Christians generally pray that life would “go well”, or that we would not encounter too many problems. Along those same lines, we often pray that God would deliver us from undesirable circumstances: illness, disease, financial pressures, relationship struggles or conflicts…you get the idea. In the book of Acts, when Peter and John were arrested and […]
Christians are often not the best example of unity. Yet this is exactly what Jesus prayed his followers would be- unified. He is not calling for an institutional unity or an organizational unity, but an organic, familial unity that recognizes the oneness between Jesus and God the Father. The demonstration of that unity and love […]
Do you desire to be refreshed by the Lord, but you don’t know where to start? Starting with prayer is one of the best ways to reconnect with God. The Bible is full of prayers that were spoken or sung in times of victory, distress, sadness, trial, joy, solitude, and celebration. As we seek the […]
Jesus said, “I have come not to bring peace, but a sword.” Wait a minute, I thought Jesus was referred to as the Prince of Peace? Didn’t the angels declare at his birth, “Peace on earth?” Yes, the purpose of Christ’s coming into the world was to bring peace between God and mankind; to reconcile […]
Do you think that God is remote and doesn’t care about your situation? You might even think that God is simply figment of the imagination. Consider for a moment that the God of the universe wants to connect with you. How would this God reveal himself? How would he reveal himself in order to communicate […]
“In Christ, on Mission” Part 2 (click to listen, right click to download) What does it mean to be a child of God? How does someone “change and become like a little child” in order to enter the kingdom of heaven? These are all important questions, and they go to the core of who […]
Christians often drift into a pattern of “doing things for God” instead of simply “being with God”. When Jesus went to Mary & Martha’s house, he urged Martha to SLOW DOWN and rest, and to learn from him. Mary had chosen to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen, while Martha was “distracted with much serving” […]
“Faith chases out fear, and fear chases out faith.” That is the way Dr. D.A. Carson summarized the experience of the disciples in the boat when Jesus calmed the wind and the waves. (Expositors Bible Commentary, vol. 8) But there is a lot more going on in this passage than Jesus simply calming our fears. […]
Many people want the benefits and blessings of salvation, but not the responsibilities of salvation. But when you say “Yes” to follow Jesus, then by implication, you necessarily say “No” to other things. When Jesus saves someone, He loves that person too much to let him or her stay the same. The reality of following […]
Christians have no shortage of issues to disagree about. But when it comes to secondary matters that are not essential to the gospel and are not clearly sin, we need to allow one another freedom of individual liberty. Christian Liberty (Click to listen, right click to download) These issues are called secondary matters: they could […]