From James 3: Cursing

“Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.” (v. 10)

There are more than a few ways we could approach the subject.

There’s the clear biblical impulse regarding purity in all things, to the best of our ability, as we are sanctified under grace. There’s the inborn sense that some things we could say should not be said. There’s your “I Love Jesus, But I Cuss a Little” coffee mug.

There are a lot of ways we could approach the subject, but let’s go with a question:

Aren’t you tired of the scummy, regretful, irrevocable weight of every impure word you permit?

Christians spend way too much effort trying to bend grace and twist it around their willful cursing, cussing, and lewdness. But this isn’t a “Christian freedom” issue. This is about the extent to which you choose to self-justify your sin and drag Jesus’ mercy into it.

Will any of us get it right all the time? No. But can we stop excusing our lack of discipline, our unlovely utterances, and our degraded speech?

Pray first. Then put in the work. And see if what you’ve permitted might be put to death.

— Tyler

From James 2: Tell and Show

“For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” (v. 26)

Have you ever been mad at a movie?

Maybe you didn’t like a particular plot point or a character’s arc, or maybe they only told you half the story, to set up a sequel.

I find myself getting mad at movies—but for an altogether different reason. I get mad about how a story is composed, how the art of film is used ineffectively or inefficiently.

And here’s what I’m usually saying when I’m complaining:

“Don’t tell me! Show me!”

There is very little life in a story wherein all the characters just talk about the action. There is no excitement in hearing everything summarized by dialogue. I don’t want you to tell me about what you are going to do; I want to see you do it!

So it is with the Spirit’s words through James:

Don’t spend all your religious life talking. Instead, go and do! The Gospel may be rooted in words, but a Gospel-centered life will be reflected in your works. You don’t work to earn it. The works are the evidence of it.

So, instead of merely telling, let’s show. Let’s live lives that bring the Good News to life for our neighbors.

I assure you: It makes a better story, in the end.

— Tyler

From James 1: Open Ears

“My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.” (vv. 19-20)

In the world.

On social.

Behind the wheel.

With your spouse and with your kids.

Amidst all the politicking.

At church.

In all these relationships and all these arenas at all these times, choose to listen first. Choose to speak second. Choose to leave anger on the shelf.

Imagine the Gospel impact of a people who turn the temperature down, who love with open ears rather than open mouths.

Imagine it—and imagine you—and make the change.

— Tyler

From Acts 14: More, Not Fewer

“When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” (v. 23)

We need more churches, not fewer.

We have this toxic religious culture, especially in smaller rural communities, and it can be summarized like this: local church defensiveness. Because we’re desperate for increased attendance—or because we’re disappointed by waning membership—we get defensive. “Our neighborhood doesn’t need another church! People should come to the church that’s been here forever!” So we don’t pray, don’t partner, and don’t promote the growth of Jesus’ church beyond our own walls.

But the Christian impulse, from the start, has been more churches. More prayed-for elders and pastors. More fasting with hope. More gatherings in more places across more towns. And all of it is for Jesus’ singular glory, for the Gospel good.

Every time I read about the early church’s missional planting efforts, I’m reminded to pray for planting, still. Yes, even in my own backyard—because the church is about Jesus, not my ego and my preference.

Will you join me in praying for the growth of His church in every place?

— Tyler

From Acts 13: Trying

“Everyone who believes is justified through him from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses.” (v. 39)

How many things have you tried?

If you’re like me, then you’ve tried morals. And you’ve tried church participation. And you’ve tried giving. If you’re like me, then you’ve tried every kind of friendly, religious, good-person thing.

How many things have you tried, hoping that they would free you?

Yet freedom isn’t found in them. No matter how many good things you pursue and pile up, the awful reality of your sin-debt remains. Whether it’s the sacrificial system under Moses or a culturally “Christian” morality, none of it affords the freedom we long for, the forgiveness we need.

It only comes in Christ, who justifies us. It only comes in Christ, who frees and forgives. It only comes in Christ, who is sufficient.

So, instead of all that trying, turn to Him in faith.

— Tyler

From Acts 12: Fervent Prayers

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was praying fervently to God for him.” (v. 5)

Through every season of life—from the beginning of Jesus’s church to today—they have been there. Brothers, sisters, nearby relations and far-off friends. Fellow believers.

And they’re in trouble.

The question is, Will we pray for them?

Peter, during a time of persecution, found himself in prison. In all likelihood, he was headed for the worst—the same fate as James the Greater—meaning death and martyrdom.

But! His friends—the church—prayed for him, and fervently.

What about us?

When you think of the great many Christians, of their problems and their pains and their persecution, do you pray? Do you plead for their release? Do you ask for God’s miracle on their behalf? Do you, for brothers and sisters near or far, pray with any kind of fervent urgency?

The Lord answered the prayers of Peter’s friends, of the church. And He still answers when the church prays today. So pray, fervently, for those in need—and give Him praise when He delivers them.

— Tyler

From Acts 11: His Hand

“The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.” (v. 21)

Let’s be honest:

Sharing the Gospel can be a daunting task.

Whether you’re using an evangelistic method or sharing your testimony or simply relating the sure truth of the Scriptures, it’s a little bit intimidating. Sure, there are the nerves and the unsteadiness and the sense of inadequacy, which are hard enough to overcome. But there is also the unknown of the other—and we really don’t have the ability to move, change, or save people in our own strength.

That makes the whole thing a daunting task.

Which is why we ought to find the account in Acts encouraging…

…because, for all their bold willingness, Jesus’ church only grew because His hand was on them.

The moving, changing, saving work is His. He puts His hand on people who, though they have big questions and big concerns, share the Gospel in their own meager ability. And it is His hand that sees it through!

Don’t fall into the trap of presuming you have to be smart enough, slick enough, or put-together enough to communicate the Good News of Jesus—because you can stay trapped there! Instead, pray, and open yourself to moments where His hand can work through your weakness.

— Tyler

From Acts 10: In Bounds

“Again, a second time, the voice said to him, ‘What God has made clean, do not call impure.’” (v. 15)

Peter, on the way to the biggest evangelistic shift in history, has a vision. There’s something like a sheet, and it’s filled with all kinds of critters, and the Lord says, “You can eat these.”

This, of course, was new information: Under the Law, many such things were restricted, out of bounds.

We should approach this revelation from two angles:

First, there is freedom here: God’s people, under Christ, are no longer a people of legalistic restrictions. We are, in fact, a people of moralistic restrictions—but right religion no longer rises or falls on your strict adherence to dietary law. We say “no” to things that are sinful, while enjoying things that are given to us freely.

Second, this isn’t just about food: By revealing the in-bounds nature of Jewishly out-of-bounds foods, the Lord also reveals the inclusive nature of the Gospel invitation. It’s for everyone! And every time we set someone outside our own boundaries of willing welcome, we are opposing Jesus’ commission.

Bottom line: Don’t draw the lines yourself. Don’t call “unclean” what He is made “clean.” Be a free people—and preach the freeing Gospel to every neighbor.

— Tyler

From Acts 9: Grow Like This

“So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.” (v. 31)

How do you grow a church?

There are ten thousand books and millions of words already devoted to the subject. There are models, networks, and conferences abounding. We have no shortage of strategies for invitation, outreach, and accommodation.

And, no, that’s not all bad.

It’s just not where you start.

The Bible, in its earliest accounting of the church and its life, tells us what brought peace to it—and what strengthened it. And, it turns out, it didn’t come down to seeker-sensitivity or welcome-readiness. It was something more fundamental.

They feared the Lord in worship. They honestly held Him highly, supremely, and authoritatively. They were totally submitted. All that, AND they went where the Spirit led.

When you worship rightly—when you trust that the Spirit knows better than any church-growth model—you will find the church at peace in its purposes. And you will see the church strengthened, because its people are learning to love Jesus, and not idol of fuller rooms.

And that’s the kind of church the Lord grows.

— Tyler

From Acts 8: Dabbling

“As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, ‘Look, there’s water. What would keep me from being baptized?’” (v. 36)

Permit a clear encouragement from the Word today:

You’ve dabbled long enough. You’ve circled the edges, you’ve dipped your toes in, and you’ve counted yourself among God’s people. You have heard the Good News of Jesus, and you have taken steps in belief.

But you’ve held off on all-in.

Whether it’s baptism or church membership or daily devotion—whether it’s serving or giving or going—you’ve slowed your steps.

Hear, then, the example of a pagan outsider who heard the Word and believed: the Ethiopian official, upon encountering the Gospel, immediately dives in. He takes that first identifying step, which is baptism, then he goes home rejoicing. He doesn’t hold off, doesn’t shop for the perfect church, doesn’t presume he can worship on his own terms. He’s all in!

So, my friend, will you follow his example? Will you stop dabbling, and take the plunge?

Because that’s what the radically redeemed do.

— Tyler

From Acts 7: Given Over

“God turned away and gave them up to worship the stars of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets….” (v. 42)

Here’s a weird truth about misplaced worship:

When you give your heart—and your time, and your attention—to things that are NOT God, He doesn’t zap you. He doesn’t give you what you deserve, which is judgment, then and there.

Instead, He gives you…whatever it is that you get from what you worship.

Which is nothing, really.

So you get silence when you wanted wisdom. You get emptiness when you hoped for comfort. You get the fleeting rewards of money or property or sensuality—but none of it carries the weight of heaven, of the things that last.

You get to the end, and find that all you have is self, and the stuff of earth.

That’s what it’s like to be given over to your idols. It’s a life spent for spiritual bankruptcy.

Choose Him instead.

— Tyler

From Acts 6: He Needs Help

“Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.” (v. 3)

Here’s something every church person needs to know:

Your pastor—your shepherds and your elders—need help.

The demands of ministry are multifaceted. A pastor is, on any given day, asked to be a teacher and a counselor and a caregiver and a visionary and a CEO (plus a great husband and a great dad). All of that is outside of Sundays, when he also needs to show up, prayed up and prepared, with a quality exposition of the Word of God for His people.

That’s…a lot.

He needs help.

It’s been this way from the beginning of the church. The Bible gives is the record in Acts 7. So let’s follow the biblical model! Let’s strengthen the church by entrusting some of the care and administration and service to trustworthy individuals. And—as the Spirit leads in your own life—let’s respond with obedient openness to that kind of calling.

Believe me: It’s appreciated.

— Tyler

From Acts 5: Free Speech

“But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out, and said, ‘Go and stand in the temple, and tell the people all about this life.’” (vv. 19-20)

We ought to keep preaching about the freedom that comes in Christ.

You and I have been wondrously, graciously, mercifully freed by Jesus. Sin’s shackles are done. The pain and the penalty are gone. We are released—by grace, through faith, because of Christ.

You and I have been let out of that prison.

So learn from the Apostles, who showed you what to do when the chains have been left behind:

Tell others about Him.

Our freedom is, in fact, for our good. But it is also purposed. The freed should feel compelled to go, to tell, and to testify. The Spirit sets us free, and the Spirit sets us loose.

Go, then, you who know freedom in the Gospel—and speak the Gospel to the nations.

— Tyler

From Acts 4: A Prayer He Answers

“When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.” (v. 31)

We pray all kinds of prayers.

And, honestly, we should—because God is faithful and good, and because He has invited us to keep asking and seeking and knocking, in prayer.

Yet there remains a prayer that He is sure to answer…which we have been unwilling to pray:

“Give us boldness to speak.”

Too many of us live too much life, wondering why we have said so little about Christ. We know we ought to share this Good News—we know that His is the only name by which we can be saved—but we are rarely bold enough to do it.

This is why we ought to align our prayer lives with those of the apostles. We ought to pray for a Spirit-filled boldness to speak about Jesus. We ought to ask for opportunities and for willing hearers. We ought to pray for His grace, that it might overwhelm all our inadequacies.

It’s a prayer He has answered in history. I am confident it is a prayer He answers still. So pray!

— Tyler

From Acts 3: Eyes Open

“Peter, along with John, looked straight at him and said, ‘Look at us.’” (v. 4)

Are your eyes open?

Because the needy are all around us.

We get so used to these religiously polished lives. We clean up our morals. We show up at church. We give up just enough of our means to feel obedient. In short, we live and move as churched people.

The problem is this: That life gives us a kind of tunnel vision…

…and we miss the neighbor in need on our doorsteps.

Don’t get so locked into a routine that you step over the hurting to keep it. Instead, open your eyes. Give some other the dignity of your full attention. And don’t wait until you think you have something for them. Trust Christ, and love them, and see how He works through you.

It starts when church people pause their pattern and pay attention. Look for them, and love them—and let Jesus shine through your eyes.

— Tyler

From Acts 2: One Big Truth

“God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death.” (v. 24)

The Gospel is unquestionably rich.

We cling to its promise of forgiveness. We treasure its assurance of salvation. We hold onto its hope—and we learn to live and move and worship accordingly.

The Gospel is rich.

But it really does come down to just one gift:

The pains of death are done.

Because Christ has died for us, has been buried and has been raised, the one big thing we all ought to dread—death—is no longer dreadful. There is no pain there anymore. There is neither judgment nor condemnation for those who are in Christ. Sin’s steepest penalty is removed, and Jesus’ greatest mercy has come. In Him we have life everlasting!

Yes, the day-to-day of life in the light of the Gospel demands our faithful attention. The Good News fills out our purposes in prayer and worship and giving and service. But as we do those things by grace—and as we hold them forth, so that others might respond in faith—don’t forget the one big truth.

In Christ, death is done. And, in Christ, life is yours.

— Tyler

From Acts 1: You Can’t

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (v. 8)

You might be thinking, “I can’t do that.”

Here it is, one more time: the Great Commission of Christ, urging you to go and to witness and to do so here and there and everywhere. You’ve read it before, and you’re reading it again, and you might be thinking…

… “I can’t do that.”

And you’re right.

To the extent that you think it comes down to you—to the extent that your own strength is all you think you have to apply to the mission—it will stress you out. You are far too aware of all your inadequacies and shortcomings and fears to feel up to the task. “How could I ever do that, ever go with the Gospel?”

The answer, of course, is in the first part of the verse:

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you….”

Jesus doesn’t leave us alone. He lives in us, as the Spirit, and He is able. It doesn’t come down to just you or just me. It’s Christ in us!

So let’s read this rightly—and let’s go.

— Tyler

From Luke 24: Reading the Bible with Jesus

“They said to each other, ‘Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?’” (v. 32)

Do you ever get bored while reading the Bible?

Or do you think, “It’s only other people who get it, who know what it means”?

Do you ever read the Word—and feel like it’s just a cold, rote routine?

Here’s a suggestion:

Try reading it with Jesus.

Before you turn to the text, turn to Him, and pray for His presence in the Spirit. Ask Him to show you what He showed the disciples—because they were missing the deeper things, too! Pray that you might be taught the same glowing, shining, burning truth that they were taught.

Ask Jesus to show you how all of it leads to, points to, and magnifies Him—His atoning death, His actual burial, and His victorious resurrection—and ask Him to warm your heart by it.

When you read with Jesus, and when you are rooted in the Gospel, the Word will never seem cold again.

— Tyler

From Luke 23: The Criminal’s Gospel

“We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” (v. 41)

The criminal gets it right.

He’s there, beside Jesus, on a cross of his own.

But he gets it.

One cross is just, right, deserved. The criminal’s cross follows some court’s conviction. The man sentenced to death there was sentenced deservedly.

The other cross?

An injustice. Undeserved. A cruel irony in the eyes of man. A cosmic atonement in the eyes of heaven.

The criminal looks to Jesus’s cross and gets it, gets the Gospel.

May we join him, then, and may we revel and wonder and proclaim the inimitable gift of Christ crucified. For we should hang with the deserving, yet Jesus—undeserving—took our place.

— Tyler

From Luke 22: Tired

“‘Why are you sleeping?’ he asked them. ‘Get up and pray, so that you won’t fall into temptation.’” (v. 46)

Permit a brief encouragement (and a corresponding challenge) for your worn out, stressed out, tired out days:

Don’t take the wrong nap.

You have to pray when you are there, in the exhausted crisis. Yes, you should rest, as well—but we make some of our worst decisions when we are tired. We’ll permit darkened thoughts, we’ll listen to temptation, and we’ll even stray into sin—all because we let tiredness lower our defenses.

Admittedly, we’ve known nothing like that Passover night in the garden, but we can still hear Jesus’ words—we can still see Jesus’ napping disciples—and we can understand our own crisis nights through them. We ought to be sensitive to the moment. We ought to account for our spiritual fitness when we feel weak. And we ought to pray, to rebuke the tempter and avoid temptation, lest we wander into worn-out waywardness.

Don’t take the wrong nap. Don’t miss the moment of prayer. Instead, PRAY, and remain alert until rest is right.

— Tyler