Devotional by Stephen Estock December 16, 2013 “But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grind-stone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shriveled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly [...]

Devotional by Stephen Estock December 30, 2013 The Word I read was clear: verses like “The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.” (Ps 145:13), “Note the kindness of God” (Rom. 11:22). The songs I listened to were clear: “his heart is kind” (“10,000 Reasons,”), “His helping love no limit [...]

Devotional by Stephen Estock January 6, 2014 Yard work, though a favorite hobby, can be a never-ending chore. One week after conquering the jungle of weeds in the front flower bed, the task of planting bushes revealed new weeds had sprung from the hidden roots of the old. Would the evil ever be eliminated? What’s the [...]

Devotional by Stephen Estock January 13, 2014 “Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Mt 6:9 ESV) “All true prayer begins with the spirit of adoption.” (Charles Spurgeon) I know I don’t pray enough. In my mind I believe (that is, I know) the doctrine – prayer is a means of [...]

Devotional by Stephen Estock January 20, 2014 It was a Monday, and it was one of those days. There were no big issues over the weekend, yet for some reason, Monday was filled with an overwhelming sense of inadequacy: How will I get everything done? I have no idea what I am doing. I know I will mess [...]

Devotional by Stephen Estock January 26, 2014 I don’t drink much, and I don’t abuse drugs, but I’m not so good at sober living. A sober life spends the day secure in faith, love, and hope, mindful that the Lord Jesus Christ has rescued me from the wrath of God (1 Thessalonians 5:8-9). Instead, what I [...]

Devotional by Stephen Estock February 3, 2014 Mondays can be tough. Though the predictability of a schedule gives security, the daily grind can make you wonder if the work you do means anything. In a sermon on the parable of the laborers (Mt 20)[1], Bryan Chapell notes that the gospel releases believers from the bondage of idleness (i.e., [...]

Devotional by Stephen Estock February 10, 2014 Thoughts based on a sermon by Brian Habig (6/23/13) on Joshua 6 – The Fall of Jericho The battle plan that God gave to Joshua in Joshua 6:1-5 defies human convention: march once a day for six days with only the noise of rams’ horns – blown by priests [...]

Devotional by Stephen Estock February 17, 2014 How do you respond when you feel inadequate? In May 2013, Mike Kennison preached a sermon on 1 Cor. 4. His explanation and application challenged me in specific ways. He mentioned that a common response in dealing with inadequacy is to flee. I encounter a tough problem at work, [...]

Devotional by Stephen Estock February 24, 2014 Back in June I was thinking about the challenges of the day and how to persuade others (I can’t bring myself to say “manipulate,” though that might be closer to the truth) to do what I want them to do so that it makes my life easier and “successful.” [...]