You do not have because you do not ask God (James 4:2, NIV). Overwhelmingly, I’ve been asked by readers of this blog to give advice on starting a prayer list. Well, confession, only one person, but that person did have a good idea! First . . . When beginning your first prayer list, take a simple […]
Starting A Prayer List Read More »
We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church (Ephesians 4:15, NLT). The concepts behind modern organizations, businesses, and corporations began in the Bible. In the first century (and preceding centuries), leadership was top-down. A king commanded, or religious leaders
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Jesus makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work (Ephesians 4:16, NLT). Ephesians chapter 4 is an amazing chapter. If you read it carefully, you will note most of the modern business practices used today were first discussed in this chapter of Ephesians and employed by the early
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And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Ephesians 6:18, NIV). I’ve maintained prayer lists for close to 50 years. A friend once challenged me about the need for prayer lists. I think his words were, “Isn’t it legalistic and laborious to maintain all your lists? I find more freedom
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There are two New Testament concepts concerning sin — conviction and condemnation. Simply defined, conviction means knowing something is wrong. The Apostle John writes . . . And when the Spirit comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16:8, ESV). In the New Covenant, the Spirit teaches us about God’s
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Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing his servant with peace (v. 27, NLT). Psalm 35 has a great ending, perhaps the best of any Psalm. Let me repeat it . . . Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing his servant with peace. Peace! We can all use peace. Psalm 35 depicts a story
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Jesus arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them (Luke 4:38-39, ESV). I’ve been to Israel six
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For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago (Ephesians 2:10, NLT). We are masterpieces planned before we were born for God’s work. Do we feel like great works of art, or do we believe ourselves inadequate and
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15, NLT). I’ve been to several ordinations of pastors, and all the vows of commitment contained this phrase . . .
Preparing A Sermon Read More »
Put off your old self . . . Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires (Ephesians 4:22, ESV). When people travel, they post selfies. Very common are beautiful views of creation, with a distorted-by-camera-angle face, in front of the landscape. And also beach scenes, with a