“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16 (NIV) I think it’s a longing in every heart to make a difference, to accomplish something each day, to allow God to create something of worth from our lives. We can distract ourselves with chasing activities that feel important in the moment, but Jesus has appointed us for more. He invites us to bear fruit that will last. Lord, show us where …
Sunday Devotional – By Sharon Hinck
“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV) Whether we work as writers, or serve God through any other means, we need the gift of “by” – the place where our work, labor, and endurance come from. Faith motivates our course, helps us hear God’s call and move. Love fuels the effort as everything in us longs to respond to the grace He pours out to us. And when the road gets tough – and it …
Sunday Devotional – Extravagance
“While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. ‘Why this waste?’ they asked. ‘This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.’” Matthew 26:6-9 (NIV) In a world full of real human need, art is sometimes seen as an extravagant gesture. Artists spend hours, years, decades, honing their craft and producing their work. Time …
Sunday Devotional – Variety
“Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.” Psalm 150:3-5 (NIV) What strikes me about Psalm 150 is the variety of tones, sounds, and instruments. There are so many things to praise God for – so much to convey – that we need a variety of means to express it all. That’s also why I’m grateful for the variety of genres that Christian writers are using to communicate …
Sunday Devotional – Called Craftsmen
“So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.” Exodus 36:1 (NIV1984) When I first stumbled across the euphonious names of Bezalel and Oholiab, I felt an instant kinship. I’ve worked in various arts most of my life. I was delighted to see that as early on as the construction of the tabernacle, God valued the talents of artists and craftsmen and gave them a way to use their …