The Missing Ingredient
One year, we had an Easter outreach. We had three services, and lines were around the building; it was a long day. Afterward, I’m sitting on the edge of the platform by the pulpit, and people are being ministered to at the altar. I look up, and I see this dude with his cap in…
How We Become Stronger
Whenever opposition arises, God’s grace thrives in us. Think about what happens to a tree when a great storm beats violently against it. The wind threatens to uproot the tree and carry it away. It breaks off branches and blows away its leaves. It loosens its roots and blows off its buds. When the storm…
True Communion with God
Many Christians talk about intimacy with the Lord, walking with him, knowing him, having fellowship with him; but we can’t have true communion with God unless we receive into our hearts the full revelation of his love, grace and mercy. Communion with God consists of two things: 1. Receiving the love of the Father 2.…
Loving Jesus in Return
Let me give you one of the most powerful verses in all of scripture. Proverbs give us these prophetic words of Christ: “Then I was beside him as a master craftsman; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him, rejoicing in his inhabited world, and my delight was with the sons of men”…
The Prayer of Unbelief
You’ve heard of the prayer of faith. I believe there is a mirror image of this prayer, a prayer that is based on flesh. I call it the prayer of unbelief. The Lord spoke these very words to Moses: “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry to me? Tell the children of Israel…
Neither a Skunk nor a Turtle
Managing your emotions in a healthy way is continual work. We must always be learning how to not suppress or deny our emotions but also to not let them dominate or define us. In your next dispute, I encourage you to commit to keeping either of these two resolutions: • I will no longer be…
Overwhelmed by the Impossible
Sunday after Sunday, you hear the Word preached, and maybe you leave, thinking, “One more thing to check off the list; I’ve got to do this now.” Now if you come to church all 52 Sundays of the year, are you going to get 52 new things every year that you’ve got to do? Some…
Walking in the Glory
One thing that can keep us going in the coming hard times is an understanding of God’s glory. Now, this may sound like a lofty concept best left to theologians, but I’m convinced the subject of God’s glory has very real value for every true believer. By grasping it, we unlock the door to an…
Knowing, Believing and Trusting
Anyone can keep his joy when he’s riding high in the Holy Ghost, not being tried or tempted. God wants us to keep ourselves in his love at all times, especially in our temptations. The apostle John tells us very simply how we can keep ourselves in God’s love: “we have known and believed the…
Unnoticed Growth in Trials
Some believers can tell you all about their spiritual growth, and you can clearly see the changes in their lives. They testify to you about how the Holy Ghost has vanquished the enemy for them, and you rejoice with them in their victory. Yet these kinds of Christians are the exception. Most believers are totally…