I’ve been thinking a great deal about prayer lately. God has graciously answered many requests over the years. He has moved hearts, provided for needs, and heard cries that words could not express. Yes, God has been gracious and we are so thankful. And still we pray....
Motives
According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the root meaning of the English word motive, is “That which inwardly moves a person to behave a certain way.” Have you ever stopped to think about the motives that drive the groups or individuals who are in the national...
Wrestling in Prayer
The book of Colossians is to some degree a manual of warfare for the Christ follower. It provided the early church with the ammunition needed to combat those seeking to alter the true message of biblical faith. The teachings contained in these four short chapters can...
A Life-Changing Mindset
One of the most meaningful and enjoyable parts of my day is time spent in Scripture. Before opening God’s word in the morning I generally ask him to show me something he wants me to know. I pray that God will lead me to something in the reading for that morning that...
To Fish or to Follow?
My wife and I have had the privilege of attending a number of excellent churches since placing our faith in Christ back in 1982. To us, an excellent church is one that faithfully seeks to live out and to share the message of biblical faith with love, gentleness,...
To Delight in God’s Will
I have a reading schedule that generally involves a chapter of the Old Testament and a chapter of the New Testament most days. I enjoy working through God’s word in this way. Before I read, I like to pray that the Lord will renew my mind, that he will lead me closer...
Freedom in Christ
Numerous passages in the New Testament speak of the freedom that’s available only to those who follow Christ. A great example can be found in John 8:31-36. In the ESV this reads as follows: So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you...
The Skills to Accomplish God’s Will
What a privilege it is to have God’s word so readily available. There are places in the world, even today, where the Bible is not accessible. To be caught with a copy could mean imprisonment, torture, or even death. By God’s grace, at this point those who reside in...
Security and Wisdom
The word “security” in popular usage refers to someone or something being protected from danger or risk. In a spiritual sense, this concept is found numerous times in the Old Testament. For example, Psalms 27 and 91 speak of God hiding us in his shelter in times of...