Experience versus Scripture
Over 150 years ago, the missionary George Bowen said, “All human experiences of Christians must be put to the test of scripture.” This is a powerful statement, and it gives us pause to stop and ask ourselves some questions. Do our deepening fears stand the test of scripture? Does our wavering faith stand the test…
God Is a Rewarder
There is little purpose in prayer if we do not fully believe God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. I am persuaded that God delights in generously pouring out blessings upon his beloved children. David the psalmist insisted that God is bountiful and inclined to compassion, that his mercy is great and…
Get into the Ark
On April 9, 1680, the great Puritan preacher John Owen spoke the following message to his congregation: “You know that for many years, without failing, I have been warning you continually of an approaching calamitous time, and considering the sins that have been the causes of it… I have told you that judgment will begin…
Called to Be Perfect, Not Perfectionists
The pursuit of excellence is a noble thing. We are all fans of “becoming your best self.” Christians want the spiritual version of that: Be the best person in Christ that you can be. The problem is that this type of catchphrase blurs the line between being biblically perfect and just plain being a perfectionist.…
A Miracle of Prayer in Nigeria
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NKJV). I climbed the steps to the platform, constructed on the roof of a concession stand overlooking multiple soccer fields. As I looked out over the sea of Nigerian faces, I…
The Tears of the Righteous
The Bible declares emphatically that not one tear of his children falls to the ground. David wrote, “You number my wanderings; put my tears into your bottle; are they not in your book? When I cry out to you, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me” (Psalm 56:8,…
The Mark of the Bondservant
In his psalms, David wrote, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire; my ears you have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering you did not require” (Psalm 40:5-6, NKJV). This may well be interpreted as an allusion to the custom of masters boring the ear of a slave who refused his offered freedom (see Exodus…
Obedience Out of Love
When I speak of our servanthood to God, some people protest. Would you remind me that you are a son, and not a servant? Then I would kindly remind you that Paul commanded the church, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did…
A Bondservant by Choice
God’s ways seem paradoxical to the human mind. He says, “To live, you must die. To find your life, you must lose it. To become strong, you must first become weak.” One of the greatest paradoxes of all is this: To be truly free, you must become bound. To gain the greatest liberty in God,…
When God Doesn’t Move
I would not say that I’m able to predict the future of America in terms of whether there’ll be another great revival here or not. That’s certainly my hope and prayer, and we’re seeing some inclinations that might lead in that direction. Here’s the thing I want us to consider, though. What if the Lord…