Prayer and perseverance are often both needed to see our circumstances change. God showed Elijah that He would send rain to end a drought (1 Kings 18). Elijah prayed for the rain, but it did not come. Seven times Elijah sent his servant to look at the sky to see if rain clouds were forming. [...]
Almost everyone can name one or more books that have changed their lives. I am no exception. I grew up in an Anabaptist church. But I learned how to lead people to Christ from a book written by a Baptist. I learned about the work of the Holy Spirit from a book written by an [...]
I don’t always feel like praising God. But praising the Lord is not dependent upon my emotions; it’s a decision I make. As we come to the Lord in faith each day, we are offering to Him a sacrifice of praise. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise…” (Heb. [...]
How has the Lord wired you? Stop trying to be someone you are not. Genesis 4:20-22 tells us that Jabal was the father of those who raised cattle. His brother Jubal was the father of all the musicians who played the lyre and pipe. His half-brother Tubal-Cain forged instruments made of bronze and iron. They [...]
If we only listen to those who teach the Bible from our own camp or denomination or local church, we may not receive the whole counsel of God. Pastors who frown on those within their local churches receiving Bible teaching from the Body of Christ at large are hindering them from receiving all the Lord [...]
God wires all of us differently. We each have unique gifts or “bents” from God according to the way He has made us. The Scriptures tell us to “train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it” (Prov. 22:6). The “way he should go” [...]
The Lord is faithful, and He will direct our path one step at a time. Let’s tune our ears to hear His voice without preconceived ideas as to how He will speak. Isaiah 30:21 says, “Your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the [...]
Sometimes people confuse the grace of God with fatalism. Fatalism is the idea that we cannot change our circumstances despite what we do, so we just allow fate to take its course. Grace is God’s unmerited favor. Although we are totally dependent on the grace of God, it does not mean we sit passively and [...]
There are so many voices today. In order to not be deceived, we should be like the Bereans. They checked whether the interpretation Paul put on the Old Testament Scriptures was true (Acts 17:10-12). They tested everything by the written Word of God. We should do the same. The Bible says that Satan comes to [...]
Our world is in great conflict. The Bible tells us how to respond. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all [...]