“If you don’t find your identity and security in what Christ has accomplished for you on the cross, you will try to hide your insecurities behind your hypocrisies.”- Mark Batterson As Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 14 of All In, he states that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not defend themselves against King Nebuchadnezzar’s order. They […]
As Mark Batterson continues Chapter 14 of All In, he tells a story of the time his family vacationed at a friend’s home that was nestled in a densely wooded area. They were warned about brown bears in the area that would show up looking for food. One evening, while Mark was soaking in the […]
Chapter 14 (“Take a Stand”) of All In is based on the Old Testament account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3), specifically their refusal to bow down to the ninety-foot-tall statue of King Nebuchadnezzar. As author Mark Batterson notes, near-death experiences, especially in a literal fiery furnace, “often become defining moments in our lives.” […]
Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. “Throw it down on the ground,” the Lord told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake.- Exodus 4:2-3 (NLT) “You can have faith or you can have control, but you cannot have both.”- […]
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.”- 2 Corinthians 2:14 After the Roman army had won a great victory, they marched through the streets of Rome in triumphal procession, with captives in their train. […]
Mark Batterson begins Chapter 13 (“Throw Down Your Staff”) of All In with the observation that sometimes going all in feels like it’s all for nothing. But nothing is over until God declares that it’s over. And in the kingdom of God, failure is never final. Yes, when we go all in and all out […]
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”- Colossians 3:23 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”- 1 Corinthians 10:31 Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 12 of All In with the comment that, as […]
“It’s not about what you do. It’s about why you do what you do. Ultimately, it’s about who you do it for.”- Mark Batterson “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”- Westminster Shorter Catechism Mark Batterson introduces Chapter 12 (“SDG- Soli Deo Gloria”) of All In with the observation that […]
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”- Philippians 4:13 “A failed attempt is not failing. Failing is not trying. If you are trying, you are succeeding.”- Mark Batterson Mark Batterson continues Chapter 11 of All In by emphasizing that there comes a point in our lives when enough is enough. We know […]
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me.”- Isaiah 6:8 “Do the best you can with what you have where you are.”- Mark Batterson As Mark Batterson continues Chapter 11 of All In, he stresses that […]
In Chapter 11 (“Grab Your Oxgoad”) of All In, author Mark Batterson discusses Shamgar (Judges 3:31), who killed six hundred Philistines armed only with one farm implement- an oxgoad. Even though Shamgar only had a long stick used by a farmer to prod his animals, that didn’t stop him from doing what he could. Pastor […]
“Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”- Genesis 6:8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”- 2 Timothy 4:7 As Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 10 of All In, he states that during a time when great wickedness prevailed on the earth, Noah stood out […]