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Bible Gleanings, devotions, Sermons

Following Jesus | Bible Gleanings | April 26-27, 2025

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Amid the noise of splashing water and the smell of squirming fish, Peter and Andrew heard a voice which arrested their attention—it was the voice of Jesus, who issued an invitation that would transform their lives forever: “Follow Me” (Mark 1:17a). Christ did not call these fishermen to follow traditions or adhere to a set of teachings. He did not invite them to attend synagogue services. He ordered these men to follow Him—to say what He said, do what He did, think what He thought, and go where He went. And anyone who heeds this same two-word heavenly summons will have both their life and eternity changed forevermore.

And when Christ urges you to follow Him, He expects nothing less than wholehearted obedience and absolute adherence to Him. When you follow Jesus, you don’t get to blaze your own trail, follow your own rules, or live any way you please. Followers of Christ walk the narrow road that leads to life, obey His commands in Scripture, and make it their aim to please Him. Following Jesus as Lord and Master even entails daily self-denial and sacrifice, as Jesus told all His would-be followers that they must say no to themselves and yes to any cross He gave them to carry: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Thus, those who wish to follow Christ at all must follow Him above all.

Those who “follow” Jesus only when it is convenient with a what’s-in-it-for-me attitude aren’t authentic followers. All throughout His life, Jesus was surrounded by large crowds of “fans” who flocked to Him only when He worked miracles and provided free meals of fish and loaves (Matt. 4:25; 8:1; Mark 3:7; 5:24; John 6:1-14). However, when they realized that following Jesus was costly, requiring surrender and submission, they followed Him no longer. As John recounted, “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him” (John 6:66). Therefore, the questions we must continually ask ourselves are, Which am I? Am I a fan among the crowd, or a follower carrying a cross?

This column is from my newest book, 40 Days with Jesus, which is a forty-day daily devotional on the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus. This book is available in hardcover and paperback on Amazon:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Need-Meeter | Bible Gleanings | April 11-12, 2025

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He was not possessed by a demon. Leprosy had not afflicted him. He wasn’t confined to a mat like a paralytic. He wasn’t stricken with sensory impairments, such as blindness or deafness. He wasn’t hanging on by a thread—his life was relatively good, aside from his wilted hand: “He went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand” (Matt. 12:9-10a).

The man with a withered hand didn’t have the worst condition in the world, but what he suffered from was a big deal to him. And, it was a big deal to Jesus. Christ didn’t say, “Look, man. You have it good compared to other folks who are really struggling. I don’t have time for this. Have you tried physical therapy?” Instead, Jesus cared about the man’s well-being and sufficiently met his needs. As Luke recorded, “And after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored” (Luke 6:10).

This was not among Jesus’ top ten greatest miracles. He fed multitudes with fish and loaves, calmed raging storms, and healed every kind of disease (Matt. 14:13-21; Mark 4:35-41; Acts 10:38). He even raised Lazarus from the grave (John 11:38-44)! But the man with the withered hand didn’t need a feast, an exorcism, or a resurrection—he simply needed his hand restored. And Christ was willing and able to give the man exactly what he needed, although it was modest compared to the other great miracles He performed during His earthly ministry.

The truth is, all of our needs are significant to God, no matter how insignificant they may seem in comparison to the greater needs of others. Nothing is too small for His attention or too great for His power. The Lord’s care is so personal and precise that He even cares about what we eat and what we wear (Matt. 6:30-33). And when you come to Him for provision, like the man with the withered hand, “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19).

This column is from 40 Days with Jesus, my 40-day devotional on Christ’s life, teachings, and miracles, available for purchase on Amazon:

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, and their three dogs, Susie, Aries, and Dot. Brandon and Dakota are also foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and a religious columnist for the Advance Yeoman newspaper in Ballard County, Kentucky. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. His columns are also featured in the Times-Argus newspaper of Central City, Kentucky, West Kentucky News of western Kentucky, and the online blog, Reforming the Heart.

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Water-Walker | Bible Gleanings | April 5-6, 2025

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The golden sun hid behind the hills as dusk descended upon an incredible day of miracles. The disciples were still short of breath after the feeding of the five thousand, exhausted from the massive crowds they helped feed, and from their hearts racing with wonder. Hopes were high. The crowds were ecstatic. Jesus and His disciples were gaining unstoppable momentum.

Then Jesus gave them a perplexing command, undoubtedly producing glances of bewilderment: “Get into the boat and go on without Me. I’ll meet you on the other side” (cf. Mark 6:45-46). Jesus had sent them to preach, heal, and cast demons, but He had never sent them away. Strange as it was, they obeyed because they trusted Him, and then they rowed away after one final look at Him. And unbeknownst to them, a storm was brewing nearby—and they were headed right for it.

The wind whistled. The waves of the deep arose, slamming against their vessel. And it was too late to turn back—they were four miles away from the shore where they last saw their Lord (John 6:19). But to their surprise, they saw Him again—smack-dab in the middle of this tempest—and not rowing after them in a boat, but walking on the raging sea. Terrified, they mistook Him for a ghost, which only amplified their paralyzing fear. And then they heard a voice that calmed their anxious hearts while the storm raged on: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matt. 14:27b).

That the Creator could walk effortlessly on the water which He fashioned is astounding, but not astonishing. What is staggering is that Jesus sent the disciples to the sea knowing that they would be met by a violent storm. And He did so in order for them to experience His unmatched power and the peace of His presence in the midst of turmoil. Without the life-threatening storm, they would have never known the fear-dissolving authority of His word nor the sustaining comfort of His nearness. Jesus was all they needed, but they only learned that lesson when Jesus was all they had.

The Lord still allows storms to come our way and sometimes sends us directly to them for the same reason: to show us that He is enough. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “I have learned to kiss the wave that slams me against the Rock of Ages.” Thankfully, Jesus is never miles away during life’s tempests—He is in the boat with us. Even more, He walks on the waves which threaten to overwhelm us, bringing with Him the grace and mercy we require to endure. Let the Lord’s reassuring promise of His presence bring you calm in the midst of chaos: “It is I; do not be afraid” (John 6:20b).

This column is from 40 Days with Jesus, my 40-day devotional on Christ’s life, teachings, and miracles, available for purchase on Amazon:

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, and their three dogs, Susie, Aries, and Dot. Brandon and Dakota are also foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and a religious columnist for the Advance Yeoman newspaper in Ballard County, Kentucky. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. His columns are also featured in the Times-Argus newspaper of Central City, Kentucky, West Kentucky News of western Kentucky, and the online blog, Reforming the Heart.

Bible Gleanings, devotions

The Giver of Life | Bible Gleanings | March 29-30, 2025

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It is every parent’s worst nightmare. Their beloved daughter passed away after fighting a fatal illness. Worse, their hopes were previously raised by the possibility of her recovery, but it was too late. The prospect of a miracle had vanished. Unless, of course, the Resurrection and the Life Himself is standing nearby (John 11:25).

Jairus’ daughter died just as Christ was on His way to raise her to life (Luke 8:49). But, rather than consoling the family and continuing on His journey, He gathered the grieving family for a miracle they would never forget. Taking her lifeless little hand in His life-giving hand, He whispered, “Little girl, I say to you, arise” (Mark 5:41b). Immediately, a surge of death-overcoming resurrection power jolted her back to life, and she walked around the very bed she died upon! This little girl, who had quite a story to tell her friends, had encountered the Lord of life, joining the ranks of Lazarus and the widow woman’s son, both of whom were miraculously resurrected after being declared dead (cf. Luke 7:11-17; John 11:1-44).

Experiencing death is the worst of all human experiences—not even children are exempt from it. But the good news is that death is not exempt from the life-giving power of Christ. There is nothing a sinner can do to overcome death, but there is nothing that death can do to overcome the Savior. Death may eventually conquer every man, but it cannot conquer the God-Man and those who believe in Him: “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him” (Rom. 6:5, 8-9).

This is why believers in Christ may exclaim with the apostle Paul, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:54b-57).

This column is from 40 Days with Jesus, my 40-day devotional on Christ’s life, teachings, and miracles, available for purchase on Amazon:

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, and their three dogs, Susie, Aries, and Dot. Brandon and Dakota are also foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and a religious columnist for the Advance Yeoman newspaper in Ballard County, Kentucky. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. His columns are also featured in the Times-Argus newspaper of Central City, Kentucky, West Kentucky News of western Kentucky, and the online blog, Reforming the Heart.

Bible Gleanings, devotions, Sermons

The Foot-Washer | Bible Gleanings | February 1-2, 2025

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Confusion permeated the room. The air was heavy with a sense of mystery. This particular evening just felt different. Jesus stood up from the table, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin without saying a word. And puzzled glances were on every face as the Creator stooped low to wash the dirty feet of His disciples as a slave-servant.

The Lord washed His followers’ feet with carpentry-calloused hands, and then He got to Peter, who naturally objected to the notion of His Savior bringing shame upon Himself by performing the task of a slave. He protested, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” (John 13:6b, emphasis mine). What was Jesus doing? Did He consume too much wine? Had someone stolen Jesus’ identity to impersonate Him and make Him a laughing stock?

Suddenly, Christ broke the silence, explaining why He had stooped to such a low level, although He was the Lord of glory: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15). The Savior demonstrated supreme humility, doing what only slaves did, in order to give all of His disciples a model of others-focused service to follow. Jesus was essentially saying, “Do for each other what I’ve done for you: serve like a slave.”

This is specifically what Paul the apostle meant when he commanded all Christians, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:3-5).

According to Paul, if the exalted Christ temporarily set aside His divine rights and glory for the salvation of unworthy sinners, then believers can certainly put the needs of others before their own. And if Jesus washed the feet of sinners, then His saints can surely wash each other’s feet through burden-bearing, need-meeting, prayer-uplifting, encouragement-giving, reproof-issuing, and any form of loving service that puts others first.

The devotional column above is from my newest book, 40 Days with Jesus, which is a forty-day daily devotional focusing on the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus. This book is available in hardcover and paperback on Amazon:

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, and their three dogs, Susie, Aries, and Dot. Brandon and Dakota are also foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and a religious columnist for the Advance Yeoman newspaper in Ballard County, Kentucky. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. His columns are also featured in the Times-Argus newspaper of Central City, Kentucky, West Kentucky News of western Kentucky, and the online blog, Reforming the Heart.

Bible Gleanings, devotions

It’s All In Your Head | Bible Gleanings | November 23-24, 2024

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Without firing a single shot, eleven stouthearted soldiers who were skilled skiers secured victory for the Allies during World War II. The Nazis were promptly producing their own atomic bomb, utilizing a heavy water plant that was isolated in the icy hills of Norway—therefore, Operation Gunnerside was initiated in February of 1943 to neutralize it. After British troops were captured, tortured, and executed in an earlier attempt to demolish the facility, the Allies tried again, this time with Norwegian commandos who knew how to sneak around in the snow. The small squad jumped from a plane on the frigid night of February 16th, and after eleven days of strenuous snow-trekking, they quietly infiltrated the plant. While there, they patiently and painstakingly planted charges, disappeared without a trace, and sighed with relief when they heard explosions from a safe distance. 

The Allies were well-aware that winning the war required not only major victories like D-Day, but small-scale successes in places where the enemy appeared less threatening. As the Norwegian Army Colonel in charge of the effort rightfully remarked to those troops, “I cannot tell you why this mission is so important, but if you succeed, it will live in Norway’s memory for a hundred years.” He was right. Although Operation Gunnerside was relatively minor compared to other hard-fought battles, its effects were substantial. Although this seemingly insignificant mission was not a full-scale fight, it was a battle nonetheless—and it contributed to the end of one of history’s deadliest wars.

Similarly, there is another battle often downplayed and disregarded that has eternal ramifications: the battle in every believer’s mind. Even though there are no gunshots, the war waging in the Christian’s mind decides whether victory is won or lost in both temptation and tribulation. Indeed, every believer engages in daily formidable fights with the idolatry of the world, the iniquities of their flesh, and the instigations of the devil. However, a real rough-and-tumble is occurring in every Christian’s mind, where sin is constantly working on a mental nuclear bomb to destroy love for God and hatred of evil. Therefore, every saint must sabotage sin’s mind-operations by detonating truth-bombs which come from God’s word—truth which renews the mind and fills the mind with holy thoughts which evict evil ones (Rom. 12:2; Phil. 4:8-9).

Believers are admonished to do precisely that in 2 Corinthians 10:5, where Paul commanded, “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Likewise, the apostle Peter exhorted: “Prepare your minds for action” (1 Peter 1:13a, NLT). Believers must arm themselves with the sword of the Spirit for this mind-war because sin will not easily give up the mental territory it once dominated with ease. Every Christian’s mind was once the devil’s playground and sin’s stomping ground, and neither will relinquish control without a fight. The bottom line is that if you know Christ, what you think matters—and it matters more than you think.

Brandon is the pastor of Bandana Baptist Church in Bandana, Kentucky, where he lives with his wife, Dakota, and their three dogs, Susie, Aries, and Dot. Brandon and Dakota are also foster parents through Sunrise Children’s Services of Kentucky. Brandon is also a published author and a religious columnist for the Advance Yeoman newspaper in Ballard County, Kentucky. He is also a devotional contributor for Kentucky Today, a news publication of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. His columns are also featured in the Times-Argus newspaper of Central City, Kentucky, West Kentucky News of western Kentucky, and the online blog, Reforming the Heart.

Excited for Christmas, or looking for a way to worship the Christ of Christmas during advent? If so, you may enjoy this 25-day daily devotional, written by Brandon for exactly this reason. Grab your copy today before December 1st to get started!