Author Archives: cchrisholland

About cchrisholland

...husband, dad, pastor, teacher, and chronic day-dreamer

“Sorrow”

Jesus understands the human condition. And it isn’t some kind of general sympathy, it’s a thorough, all-encompassing compassion. Consider the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” – John 11:35 NKJV The backdrop of the verse was Lazarus’ death and … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Duty”

Occasionally, while reading the scriptures, there’s a passage that “jumps” from the Bible in total contrast to “greeting-card” type Christianity. Luke 17:5-10 is one of those. After the disciples asked Jesus to “increase their faith”, He identified “mustard seed” size … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Found”

The good news about “lostness” is “foundness”. Luke 15:1-32 records where Jesus told three parables back-to-back about “found things”. He started with a shepherd searching for a sheep who declared, “…I have found my sheep that was lost!” Then He … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Exalted”

Regarding a potter’s work…the clay doesn’t get a say. And it’s the same with us too. None of us had a say in the skill-set, aptitude or physique we were born with; that was God’s creative hand. And in the … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Life”

Within you is life. If you’re a child of God, you carry the most precious commodity on earth…life. Not just physical breath passed down from Adam, but spiritual life from the Second Adam-Jesus (Romans 5:12-21). As we go, the joy … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Leave a comment

“Required”

God is not a cosmic abstract or blank canvas to project self-centered notions onto. He has specific characteristics and has revealed Himself to us (through the Person of Christ, and His Word). However, we can easily find ourselves drifting toward … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Three Reminders from Elijah’s Road Trip

Elijah was a mighty Prophet of God. He witnessed spectacular, dramatic and powerful displays of God’s power. However, Elijah was “a man with a nature just like ours” (James 5:17). Even though we’re not calling fire from heaven, there are … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“Friend”

Consider the privilege of divine friendship. Jesus described His followers this way: “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” – John 15:14 NKJV The Creator and Righteous Judge of the universe not only provided a way … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Confession”

Confessing Christ in a public setting is more about trusting him than about having all the answers. In Luke 12:8-12 Jesus described how He will confess before the Father those who confess Him publicly, and deny those who deny Him. … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Fear”

Fear can be paralyzing and is mentioned throughout the scriptures. There are stories of people fearing each other, fearing to follow through on God’s instructions, fearing the presence of angels, etc. In many passages, the words “Do not fear” are … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Peers”

The influence and pressure of those around us can be a powerful force. Jesus had much to say about authentic faith, and wasn’t interested in outward appearances or social standing. One of His statements regarding the powerful “culture police” was this: … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Asking”

When praying, we must remember that God’s parental perspective is far beyond ours, and even the best earthly examples fall short. As parents, we often struggle regarding “what, when and how”; but God doesn’t. He never paces the floor with … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Before the Cross was Gold, it was Rugged

The cross is a familiar object. It’s been fashioned into jewelry, wall art, and various household trinkets, but before it was gold (or silver, etc.), it was rugged. I. It was rugged by design As a symbol – The Romans … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Being”

One of the biggest struggles in the life of faith is the pressure to “do”. Spoken and unspoken, self-imposed and others-imposed; the expectation to be “doing” something for Christ can distract from the powerful reality of “being” something in Christ. … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

“Voices”

In our “connected” world, voices abound. In the first century, there was also a mixture of voices calling out. Even though there wasn’t electronic social media, the confusion was real all the same. For a disciple, Jesus gave an illustration … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

“Know”

What do you know to be true? In John chapter 9 a man born blind is miraculously healed by Jesus. Afterwards, the Jewish leadership verbally attacked the man and his story; questioning his integrity and disassociating him from the synagogue. … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Free”

With each cultural shift, the world system promises new liberties, but actually delivers bondage in creative new ways. There’s only one form of true personal liberty; “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“And”

Sometimes the word “and” can be a pesky little thing, like “The meeting is tomorrow AND the report is due”. Other times it’s a welcome addition, like “Grandma’s coming AND she’s bringing a cake.” When it comes to spiritual matters, the … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Discernment”

Godly discernment looks beyond the obvious. “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” – John 7:24 NKJV When Jesus spoke these words, He was being accused of blaspheming Jewish law. Obviously, Jesus knew the Law given … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Timing”

The Lord’s timing is always perfect. “Then Jesus said to him, “My time has not yet come…” – John 7:6 NKJV During the Lord’s earthly ministry, people often wondered about His whereabouts, made suggestions for His next move, and questioned … Continue reading

Posted in Daily Devotions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments