I am reading the Bible – a routine – about to check daily devotions off my “to do” holiness list of the day, when the Spirit of God reaches out through His Word and gives me a good shaking. Think of your mother when you were a child. Something that you did; something that you […]
New Year’s Resolutions #2 Read More »
It’s over. 364 days until the next Christmas. My grandkids have already told me what they want. I have already told my wife what I want. I could have made a mistake writing about James 5 after a day of gifts, broken toys, and major food comas. You have lived for pleasure on the earth and
James 5 and The Day After Christmas Read More »
Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19 I pray that today – the day of the birth of our Lord – you will gather family and friends, even if by Zoom, to read the Christmas story. Luke 2:1-19! At the very end of this passage, you will read this phrase:
God is big and we are small. God creates, God always creates, God continues to create. God is transcendent as He stands above and controls all of creation. He speaks; everything exists. God is big. God became man. His immanence is celebrated at Christmas. We know God only because He reveals Himself through scripture, Jesus,
Beyond Comprehension! Read More »
As I have been calling key leaders and asking how they are doing, almost immediately I sense a weight in their spirit. As I talk hope to them I begin to sense the weight lessening and their hope/joy returning. I’ve been having lots of very encouraging ministry over the phone with both old and new friends
A while back, a man came up to me and said, “I’m leaving the church. The guitar player on the worship team played a solo that was too long.” An example of a “bitter-bit.” “I hate my husband. Do you know what he just did?” I replied, “No, and I don’t want to know.” I
Jesus has a name. It is written, “King of Kings…” Revelation 19:16 When I was in seminary, my favorite professor entered our classroom and sat in his chair. He began teaching, “The best government is not democracy.” “What?” I thought, “Heresy from my favorite professor!” He continued, “The best government is one in which we
You do not receive because you don’t ask. James 4:2 (OGV) The word “prayer” is mentioned in the New Testament about 80 times; the word “ask,” referring to prayer, about 70 times. The New Testament uses the word “ask” to describe prayer more than any other word. James says that the reason your prayers are
The #1 Reason for Unanswered Prayer – James 4 Read More »
The priest of your house – that would be you! You are living stones being built as a spiritual house where you serve as a holy priest offering spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God. 2 Peter 2:5 OGV Yes, you, a priest of your own house. If you don’t offer sacrifices of prayer and
Sharing Jesus With Your Dad This Christmas! Read More »
Fine print doesn’t exist in the New Testament. There are a few explanations for unanswered prayer – not making peace (Matthew 5:23-24), asking with wrong motives (James 4:3), and marriage turmoil (1 Peter 3:7). But scripture does not spend a lot of ink on parchment describing why our prayers won’t be answered. Instead, we have