Daniel Burton Archives - Page 39 of 47

Everyone Did As They Saw Fit

October 9, 2017

For the people of Israel, they had entered into a period before King Saul but after Joshua had led them into the promise land. By God’s miraculous hand, the people were not only saved from the Egyptians, but were under the constant guidance and protection of God during the process. When they arrived at the promise land, their victory was secured by the hand of God as a display of His sovereignty and might. When the author of Judges claims that Israel had no King, it is a harsh indictment of the people whose Sovereign King had led them. They abandoned God for the chaos of everyone pursuing their own desires and wishes.

Luke 4:14-30 Beyond All Expectations

October 2, 2017

Jesus came to free mankind from their masochistic desires and tendencies. Where the people of Nazareth sought fame and favor, the mission of Christ is to bring people to repentance and to die to themselves in order that they might live. Thus, the people of Nazareth turned on Jesus swiftly, having been spurned by His clarity of mission.

Drained: For Those Who Feel Alone

September 25, 2017

In some ways, being physically alone is easier. It feels almost like a retreat. There are extended times of being by yourself and refreshing times of figuring some things out. This is not the draining I am referring to. The draining comes when you interact with the world around you and still feel alone. For the Christian, follow Christ can feel lonely. With the struggle to remain in purity and follow Christ wherever he leads, often times there will be parts it will feel you are alone.

Drained: For Those Who Feel Sick

September 18, 2017

Imagine for a moment, you are the men who lowered their friend through the roof or that you are the man himself. The stories have circulated regarding this man who had healed people in each town he went. As he sees the faith of the men, he looks at the paralytic and says, “You’re sins are forgiven.” The expectations were probably different, but Jesus understood the greater needs of the people. We all, are at the point of the paralytic where we are unable to move on our own, spiritually speaking. Yet, Jesus, our Great Physician, welcomed us to come closer in our sickness and receive healing, the true healing that restores our soul.

Drained: For Those Who Feel Weak

September 9, 2017

While there is debate as to what the thorn in Paul’s flesh was referring to, it is undeniable that he indeed had a pronounced weakness. Paul is not alone in this either. Every person has their limits as to how far they are able to achieve. Our muscles get fatigued, our emotions run dry, and our spirit grows weak from time to time. We all have times where we feel empty. Yet, even beyond that, we all endure times when we feel weak and unable to accomplish the task ahead of us. These weaknesses are reminders that we should, first and foremost, run to God.

Drained: For Those Who Feel Empty

September 4, 2017

For everyone who has ever felt drained and empty, Christ offers an alternative. There is the promise of rest for our souls, often times despite the tumultuous situations we find ourselves in. Sure, we will all endure times of feeling drained and our energy lacking, but Jesus seeks to restore our soul eternally. There is rear. There is peace. And there is the easy burden that Christ gives to us.

Luke 4:1-13 Divinity and Humanity

August 28, 2017

There are very few times scripturally where the devil appeared face to face with man. The Gospel of Luke is one of those times. This was the standoff between good and evil that would set the tone for the Christ’s mission in the world. The temptation was real in that the devil would be able to offer the things he was offering, but Jesus had no intention of caving in to the demands of the devil. Whatever authority the devil had to do anything, Jesus would strip is away piece by piece until there is nothing left. Jesus did not come in self aggrandizement or to enslave himself for the sake of becoming like mankind. Christ came as a servant to reign victorious and overthrow the forces of evil that have tempted you and I.

More Than: Our Popularity

August 23, 2017

Following Jesus Christ comes with a great cost. But, more importantly, it comes with a great reward. Maintaining the image that the world finds acceptable leads to the forfeiting of our eternal standing with God. The values of the world and things we are directed to chase and endure are incompatible with the richness of following Christ. In the end, we all have the same choice to make; which will we follow? Will we choose to follow the ambitious path of being acceptable to the world, or will we choose to rest at the feet of Jesus, knowing full well our faith and hope is in Him for all eternity?

A Faith Worth Living Out

August 21, 2017

Salvation is by grace and grace alone. Yet, it is that salvation that fuels the light on the hill. When the Spirit begins weaving his presence through the fabric of our existence, the world notices. Our faith is worth expressing beyond the Sunday morning experience. Now is the time to rise out with a radical outpouring of the love God has given us on the world crying out in anguish.

More Than: Our Achievements

August 14, 2017

The best I am able to bring in my approach of God is not enough. The standard of God is perfection. Thinking we are able to meet the standard of perfection without the help of God attempts to bypass the cross. When standing on merit of what we do, our works can only be viewed as filthy rags, unfit to stand before the presence of God. Yet the message of the Gospel and of Jesus Christ seems to stand in contradiction. We are invited to approach the throne room of God with confidence. We are called into deeper and meaningful relationship with our creator and maker. We are more than even our best because of Christ who goes before us and redeems us. Our response is nothing less than full devotion to God.