Driven to Betrayal
"'I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'" John 13:18Betrayal is a central...
View ArticleRunning In The Right Direction
Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” —John 6:68One of the most difficult experiences in my years as a pastor was telling a member of our church...
View ArticleDon’t Be an April Fool
The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’ Psalm 14:1.Warning! It’s April Fools’ Day! I’ve had a lot of AF jokes pulled on me, and I must admit that I’ve pulled off a few pretty good…
View ArticleChosen
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . . For he chose us in him before the creation of the world.” Ephesians 1:3-4A recent journey through the book of Genesis got me thinking...
View ArticleTo The Rescue
There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. —Luke 15:7Martie and I recently traveled to some major cities in several...
View ArticleWho Are You?
Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. —Matthew 4:19If someone were to ask, “Who are you?” my guess is that you would tell a little about yourself and what you do—“I’m an electrician” …
View ArticleOur Co-Pilot?
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. —Galatians 2:20The bumper sticker “Jesus is my co-pilot” may be a well-intentioned sentiment, but it has always...
View ArticleThe Search For Satisfaction
Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? —Isaiah 55:2When it comes to jigsaw puzzles, we all know that to enjoy a satisfying outcome you need all the...
View ArticleUnloading the Baggage
“Throw off anything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” Hebrews 12:1I boarded the plane in Chicago with too much baggage. Not the kind of baggage you stow in the overhead compartment or...
View ArticleStop Talking, Start Listening Part 1
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27When was the last time you heard the voice of God? Most of us spend so much time talking to God, we don’t take the time…
View ArticlePromises Kept
“Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” Joshua 21:45I am about to let you in on a deep, life-changing, earth-shattering theological truth. Are...
View ArticleHometown Hero
“I heard the voice of many angels, numbering . . . ten thousand times ten thousand . . . “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and...
View ArticleLoving God
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. —1 John 4:11Early in our marriage, I thought I knew the ultimate shortcut to my wife’s heart. I arrived home one night with a bouquet of a …
View ArticleAgents Of Change
If anyone cleanses himself . . . , he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. —2 Timothy 2:21With 4 years of seminary under my belt, I walked...
View ArticleThe Case for Kindness
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 A story I heard in the news a few years ago caught my attention. It was about an...
View ArticleBrand New
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” Revelation 21:5I love the smell of a new car. You open the door and, wow, there’s just something about it! If you were like me,...
View ArticleStop Talking, Start Listening Part 2
"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27Discover the five habits of effective listeners to the voice of God. Last week, Joe Stowell explained the importance of hearing...
View ArticleNo Hassles At The Border
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20American citizens flying to and from neighboring nations like Canada and Mexico used...
View ArticleUnder New Management
“Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:24It’s always an unsettling moment when you pull up to one of your favorite haunts only to see a sign...
View ArticleWhat’s In The Name?
“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Exodus 20:7There are a lot of fun events associated with being a pastor. And...
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