Featured Devotionals

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ODJ: firstfruits

John started his new job. When he received his first payslip at the end of the month, he wanted to celebrate by buying lunch for me. During our meal he told me that his first payslip was his “firstfruits”. With a grateful heart he wanted to give a significant portion of it back to God.

Moses repeatedly reminded the Jews that God was their Deliverer, the Giver of their land and t

ODJ: born into privilege

I thank God that I was born into privilege. No, I don’t mean that I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. My dad isn’t a rich tycoon, and I don’t live in a luxurious mansion. In fact, when I was young, my dad had to work extremely hard so that my family could experience reasonable comfort. Yet I can confidently say that I was born into privilege based on what we read in 1 Peter 1:3-6.

ODJ: breaking bread

Several years ago, a friend and I were dining in a restaurant’s outdoor seating area. As we neared the end of our dinner we noticed a man watching us from the pavement. His clothes were dirty, his face haggard. He walked up to us and with a cracked voice said, “When you finish your meal, if you have any leftovers, would you mind if I ate them?” We invited him to sit down, and we asked the

ODJ: finishing well

Finishing well. It’s an idea we typically reserve for those approaching the last few years of life. But as a wise, older man (now with Jesus) once pointed out to me, finishing well is not simply for the elderly. In fact, it’s the choices we make now—years before we say our final goodbyes—that will help determine how we complete our years on earth.

The apostle Paul was

ODJ: hard conversations

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I remember when someone on our church ministry team responded with disbelief upon discovering that my husband and I have disagreements. But I didn’t back away from sharing that we—like any family—had to work through conflict to relate better. Being spiritually mature doesn’t mean we’re exempt from challenges or failure. And it also means being honest, not trying to hide behind a squeaky

ODJ: God’s will and our hopes

Barely a few inches long, the image on the sonogram looked like something from a science fiction film. With distinctive little nubs for hands and a clearly defined head, I could see the promise of the one who was to be our firstborn. Still unknown were the gender, personality traits and distinctive qualities to fill out the picture of the now-beating heart. Capturing the image of this little l

ODJ: honesty is required

Their sin ruined the mument. Like a brawl at a wedding or a bitter argument during an office party, their selfish act brought the party to a halt. The new church had been an exhilarating community of love. “All the believers were united in heart and mind” and they “shared everything they had”. “Those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to

ODJ: pizza box evangelist

My wife and I were in a local town centre trying to start spiritual conversations with people we met. We came across a 23 year old homeless person and shared the gospel with him using a method called “The Big Story”. It involves drawing circles to explain God’s story and plan of salvation. The young man had a pizza box at his feet as he sat on a street bench, so I drew on it as I

ODJ: in the shadows

I know a couple who have just had their third miscarriage. In two of those painful losses they’ve held a perfectly formed, lifeless little body in their hands. While there’s much light in this world—beauty, goodness, joy—there are also the shadows of sadness, evil and suffering.

Sometimes we wonder where God is in the midst of our pain.
But look at the people to