When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land…”

(Genesis 15:17–18a)

In the dead of night, while Abram lay somewhere between waking and dreaming, God made a promise that changed the course of history. But promise is too light a word… It doesn’t carry the weight that it does in this event.

In today’s verse, God made a covenant with Abram that showed him how deadly serious he was about making good on his word.

Here’s what was going on.

Read moreThe God Who Made A Covenant With His Life

What is Jesus’ turn the other cheek meaning?

First, let’s look at how Jesus teaches in a specific pattern throughout the Sermon on the Mount.

1. He starts with: “You’ve been taught {the old way of doing things}…”
2. Then he explains: “But I say {the new way of doing things}…”
3. And he finishes: “Here’s how {this topic} impacts your life…”

In today’s devotional verses, Jesus says:

Read moreThe True Meaning of Turn the Other Cheek

In the Church, leaders are more than people with microphones on the stage. They are spiritual parents.

For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

1 Corinthians 4:15–16 ESV

Paul is writing to people who were pretty full of themselves.

The Corinthian church was packed with people Paul describes as puffed up and arrogant (1 Cor 4:18). And the fruit of their lives and ministry showcased this.

They were sharply divided, steeped in sexual sin, and greedy—just to name a few issues.

Paul wrote to correct sin in their lives because he, like a good father, wanted them to be in right relationship with God and one another.

Today, we desperately need more spiritual fathers and leaders in the church. And I don’t mean simply that we need more older Christians discipling younger ones. That is certainly good—but this has nothing to do with age.

Instead, it’s about maturity in three primary areas.

Read more3 Ways To Know If God’s Calling You To Lead