The calling of pastor is a high calling, and in Black Baptist churches, there’s a deep honor placed on what you call your pastor.

Early in my ministry at Little Zion, where I currently pastor, the members asked me what I’d like to be called. I had never thought very deeply about it. In the Southern Baptist churches, Presbyterian churches, and church plants I’d been a part of, we just called the pastor by his first name. I feel weird doing it now, but it's not a part of their culture.

In Black church circles, it's a huge no-no. It’s often viewed as a sign of disrespect for the office and could even be considered dishonorable. In other words, people want to honor the pastor, so they ask, “What should we call you?”

At my previous church, an elder-led, congregationalist Baptist church, I had been called an elder before. However, it wasn't common to hear “Elder Logan” or “Elder Chrys.” In fact, I was called “Pastor Chrys” only occasionally—mostly by the lead pastor’s sons. But the reality was simple: we were elders, faithfully leading a congregational church together.

So when I was asked what my title would be, it only made sense to me: I’d be called “Elder Chrys Jones.” This was partially due to the fact that I had been ordained as an elder (or pastor) at Shawnee Run Baptist. Also, I grew up under the ministry of Elder D.J. Ward, and his sovereign grace preaching and biblical teaching had a major impact on my life. He and the group of preachers he trained (including my father when I was young) often went by “elder”, so it was a common term in my early years with regard to the church and pastoral ministry.

But the chief reason I chose to be called “Elder Chrys Jones” is because I see that specific term used frequently throughout the New Testament in the ESV translation. For example, when I memorized the book of Titus, I rehearsed day after day “appoint elders in every town as I directed you” (Titus 1:5). When I think of the qualifications of a pastor, I often say “qualifications of elders” because of this passage. 

Here are a few passages where elder (Gk. presbyteros) is used in the NT:

• Acts 14:23 – And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
  
  
• Acts 15:4 – When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
  
  
• 1 Tim. 5:17 – Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
  
  
• 1 Tim. 5:19 – Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
  
  
• James 5:14 – Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
  
  
• 1 Pet. 5:1 – So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:

Other similar terms for pastors in the New Testament include shepherd, overseer, etc. While I could’ve chosen any of those titles, you don’t often hear of pastors being referred to as “Shepherd John Piper” or “Overseer Tim Keller.” I wanted to opt for a term that I was personally familiar with—one I had read often in my Bible. Many people today question anything that’s not explicitly found in the Bible, especially when it comes to religious tradition. So I chose a term that shows up clearly and frequently in the Word. For the sake of clarity, I consider the term "pastor" (Gk. Poimēn) to be a very biblical term (used very frequently in the NT), but it is often translated as Shepherd in many translations. 

I’m honestly blown away that God would call me to such a noble task (1 Tim. 3:1). I don’t have a doctorate or a seminary degree. I don’t come from a religious line of pastors. I’m a little guy from a small town. Yet, God called me to pastor a church, and I’m thankful for that. If it were up to me, I’d simply go by “Chrys.”

To my wife, I’m Chrys.
To my children, I’m Daddy.
To my parents, I’m Chrys.
To my dearest and nearest friends, I’m Chrys.
To my students, I’m Mr. Jones or Coach.

I don’t refer to myself as Pastor or Elder Jones. In fact, one of my church members jokingly rebuked me because I didn’t have “Elder” or “Pastor” Chrys Jones on my voicemail greeting. I’m honored to be a pastor. I’m honored to be a pastor in the rich tradition of the African American church. I'm even more honored if I am able to pastor well—which I hope to do by the grace of God. I used to say to my members, “You don’t have to call me anything but Chrys.” But I’m fine with “Pastor Jones”, “Elder Jones”, or even “Brother Jones”. And I won't be bothered if  someone simply calls me "Chrys".

Since many of my heroes of the faith didn’t have spectacular titles or formal education, I have not been focused on titles myself. At the end of the day, no matter our title, when we see our Savior face to face, we will hear: “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:21). I pray that I will be known as servant more than anything else, for “if anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).

I used to love reading. It was one of my favorite things to do. I’d go through 30 to 50 books a year—everything from my Bible to Christian living books, Puritan classics, fiction, and even books on health. Mornings started with coffee and a book. Evenings ended the same way. I’d squeeze in reading during lunch breaks or any spare moment.

But now? It feels like I’ve almost forgotten how to read. Sure, I can still read, but focusing is a struggle. I’ll sit down with my Bible or a book, and before I know it, my phone is in my hand, or I’m off doing something else. Even when I try to focus, I can hardly make it through more than a few pages without losing steam.

When I think about what changed, it all seems to go back to 2020. Working from home during the pandemic threw my routines out the window. Suddenly, I was glued to screens all day—my phone and my computer. And then the short videos came. YouTube Shorts, Facebook Reels, Instagram Reels—they sucked me in. I’d tell myself, “Just one video,” but 30 minutes (or more) would disappear before I even realized it.

Here’s the thing: I know I’m wasting time. I know it’s not what I want to be doing. But it keeps happening. My attention span has taken a hit, and it’s harder to focus or think deeply like I used to.

As a Christian, this hits even harder because reading is such a big part of my faith. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Whether it’s listening to sermons, listening to an audio Bible, or reading Scripture, I need that time in the Word. But more and more, I find myself distracted, skimming a few verses before my mind wanders back to my phone or something I have going on around me.

And then there’s Ephesians 5:15-16: “Make the best use of your time because the days are evil.” Can I really say I’m doing that when I’m watching shorts or scrolling through social media for hours? Probably not. I think about all the time I could be spending with God, with my wife, or with my kids. Instead, I’m stuck in a cycle of distractions.

I don’t want to live like that. I don’t want my life to be defined by short, silly videos or endless scrolling. I want to live with spiritual depth and purpose. I don't want to be a shallow Christian. I want to read again, to think more deeply, and to grow in my faith and understanding of God and His Word.

So, I’ve started making some changes. I’ve added limits to my phone. I’ve grayscaled my screen to make it less appealing. I even downloaded apps that block scrolling feeds on social media. But more than that, I’m working on rebuilding my reading habit. I’ve set small goals—5 minutes of reading, then 10, then 15, and so on. If I can waste an hour on my phone, I can spend an hour reading something that matters. I just have to build the muscle memory back up.

My daughters are a big inspiration. Two of them love reading and will curl up in their bunk beds with books for hours. I want to join them—to read alongside them and show them how valuable it is. In fact, my oldest has been staying on me about reading throughout the days and evenings. It's been helpful to to have her prodding me to read more. 

Now is the perfect time to start. It’s Advent season, so I’ve picked up Paul Tripp's Advent devotional to help me refocus and prepare for the new year.

What about you? Are you ready to put your phone down and make space for something better? Let’s do this together. Find a book, start a devotional, or even just set a timer for 5 minutes to read something meaningful. Let me know in the comments how you’re making changes—I’d love to hear your ideas!

​Photo by Dom J: https://www.pexels.com/photo/assorted-books-45717/

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Take Your Bible Study to the Next Level

Have you ever wanted to go deeper in your Bible study but felt stuck? Maybe you’ve been asked to lead a study or preach a sermon and didn’t know where to start. I’ve been there—overwhelmed by a sea of resources and unsure which ones were worth the investment.

That’s when I discovered Logos Bible Software, and it has been a game changer in my study of God’s Word.

Why I Love Logos

For years, I struggled to justify the cost of a full commentary or reference book for just one study. But with Logos, I have access to:
    •    Word Study Tools: Instantly look up the original meaning of words.
    •    Comprehensive Commentaries: Explore trusted insights on any passage.
    •    Bible Dictionaries and More: Everything you need for in-depth study in one place.

Whether you’re a pastor, teacher, or someone who simply loves the Bible, Logos equips you with the tools you need to grow in your faith.

My Logos Journey

I first heard about Logos at a conference. The demo blew me away, but the price tag held me back. For a few years, I made do with physical books and free online resources. But then, my wife gracious blessed me with the Logos Gold package, and I haven't looked back.

Now, I use Logos every time I prepare a message. From quick word studies to in-depth commentary research, it has become my most-used Bible study tool. Whether I'm at home or on the road, Logos is has everything I need to study God's Word. It even has an AI assistant to help me dig through all my resources for a specific answer. With Logos, I can perform hours of research in seconds!

Beyond Bible study, I can also use Logos to:

• Plan my sermon calendar
• Write my sermons
• Create Presentations
• Use a Bible reading plan
• Organize my prayer life

Affordable Options for Everyone

The good news? Logos is more accessible than ever:
    •    Subscription Options: Start for as little as $10–$12 per month.
    •    Free Books Monthly: Expand your library without extra cost.
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And right now, you can start a free trial to see if Logos is right for you.

Why It’s Worth Trying

For the cost of two coffees a month, Logos gives you a personal theological library at your fingertips. Whether you’re preparing for ministry or personal study, Logos is an investment in your spiritual growth.

Ready to Get Started?

Don’t just take my word for it—experience the power of Logos yourself.
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When you keep your subscription, you’ll not only bless your Bible study but also support my ministry. It’s a win-win!

Desperate Situations and Desperate Decisions

When is the last time you were in a tough situation that caused you to make a bad decision? So often, situations feel desperate, and we make choices in the moment that we may regret later. Over the years, I’ve found myself in seemingly desperate situations that have cost me lots of time and money.

One time, I paid someone $250 for a consult to be on a music production team only to be forgotten, discouraged, and more broke than when I started. I proceeded to purchase music production courses, cheat sheets, and more. I never made a dime, but several people profited from my desperation. What was supposed to bring me money actually ended up costing me more money in the long run.

The Allure of Quick Fixes

Maybe you’ve been in a similar situation. Multilevel marketing schemes come and go. Get-rich-quick schemes tempt you to invest your hard-earned cash only to leave you behind. That too-good-to-be-true job opportunity turns out to be untrue after all. It’s frustrating—especially when we’re genuinely striving to glorify God in everything we’re doing.

Sometimes we pray, seek God’s answer, and think we’ve received a “yes” when really, He was calling us to hold on.

We’re not alone.

In Genesis 16, Abram and Sarai found themselves in a similar situation. God promised Abram land and offspring, but it didn’t seem like His plan was unfolding. In his mid-80s, Abram had no children, and his wife was barren. Infertility plagued their marriage, and it didn’t seem like God was going to use Sarai’s womb to fulfill His promise.

Sarai decided to help God along. Instead of waiting, she gave her servant Hagar to Abram, assuming this was God's intended plan.

That must’ve been what God wanted, right?

Wrong!

Instead of fulfilling God’s will, they walked their own path. It cost them far more than they imagined.
    •    Hagar was misused and abused by her masters.
    •    Sarai was provoked to anger and contempt toward Hagar.
    •    Abram and Sarai’s marriage was strained.
    •    Hagar fled, alone and pregnant, heading for Egypt.

It was a huge mess! Impatience and sin led to dire consequences for the aging couple and their young servant.

God’s Mercy and Healing

Yet, God is a healing and merciful God.

God saw Hagar and allowed her son, Ishmael, to live. Though his life would be challenging (“a wild donkey of a man”), God demonstrated mercy by hearing Hagar’s cries and meeting her in her distress (Genesis 16:11-13).

God also brought healing to Abram and Sarai. Instead of punishing them for their doubt and pride, He fulfilled His promise by giving them a son, Isaac, through Sarai’s womb (Genesis 21:1-3). Their marriage was healed, and Isaac became the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abram.

But they had to wait another 14 years to see the promise fulfilled.

Maybe God is Calling Us To Wait

We may feel that we’re in a desperate situation requiring urgent change. However, God often urges us to slow down and wait for His answer. In Psalm 46:10, He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

When we focus on Jesus, we begin to look like Him. Perhaps the desperate situation is pushing us out of our comfort zone so we can find true comfort and spiritual peace in God.

Whatever you’re going through right now is not too big for God. He’s strong enough to carry you through. But we must remind ourselves to trust God’s timing and plans rather than rushing to make our own way.

When you're in a desperate situation, take time to pray, seek His will, and trust His perfect timing. What feels desperate to us is fully within His control. Waiting may be hard, but God’s promises are always worth it.

​How can you lean into God’s plans for your situation in this season?

Does God ever get your attention in ways that you simply can't miss? Do you ever read something or ponder an idea, only to have it show up in your reading, conversations, or social media feed? This morning, God got my attention. He reminded me of a reality that has been reverberating in my mind for at least a few weeks: As American citizens, we can't let our identity be driven more by our national citizenship than by our heavenly citizenship.

In my study of Philippians 1:27-30 this week, I came across a powerful quote from Hywel Jones. He was defining Paul's meaning behind "let your manner of life be worthy," and he said this:

"The verb which Paul uses to describe the kind of life which is appropriate to the gospel would have been very meaningful for the Philippians. It is the term from which our word 'politics' is derived. It means something like 'to conduct oneself as a citizen.' Doubtless, Paul chose this term deliberately, knowing how conscious and proud the Philippians were of their citizenship."
Philippians: For the Sake of the Gospel (2016), p. 62.

As an American, citizenship and "politics" have been on my mind—and in my conversations—a lot lately. I have been pondering and writing about how American Christians can live and vote in a way that magnifies Christ and preserves unity among believers. It's fascinating that, in God's providence, I am studying a passage that basically says, "conduct yourselves as citizens worthy of the gospel of Christ."

This statement from Paul speaks volumes to Christians today. Notice what Paul didn't say. He didn't say: "Conduct yourselves as citizens worthy of the Republican or Democratic parties." He also didn't say: "Conduct yourselves as good citizens worthy of American values." Paul's aim is far higher than earthly citizenship. He says, "Conduct yourselves as citizens worthy of the gospel of Christ." In other words, the way you live your life should reflect the reality that you have trusted in the gospel work of Christ.
​
Contrary to popular belief, the world is not friendly to Christians—at least not forever. Non-Christians may be sympathetic to our beliefs, but when push comes to shove, they will oppose Christ and His followers rather than stand side by side for the faith of the gospel. They may cater to our desires to win our votes or gain something from us, but they will never ultimately stand on the side of Christ. As Paul says here, they are on the path to destruction (Phil. 1:28).
Are you living as a citizen worthy of the gospel? Let's keep striving with our eyes on Christ to stand firm together for the sake of the gospel!

Tiny choices can destroy our lives.

“Ugh. Not again.” That’s what I murmured under my breath as I looked at the scale and saw that I’d gained three pounds since late last week. I knew it was coming, too. We had a family get-together with “finger foods,” and I absentmindedly ate tortilla chips, creamy homemade cheese dip, chemical-free chocolate chip cookies, and a platter of other tasty but unhealthy foods. Little by little, I consumed 100 to 300 portions of calories throughout the day until I reached 3,000 or more calories.

Imagine doing this every day for a year. If my body’s caloric need is 2,000 calories per day, and I eat 1,000 to 1,500 extra calories, that adds up to 550,000 extra calories per year. While I don’t eat like that every day, even an extra 250 calories (a few handfuls of M&Ms or Cheez-Its) would mean an additional 91,000 calories over the year. 250 calories doesn’t seem like much, but 91,000 is massive. While I don’t fully trust the math, that adds up to an extra 12 pounds per year. I’ve certainly seen my weight fluctuate by 5 to 10 pounds in a year. That’s scary.

Small Habits, Big Consequences
Atoms are tiny, but atomic bombs make massive impacts. So it is with our habits. The smallest habits can bring great catastrophes or great gains. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, says it this way: “You should be far more concerned with your current trajectory than with your current results.” In other words, where are your habits leading you?

The way we eat can have significant long-term impacts on our physical, mental, and emotional health. Imagine how our spiritual health is impacted by small habits. A few lustful glances, an impure thought, and some unrepentant anger every day, and we are on the path to patterns of sin, and perhaps a spiritual crisis. Even if we don’t have a huge fall into some major public sin that ruins our reputation, we may just be drifting, drifting slowly away from Christ. Just 5 minutes of compromise every day adds up to nearly a work week’s worth of choosing sin.

Habits for God
Let’s imagine a better way forward. What if we stole 15 minutes per day from our habitual phone use and gave it to God? Those 15 minutes would not only be more fruitful, but they’d also bring us closer to God. He’s not adding up the minutes to make sure we hit a certain amount. But if eternal life is to know God (John 17:3), then we would certainly benefit from spending more time with Him. If we want to suffer with bold confidence and say, “I know whom I have believed,” we must spend time getting to know the Lord we believe in. In other words, small habits of reading, praying, meditating, or conversing about the gospel could pay great spiritual dividends over time.

“Yes. I’ve done it again!” I want to be able to utter these words after fighting hard to stick to healthy eating habits over the long haul. I also want to say, “Lord, thank you for that truth you revealed to me again!” after spending 10-15 minutes reading and meditating on His Word. Just as we don’t drift toward weight loss and a healthy body, neither will we grow in our faith simply by waking up and doing what we naturally do. We also can’t treat spiritual disciplines and habits like we do our diet and exercise. We can’t willpower or muscle our way to deeper faith. We must submit our souls to the Spirit of Christ and watch for Him to do spiritual work in us (Rom. 12:2).

How are tiny habits impacting your life? With the help of the Holy Spirit, our hearts can be trained to love God. Our habits will follow our hearts and help shape our hearts to be more Christlike!


***This post contains an affiliate link to Amazon. If you purchase Atomic Habits,  a portion of the proceeds will be given to me to help Dwell With Christ stay up and running!***

As a Bible reader and pastor, I often encounter memes, gifs, and perspectives that misuse the Bible. Participating in No-Scroll November, I’ve been checking social media occasionally to view notifications and see whatever post is at the top of my feed. Instead of scrolling for more, I look at that post and then log off. This practice has been good for my soul, allowing me to stay updated with at least a few perspectives from those around me.

One perspective that has shown up in my comments, as well as at the top of my feed, reads:

​“To think that God ordained a filthy-minded, adulterous, wealthy man with evil in his heart to preside over a nation challenges my self-righteous understanding. But He did, and that sinful man, by grace, gave us the Psalms. #KingDavid"

Some Truths from the Post
To be fair, I want to highlight some helpful aspects of the post before addressing its half-truths. I’ll keep my comments brief, but I feel it’s necessary to address this viral post.

1. God Uses Wicked Men to Glorify Himself

Anyone who has read more than a few pages of the Bible knows that God uses sinful people to bring glory to Himself. From Abram to King David, the Apostle Paul to Peter, God has used sinful men to be the forefathers of our Savior, write large portions of the Bible, and spread the gospel of Christ throughout the world. Look at what Paul said about himself: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15).

2. God Has Allowed Wicked Men to Rule His People

One truthful aspect of this post is that God used King David to rule over Israel. When David was a young shepherd, Scripture describes him as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22). As a king in Israel, David’s reign was characterized by justice and fairness (1 Chronicles 18:14). Yet, his life was marred by grievous sins: lust, adultery, murder, and a cover-up. His affair with Bathsheba would have made headlines, and his scandal would have circulated globally. Still, God used him.

3. We Need Our Self-Righteousness Challenged

Anyone who struggles with self-righteousness needs that attitude challenged, and God often appoints that challenge in our lives. The most self-righteous people in Scripture put our Savior on the cross, and apart from Jesus Christ, our “righteous” deeds are filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Regardless of the presidential candidate, God hates our self-righteousness and will appoint ways to destroy it in our hearts—sometimes through the sins of a political leader.

Some Half-Truths We Need to Discuss
Despite the truths in this viral post, some half-truths must be addressed to properly compare King David with Donald Trump. After such a comparison, we’ll see that these men actually stand in stark contrast.

1. David Grieved Over His Sin; Trump Appears Indifferent to His Sins.
While David may be described as a “filthy-minded, adulterous, wealthy man with evil in his heart,” this is an unfair assessment of his character and life’s trajectory. We’ve already seen David described as a man after God’s own heart. Psalm 51 shows us David’s grief over his affair with Bathsheba:

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.” (Psalm 51:3-4)

In stark contrast, Donald Trump has expressed a different perspective on his sins. When asked in a 2015 interview if he’s ever asked God for forgiveness, Trump said, “I am not sure I have. I just go on and try to do a better job from there… I don’t bring God into that picture.” This perspective does not align with a biblical understanding of sin or forgiveness and reflects a sense of self-righteousness that relies on personal performance to be right with God. In this sense, Trump is not similar to King David.

2. David’s Writings Contradict This Post’s Claims
This post is crafted to make us think it’s about Trump before revealing it’s about David. This “gotcha” moment can catch us off guard, but digging deeper, we see the differences between their lives. It may not even be fair to define Trump’s life like this. I am not a Trump scholar, and I haven’t read his biography, so I won’t speak on the overall patterns of his life. However, he has made several incriminating statements about women, minorities, immigrants, and even God (by publicly taking His name in vain).

Was David a filthy-minded, evil man? David wrote:

“Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer.” (Psalm 6:8-9)

and also:

“If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts.” (Psalm 7:12-13)

David also took forgiveness very seriously, as seen in passages like:

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2)

What I’m Not Saying
I’m not saying that God isn’t using Donald Trump to challenge our self-righteousness. God’s ways are beyond our understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). However, we must be careful when making unhelpful—and potentially false—comparisons between Donald Trump and King David. Prior to the 2016 election, Trump was not considered a Christian leader or model of righteousness. In fact, many political and Christian leaders spoke critically of him leading our nation.

King David, however, is often invoked in discussions of abuse, adultery, and immorality. He sinned grievously, and we shouldn’t defend or minimize his sins—the Bible doesn’t, and neither should we. But we can’t define David or his reign by a single sinful situation when the Bible doesn’t either. In our modern cancel culture, it’s common to write someone off for sins they have long repented of. Yet, the Bible is clear that David repented of his sins, and he accepted the consequences for that sin.

We must never defend or minimize sin. Christ laid down His life to bring justice for sin, proving that God takes it seriously. Nor should we make others feel guilty if they are grieved by a “filthy-minded, adulterous, wealthy man with evil in his heart” presiding over our nation. If Trump doesn’t fit this description, that’s one thing. But if he does, we shouldn’t bring the reputation of a godly leader into question to defend such a man. Doing so causes more harm than good. It also doesn't help us to weep with those who weep.

Election season has come and gone, and we have our next president-elect in America.

​When Donald Trump was put forward as the Republican presidential candidate, I was in utter disbelief. He’s been embroiled in controversy since the 2020 election and the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the Capitol building. When he discussed his comeback, I figured it was a silly ploy to get his social media platform and followers riled up. But it wasn’t a joke. He was here for real.

Though I wasn’t surprised by a Kamala Harris ticket, I was intrigued that Biden would step down so late in the game. Harris shared similar stances and policies to Biden, and his presidency hasn't been very popular, so I figured the Democratic party would struggle to rally enough new voters to maintain a president in office. Nonetheless, many polls showed Harris as the favorable candidate in many of the swing states, and it looked as though she might become our new president.

Divided Responses and Uncertain Futures

Many Americans felt as though neither option was ideal. Others felt strongly that their party’s candidate would be the best option during a pivotal election. With our economy reeling from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and massive inflation that followed, many people were ready for a change. Key issues, like abortion, put single-issue voters in a bind because the Republican party made a significant shift on abortion during the RNC. It’s not to say that the two parties were equal on the issue. Rather, Evangelicals who had once claimed allegiance to the Republican party for its stance on abortion now had to deal with a candidate who is much less pro-life than they once realized.

Regardless of how we got here, we are here now. Donald Trump has been elected as the 47th president in United States history.

The responses to this news have been manifold and complex. Many of my friends who are Democrats have been lamenting this news and grieving the prospect of another Trump presidency. They are especially nervous for women and minorities due to the potential social ramifications that would come from such an election. Many of my friends who are Republicans are rejoicing and thanking God for this election. They see it as God’s provision and protection from "woke" and far-left ideology in America.

Others of my friends who, like me, are not aligned with a political party are struggling, too. How do we guard against unbiblical and unhelpful far-left ideologies threatening our churches and families? At the same time, how do we guard against the godlessness and unhelpful rhetoric that spews from far-right politicians seeking to woo Christians into secular forms of nationalism and conservatism? There’s a lot to process here.

A Sobering Picture of Human Kings

As a Christian, these times aren’t without hope. By God’s providence, I’ve been reading about some of the corrupt kings in Israel’s history while also preparing to teach on Melchizedek in Genesis 14. God has reminded me that His word is always relevant, especially in times like these.

As I read about Israel’s kings just prior to their exile to Babylon, I am struck with a real sense of sinful depravity. Even under a theocracy with the Word of God coming directly to them through prophets, Israel’s kings foolishly disobeyed the LORD. There were some cases where the prophet  basically said, “Do exactly this and you will be spared. Do otherwise and you will die” (see Jer. 38:14-28). Despite these clear and vivid warnings from God, the kings disobeyed Him. Through their disobedience, the nation of Israel would be handed over into the grip of their enemies and into exile.

We need Someone far greater than an earthly king who merely promises to do things for our good. We need God's King who isn’t stained by the power and death of sin.

A Hopeful Picture of God's King
​
As I read about Melchizedek and how he foreshadowed Jesus (Genesis 14), I am struck by the glory and goodness of Jesus. Melchizedek, the king of Salem and the king of Righteousness (the meaning of his name), was a priest before the Levitical priesthood existed. He foreshadowed Christ, the ultimate King of Righteousness. Jesus is the King of Peace who reigns over Zion and all the universe. He is a Priest after the order of Melchizedek—a priest greater than every Levite. His sacrifice for His bride and sheep is a once-for-all payment for sin that is unmatched by any priestly sacrifice. His blessing to believers is the promise and hope of having a secure anchor in the face of persecution, threats, and the storms of life.

In Christ, we have a King and Leader who is far greater than Donald J. Trump or Kamala Harris. We have a sinless, holy, and righteous King who never errs or has a lapse in judgment. We have a King who died on the cross and rose again to give peace and righteousness to all who trust in Him. More importantly, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Rev. 17:14;19:16). Every earthly leader—president, monarch, high priest—will have to kiss the son or perish (Ps. 2:12). Every leader of every nation will have to bow the knee and confess that Jesus is Lord (Phil. 2:10-11).

A Christ-Centered Perspective Amidst Uncertainty

Whether you were devastated or overjoyed by the results of this election, keeping a Christ-centered perspective is vital for us as we walk through coming days and months. The world is throwing a lot of chaos at us, and we have no idea how this presidency will affect our lives. But we can rest assured that Christ is still King and He ever intercedes for His people. Our hope goes far beyond this world and its political figures.

 This week, I felt that it was important to pray for our congregation and our nation in light of the upcoming election. Regardless of how you're voting—if you're voting at all—I think this prayer could be as beneficial to your soul as much as it was to mine. It's not often that I pray written prayers during corporate worship, but I benefited from slowing down, thinking through the implications of this election in light of 1 Peter 2:13-17, and writing out my heart. 

You may benefit from just reading the prayer. You may also benefit from praying through the prayer directly. Personally, I think reading through the prayer and stopping to pray in light of what I prayed can help personalize the prayer even more for you. Either way, I hope this prayer is a blessing as we approach the 2024 election.

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:13-17 (ESV)
13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution,[a] whether it be to the emperor[b] as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants[c] of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father,

We come to You humbly and in awe of Your power. When we look out at creation, we see Your divine power as the ruler and creator of the whole universe. We see Your upholding hand that keeps the earth spinning while maintaining the right distance from the sun. We see the signs and seasons you’ve created as reminders that though the seasons come and go, You have given order to Your creation.

Lord, we pray this morning that You would prepare our hearts for the upcoming election. Every four years, we vote for the supreme human leader of our nation. We know that You are our highest authority, and yet You have called us to be subject, for Christ’s sake, to every human institution. As much as we are able, without abandoning Your righteousness, help us to truly be subject to our governing authorities.

You have put them here to punish those who do evil and praise those who do good. Help them to do that with justice and righteousness. Bring our government leaders into Your glorious family and save their souls so they can lead from Christlike hearts. But even if they reject the gospel, guide their hearts like a stream of water in Your hands. As the Lord of all, convict and steer them by Your mighty hand even when they don’t want to follow You.

It is Your will that Your people silence foolish people by our good deeds and godly living. By the power of Your Holy Spirit and through the gospel, lead us in those good works. Let our actions and words reflect the righteousness of Christ rather than the recklessness of this current cultural moment. Don’t let us get wrapped up in the bondage of cultural and political agendas. We are free people. Help us to live in that freedom and not use our freedom as a cover-up for evil.

Holy Father, train our hearts to live as Your servants. Like Paul, let us find our identity as true servants of God rather than slaves of men and their agendas. Don’t let us be pawns caught in a game of political chess. We know that no earthly kingdom will ultimately stand. Even the greatest kingdoms have risen and fallen. Let us never forget that! Help us to honor everyone, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor our president-elect—whoever that may be.

Help us keep our eyes on Christ in this election. Four years won’t come close to comparing to the eternity set before us. Help us to remember that, Lord! Thank You for Your grace and mercy. May we behold and reflect the glory of Christ in this election season.

It’s in the name of Jesus Christ that we pray. Amen.

Is it possible to stop scrolling for a month? What if you could be more engaged, less stressed, and actually present during the upcoming holiday season? Try No Scroll November with me!

Why No Scroll November?

For most of the last decade, I’ve participated in No-Shave November. In honor of bearded men, I’ve made a commitment to let my winter beard growth start in the month of November. It’s pretty amazing how much beard I finish with at the end of the month, and it has me thinking: What if I skipped out on No-Shave November and tried out No Scroll November instead? I’m not sure if someone has already come up with this idea, but I promise I didn’t steal it. It’s something that has been on my mind for a long time, but I haven’t really taken the time to fully implement the plan. Plus, if I come up with a catchy name and invite some friends, maybe I’ll have some extra accountability.

Why No Scroll November in the first place? What does it even mean? Scrolling is the smartphone phenomenon where we open our phones or internet browsers, pull up Facebook or YouTube, and disappear into a black hole for 30-60 minutes at a time. Personally, I know it’s happening, but the algorithm knows EXACTLY which food videos to intersperse with those crazy dunk videos to keep me hooked for just one more video! Scrolling causes my kids to ask me why I care so much about my phone when I get home from a grueling day of work. No Scroll November says “No!” to scrolling for the next thirty days. It says “Yes!” to more important priorities while simultaneously removing a low-priority energy drain from my life.

Scrolling Is a Thief

Scrolling robs me of hours of Bible reading, prayer, family time, fellowship, discipleship, and much more. If I spent my scrolling time reading a book or spending it with my children, I’d be much happier and much less anxious and overwhelmed by the amount of work I have in front of me. I’d be more present with my wife, children, extended family, friends, congregation, and everyone in my life. It’s impossible to pay attention to others when I’m watching a silly one-minute video of a guy reacting to another one-minute video he watched. The day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2). It’s easy to get robbed when we’re stuck in a hypnotized trance staring at a glowing light box all the time.

Scrolling Blinds Us to Eternity

Since becoming a pastor, I’ve officiated more funerals than I had ever anticipated this early in my ministry. Death reminds me that eternity is just around the corner. One day you’re talking with someone; the next day, they’ve entered eternity. Perhaps “the next day” is actually a few months or years that passed by far quicker than we realized. Studies show that dopamine changes how we perceive time. And if we are constantly inundated with rises in dopamine from scrolling, it’s easy to see how time moves quicker than we perceive it. Time flies when we’re having fun—or when we’re wasting it looking at our phones. This life is already a vapor (James 4:14), and scrolling vaporizes our time even faster.

Scrolling Manipulates Our Emotions

Social media algorithms know us better than we know ourselves—literally. These complex computer systems track our hand movements, our clicks, and how long we look at an image or video before moving on to something else. Some app developers are trying to build products that could use our biological markers and facial expressions to make content suggestions based on our emotions. Even without such sophisticated technology, anger and fear get more clicks. Strong emotions elicit more views. The most inflammatory videos from the political “bad guys” will show up in our newsfeeds. The saddest or most heartwarming skits will show up on feeds pretending to be true stories. It’s all a game that plays with our emotions. It’s a lot harder to “be angry and not sin” when anger is intentionally being shoved in our faces all day and night.

Let’s say no to the scroll for the month of November. Maybe—just maybe—it will bleed into our December and perhaps even into the new year. Earlier this week, I shared some thoughts about how shifting back to standard time can truly bless our morning routines and help us seek the Lord earlier in the day. Imagine if we woke earlier, stopped scrolling, and spent more time with the Lord to finish out 2024! Perhaps our lives and this holiday season will be radically transformed as we spend more time beholding Christ!

Have your devotional rhythms been lacking lately? Now is the perfect time to "fall back" into those healthy rhythms that draw you closer to Christ.

This morning, I stumbled across an article about spiritual disciplines and daylight saving time. In it, Glenna Marshall makes a compelling point that I’ve been pondering over the past few weeks: daylight saving time is the perfect time to start waking up earlier. For me, there’s always a secret longing in my soul for the shorter days, earlier evenings, and darker mornings. It’s a secret longing because I rarely talk to people who look forward to the sun setting at 5:30 each night. It’s a true longing because I love slowing down earlier in the day, lighting oil lamps, and spending time with my family before we head to bed early. Plus, those Friday night bonfires are amazing!

In her article, Glenna says: “When we ‘fall back’ in autumn, we ‘gain’ an hour, so to speak, which most of us earmark for an extra bit of sleep. However, I’ve learned that the end of daylight saving is the best time to begin the habit of reading the Bible first thing in the morning.” I completely agree with her. If we’re already used to waking up at 6:30 am, when the clocks roll back, we can easily wake up at 5:30 am and gain an extra hour each morning. The best part is that we don’t have the added sleep inertia—that super groggy feeling we get when we wake up an hour earlier. Our body clock is already set, and with minimal effort, we can keep it that way.

You may be thinking, “I was excited about getting an extra hour of sleep!” I’m a huge proponent of aiming to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night to take care of your mind, body, and soul. And if you need the extra sleep, then it’s a perfect time to get it. However, if you set your clock back on Saturday night and get to bed at your normal time, you’ll still get plenty of sleep—unless your current sleep schedule is not sufficient.

But I want to offer you something else to think about. This could be a game changer for our devotional lives if we use the time wisely. If you’re able to wake up an hour earlier and spend time with the Lord, will you regret it?

I’ve never met a Christian who said they spend too much time with the Lord. I haven’t encountered a Christian who says, “My devotional life is perfect, and I don’t need to spend more time reading and meditating on Scripture.” Perhaps you’re the anomaly. I’m definitely not! If anything, an extra hour each morning would allow me to pray for people in my local church, read a few books I’ve been wanting to read, or meditate on some passages in the Bible that I haven’t thought about in a while.

Even if we don’t use the entire hour to improve our devotional lives, we could certainly incorporate some new spiritual disciplines during that time. Maybe you’ve always wanted to start journaling. Perhaps you’ve wanted to memorize a long passage of Scripture or a book of the Bible. Do you long for extended times of silence and solitude to quiet your mind and soul and be still before the Lord (Ps. 46:10)? An extra 30 to 60 minutes a day would be perfect to give them a try. An extra hour per day could change your life for the next fifty years. If you develop a strong morning routine in this season, it can pay dividends for decades.

Instead of rolling your eyes at another time change, take some time to give thanks to the Lord. Ask Him to help you see the blessedness of rising early and preparing your heart to offer Him praise (Proverbs 3:5). Consider the benefits of revamping or updating your morning routine to spend it with the Lord. You’re not more loved by God simply because you spend more time doing devotional activities. The aim is not to check a box or merely go through the motions. Eternal life is knowing God (John 17:3). Give yourself to knowing God more.

Oh, and don’t forget to set your clock back!

Leave a comment and let me know some ways you plan to use your extra hour each morning.

​Losing weight—especially body fat—is a long journey, and it won’t necessarily be easy. However, several simple steps can help get the ball rolling and lead to long-term success. I watched a video about burning body fat, and they brought up some great ideas. From a Christian perspective, there was one piece advice that really caught my attention, and I spent some time chewing on that thought.

Ultra-Processed Christians?

The first and most important step is to limit ultra-processed foods. This is the toughest area for most people, including myself. However, by reducing ultra-processed foods, we can reap the following benefits:

• We consume fewer overall calories.
• We consume fewer harmful chemicals that negatively affect our glucose levels, hormones, and other blood markers.
• We can eat more food volume without adopting a restrictive mindset toward our diet.
• We fill ourselves with nutrient-dense foods rather than eating sparsely nutritious food in low volumes to “cut weight.”

As a Christian, cutting ultra-processed foods can be a spiritual matter. These foods are crafted by food companies to be ultra-palatable, keeping us coming back for more. For example, it would be tough to eat several boiled potatoes with sour cream and onions in one sitting. Yet, in a matter of moments, we could easily devour a whole bag of sour cream and onion potato chips. In those moments, we are being controlled by our appetites.

I'll readily admit that I had several handful of sour cream and onions chips, Takis, three slices of Dominos pizza, and Cocoa Pebbles yesterday afternoon. I had been meticulously cutting out ultra-processed foods from my diet, but my appetite got the best of me. Is it addiction? Is it ADHD and dopamine seeking? Is just a cheat day that shouldn't bother me? That's what I'm pondering this muggy Saturday morning on my back porch.

What does the Word of God teach us about addictive behaviors?

In 1 Corinthians 6:12–13 (CSB), we read:

‘“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. “Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God will do away with both of them.’

Paul’s naysayers were arguing from a flawed perspective about Christian liberty. But the punchline is clear: we shouldn’t be mastered by anything. Whether we are free to eat certain foods or not, God will do away with the stomach and the food. It's not a sin to eat hot dogs or boneless wings. But at what point am I being "mastered" by my appetite and desires for food? That's what I'm seeking to understand for myself.

I’m not arguing that it’s a sin to eat a Dorito, donut, or Debbie cake. However, if we desire to take better care of our bodies, which are temples of God, it’s worth considering whether we are addicted to ultra-processed foods. If we find ourselves unable to avoid multiple trips to the pantry to grab handfuls of chips or a piece of candy from the dish every few hours, perhaps we have been mastered by the processed food experts.

Perhaps we aren’t in need of more willpower—we are in need of grace for repentance to put the fork down.

I am setting out to write micro essays. These are intentionally short articles written primarily for the purposes of my meditation and learning. If they are fitting for the blog, I plan to share them here with anyone who wants to read them. These aren't meant to be full exegetical articles or even my deepest thoughts on any topic. They are micro essays, with an intentionality on being micro.

On too many mornings, I find myself feeling scatter-brained and distracted from the most important habits and disciplines of life. I crave a robust prayer and devotional life, yet without a structured plan for reading and praying, I often end up accomplishing little of value. Instead of cherishing communion with God during my "quiet time," I spend most of it trying to figure out what to do.

Even with a plan in place, I sometimes delve into an in-depth study or long meditation on a passage before I have to get ready and head out the door. While there is undeniably great value in meditating on the Bible — as the great Puritan divines and many other devotional heroes of the past would remind us — making those meditations into prayers is equally crucial.

Transitioning from Bible Reading to Prayer

This transition from reading, studying, and meditation to prayer can be challenging at times. I am familiar with the idea that the blessed man meditates day and night (Psa. 1), yet believers are also urged to "continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2). As vital as Bible reading and meditation are, prayer stands as an extremely vital aspect of Christian life and faith as well. In the words of E.M. Bounds, "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing!" He couldn't be more right.

So, how do we shift from Scripture to prayer? There are numerous methods for this, and one of my favorites is actually Bible journaling. For me, journaling serves as a tool to rein in my wandering thoughts and focus on one or two key insights from my reading and meditating to specifically take to God in prayer. Taking the time to write out my thoughts, expressions of gratitude, and plans for the day can really shape my hours, days, and weeks. In fact, when I invest thoughtful energy into prayer and planning, I find myself much more productive and far less frantic, in general.

Discovering the Daily Prayer Journal

Recently, I was thrilled to learn about the Daily Prayer and Gratitude Journal from The Christian Journal Company. It’s a simple and practical way to incorporate Bible journaling into your everyday life. As you navigate your devotional rhythms, this journal can help guide your thoughts and prayers. Each day features a morning and evening time of journaling, which allows you to both plan your day and reflect on it. This journal not only encourages prayer but also promotes "being watchful in it with thanksgiving" (Col. 4:2).

In the morning section, you have space to write out a specific prayer request, three things to be thankful for, and a way you’ll make the day great. Additionally, there's a daily affirmation from Scripture. These affirmations are drawn directly from Scripture. For example, an affirmation from Isaiah 49:15 says, “I am not abandoned. Christ accepts me as I am.” The passage from Isaiah, amid prophecy about God’s wayward children, serves as a powerful reminder that God won’t abandon us; He accepts us as we are and transforms us into who He has created us to be.

In the evening section, you have space to write three blessings that occurred each day. While I can’t speak for anyone else, I know how crucial it is to count my blessings. Naming and writing them down helps me stay grounded and grateful. Taking the time to reflect on my day and list the blessings can be transformative, especially during challenging times. Even on the best days, it's a reminder that God is constantly at work for my good and His glory.

A Legacy to Share

This hardback journal is high quality and feels sturdy in my hands. It’s a book that will stand the test of time on the bookshelf. You’ll be able to carry it until you’ve filled the pages with journaling, and then you’ll be able to look back on how you prayed and how God showed up over the year. Even better, you’ll be able to pass on your prayer journal to the believers of the next generation. Whether you have children or you’re mentoring a young believer, this journal can provide a glimpse into the marvelous and mighty work of God in your life that will be sure to bless and encourage a younger saint.

If you're searching for a catalyst in your devotional life or simply something to slow you down and foster more prayerfulness and reflection, the Daily Prayer and Gratitude Journal could be the boost you've been seeking! Give it a try, and feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment. Your feedback is invaluable!


I received a free copy of this journal in exchange for an honest review. I do not receive any affiliate sales or profits when you purchase this journal. ​

This post is a part of our Advent series. If you'd like a PDF version of the full Advent devotional,click here!

As we celebrate Advent, the darkness of late autumn and winter begins to set in. When we rise from our slumber each morning, we are greeted by dark, starlit skies. Shortly after we pull into the driveway from a hard day's work, the darkness creeps back in and quickly ushers us back into our nightly slumber. Some days, the clouds are so dense and the gray so heavy that a shadow of darkness is cast over the entire day. We begin to long for brighter days, earlier dawns, and later dusks. Spring sunlight brings relief after a winter season of darkness. 

After Adam and Eve ate the fruit in the Garden of Eden, darkness set in. It's a darkness we can all feel. To our dismay, as dark as those early days were, there would be darker days coming. The days of Noah were dark. Despite God's pillar of fire, Moses and the Israelites couldn't help but feel the darkness. In the days of the judges, the darkness seemed to reach its peak. Yet, in the days of Israel's corrupt kings, we see some of the darkest days in human history. Sin, idolatry, and darkened hearts gave way to the exile, famine, death, and desolation of God’s chosen people. 

Yet, into the darkness came a great light! "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone" (Isa. 9:2). What did they see? Who was this great light? It was the promised Savior and Messiah. It was the Son of God who caused the light to shine when His Father said, "Let there be light" (Gen. 1:3). He is the Light who came into the world (John 1:9; 3:19). The darkness of sin and death could neither comprehend nor overcome the light of Christ (John 1:5). 

Jesus wasn't shy about this reality, either. He stared Pharisaical darkness directly in the face and said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life." (John 8:12). As further evidence of His true nature and power, just prior to making a blind man see, Jesus declared, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:5). In pitch darkness, the light of a candle can illuminate a room. Yet, Jesus wasn’t a flickering candle, He came like a blazing, glorious sun, bursting onto the scene with immeasurable glory. 

The Light of the World reveals the darkness that resides in all of our hearts. He also exposes the deepest needs of those He interacts with, some for their salvation and others for their judgment. His teachings pierce the most learned scholar as well as the ignorant and unlearned (Acts 4:13). Greatest of all, Jesus shined the light of salvation, illuminating the gospel for all who would receive and believe in Him (2 Cor. 4:6).  

This is what Advent is all about. This is why we string up lights and enjoy the glowing flame of the Advent candles each Lord’s Day throughout this wonderful season. The true Light has come into the world. As you meditate on the blazing glory of our Savior, remember this: 

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16) 

When Jesus ascended into heaven, the Light didn't leave the world. He shines through us. As the full moon lights up the night sky, we “shine as lights” in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation (Phil. 2:15). Shine bright, dear brothers and sisters! The world needs to see His glory. ​

Kids' Version
The kids' version of this article has been edited and rewritten with kids in mind. Feel free to share this with your kids or read it to them during family worship. You can also find a video version of this article read by my children, here.

Advent is upon us! As we celebrate, the days become shorter and the nights longer. When we wake up in the morning, we see a dark, starlit sky. It seems like right after school the darkness comes back, and we go to sleep. Sometimes, the clouds are thick and the gray sky makes the day feel gloomy. We start to wish for brighter days with earlier mornings and later evenings. Spring sunlight brings relief after a long winter. 

Long ago, after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, darkness filled the world. We all feel this darkness. Sadly, even darker days were yet to come. The days of Noah were dark. Despite God's pillar of fire, Moses and the Israelites also felt the darkness. In the days of the judges, things seemed to be at their darkest, but they got worse in the days of Israel's corrupt kings. Those were some of the darkest times in Israel’s history. Sin, idol worship, and hard hearts led to exile, hunger, death, great sadness, and emptiness. 

However, into this darkness came a great light! "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness, light has shone on them" (Isa. 9:2). Who was this great Light? It was the promised Savior and Messiah. He's the Son of God who brought light to the world when God said, "Let there be light" (Gen. 1:3). The darkness of sin and death couldn't understand or overcome the light of Christ (John 1:5). 

Jesus wasn't shy about this truth. He looked right into the darkness of the Pharisees and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't walk in darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). Then, just before making a blind man see, Jesus said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:5). In complete darkness, a candle's light can brighten a room. Jesus was even bigger and even better! Jesus was like the blazing sun bursting into your room on a bright, summer morning! 

The Light of the World shows us the darkness in our hearts. He also shows us what we need most. His teachings reached all kinds of people, whether they were super smart teachers or regular little kids like us. Most importantly, Jesus showed the light of salvation, explaining His good news to all who would receive and believe in Him.  

This is what Advent is all about. It's why we decorate with Christmas lights and light Advent candles on Sunday mornings. Light has come into the world. If you’ve placed your faith in Jesus, He has some amazing words for you: 

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16). 

Did you hear that?! If you’re a Christian, you get to carry the light of Jesus with you everywhere you go! When Jesus went to heaven, the Light didn't leave the world. He shines through us. Just like a full moon brightens the night sky, we “shine like lights” in a sinful world (Phil. 2:15). Shine brightly, kiddos! The world needs to see His glory! ​

Daily Readings 

Day 1: Read John 8:12-30 

• How does the darkness of the Pharisees’ and Jews’ responses prove that they did not have the Light of Christ? 
• Why do you think Jesus chose to use darkness and light imagery? How does the metaphor light connect with the idea of knowing Him? 

Day 2: Read Isaiah 9:1-7 

• How were the days leading up to Christ’s coming described by Isaiah in this passage? 
• What are some of the ways Jesus is described in this passage? How do these words give hope about the One who was to come? 

Day 3: Read Revelation 21:22-27 

• How will the New Temple and New City be lit up after the return of Christ? How does this give us hope and anticipation of Christ’s second Advent? 
• Who will walk in the light of Christ in the days after Christ’s coming? How does this help us understand that Jesus was the light of the world? 

​
Song
We The Kingdom - Light of the World (Sing Hallelujah)​

​Advent encourages us to pause and contemplate the arrival of Jesus as a man, offering eternal life to sinners in need of a Savior. However, amidst the holiday rush, we often lose sight of this vital focus. The glory of Christ is often overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of shopping, event planning, travel arrangements, and meal preparations. While desiring newer and nicer things is not inherently wrong, these desires can offer only temporary satisfaction, causing us to misplace our hope and joy. 

The core message of Advent, however, is that Jesus descended from heaven to provide eternal satisfaction. John 6:47-51 illustrates this: 

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” 

Jesus proclaims Himself as the "Bread of Life." Before this declaration, He had performed miracles among the sick, drawing a large, eager crowd proving His Divine nature and power. Jesus' compassion led Him to feed thousands, and they rejoiced, but they sought Him for earthly gain and were disappointed when He didn’t want to be their earthly king and slipped from their grasp to obscure Himself. 

Later, the crowds returned for more food, missing the point of Jesus’s miraculous works. Jesus redirected them, urging them to believe in Him for eternal sustenance. Many had anticipated a Messiah who would provide manna, much like Moses did in the desert, but Jesus corrected their understanding, emphasizing that God sent the true bread that grants life (v. 33). He declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst" (v. 34). Many of the people grumbled, just like their forefathers of old. 

In the Bible, bread symbolizes life. Jesus used this metaphor to emphasize that He is the source of true life. Just as the ancient Israelites needed manna to survive, the people of Jesus' time needed spiritual nourishment from Him. He emphasized that their hope lay not in material possessions, an earthly Messiah, or good deeds. Rather true hope was in Him, the Bread of Life. 

This Advent, consider where you seek life and hope. While the Sunday School answer may be "Jesus,” self-examination is essential. In moments of distress, where do you turn for solace? During this holiday season, do you find more joy in Jesus or the gifts and festivities. 

The good news is that Jesus sympathizes with our needs and desires. He extends the offer of eternal life, even amidst doubt and confusion. This year, keep giving gifts, singing hymns and carols, and celebrating with loved ones, but prioritize feasting on the Bread of Life. Dedicate time to read His words, meditate, and talk with Him. Create an Advent tradition centered on shared meals, discussions about Jesus, and communion with Him. He calls out, saying, "I am the bread of life. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever" (v. 58). 

Kids’ Version 
The kids' version of this article has been edited and rewritten with kids in mind. Feel free to share this with your kids or read it to them during family worship. You can also find a video version of this article read by my children, here.

Advent is a special time when we celebrate Jesus, who gave us the best gift ever—eternal life! But sometimes, we get busy with gifts and parties and forget what's important. We might even dream about cool stuff, but those things don't make us truly happy. They definitely don’t keep us alive. Jesus is the one who gives us real joy and life. 

Jesus came from heaven to give us eternal life and show us that real happiness is in Him. Let's learn from what Jesus said in John 6:47 and 51: “I am the bread of life… If anyone eats this bread, they will live forever”. Before saying those amazing words, Jesus did mighty miracles and healed sick people. He showed them that He is God. Lots of people followed Him, hoping He'd be their king, but Jesus wanted them to understand that He was far more than that. 

Later, the crowd came back, not to learn from Him but to get more food. Jesus said they should work for something even better than yummy food. They should work for eternal life by believing in Him. Just by believing they could live forever. Even after seeing miracles, some folks wanted more signs. They thought Jesus might give them manna like Moses did. But Jesus said, "I am the true bread from heaven, giving life to the whole world” (John 6:33). 

When they asked for this special bread, Jesus said: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never be hungry or thirsty. (John 6:35). Some people didn't like this message, just like their ancestors in the desert didn’t like Moses’ words. Jesus said only those God draws can come to Him. This was a hard truth, but they needed to hear it. 

In the Bible, they needed bread to live. We also need food and water to live, just like we need Jesus for eternal life. If we don't believe in Him, we can’t live forever with Him. Long ago, God gave manna to hungry Israelites, but they didn’t live forever, and they didn’t even trust God after He took care of them. 

People in Jesus's time need to feast on Him with their hearts to really live. We need to do the same thing. They needed to know that toys and stuff can't make them happy. Jesus, the Bread of Life, gives us true joy and life forever if we love Him. 

During Advent, think about where you look for happiness. It's easy to say "Jesus," but do you really believe it? Do you really mean it? When you're upset or confused, where do you go? Does Jesus bring you more joy than the toys and fun stuff at Christmas? 

Jesus knows what you need. He's the gift of eternal life, even when you're grumpy. He's saying, "I am the bread of life. Anyone who loves Me will live forever" (John 6:58). 

This Advent, have fun giving gifts, singing songs, and being with family. But don't forget to enjoy the Bread of Life—Jesus. Spend time reading about Him, thinking good about Him as much as you can, and talking to Him. Ask your parents to start special traditions with your family, and make them all about Jesus. He's calling you right now and offering you eternal life! 

Daily Readings 
Day 1: Read John 6:22-59. 

How does the surrounding context help you better understand Jesus as the Bread of Life? 

How does Jesus being the Bread of Life impact your life today? 

Day 2: Read Exodus 16:1-36.  

How does this passage make us anticipate the coming of the Savior who is the true Bread of Life? 

How does the gospel provide a greater hope than the physical manna from heaven? 

Day 3:  Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. 

How and why is the Lord’s supper greater than the manna in the wilderness? 

What is the importance of the Lord’s Supper in the life of the church today? How does it point us to the gospel? 

Song: 
“On and On” – Trip Lee ​

Despite the abundance of material wealth and goods we have in America, discontentment is a major temptation for God’s people. We know we should be thankful, but we can’t seem to shake the temptation to want things to be more comfortable, less difficult, and better suited to our desires. Grumbling is so common in America, we greet people with it. They ask, “How are you doing?” We respond, “Doing fine. Busy. Wish this weather would cool down… I wish work would slow down… I wish I didn’t have such a hectic schedule.” Okay, maybe it’s just me.

This isn’t to say that we don’t have real struggles. Rather, it’s how we handle them that matters. Moms are busy and exhausted. Dads are drained and in need of a nap. Teachers are burning out. Students are overburdened with homework and sports. Shift workers are in a sleep-deprived daze. We all face hardships on a regular basis, yet most of us have all of our basic needs and many of our wants met.

If we struggle with grumbling with all of this abundance, how will we survive a test of our faith? This is one of my biggest struggles. Fear often sets in. I wonder to myself, “If I can’t be content and stop complaining with all the blessings I currently have, how will I respond to a crisis or a test of my faith?” That’s what Moses and Israel show us in Exodus 15.

Testing and Grumbling

In Exodus, the Israelites found themselves tested at the most basic level of human needs: thirst. After escaping from Egypt and journeying into the wilderness, they went three days without finding any water. Imagine the desperation they must have felt, knowing that they needed water not only for themselves but also for their families. When they finally found water at Marah, their relief quickly turned to disappointment as it was too bitter to drink. Their response was a mixture of a valid question and a sinful attitude: "What are we going to drink?" (v. 24). It was a legitimate question given their circumstances, but their grumbling against Moses revealed their sinful attitude.

Grumbling is common to us all when we face difficulties. We complain about our circumstances, question God's provision, and often direct our frustration at others. However, Scripture warns us against grumbling, emphasizing that it is a sinful attitude. It rejects God as our Provider, expresses discontentment and pride, and reveals a lack of faith and joy. Grumbling reveals eyes that aren’t fixed on Jesus, leading us further away from God's face.

The first lesson we can draw from this story is the importance of seeking God in the midst of our tests. Instead of grumbling, we should turn to Him with our concerns and questions. We must acknowledge that the LORD is the ultimate provider and trust that He can either change our situation, grow us in the situation, or do both. 

Praying for God's Gracious Answer

The Israelites' experience at Marah teaches us not only to avoid grumbling but also to pray earnestly for God’s gracious answer. Moses didn't argue, fight, or defend himself when the people grumbled; instead, he cried out to the Lord. He prayed with earnest emotion and sought God’s power and help.

This response serves as a powerful lesson for us today. When we face challenges or when others grumble against us, our first instinct should be to pray. Prayer could prevent a lot arguments, fights, defensiveness, or grumbling. God's response to Moses was both tangible and powerful: He showed Moses a log, instructing him on what to do with it. Moses obediently followed God's guidance, though even Moses may have wondered how this tree would purify the undrinkable water. As a result, the bitter water turned sweet, demonstrating God's miraculous power.

From this, we learn three essential aspects of prayer during tests. First, we should pray earnestly, using the appropriate emotions to match our circumstances. Second, we should look for an answer, expecting God to step in, even when His ways don't align with our understanding (Isa. 55:8-9). Third, we must obey God's instructions when He answers our prayers. Sometimes, obedience is the key to experiencing the transformational power of God's grace, and the power to obey comes by the grace of God.

Committing to Grace-Driven Obedience

This scene at Marah also highlights the importance of obedience in our walk of faith. In response to their testing, God gave the Israelites a rule and a statute, setting out four "ifs" that outlined His expectations. He called them to listen to His voice, do what was right in His eyes, give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes. If the Israelites obeyed, they would be spared from God's judgment and know Him as their healer.

It's crucial to understand that God's laws are not given to harm us but to help us thrive. They reveal the righteousness of God and our need for Christ's perfection. The commands of God ultimately point us to Jesus’ active obedience and perfection on our behalf. When we recognize our inability to keep the law perfectly, we can turn to Christ, who lived a perfect life and paid the price for our sins. He created the world, passed the test we couldn’t pass, took our penalty for failing, rose again, and will return to make the world perfectly new. One day there will be no more testing and no more bitter water because He will make all things new.

Grace-driven obedience, then, is the natural response to God's grace in our lives. We were once slaves to sin, but God set us free through His grace. We have been redeemed and purified for the purpose of good works. This gospel transformation leads us to seek God's will in every aspect of our lives, striving to obey Him joyfully.

Abiding in the LORD and His Abundance

After the test at Marah and the command to obey, God led the Israelites to Elim, a place of abundance. Elim was named for its towering terebinth trees, offering not only twelve springs but also seventy palm trees. It was a place of perfection and plenty, a stark contrast to the waterless journey and the bitterness of Marah on the way.

Elim serves as a reminder to us that God provides for His people both physically and spiritually. He meets our physical needs, ensuring that we lack no essential needs. Of eternal importance, He offers spiritual rest and restoration, inviting us to come to Him and find rest for our souls (Mt. 11:28). Elim teaches us to rest in God's abundant provision and to abide in His presence, recognizing that He is our Shepherd who leads us beside still waters (Psalm 23:1-6).

What Will We Choose?

In times of testing, we can either grumble in despair or cry out to God in faith, trusting in His grace to meet us in our need. The story of Marah in the book of Exodus illustrates the transformative power of God's grace when we seek Him in our trials, pray earnestly for His guidance, commit to grace-driven obedience, and rest in His abundance.

No matter what challenges we face, we can take comfort in knowing that God's grace is sufficient. His grace can make the bitter sweet and give rest to those who are exhausted. So, as we encounter tests of our faith, let us remember the lessons from Marah and trust that when we seek God, He will indeed meet us with His grace.

Reflection Questions: 
1. How can we turn moments of suffering into opportunities for seeking God's grace and guidance? How might this help us move from grumbling to gratitude?
2. In what ways can we practically cultivate a habit of grace-driven obedience in seasons of difficulty? How can we put off grumbling as we obey God in times when obedience is tough?
3. What practical steps can we take to rest in God's abundant provision and find contentment, even in the midst of life's trials and challenges?

Prayer Points:

1. Confess the times that you've grumbled against God or others for your circumstances. Pray that God would help you see grumbling as He sees it. Ask for the transforming grace to turn away from it.
2. Are you in a time of testing? If yes, pray earnestly for the LORD to provide for you and comfort you. If no, pray earnestly for someone else who is going through a trial.
3. Seek the Spirit's power for obedience. Ask Him to reveal at least ONE specific way that you can be more obedience, and commit to obedience with God's help.
4. Abide in the presence of Christ. Take some time to acknowledge God's presence. Be still in the presence of God and enjoy a few moments of solitude. Don't rush away. Don't let your thoughts linger. Focus your heart and soul on God.