christianity

  • When We Claim A Voice God Has Not Given

    Jeremiah 23:25 — “I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name…” There is a serious difference between sincerely desiring to be used by God and claiming a prophetic gift that God has not actually… Continue reading

    When We Claim A Voice God Has Not Given
  • Knowing the Unknowable

    Paul prays in Ephesians 3:19 that believers might “know the love of Christ which passes knowledge.” At first, the words seem contradictory. How can we know something that surpasses knowledge? Paul is not saying that Christ’s love cannot be known.… Continue reading

    Knowing the Unknowable
  • Rooted And Grounded In Love

    Paul prays in Ephesians 3:17 that believers would be “rooted and grounded in love.” He reaches for two pictures to describe the same spiritual reality. One comes from the field and the other from construction. A plant has roots; a… Continue reading

    Rooted And Grounded In Love
  • Seven Days With the Great I AM

    In Exodus 3:14, God revealed Himself to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM.” He is the self-existent, eternal, unchanging God—the One who simply is. Then Jesus came, and in John’s Gospel He repeatedly took those words upon His own… Continue reading

    Seven Days With the Great I AM
  • The Vulnerability of A Needy Heart

    Philippians 4:19 — “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” All too often, we live from need. The wife who longs for the affection of her husband. The young man… Continue reading

    The Vulnerability of A Needy Heart
  • Convenient Companion or Committed Follower

    Suppose I am traveling Highway 552 toward Highway 15 behind you. As long as both of us are moving in the same direction, it looks like I am following you. Mile after mile, we stay on the same road. Anyone… Continue reading

    Convenient Companion or Committed Follower
  • WE’RE NOT COMPETITORS

    When John saw someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name, he tried to stop him. His reason is revealing: “because he does not follow us” (Mark 9:38). Notice that John did not say the man was misusing Jesus’ name or… Continue reading

    WE’RE NOT COMPETITORS
  • 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?
  • 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