Conflict Resolution (Matthew 18:15-35)

All workplaces experience conflict. In this passage, Jesus gives us a template for dealing with someone who has wronged us. He does...

Seek the Lord

Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. Psalm 105:4 Psalm 105 calls God’s people to give him thanks and praise in response to his “wonders” (105:5). The bulk of...

Remember God’s Wonders

Psalm 105 begins with a call to praise the Lord (v. 1). It adds that we should sing praise to him (v. 2), rejoice (v. 3), and seek his face (v. 4). Then...

God’s Blessing for All Nations (Jonah 1:16, 3:1-4:2)

Jonah disobeys God’s call because he objects to God’s intent to bless Israel’s adversaries, the nation of Assyria and its capital city...

Calling on God in Truth

Psalm 145 celebrates the greatness and goodness of God.

The One Who Began a Good Work Among You Will Bring it to Completion (Philippians 1:1–26)

Positive Gratitude: Philippians 1 (Click Here to Read) This sermon from The High Calling discusses how a...

Do Your Work in a Worthy Manner (Philippians 1:27–2:11)

Since our work is actually God’s work in us, our work should be worthy, as God’s work is. But apparently we have...

The Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16)

God's Generosity in Providing Us With Work for His Kingdom (Click to Listen) This parable is unique to Matthew’s Gospel. The owner...

Telling the Next Generation

Psalm 78 focuses mainly on the sad history of Israel’s persistent rebellion against the Lord. Though he showed them mercy time and again, and though he disciplined them for their disobedience, the...

Israel’s Responsibility for its Predicament (Ezekiel 18)

The exiled Jews' question, "What did we do to deserve this?" comes out of the mistaken belief that they were being punished...

God’s Guidance in Our Work (Psalm 25)

Human life is a series of choices, and many of these involve vocation.

Do Your Work in a Worthy Manner (Philippians 1:27–2:11)

Since our work is actually God’s work in us, our work should be worthy, as God’s work is. But apparently we have...

Work and Faith: Humble Servanthood, Philippians 2 (Sermon Notes)

The Philippian Christians in Need of an Attitude Adjustment In the middle of the first century A.D., the Apostle Paul planted a...

Seeing the Good Side of Work: Work and the Reign of God (Philippians 2 Sermon Notes)

Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above...

Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32)

The parable of the two sons (Matt. 21:28-32) is about two brothers whose father tells them to go work in his vineyard...

Status in Church and at Work: Friends in Low Places (1 Corinthians 1:18–31)

Paul reminds the congregation in Corinth that most of them do not come from the ranks of...

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus (John 3:1-21)

Jesus’ discussions with Nicodemus and his disciples hold innumerable treasures. We will begin with a verse that has profound implications for human...

A Prayer That’s Not Just for the Pulpit

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my...

God Judges Exploitation and Marginalization (Isaiah 3ff.)

A recurring charge throughout the book of Isaiah is that the leaders were unfaithful to God’s covenant because they pursued wealth and...

Turn Us Again!

The words of verse 3 serve as a refrain in Psalm 80, appearing again with slight changes in verses 7 and 19. The first request in this chorus is “Turn us again to yourself, O God” (80:3). Some...

3 Examples of Following Christ as Ordinary Christians (Philippians 2:19–3:21)

In fact, Philippians gives us three examples—Paul, Epaphroditus, and Timothy—to show us how all Christians are meant...

Take It or Leave It: Philippians 3 Sermon Notes

Philippians 3:4b-14 If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a...

Parable of the Tenants (Matthew 21:33-41)

The parable immediately following the parable of the wicked tenants (Matt. 21:33-41) takes place in a workplace, namely, a vineyard. However, Jesus...

The Heart of a Committed and Compassionate Leader

As the Israelites were worshiping before the golden calf, feasting, drinking, and reveling, the Lord revealed to Moses, who was high upon...

Why Do We Confess?

For the most part, Psalm 106 is an extended confession of sin. The anonymous writer begins by saying “Like our ancestors, we have sinned. We have done wrong! We have acted wickedly!” (106:6).

Peace and Prosperity (Isaiah 9ff.)

In contrast to the arrogant pride and self-sufficiency that will bring us down or the exploitation of the poor in order to...

The Ultimate International Banquet

Often schools and churches sponsor international banquets, festive meals in which people bring foods representing diverse cultures. At such a feast you...

God’s Presence in Our Struggles at Work (Psalm 23)

While we seek to honor God in our work, this does not mean the road will be easy.

Psalm 23 for Busy People

The Lord is my pace-setter, I shall not rush.

Smell Like Sheep?

Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved Scriptures in the world, but early Hebrews probably found it hard to swallow. God a shepherd? Definitely not kosher.

Resolving Conflict (Philippians 4:2–9)

Although our instinctive reflex is to suppress and deny conflict, in this passage, Paul lovingly brings conflict into the open where it...

Face to Face with God

In earlier chapters of Exodus, the Lord revealed to Moses the plans for the Tabernacle, the place where he would dwell among his people, in which sacrifices would be offered by the priests. After...

How Can We Exalt God?

Psalm 99 opens by identifying God as king (99:1). He is not just any old king, however, but the “Mighty King” who is over all nations, and before whom all nations should “tremble” (99:1, 5). Thus...

Servant at Work (Isaiah 40ff.)

Isaiah paints a picture of the values that must characterize the people of God.

Cyrus the Messiah?

As we read along in Isaiah, the last verse of chapter 44 surprises us by mentioning Cyrus, the king of Persia. In 44:28, God refers to Cyrus as “my shepherd.” Then, in the next verse (45:1), Cyrus...

The Only True God

Several times throughout Isaiah 45, the Lord asserts that he alone is God, and that there is no other. The false gods of the nations, the idols they have made with their own...

Best of Daily Reflections: The Arguing Clay

Through Isaiah, the Lord made known his plans to use Cyrus, king of Persia, in order to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple.

The Biblical Imperative We Love to Ignore

Psalm 96 begins with a simple imperative: “Sing a new song to the LORD!” If you look up all of the Hebrew...

Advent Reflection: Why Do We Praise the Lord?

There are many reasons to praise the Lord. Scripture repeatedly calls us to do it, so we praise God out of obedience...

Working Faith, Finishing Up, and Keeping the Faith (1 Thess. 1:1–4:8; 4:13–5:28; 2 Thess. 1:1-2:17)

In his letters to the Thessalonians, Paul reminds the church that living out their faith takes daily work.

Paying Taxes (Matthew 17:24-27 and 22:15-22)

In Jesus’ day, Jews paid taxes both locally to the Jewish temple and to the pagan government in Rome. Matthew records two...

Best of Daily Reflections: Are You Satisfied? Really?

Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. Psalm 90:1...

Doing Justice (Leviticus 19:15-16)

“You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice...

Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself (Leviticus 19:17-18)

The most famous verse in Leviticus may be the command, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18). This imperative is so sweeping...

Personal Integrity in Work (Psalm 1)

The two opening psalms establish themes that run through the entire Psalter. Psalm 1 describes personal integrity, indicating that this is how...

Best of Daily Reflections: Avoiding the Influence of Mockers

We live in a society of mockers. People who mock consider themselves better than others. They do not enter into serious engagement...

Working Faith, Finishing Up, and Keeping the Faith (1 Thess. 1:1–4:8; 4:13–5:28; 2 Thess. 1:1-2:17)

In his letters to the Thessalonians, Paul reminds the church that living out their faith takes daily work.

The Great Commandment is a Great Framework (Matthew 22:34-40)

Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day often fought over the relative importance of commandments. Some held the view that observing the Sabbath was...

End Times Disaster and Deliverance (Revelation 6-16)

God’s plan to advance his kingdom, however, takes a surprising turn: before deliverance comes disaster. Yet it is perhaps not so surprising...

Business Ethics (Psalms 15, 24, 34)

The Psalter says a good deal about workplace ethics. Psalm 15:1 and 5 say, “O Lord, who may abide in your tent...

How Can I Taste God?

Psalm 34:8 invites us to “taste and see that the LORD is good.” This leads me to wonder how I can take the psalmist up on his offer. How can I taste God...

1 John: Walking in the Light

Although written under greatly different circumstances than James,[1] 1 John also challenges the notion that faith can live without “works,” that is, acts of obedience toward God. In chapter 2, John states that...

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12)

The Sermon on the Mount opens with the beatitudes—eight statements beginning with the word blessed.[1] This word affirms a state of blessing that already exists. Each beatitude declares that a group of people...

Eight Traits of an Ethically Healthy Culture: Insights from the Beatitudes (Academic Paper)

At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, we are told, “Now when Jesus had finished...

A Modern Version of The Beatitudes

Blessed are the meek: not the soft, but those who are patient and tolerant.

Understanding the Beatitudes (Devotional)

Understand and apply the characteristics that Jesus calls "blessed."

Crossing Over: Preparing for Change

Introduction by Mark Roberts: At certain times throughout the year, I invite others to write a few Daily Reflections. This week's reflections...

Best of Daily Reflections: Crossing Over: On Dry Ground

Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the...

God Undergirds All Work and Productivity (Psalm 107)

Psalm 107 relates human economic endeavors to the world of God’s creation. It is worth citing at length. Some went down to...

Say So!

During the past several summers, I've had the privilege of being part of the leadership team of Laity Lodge Youth Camp, a sister program to The High Calling and Laity Lodge.

A Cry for Help

“LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress. Psalm 107:6 Psalm 107 reminds us to “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!” (107:1). The bulk...

God Is the Joy of My Joy

Gracious God, thank you for being the source of my joy.

Hope in God!

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! Psalm 43:5 If Psalm 43 seems strangely...

Working Faith, Finishing Up, and Keeping the Faith (1 Thess. 1:1–4:8; 4:13–5:28; 2 Thess. 1:1-2:17)

In his letters to the Thessalonians, Paul reminds the church that living out their faith takes daily work.

Telling the Next Generation

Psalm 78 focuses mainly on the sad history of Israel’s persistent rebellion against the Lord. Though he showed them mercy time and again, and though he disciplined them for their disobedience, the...

Work and Worship (Micah 6:6-8; Amos 5:21-24; Hosea 4:1-10)

Justice is not merely a secular issue, as the prophets see it. Micah’s call for justice in Mic. 6:8 follows from an...

Techonology Founder Chi-Ming Chien Guides Company Culture with Isaiah 65 and Amos 5 (Video)

To this entrepreneur, Isaiah 65 means people from different backgrounds can share in good work together.

Better Than Answered Prayer

Psalm 70 is a brief prayer for speedy deliverance. David is being harassed by his enemies, who, according to verse 2, are trying to kill him. So he cries out to the Lord...

How Will The World Know God Is Great?

But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly...

Christians Are Expected to Work (1 Thessalonians 4:9–12; 5:14)

Paul's letters to the Thessalonians highlight that God expects Christians to work, and to work with excellence.

Gazing Upon the Lord

Recently I found myself stuck in the "baby zone" of an airplane.

Have Mercy!

I have a confession to make. It won’t impress you with my godliness but perhaps with my cultural saturation. Here it goes: when I hear the word mercy, I sometimes think of the...

Idolatrous Work (Habakkuk 2:1-20; Zephaniah 1:14-18)

The punishment is of the people’s own making. The people have been working faithlessly, turning good materials of stone, wood and metal...

Working in a Fallen World (Psalms 90, 101)

Book 4 begins with the somber Psalm 90. “You turn us back to dust…our years come to an end like a sigh”...

Best of Daily Reflections: A Psalm for the End of the Year

Psalm 90 is a perfect psalm for the end of the year. For one thing, this psalm includes the word "year" more...

Christians Are Expected to Work (1 Thessalonians 4:9–12; 5:14)

Paul's letters to the Thessalonians highlight that God expects Christians to work, and to work with excellence.

The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)

One of Jesus’ most significant parables regarding work is set in the context of investments (Matt. 25:14-30). A rich man delegates the...

Parable of the Talents

The first few times I read Jesus’ Parable of the Three Servants, I missed the point entirely. “So the third servant buried his silver in the ground for safekeeping. What’s so terrible about...

Christians in Finance Discuss Their Work (Video)

Professionals in finance discuss ethics in their industry. Background from Matthew 25:14-28.

God as the Seeking Shepherd

In the first part of Ezekiel 34, God rebukes the "shepherds" of Israel for pursuing their own interests rather than those of the people they were to serve. Their selfishness and injustice led to...

Shout to the Lord?!

I can still remember Mrs. Merrill calling the first-graders to worship in the Sunday School of Hollywood Presbyterian Church. Quoting from the King James version of prophet Habakkuk, Mrs. Merrill...

You Belong to God

Know that the LORD is God—he made us; we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep of his own pasture. Psalms 100:3 I’ll never forget my first baseball uniform. As a...

Six Days Shall You Worship

Where do you worship? When I ask Christian businesspeople that question, I always get the same answer—the church they attend on Sundays. And no wonder. On Sunday mornings, we go to worship...

Where Worship Leads

Where does worship lead? When we gather together as the people of God to offer praise, thanks, and worship to our Lord, where does this take us? What happens in us and to...

The Soul of Worship

Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care. Psalm...

The Soul of Worship, Continued

...

God’s Grand Plan: A Theological Vision (Ephesians 1:1–3:21)

God's restoring work involves human beings both as recipients of grace and as participants in the work.

God’s Grand Plan: A Theological Vision (Ephesians 1:1–3:21)

Full Christianity: Doing, Thinking, and Being (Click here to read) In this daily reflection from The High Calling Mark Roberts considers how...

What’s That Phrase Doing There?

As you may recall, I'm in the process of writing a commentary on Ephesians for a series that will be published by Zondervan. When I began reflecting on Ephesians, I invited you to...

Don’t Keep Your Gratitude to Yourself

As you may recall, I have suggested that we set aside the two weeks prior to Thanksgiving Day in the United States...

The Christian Life in a Nutshell

The phrase "in a nutshell" means something like "in a very brief summary" or "in very few words." Some scholars trace the English use of this phrase to William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. In Act 2,...

What Is Faith? Part 1

As we saw in Wednesday's reflection, faith is one of the essential elements of the Christian life, something you'd be sure to include if you were to summarize Christian living "in a nutshell." But...

What is Faith? Part 2

In last Friday's reflection, we began considering the question "What is faith?" We saw that, contrary to the common notion of faith as something contrary to reason, Christian faith is reasonable,...

Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)

Jesus’ final teaching in this section examines how we treat those in need. In this account, when Jesus returns in his glory...

When Did We See You?

“Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, ...

The Wonders of Nature and the Wonders of God

Our translation of Psalm 65:8 reads, "Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From...

Dying Well: The Ultimate Harvest

I met Lee Hough over a dozen years ago when I was trying unsuccessfully to break into the book publishing business. He served as a literary agent for one of my friends, and...

You Can’t Out-Give God (2 Corinthians 9)

In urging the Corinthian believers to give generously, Paul is aware that he must address a very human concern in a world...

How Often We Forget!

...