We can’t fully understand God’s holiness. But we can understand it much better than we currently do. By and large, the typical evangelical’s understanding of God is pathetically superficial. Too many professing believers think about God in only self-centered and self-indulgent terms, reducing Him to little more than a genie in a lamp. Others are preoccupied with a relational perspective on God. They want Him to be more comfortable and ...
Read MoreIn a well-known Bible story about a life-threatening storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus posed an intriguing question to His frightened followers: “Where is your faith?” He asked them as the wind roared, the seas rolled, and the ship rocked. Their response came as a question that revealed the hidden reason for their fear and anxiety. They asked, “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” (See Luke 8:22-26, ...
Read MoreHe was the kind of friend we all wish for. His name was Jonathan, the son of King Saul and heir apparent. However, Jonathan was a loyal friend to David, the Bethlehem shepherd boy whom God had chosen to succeed Saul as king. Saul was fiercely focused on killing David; Jonathan was fiercely devoted to his friendship with David. Steadfast and single-minded, Jonathan had an unwavering commitment to David.
Read MoreWhat does the baptism with the Holy Spirit mean to you and me? For one thing, the Holy Spirit is the one who gives us the ability to trust in Christ.
Read MoreOn one occasion, Jesus told the story of a lost child (Luke 15:11–32). Many of us are familiar with this parable, in which the Prodigal Son left his father’s home and squandered his inheritance through reckless living—and then, upon the son’s sorrowful return, his father met him with tremendous compassion and rejoicing.
Read MoreDuring World War II, Allied troops found themselves trapped in Dunkerque, France, facing certain destruction by the German army and most likely a Nazi invasion of Britain. King George called for a National Day of Prayer, and the churches of the United Kingdom were filled to overflowing as believers called on God to intervene.
Read MoreWhy do we make sure our kids have their textbooks, notebooks, pencils, and supplies for school, but not for church? Which is more important: Your kids going to Heaven or college? Getting good grades or knowing more about Jesus? Improving test scores or overcoming life's hurdles?
Read MoreWhen Daniel was well over 80 years old, he was still living in captivity in Babylon, which by that time had been overthrown by the Medes and the Persians. King Nebuchadnezzar and all the royal family had been killed, and King Darius of the Medes sat on the throne. In order to try to bring some continuity and stability to his government, Darius kept on his court a lot of ...
Read MoreMany people grew up with an abusive father, negligent father, or an absent father. For some, tragedy struck and our fathers died way too early leaving some questions unanswered, conflicts unresolved, and memories never made. Thus, for countless squirming saints in the Church, the idea of having or even wanting an intimate relationship with God as “Father" is not only incomprehensible; it is altogether repulsive.
Read MoreIt's been said that a picture's worth a thousand words, and that's probably accurate. If you never witnessed a sunset, I could spend hours describing one, and your mental picture might still be inadequate. In the absence of the real thing, it would require a picture for you to appreciate the immensity and beauty of a sunset.
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