Focal Passage: Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 20-25

On the day I’m writing this article, my wife and I are celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary. The idea of love is fresh on my mind. On significant days like this, we often pause to reflect — looking back on what has been and ahead to what will be. Like most marriages, ours has seen incredible seasons of joy and some long, hard days. But one thing remains constant — our commitment to one another. Fourteen years ago, we made a covenant to remain faithful “for better or worse,” and we’re still keeping that promise.

The biblical idea of love is that it’s an action word. It’s more than a feeling or emotion. Our culture often defines love as a fleeting emotion—you’re in love when someone makes you happy, and you fall out of love when they don’t. But that’s not love; that’s self-interest. When love means “You make me happy, so I love you,” you’re really loving yourself. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Deuteronomy 4:1-9, 15-20

The word remember can apply to the past, present, and future. We say, “Remember when we went on that trip?” “I don’t remember where I put my keys,” or “Remember to clean your room before Mom gets home.” Remembering touches every part of life.

Teachers know students forget quickly. That’s why repetition, reminders, and review are essential. God, the Master Teacher, uses the same approach with His people. In Deuteronomy 4, Moses calls Israel to remember God’s covenant. Forgetfulness is the enemy of faith. Israel’s greatest danger was not outside enemies but inward drift — the same danger we face when we forget God’s goodness. [Read more…]

Numbers 33:50-56; 34:13-15

Any parent knows we must be specific with instructions to our children. My wife and I have three boys, and one of their jobs is to put clothes away in their room — shirts in the closet, other items in drawers. 

They know this, but sometimes I just say, “Take your clothes to your room.” The other day, I gave that instruction, and my oldest came back quickly. 

When I asked if he had finished, he said he took them to his room “like I asked.” I pressed, “Did you put them away?” He replied, “You didn’t tell me to do that.” I assumed it was implied, but I needed to be clearer. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Numbers 22:22-35

In Milan, Tenn., two train tracks run straight across the main highway through town. Multiple times a day, trains stop there, blocking traffic for anywhere from a few minutes to nearly an hour. It can be frustrating to sit and wait, but I often wonder: What if God is protecting me from something on the other side? We may not know, but sometimes God blocks our path not to hinder us, but to protect us. That’s exactly what happens in Numbers 22.

Balaam was on his way to be part of an evil scheme against God’s people (vv. 15-21). Though he said the right words outwardly, his motives were corrupt. He was driven by reward rather than obedience. This is a reminder for us: God sees more than our words; He sees the motives of our hearts. What looks right on the outside can still be rebellion within. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Numbers 20:2-13

As a dad of three growing boys, I can say one thing with certainty: They can eat. Our refrigerator is rarely safe. Yet sometimes I’ll find one of them standing with the fridge door wide open, frustrated because “there’s nothing to eat.” Of course, there’s food — it just may not be what they want in that moment. Their mom and I will never let them go without. But their frustration blinds them to what’s already been provided.

That’s the spirit we see in Numbers 20. God had proven His faithfulness to Israel again and again, yet the people chose to complain. The passage reveals a progression of distrust that we, too, often fall into. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Numbers 11:4-17 

One of the most fascinating careers to study is that of Hotshot Crews — elite firefighters trained to face the most dangerous wildfires. One of their primary tools is the “firebreak,” a strip of cleared land that stops flames from spreading and creates a safe zone. 

In Numbers 14, Moses functions as a spiritual firebreak. He stands between God’s judgment and the people’s rebellion, interceding on their behalf.

By this point, Israel had rebelled repeatedly. Despite seeing God’s power in undeniable ways, they persisted in unbelief (vv. 11-12). God asked, “How long will they despise me? How long will they not trust me?” At its core, sin is rebellion — not just against God’s commands, but against His character. Outwardly, Israel may have followed at times, but inwardly their hearts were far from Him. Rebellion always begins in the heart, and rebellion against a holy God demands justice. His anger was justified, and His judgment was deserved. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Numbers 13:17-31

Recently, my wife and I were talking about skydiving. A couple we knew had gone, so I asked her if she’d ever want to try it. Without hesitation, she said, “Yes, absolutely!” 

I, on the other hand, began listing all the risks — chief among them, jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. My hesitations came from fear, while hers came from anticipation of the thrill. We looked at the same event and saw two very different perspectives. That’s exactly what happens in Numbers 13. The Israelites were given a chance to look at the promised land, and their perspectives revealed whether they would trust God or fear the obstacles before them.

Moses sent twelve spies to scout the land God had promised. He gave them an opportunity to trust (vv. 17-20, 27). This was never about whether the land was good — it was about seeing God’s gift with their own eyes. They had already witnessed His miraculous power: the Red Sea parting, manna from heaven, water from the rock. God had proved Himself faithful. This mission was an opportunity to trust Him again and to celebrate the goodness of the land He was giving. But instead of rejoicing in the gift, most of them focused elsewhere. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Numbers 11:4-17

Recently, I traveled on a mission trip to Ecuador. In one village, the people graciously prepared lunch for our team—a local delicacy I hadn’t encountered before: guinea pig. To me, guinea pig is a pet, not a meal, but we felt compelled to partake. 

I managed to get it down (barely) while longing for the familiar food back at the hotel. It wasn’t what I wanted, but it was what I had. I should have been grateful, yet I found myself frustrated. [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Numbers 9:15-23

When I was a little boy in sunny Orlando, my dad often took my older brother and me on bike rides around our neighborhood. We rarely took the same route twice. At the start of each ride, Dad gave us our “jobs.” 

My brother’s task was to ride in the back and “watch out for alligators or bad guys coming from behind” — a role that sounded heroic to my six-year-old ears.  [Read more…]

Focal Passage: Psalm 42:1-11

When was the last time you were really thirsty? Many of us have experienced great physical thirst from hard work or recreation, but are we that thirsty spiritually? Much of our liquid intake is not about thirst, but simply part of our daily routine or social interaction. 

That highly-caffeinated soft drink may be quick medicine for a headache. Could the same thing be said of our time with God? Are we spiritually thirsty like the deer desperately panting for water (Psalm 42:1), or are our spiritual lives more like coffee time? Are our times with God a means to certain temporal ends, or are they intimacy with the God of the universe? [Read more…]