“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). What a tender word from our Savior. He knows how easily our hearts tremble—when we feel weak, when the way is hard, when the enemies of our souls seem strong, when we are painfully aware of our … Continue reading The Gift that Banishes Fear
The Stunning and Comforting Truth of Election
In John 15:16, Jesus reminds us of a stunning truth: “You did not choose me, but I chose you … that you should go and bear fruit.” Our faith is not an accident. Long before we ever thought of Him, He had set His love on us. Election is a mystery too deep for us … Continue reading The Stunning and Comforting Truth of Election
Persistently Pleading to a Gentle Jesus who Delights to Answer Prayer
“When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ” And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. Jesus answered and said to … Continue reading Persistently Pleading to a Gentle Jesus who Delights to Answer Prayer
The Danger of Worldliness & Becoming What You Worship
Worldliness is whatever any culture does to make sin seem normal and righteousness to be strange. When we embrace the Zeitgeist (the spirit of the age) of worldliness, it feels strange to think like a Christian. Acting according to the Bible’s mandates becomes difficult. When we think the world’s thoughts after it, our actions align … Continue reading The Danger of Worldliness & Becoming What You Worship
All Saints’ Weekend
Your church may not use the church calendar throughout the year and that is perfectly fine. Therefore, you may not know that this past Friday was All Saints’ Day. This day is a very special day for me because it reminds me to give thanks to the Lord regularly for those whom God used to lead … Continue reading All Saints’ Weekend
Undergird Your Pastor in Prayer
"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." I TIMOTHY 5:17 "If Christians who have been complaining about their ministers had said and acted less before men and had taken the trouble to cry to God for their ministers, if … Continue reading Undergird Your Pastor in Prayer
It Takes God Time to Answer Prayer
But when it pleased God • GALATIANS 1:15 It takes God time to answer prayer. We often fail to give God a chance in that respect. It takes time for God to paint a rose. It takes time for God to grow an oak. It takes time for God to make bread from wheat fields. … Continue reading It Takes God Time to Answer Prayer
A Prayer of Confession of Sin – On Beauty
Beautiful Savior, You died to make me beautiful — one who was marred and made beastly by sin. Late it was that I loved you, beauty so ancient and so new, late I loved you! Thus, I vacillate between a monkish contempt of physical beauty and a worldly addiction to physical beauty. Unlike the patriarch … Continue reading A Prayer of Confession of Sin – On Beauty
Pray and Bless Your Enemies – A Needed Word in Our Day of Increasing Polarization.
When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. PROVERBS 16:7 A Confederate soldier was on sentry duty on the edge of a wood. It was a dark night and very cold, and he was a little frightened because the enemy was supposed to be … Continue reading Pray and Bless Your Enemies – A Needed Word in Our Day of Increasing Polarization.
When Believers Profess Their Faith Together
When followers of Jesus gather for corporate worship, we remind one another of what we believe. We call this professing our faith. Often, we profess our faith using the Apostles’ Creed . This creed chronicles in summary fashion “the most exciting drama that ever staggered the imagination of man. God’s plan of rescuing sinful man … Continue reading When Believers Profess Their Faith Together
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