Continue in Prayer

Colossians 4:2-4 says this, “2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” In this brief passage, the apostle …

The Incarnation

The word for my article this month is “Incarnation.”  When Christians use the word “Incarnation,” we mean the fact that God became human. This awesome mystery of our Christian Faith is taught most vividly in John 1:14,17,18: “14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace …

Work Out Your Salvation

As we start a New Year, let us hear the words of Philippians 2:12,13: “12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12 …

Job’s Miserable Friends

Have you ever just wanted to call a friend and unload your troubles, find a shoulder to cry on or share with someone who can understand what you are facing?  There are times that our circumstances have no rhyme or reason.  We cannot change them.  We just feel like complaining to someone. We rant. Afterwards, we could feel a bit …

Suffering & Adversity

In the Old Testament account of the life of Job, we have an extremely important book that focuses on God’s sovereignty and human suffering.  While the subject of God’s sovereignty and human suffering is touched on in a number of places in Holy Scripture including some of the Psalms and the book of Lamentations, here we have a case where …

God is Not Safe

In The Lion, the Witch and Wardrobe, part of the Chronicles of Narnia, written by C. S. Lewis, the main characters are finding out about the lion, Aslan, the King of Narnia from Mr. and Mrs. Beaver.  Here is the often-quoted exchange: “Who is Aslan?” asked Susan. “Aslan?” said Mr. Beaver, “Why don’t you know? He’s the King… It is …

Truly Forgiven

Have you ever found yourself thinking or even obsessing over your sins? Feeling depressed and thinking things like, “I’ll never be good enough, or I never seem to conquer this sin.” While we definitely must acknowledge our sins, God has not called us to constant navel-gazing!  That will keep us so self-absorbed that we do not move forward with sanctification …

About the Holy Spirit

It is quite right that you should feel that “something terrific” has happened to you (It has) and be “all glowy.” Accept these sensations with thankfulness as birthday cards from God, but remember that they are only greetings, not the real gift. I mean, it is not the sensations that are the real thing. The real thing is the gift …