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
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
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

All Articles

Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/01/16

R-Rated Prayers

He holds you tight and loves you even as you weep and fight in his arms. His Son suffers alongside you as your brother in the flesh.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/29/16

The Secret Weapon Angels (and Pastors) Carry to Protect Us

We need pastors who carry that same concealed weapon in their mouths, who are outfitted with the same word the angels have: the word steeped in divine blood, shed for you. That is all we need, for the word does it all.
Larry D. Hughes
Larry D. Hughes
09/20/16

The Comfort and Assurance of Eternal Election

We find such a temptation when the devil causes us to question God’s election or predestination of us in “eternity as a past event” (i.e. “eternity-past”).
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
07/30/16

The Sign Said, "Just Kill Me."

One thing is for certain: my day was heaven compared to his. My minor headaches nothing compared to whatever he was going through.
Larry D. Hughes
Larry D. Hughes
06/21/16

The Gospel—Beyond Time and Space

Jesus takes that burden away in the “I forgive you and them” and gives us His “light” burden.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
06/16/16

Unhappy Father's Day: When Dads Are Failures

There is no pain like the pain of being mistreated by those who, above all others, you expect to love you unconditionally.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
06/15/16

Let's Talk About Shame

What we see in the face of this God is not a loathing expression. We find the face of a compassionate man who knew all about shame himself.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
06/03/16

Isn't Thirteen Kind of a Big Number?

Can God forgive friends who abandoned Him in His hour of greatest need?
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
05/25/16

God Isn't Looking for Brown-Nosers

Faith does not require that we always Hoorah what the Lord does. God wants children, not brown-nosers.
Jeff Mallinson
Jeff Mallinson
05/24/16

When Church is Like Comedy Traffic School

At our churches must remain focused on the deep kick, the real deal, the thing itself. I’m not the first on this site to remind us that this is Christ himself.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
05/19/16

God, You Lied to Me: A Pastor's Struggle

He has wandered away into the darkness of his doubting, got lost in his grief, confused by the pains he’s suffered. It happens. Shepherds sometimes become lost sheep as well.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
04/27/16

An Address to the Graduating Devils of Discordia Seminary

Brothers, the rich and diverse education you have received has more than adequately prepared you for the ministry of temptation to which you have been called.
1517 is a Christian non-profit (501(c)3) multi-media organization. Our mission is to declare and defend the Good News that we are forgiven and free on account of the death and resurrection of Jesus alone.
1517.org
Search
Academy
Donate

1517 grants permission for our free online resources to be printed, photocopied, and otherwise used freely for private and church use. We require that authorship and source (1517.org) are referenced and maintained. These resources may not be sold or included in any publications for sale.