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

Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
07/01/20

A Real Estate Transaction that Preaches Redemption

Ever since the tragedy of the Garden, God’s plan of redemption has been in motion. His movement upon this world has never ceased, and it never will.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
06/30/20

God, I’m Mad At You

When we are hurt, we cry out to God. But sometimes when the hurt gets really intense, our lament turns to complaint. Not only is this normal, but almost every lament in scripture contains a complaint.
Bob Hiller
Bob Hiller
06/29/20

Out of Place Comfort

Comfort is not a platitude; it is a promise. A promise from our God who left his place of glory and died a sinner’s death for poor sinners.
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
06/28/20

Old Testament: Zechariah 9:9-12 (Pentecost 5: Series A)

The people gathered in Jerusalem that day were making a bold statement of faith. They believed Jesus was the New David.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
06/28/20

Epistle: Romans 7:14-25a (Pentecost 5: Series A)

Paul has gone through all this explanation to belabor the point: The incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
06/28/20

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30 (Pentecost 5: Series A)

Jesus did not come to be first. He came to be faithful, faithful to His Father’s mission for you.
Steven Paulson
Steven Paulson
06/26/20

The Hidden God and My Hiding Place

The God whom I met without a preacher is neither revealing nor hiding—but now, with a preacher, he has become my hiding place!
Haroldo Camacho
Haroldo Camacho
06/25/20

Our Signed and Sealed Adoption

He would not go back on his word, for his word is the word of the Father and the Spirit, and they all say “come.”
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
06/24/20

All of Divinity in the Limits of Humanity

God is not an impassive monster who is unfamiliar with our horrendous ailments. Rather, in Christ, God familiarizes himself with our suffering and becomes particularly attuned to the fragility of fallen humanity.
Pete Lange
Pete Lange
06/24/20

Scripture Interprets Scripture: What Does this Mean?

Scripture is clear in its main teachings and doctrines. People don’t need any special knowledge or training to understand sin, grace, forgiveness, and salvation.
Ken Sundet Jones
Ken Sundet Jones
06/22/20

You Can't Handle God

The kingdom I seek is the lower-case realm ruled over by the almighty upper-case Me.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
06/21/20

Gospel: Matthew 10:34-42 (Pentecost 4: Series A)

If your congregation promotes and supports “family values,” you should be prepared to take this text head-on.
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