bible

  • FOLLOWING JESUS CHANGES OUR ATTITUDE

    When Christians remember 9/11, we also need to remember 5:44. Jesus said, “Love your enemies…do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Someone may object that this sounds… Continue reading

    FOLLOWING JESUS CHANGES OUR ATTITUDE
  • WHAT ARE WE SAYING TO THE POWERS?

    Ephesians 3:10 Paul says that God intends “through the church” to make His manifold wisdom known “to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.” These “powers” belong to the unseen spiritual realm that figures prominently in Paul’s understanding of… Continue reading

    WHAT ARE WE SAYING TO THE POWERS?
  • WHEN A GODLY PARENT HAS A PRODIGAL CHILD

    Hezekiah was a godly man with an ungodly father and an ungodly son. His father Ahaz led Judah deeply into idolatry, but Hezekiah chose a different path. Scripture says, “He did what was right in the sight of the LORD”… Continue reading

    WHEN A GODLY PARENT HAS A PRODIGAL CHILD
  • FOLLOWING JESUS CHANGES OUR BOUNDARIES

    Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). That was more than a call to go somewhere with Jesus. It was a promise that following Him would change them. Before Jesus could use John… Continue reading

    FOLLOWING JESUS CHANGES OUR BOUNDARIES
  • Following Jesus Changes Our Desires

    John followed Jesus, but following Jesus meant Jesus had to change John. In Luke 9, Jesus and His disciples were traveling toward Jerusalem when a Samaritan village refused to receive Him. James and John were offended. They asked Jesus, “Lord,… Continue reading

    Following Jesus Changes Our Desires
  • FOLLOWING JESUS CHANGES US

    Some people follow Jesus hoping He will make them important. James and John did. In Mark 10:37, they asked Jesus, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”… Continue reading

    FOLLOWING JESUS CHANGES US
  • Sanctification, Not Isolation

    “For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” — Isaiah 56:7 When Jesus cleansed the Temple, He quoted a passage that reached far beyond Israel: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for… Continue reading

    Sanctification, Not Isolation
  • WHEN YOU WALK AWAY DISAPPOINTED IN YOURSELF

    There have been times when I’ve walked away from a ministry moment thinking of myself in derogatory terms. I said something I shouldn’t have said. I handled something poorly. I spoke when I should have listened—or spoke like a fool… Continue reading

    WHEN YOU WALK AWAY DISAPPOINTED IN YOURSELF
  • HOLY – Taboo or To Be

    Holy! Now there’s an interesting word. The Hebrew term is qadosh and the Greek word is hagios. I’m neither a Hebrew nor a Greek scholar, but at the heart of these words is the idea of being set apart—something or… Continue reading

    HOLY – Taboo or To Be
  • When Desire Becomes a Dictator

    There is nothing wrong with wanting someone to share your life with. There is nothing unspiritual about longing for companionship, praying for a godly spouse, or hoping that God will bring someone into your life whom you can love and… Continue reading

    When Desire Becomes a Dictator