During this pandemic, we'd like to share a daily devotional -- a little of what the Lord has been teaching us in relation to our life and faith in these uncertain times. Maybe you can relate. You may also find our daily video devotionals at www.towerviewkc.com/live

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John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Today's Thoughts...

This verse reminds us that Jesus was with God, is God, and became man. At His birth, Jesus was unlike any baby ever born, eternal Deity joined to sinless humanity, the Infinite Infant.

Yet, a professing Christian's greatest danger is not death but apostasy. Some of the world's most well-known and largest false religions have started on the heels of misunderstand this key verse. But that's what John does here: He takes us from blindness to the blazing deity of Jesus.

Biblically speaking, Jesus' sonship, kingship, and lordship all testify to his deity. Jesus is God, which means that you are not (and neither am I). The full deity of Jesus Christ is the solid rock upon which He builds His church, our family, and our lives. To deny this is to deny what authority Jesus has as the God-man and what His Word—the Bible—testifies to.

God is so good. He is so sweet to me. Not trying to be eloquent or pithy. God owes us nothing. But he is constantly promising us things. Innumerable causes for joy, distilled into one great cause: ""Jesus, I'm just overcome by the gospel today."" Thank you, Jesus!"

Today's Prayer....

Father, thank you so much that your authority is unrivaled. We praise you today that your Son, Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, came into this world, not as a created one, but as Creator. That even now He is praying for us and reminding us of the eternal sacrifice on calvary. To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power & authority through Jesus Christ our Lord before all ages now & forevermore! We praise you for this and so much more! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

During this pandemic, we'd like to share a daily devotional -- a little of what the Lord has been teaching us in relation to our life and faith in these uncertain times. Maybe you can relate. You may also find our daily video devotionals at www.towerviewkc.com/live

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2 Peter 1:20 "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things."

Today's Thoughts...

Each literary genre in the Bible--narrative, poetry, prophecy, gospel, epistle, etc.--is a different lens through which we uniquely see Christ. Every religion has a super-prophet who is pointing people to whatever god (little ""g"") or the one God. Jesus is the only prophet who says ""I'm God and I am coming after you.""

The prophecies of the prophets are our hope before we were born. A child to be born - Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father. Every promise of Scripture will be kept, every prophecy fulfilled, every right rewarded, every sin punished, every judgment executed--just as God said it would be. This is what gives the Bible its authority and truth over any book out there.

The Bible offers the only reasonable explanation for man's state & the presence of evil. History proves that what it says about man is true. Reality is what it is. And the Bible is a true statement of it. On that I will stake my life.

What if every promise and threat in the Bible will prove true? What if God, not man, will end it all? How should that change us now? If the Bible is perfectly true and doesn't contradict--and it doesn't either--then we do not have time to play games with our lives & we do not have time to play games in our churches.

Today's Prayer...

Father, we thank you that your Word is true. It is infallible, inerrant, inspired, and without equal. We praise you that no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. We thank you that what you predicted through the mouth of all the prophets-- that His Messiah would suffer—you have fulfilled in this way. There is no other holy book. There is no other God. There is no other Savior. Only your Son who gave his life for us. We praise you for this—for eternal life! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

During this pandemic, we'd like to share a daily devotional -- a little of what the Lord has been teaching us in relation to our life and faith in these uncertain times. Maybe you can relate. You may also find our daily video devotionals at www.towerviewkc.com/live

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Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'

Today's Thoughts...

Scripture alone is the foundation and faith alone in Christ alone is the heart of the faith once delivered to the saints. Contend earnestly. The Bible doesn't suggest that we must believe in Jesus apart from evidence, let alone contrary to evidence. God gives us testimony.

Bread exists, then, to help you know what it is like to be satisfied in Jesus. Jesus gives bread of life (Jn 6:35) & is the bread of life (6:51). He speaks the truth (8:45) & is the truth (14:6). The gospel is daily bread, but I want my life and preaching to make it sound like it's chocolate.

"Give us this day our daily bread..." I am not self-sufficient--but dependent--on the goodness of God for my most basic needs. The Spirit gives us the bread of God's word and also the taste buds with which to savor it. Our Father is ready to give us bread but we keep asking for stones. Daily tasting of the Bread of Life ruins one for all the world's paltry morsels.

If you want to be alone with God you only need get alone with your Bible. To be still and quiet and alone and read the Bible for a while -- deeply renewing.

Today's Prayer...

Father, we shall not live by social media alone, family alone, or anything else alone. Father, we live in your power alone by your grace alone by your Spirit growing us in the Word alone. Help us to get back to this basic in our churches. If we must choose between Bible and breakfast, help us to choose Bible. And grab an energy bar. Then plan better. Man shall not live by bread alone—that’s your promise to us, Lord, and we believe it. We thank you for it in Jesus’ name, amen!

During this pandemic, we'd like to share a daily devotional -- a little of what the Lord has been teaching us in relation to our life and faith in these uncertain times. Maybe you can relate. You may also find our daily video devotionals at www.towerviewkc.com/live

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John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."

Today's Thoughts...

God's Word is not only true, it doesn't merely contain truth-it is truth and it defines truth (John 17:17). No movement of any generation birthed by biblical theology can ever be considered a fad. God's truth never returns void. As John Locke famously wrote, ""The Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end, & truth without mixture for its matter.""

God's word not only contains truth or describes truth--it is truth. “Why you are wrong: you know not Scripture or the power of God"" (Mark 12:24). Keys to truth: Love God's word and sovereignty. ""In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence"" (Eph. 3:12). So many I counsel need this truth desperately.

Each day the world bombards you with rival truth claims is a day you need to spend time in God's never-erring word. So long as the god of this age blinds and deceives, our experiences and our reason will be no safe guide to truth. The most loving thing we can do is tell the truth so people can be reconciled to God. Pray that God would give you desires that welcome truth."

Today's Prayer...

Father, I thank you that your mercy is offered to the worst of us. Father, that includes all of us. We have all sinned and fallen short of your glory. But your Word is truth. It informs me that there is no so sin so high or low that you can’t forgive—save rejecting your Son. Father, you have not called us to be a belligerent or offensive people even though the truth we preach with humility may be a great offense to many. Your call to the sinner is patient and enduring. You are a compassionate and gracious God; slow to anger & abounding in lovingkindness and truth. Thank you, Lord. Thank you for saving me. Your Word is truth! In Jesus’ name, amen.

During this pandemic, we'd like to share a daily devotional -- a little of what the Lord has been teaching us in relation to our life and faith in these uncertain times. Maybe you can relate. You may also find our daily video devotionals at www.towerviewkc.com/live

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Psalm 119:9 "How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word."

Today's Thoughts..

Our problems with God have more to do with our twisted hearts than Him (Jer. 17:9). Sin steals our joy. There can be no happiness without holiness, nor peace without purity.

""God is light, and in him is no darkness at all"" (1 John 1:5). There is not one particle of God we need to filter out. Purity. God has elected us to be holy and blameless before Him (Eph. 1:4). Everyone who has this hope purifies himself, just as He is pure (1Jn 3:3). To our Savior, our purity of heart toward him is everything. To share our love with others is, in his eyes, whoredom (Ezekiel 23).

As Jesus turned dirty water into pure wine, He transformed our sin-polluted souls into His holy likeness by the miracle of new birth.

""Take sweet spices, ... seasoned with salt, pure and holy"" (Exodus 30:34-35). True holiness and purity are not bland. Everyone who hopes someday to see and be like Jesus, purifies himself now as he is pure. See 1 John 3:2-3.

What's your motive in serving? In the church, peace is impossible without purity. Let's serve with pure hearts so that God's fame might be poured forth to another generation (Psalm 145).

Pure and undefiled religion is fueled by this one great truth – He shed His own blood for our souls. One reason I love free justification is that it guarantees my full freedom from sin, and I long to be completely pure! Our innocence, purity and virginity will be restored to us (2 Corinthians 11:2). We are not damaged goods. We are the Bride. When we realize our words are inadequate to thank God, only then can we serve him with a pure heart and out of pure delight.

Today's Thoughts...

Father, I thank you today that you desire for us to be pure as you are pure. Thank you that in Jesus we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Thank you that we have your Holy Spirit who, as God himself, leads us into righteousness. Yet, Lord, we know that we still fight a daily battle over sin and temptation. Grant us your strength in this our. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one - for thine is the power and the glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

During this pandemic, we'd like to share a daily devotional -- a little of what the Lord has been teaching us in relation to our life and faith in these uncertain times. Maybe you can relate. You may also find our daily video devotionals at www.towerviewkc.com/live

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Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

Today's Thoughts....

Sin is like gravity--it's the natural direction of the human heart. Our sin is most often revealed in prayer as the Spirit of God applies the Word to our heart. The less we pray, the more blind we are to sin. The Word of God is a sharp sword and able to pierce the hardest heart and expose the deepest sin.

Sin is not primarily God's subjects breaking his rules but God's children breaking his heart (Isaiah 1:2). Sin is not tied to places like cities, it is tied to the heart of individuals and God still loves those sinful people. Sever the root of my sin, or stop its fruit.

If your heart doesn't burn when you read the Word, your eyes haven't yet been opened. Feel free to let your ears scan the dial, but keep your heart tuned to the gospel's word of blessing. The Bible in your hand is a tree of life rooted in your heart. Eat.

""Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord"" (Psalm 27:14). We quit too soon; sin too soon. Wait. With God, the deal-breaker sin is a heart that refuses.

The more Christ reigns in the heart, the more sin is conquered in the life. Real Christianity is not not-sinning; it is loving Christ. Still, Christ himself gives us a new heart that hates all sin (1 John 3:4-10).

Today's Prayer...

Father, we think sin is the answer and not the problem. But every sin is against your goodness, wisdom, and authority. Thank you for reminding us of that in today's verse. Lord, we want to store up your words so as not to sin against you. You aren't a doting grandfather waiting for us like a bellhop. You are the holy God who deserves all praise. Be glorified in all we say and all we do. We desire your holiness. We pray that what we learn in your word would guard our hearts. In Jesus' name. Amen.

During this pandemic, we'd like to share a daily devotional -- a little of what the Lord has been teaching us in relation to our life and faith in these uncertain times. Maybe you can relate. You may also find our daily video devotionals at www.towerviewkc.com/live

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Romans 15:4 "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."

Today's Thoughts...

In many churches today, the past becomes a hero of sorts as to how they handle present or future disappointment. “I remember when we used to have 27 busloads of kids here. We had so many, they were hanging out of the window.” Or another might say, “I really remember when we used to sing this one song over and over. That’s when our church was really blessed."

Our God doesn’t live in the past. For our local church, this means that God is working today as much as He may have done in the past.

Yet, the past is informative to our faith at all times. That is what Romans 15:4 is stating. The Bible was written over 1,600 years, in 66 books, by over 40 authors, on 3 continents, in 3 languages, yet comes together as one Book.

If you treat the Bible as if it's written in some sort of secret decoder-ring spy-breaking code, and only a select few have been able to crack said code, you've missed point. The Bible describes salvation in three tenses: past, present, and future. To ignore anyone of these tenses will skew our view of salvation. Every passage in the Bible is a pastor in written form, able to help a particular kind of sinner and sufferer. The Bible is sufficient.

What’s mean for us? Today we have many opportunities to look past the monotony and believe God is working out His glorious purposes in us and through us—as we read from past examples. The Scripture is upfront: God doesn't just present you past and future grace to live, but right-here, right-now grace as you are reading this. If you want to have a lasting legacy past your death, teach people the Bible—the Old and New Testament—for God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Is the Bible sufficient for your faith? Your church? Your life? (Yes, it is!)

Today's Prayer...

Father, thank you that everything written in the past informs me how you work, who you, and what you don’t stand for. Lord, we must be so immersed in Your written Word and truth that we are trained to choose rightly in cases which the Bible doesn't speak directly. Give us such discernment today—just as you have done through the ages. Thank you that you are a God that is not bound in one age. You are the supreme Lord over all! I praise you in Jesus’ name. Amen.