The Consuming Fire and the Holiness That Comes Down

By Bradley Gray

10/02/25

23mins

The Consuming Fire and the Holiness That Comes Down

He doesn’t consume us, even though that is what we deserve. Instead, Jesus comes down to us and consumes all our sin by taking it on himself.

When Pastors Are Abused by Their Congregations

Donavon Riley

10/01/25

When Pastors Are Abused by Their Congregations

This article is the first part of a two-part series. The second part will take a look at when pastors abuse their congregations.

An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136

Chad Bird

09/30/25

An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136

The following entries are excerpts from Chad Bird’s new book, Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of the Psalms (1517 Publishing, 2025), pgs. 311 and 335

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Kathy Morales

01/13/21

What If?

What if I’ve used up God’s forgiveness—he’s given me far too many chances and I’ve blown them all. Maybe his grace is for you but not for me. What if Jesus loved me once, but now regrets everything he’s done for me?

David Schmitt

01/10/21

Gospel: John 2:1-11 (Epiphany 2: Series B)

We like to close with something great. We even have a saying for this behavior: “Saving the best for last.” God Himself has a way of saving the best for last.

John Bombaro

01/10/21

Epistle: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (Epiphany 2: Series B)

What does being free from sin, which is obviously a good thing, have to do with being free from the Law, which sounds dangerous?

Jeffrey Pulse

01/10/21

Old Testament: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) (Epiphany 2: Series B)

Samuel plays a very important role in preserving the line of Judah by anointing and instructing the first kings of the united monarchy—especially King David.

Jason Lang

01/04/21

Tempted & Delivered

Jesus is our sympathizer, our propitiation, and our advocate. We will be tempted but God will provide the way out, the way out is Jesus, the one who died for our sins.

David Schmitt

01/03/21

Gospel: Mark 1:4-11 (The Baptism of Our Lord: Series B)

John has been preaching a radical vision of God, where God holds people accountable for their sin and calls them to repent. What will Jesus do?

John Bombaro

01/03/21

Epistle: Galatians 4:4-7 (The Baptism of Our Lord: Series B)

In Scripture, to be "in Christ" is nothing but living in the light and reality of one’s baptism.

Jeffrey Pulse

01/03/21

Old Testament: Genesis 1:1-5 (The Baptism of Our Lord: Series B)

Christ has come to make all things new, and water and the Spirit are used for His new creation just as it was for the original.

John W. Hoyum

01/01/21

Dominus Mortis

Perhaps this past year has prompted the recognition that God is not the tame projection of our highest hopes and dreams. Instead, he is the one who uses even his foes to make a point.

Bruce Hillman

12/30/20

Inspiration from Mr. Rogers about Coping with a Pandemic

Fred Rogers did not teach children how to live through a pandemic, but he had many profound things to say about loving our neighbors and finding our identity in that calling.

Jason Lang

12/28/20

We Forgive Our Debtors

God has forgiven us our trespasses in Christ Jesus and it is his grace that begins the transformation process making us into little forgivers.

Peter Nafzger

12/27/20

Gospel: Luke 2:40-52 (Christmas 2: Series B)

We begin in ignorance and we end in ignorance. But, in the midst of our ignorance, Jesus is walking with us.

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