Passive Obedience?

“It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NLT) In Matthew 21:28-32 Jesus tells the story of two sons, both of whom the father asked toContinue reading “Passive Obedience?”

Is Government the Answer?

“But Jesus knew their evil motives. ‘You hypocrites!’ He said. ‘Why are you trying to trap Me? Here, show Me the coin used for the tax.’ When they handed Him a Roman coin. He asked, ‘Whose picture and title are stamped on it?’ ‘Caesar’s,’ they replied. ‘Well, then,” He said, ‘give to Caesar what belongsContinue reading “Is Government the Answer?”

Intellectually Aware or Spiritually Engaged?

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT) There are many things we can’t understand intellectually. On a lot of levels even Christianity doesn’t make sense. How can we wrap ourContinue reading “Intellectually Aware or Spiritually Engaged?”

What Does It Mean That God Is Sovereign?

“Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.’ But Abram replied, ‘O Sovereign Lord, what good are all Your blessings when I don’t even have a son?’” (Genesis 15:1-2 NLT) In theContinue reading “What Does It Mean That God Is Sovereign?”

When Fear Tries To Stop You

“Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.” (Psalm 2:11 NLT) Have you ever been really scared? When I was a boy, I had a clown about four feet tall that stood just inside my bedroom door. It had sand or something in the base so when I hit it, it would bounceContinue reading “When Fear Tries To Stop You”

Why Is Love the “Greatest?”

“Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT) When I think of faith, hope, and love I think of concentric circles, almost like a target, with faith and hope being in the outer circles that point to the middle target ofContinue reading “Why Is Love the “Greatest?””

The Value of Doubt

“When they saw Him, they worshiped Him – but some of them doubted!” (Matthew 28:17 NLT) There are times in our walk with Jesus when what we see with our eyes doesn’t correlate with what we “see” with our mind. I think of the time after Corrie ten Boom had been freed from her NaziContinue reading “The Value of Doubt”

Why Faith In Jesus Is So Vital

“God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT) Faith is a subject that can drive wedges between peopleContinue reading “Why Faith In Jesus Is So Vital”

Believing God for Miracles

“Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. But Peter said, ‘I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!’ ThenContinue reading “Believing God for Miracles”

Whose Authority? (Part 2)

“The disciples were amazed. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked. ‘Even the winds and waves obey Him!’” (Matthew 8:27 NLT) Authority isn’t license. Just because I CAN do something, isn’t my license to do it. I can burn my house down, but how would that benefit the Lord. Besides, my wife would be imprisoned forContinue reading “Whose Authority? (Part 2)”