“Did you follow me, or did you do your own thing?”God’s eternal purpose is to bring people into and under the protective, saving Lordship of Jesus.The purpose of a church that is fulfilling God’s purpose is to be involved in saving people and keeping people saved. When we have succeeded in the treasure hunt, we …
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Attitudes are like background music in our lives. Attitudes are ever present, ever influencing our lives, playing in the background during every moment of our lives. Attitude is a key to consistent Christian living. The attitude we should have is that of Christ (Phil. 2:5). When Christ’s attitude permeates our lives, we are unceasingly in …
Through the years, Christians have understood Sunday in various ways. In years past, even during my childhood, Sunday was a day of rest, and the majority of businesses were closed. In many parts of the world today, Sundays are so secularized that Sunday differs little from other days of the week. In the United States, …
It’s Memorial Day weekend.In thinking about church and preaching, I always try to do something significant about remembering, sacrifice, and love.For many in today’s culture, Memorial Day has lost its meaning. It is too little about remembering and memorials. It is too much about the first long weekend of summer and going to the lake …
A long time ago in another millennium, I read a book that changed the way I have looked at life across almost five decades. The book is The Compulsive Christian by David Mason, first edition 1969. Our society tends to measure life by what we have or by what we do. Mason reminds that God’s …
Interesting conversation–a friend and I were talking about our experiences in visiting other locations on mission trips. His comment, “They live as though Jesus really is their King!” Wow! What does it mean to live the Christian life? Surely it is more than worship attendance, or more than worship plus some prayer and regular Bible …
We don’t know what to do with God! We want to control him, box him, understand him. We want our Christianity in neat, little, predictable packages. We want a Holy Spirit under control. We are so committed to “decently and in order” that we limit God. Christianity is a personal treasure hunt! Treasure hunts are …
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Life is filled with choices. A few choices are basic! Once they are made, they provide the foundation for the rest of life’s choices. If the foundational choices are not made in place, the rest of life is a constant struggle. Let me be specific. Here are two foundational questions that provide orientation for the …
The movie “City Slickers” popularized the concept that life can be defined by the “one thing.” The Bible more often speaks of two things. Jesus said, “Love God, love your neighbor” (Matt. 22:34, and parallels). John says the one who is of God practices righteousness and loves his brother (1 John 3:10). John adds that …
Today I will worship with the believers in Sololá, Guatemala. I will have the privilege of delivering God´s word, but always the fellowship shared as the church assembles, sings, prays, and surrounds the Table is delightful. Pray for God´s people around the world, many of whom assemble in relatively remote places to worship God, to …
