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

Cindy Koch
Cindy Koch
01/10/18

Walking the Boring Path?

We are dangerously good at focusing on our exciting, or boring, walk of faith.
Kelsi Klembara
Kelsi Klembara
01/09/18

Yes, But...

Yes, but. It's a phrase I find myself repeating often in life. When my husband asks for forgiveness, I too often respond, "I forgive you, but…” and then continue with a list of my grievances.
Brian W. Thomas
Brian W. Thomas
01/05/18

Baptized with Fire?

Instead of burning them up with unquenchable fire, He comes in solidarity, to be God with us and God for us. Jesus is baptized into our life, so that He could gift us His life.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
01/04/18

Just Another Law-Gospel Sermon?

While I was still an over-eager seminarian the professor warned me, “Mr. Riley, this is exciting stuff.
Kevin McClain
Kevin McClain
01/04/18

The New Year’s Mirror

Freedom from the Law does not come through personal perfection, it comes through Jesus Christ. The answer is not a better you, but a you who is united to God through Christ.
Martin Luther
Martin Luther
01/02/18

On Demanding Good Works

You say: Since forgiveness depends on faith alone, why must one nonetheless do good works? Answer: If faith is of the true sort, it cannot be without good works, just as no good work can be where unbelief dwells.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
12/19/17

The Wisdom and Art of Faith

Faith does not distinguish between worthy and unworthy, saint and sinner, great faith and anemic faith, it only focuses on Christ Jesus.
Brandon Hanson
Brandon Hanson
12/14/17

Childbearing Now Saves You

I bet you have seen this verse pop up in Bible study before.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
12/14/17

Christmas on the Battlefield

In the midst of suffering, hate, and sin, Jesus sets a table for soldiers. He feeds the fearful with forgiveness and eternal life.
Daniel Emery Price
Daniel Emery Price
12/06/17

I'm Done Trying To Follow Jesus

One of the most famous things Jesus ever said was “Follow me.” He said it over and over. So much that it was recorded more than twenty times in the New Testament.
Kelsi Klembara
Kelsi Klembara
12/06/17

Something Worth Hoping For

“Putting hope in the cross of Christ means putting hope outside of anything – mentally, physically or even spiritually – you do.”
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
12/04/17

What a Trail Taught Me About Worship

In an age when the phrase “new and improved” applies to everything from phones to marriages, when we as a nation mimic juveniles, lustily pursuing the next new thing, the worst decision a church can make is to cater to this weakness.
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