Before the final conflict of the cross is engaged, one final ministry remains for Jesus to perform: the vital work of prayer. In John 17, He prays first for himself, secondly for his original band of disciples, and lastly he prays for us (those who believe in him through their word). This is the most … Continue reading Jesus’ Ultimate Desire for You – John 17:24
Devotional Thoughts
Matthew 9:35-38 – A Prayer of Confession
Gracious heavenly Father, thank you for Your compassion for the lonely, oppressed, and harassed people of the world. You sent Jesus to seek and to save the lost, but we confess our reluctance to personally engage with His mission. If we are honest, we are more apathetic than active, isolated than involved, callous … Continue reading Matthew 9:35-38 – A Prayer of Confession
Devoted to Loving Our Neighbor Well – Questions for Reflection
This past Sunday we learned what it looks like to be a church devoted to loving our neighbors well (Luke 10:25-37). Here are some follow-up questions and Scriptures for further study. There was One who into earth’s bitter waters of sin, injustice, hatred, and revenge poured a crimson flood to make them sweet. Never was … Continue reading Devoted to Loving Our Neighbor Well – Questions for Reflection
Make Us Thy Mountaineers
Make us Thy mountaineers; We would not linger on the lower slope. Fill us afresh with hope, Thou God of hope, That undefeated, we may climb the hill, as seeing Him who is invisible. -- Amy Carmichael, Missionary to India ((1867-1951)
In Times of Spiritual Dryness
Every child of God goes through times of spiritual drought and dryness. When I was a college student, I encountered this for the first time and it concerned me greatly. I was helped by reading a little book called The Green Letters by Miles Stanford. The title has been changed now to Principles of Spiritual … Continue reading In Times of Spiritual Dryness
The Apostle Paul – Key Ministry Lessons After Twenty Years
These lessons come from the last verses in Paul's great letter to the church in Ephesus. After twenty years of ministry experience… He believed in the necessity of intercessory prayer for ministry effectiveness and fruitfulness (v.18-19a -praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all … Continue reading The Apostle Paul – Key Ministry Lessons After Twenty Years
A Guide for Cultivating Your Relationship with the Lord
Over the years, I have had the privilege of helping believers and new believers learn how to cultivate and begin a relationship with the Lord through simply reading and reflecting on his Word. If you have teenagers or kids at home, you would especially benefit from reading through the book of Proverbs. The average month … Continue reading A Guide for Cultivating Your Relationship with the Lord
Facing the Temptation to Live Out of a False Center
How often we base our identity in what we possess, what we do, and how others perceive us. Now if Jesus was tempted to live out of these false centers and gain his sense of identity from possessions, actions, and esteem of others, how much more we who are the adopted sons are called to … Continue reading Facing the Temptation to Live Out of a False Center
In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership
At least once a year, I read the booklet by Henri Nouwen entitled In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. He uses two key passages to unpack the nature of Christian leadership: Matthew 4:1-11 and John 21:15-21. In this book he discusses three temptations which all leaders face. Temptation 1: The Temptation to … Continue reading In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership
How to face temptation – Sage Counsel from Thomas Brooks
Thomas Brooks, a Puritan pastor, counsels believers to confront all temptations (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the boastful pride of life) with the words of the Psalmist: “The LORD is my portion” (16:5; 73:26; 119:57; 142:5). He exhorts: Luther counsels every Christian to answer all temptations with the short … Continue reading How to face temptation – Sage Counsel from Thomas Brooks
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