Written Devotions
Daily devotions written by Pastor Mike and many other Time of Grace writers. These Bible-based messages cover a wide variety of topics and help you seek what matters most in life: Jesus. Join the thousands of people who receive these devotions for encouragement by subscribing to have them delivered to your inbox each morning.
People notice generosity
All promoters of their particular version of religion are good talkers. They all have a particular value proposition that they are peddling. People who…
I’m anxious all the time
All of us have at least one disability of one kind or another. Sometimes that challenge in our lives proves to be a great…
Waiting is the hardest part
A few years ago, my just-waking-up child walked into the kitchen and asked for scrambled eggs. I said no—because the bacon, apple, and cheddar…
Why does racism exist?
A few years ago, I tried to explain racism to my kids. I defined racism as the belief that races are not distinct equals…
Bad apples: Solomon
Born to comfort and privilege, Solomon led what we might consider a charmed life. His warlike father, King David, had conquered all of the…
Bad apples: Abraham
Okay, Okay—how on earth does the great patriarch Abraham make a “bad apples” list? He was chosen by God to found a nation of…
Bad apples: Judah and Tamar
Judah, Abraham’s great-grandson, was a prince in the growing Israelite community. Fourth son of the patriarch Jacob, he had wealth and standing. But his…
Bad apples: King Manasseh
King Manasseh was one of the baddest apples ever to disgrace the Israelite barrel. He practiced things like sorcery, divination, witchcraft, consulted mediums, and…
Bad apples: Rahab
You have probably heard the old saying about the risk of having even one bad apple in the apple barrel—just one rotten apple can…
His love is for the world
I’m so glad that Jesus wasn’t racist. The Novotny family tree reaches its branches back to modern Germany and the Czech Republic. Lots of…
Living with loss: Your reputation
The past cannot be changed. What a heavy burden on all fools and sinners! Our misdeeds, our failings, our thefts and lies and moral…
A multiracial Messiah
The other day, I tried to track down all the Jesuses in my office. I gathered every painting, picture, icon, and action figure. Then…