Throughout his life, Jesus consistently disregarded shame. One example is especially striking – when Jesus was disrespected and insulted by Simon the Pharisee intentionally. Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to a meal, but when Jesus knocked on the gate, Simon didn’t give him the customary greeting. When Jesus was seated at the meal, Simon didn’t…

Jesus was born and raised in unlikely places. When wise men came from the east, they expected the king of the Jews to be born in the capital city of Jerusalem (Luke 2:1-2). When Philip invited Nathanael to meet Christ, Nathanael responded, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (John 1:46). In those days great…

Jesus faced the shame of unfounded rumors about his birth. Joseph and Mary were not yet married when Jesus was conceived. The supernatural, virgin birth of Christ by the Holy Spirit was misinterpreted at first by Joseph. “Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to…

Jesus grew up as a common laborer in a lower middle income bracket. Twice in the Gospels he’s described in the family business as a carpenter. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” (Matthew 13:55). “‘Isn’t this the carpenter?’ . . . And they took offense at him” (Mark 6:3). When Jesus begins his public ministry, he’s…

Whoever said “there’s no shame in poverty” was either someone who was never poor or someone who learned to live above their poverty. I’m inclined to think that Jesus was the latter. Jesus faced the shame of growing up in a poorer family. When Jesus’ parents come into the temple to offer the sacrifice for…

I want to talk with you about the shame Jesus experienced in his life and in his death. Today is the beginning of the Lenten season. Different Christians respond differently to this season. Some conscientiously follow it. Others mostly ignore it. I’m probably in the middle. Sometimes in the 40 days leading up to Easter…

Hi QCAC Family, I trust you’re following along with the “40 Days of Prayer”. You can still receive these devotionals through https://mailchi.mp/cmalliance.org/40daysofprayer-signup. Following today’s reading with Psalm 91, hear God the Father speaking to you: “Have no fear of sudden disaster. When it comes, proclaim that I am your Refuge and your Fortress, your God,…

Resolutions often fade. To overcome this, some suggest the 21/90 rule. You commit yourself to some goal or pattern for 21 straight days to form a habit. Then you continue doing it for another 90 days to make it a lifestyle. Three weeks plus ninety days starts with a resolution. I followed a similar strategy…

Brother Lawrence defines “simple awareness, this loving view of God present everywhere [as] the holiest, the surest, the easiest, and the most efficacious form of prayer.” That’s helpful. Perhaps the most daunting command of the Bible is 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which has been translated in many ways: Pray continually. Pray constantly. Pray without ceasing. Always…

Brother Lawrence summarized his journey of practicing God’s presence: While “somewhat difficult in the beginning, [it] secretly accomplishes marvelous effects in the soul, draws abundant graces from the Lord, and, when practiced faithfully, imperceptibly leads it to this simple awareness, to this loving view of God present everywhere, which is the holiest, the surest, the…