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Early one morning, the team gathered on the open plain. Staring at the tower in the distance, they waited. All of their intense, combined efforts over the past many months…
1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” God has given each of us “vocations” (literally, “callings”).…
Judge seems to be a dirty word in our culture. However, the word judge simply means to “form an opinion or conclusion about” something. The Bible says, “Speaking the truth…
We listen to God’s voice through his Word, that is, the Bible. Imagine you live in a world exactly like our own but with one exception: The Bible does not…
Jesus controls everything. Ephesians 1:22 says, “God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.” What a comfort to know that…
Does God really care? Not only does God care for this world, but he is also genuinely interested in each one of us. The Bible is full of beautiful passages…
If God did not create the world, then humans become superior animals struggling to survive instead of the crown of God’s creation. Survival or serving oneself instead of glorifying God…
Universalism says that the biblical teaching of eternal damnation is incompatible with the concept of a loving God. Universalists believe that God will eventually destroy all sin and save all…
Using Bible stories to examine characteristics of God that we never thought about, characteristics that apply to what we’re facing right now. You are not what you have done She…
First, it is important to answer the question, “What is death?” Very simply, death is separation. The Bible speaks of three types of separation: physical, spiritual, and eternal. Physical death…
When I didn’t feel safe anymore Feelings are not facts. Yet sometimes those feelings of anxiety are so real. Sometimes they are crippling. They keep you glued to your bed…
There is a story about a much-loved pastor who carried the burden of a secret sin he had committed years before. He had repented but still had no peace, no…
Grieve . . . but with hope Gregory C. Lyon From time to time, we face realities that we simply can’t do anything about. God chose Mary to be the…
Recently in a stadium packed with people, these words were preached: “If you continue to say something, eventually it will become a reality. Whether you realize it or not you…
Longing for the mountaintop, sitting under a shrub: Depression Gregory C. Lyon Loneliness. Hopelessness. A lack of motivation. A lack of purpose. It’s been described as a black cloud that…
David Scharf God certainly showed himself to be holy and willing to punish sin and disobedience in the Old Testament. At the same time, he also desired the salvation of…
David Scharf Imagine you are stepping out onto the streets, and you ask this question to a cross-section of people: “How would you describe God and who he is to…
When Jesus feels, but he doesn’t change the situation. Gregory C. Lyon On April 19, 1995, at 9:02 a.m., the Alfred P. Murrah building in Oklahoma City was bombed, claiming…
Using Bible stories to examine characteristics of God that we never thought about, characteristics that apply to what we’re facing right now. Gregory C. Lyon Take a few moments to…
David Scharf There are many versions of the phrase “God wants me to be happy.” “God wants me to be rich.” “God wouldn’t want me to rush into marriage, so…
Paul E. Zell For many congregations, the Gospel of the Day is the keynote for each worship service. The Gospel for Christmas Day is John 1:1-4. Based on that reading,…
Putting it all together Jeffrey D. Enderle Getting there. That’s the tricky part. Sitting in your aunt’s cozy home with delicious smells wafting past the expanded table, that’s the good…
Comfort in the midst of conflict: Revelation 21 and 22 Timothy J. Westendorf It’s been 1,900 years since John recorded the words of Jesus in Revelation 22: “I am coming soon!” (vv. 7,12,20). Soon? Really?…
Devotional development Jeffrey D. Enderle A slight sadness seeps into my psyche every autumn. For some reason, I can’t help looking ahead and grieving the loss of the magnificent scenery and pleasant…
Comfort in the midst of conflict:Revelation 21 to 22:5 Timothy J. Westendorf Blessed with milk and honey. A sight that refreshes. Full of unknown joy. Radiant in glory. Bliss beyond compare. Jubilant with song.…
Cross-centered life and thought Jeffrey D. Enderle Her first restaurant job was nothing like cooking at home. Personal safety videos. Rigorous sanitation rules. Strict food handling standards. Weeks into the job, she had no chance…
Comfort in the midst of conflict: Revelation 20 Timothy J. Westendorf Chapter 20 introduces the seventh and final vision. Many Christians have been taught to expect a coming millennial (thousand-year) reign of Jesus on earth based,…
Heart transformation Jeffrey D. Enderle Fall sports seasons are preparing to reboot. The starting quarterback reports to camp in excellent shape. Over the summer he has been training vigorously. Intense workouts got his body ready…
Comfort in the midst of conflict: Revelation 17 to 19 Timothy J. Westendorf The vision of the seven bowls (worsening spiritual plagues from the proliferation of false teaching) leads to another vision. The connection between the two, reminding us that…
Meditating on God’s Word Jeffrey D. Enderle I’m a list person. I have to write things down or else I’ll completely forget about them. So I make check lists. Whatever…
Comfort in the midst of conflict: Revelation 15 and 16 Timothy J. Westendorf Often in Revelation the seventh in a series serves as a springboard into a new series. After the seven seals, we…
Pray to know God better Jeffrey D. Enderle Someone was bound to invent an easy button. One office supply company has already used an “easy button” to advertise solutions to office headaches. But we…
Comfort in the midst of conflict: Revelation 14 Timothy J. Westendorf We’ve seen the first three of the seven “visions”—the dragon and his two beastly allies. Chapter 14 reveals the next three. The…
Prayer comes from the heart Jeffrey D. Enderle Once preschoolers have acquired the ability to talk, their words just pour out. What tumbles out of their mouths can be a source of great…
Comfort in the midst of conflict: Revelation 12 to 15 Timothy J. Westendorf Seven churches. Seven seals. Seven trumpets. The next grouping is comprised of seven mini-visions. They are recorded in Revelation chapters 12–15. We’ll cover the first three this…
Revelation vs. speculation Getting and staying healthy is a major concern for millions of people. In recent years you may have heard a confusing array of advice on how to achieve…
Comfort in the midst of conflict: Revelation 8 to 11 Timothy J. Westendorf Most are aware that this world is fraught with peril. People strive to protect themselves and their loved ones from physical harm. But how many live…
Comfort in the midst of conflict: Revelation 6 and 7 Timothy J. Westendorf Jesus, who was slain to purchase us for God, stood at the center of the throne. He…
Prayer in Jesus’ name Slumps affect all the greats. Last year’s baseball batting title winner might go through the first week of spring training without a hit. A sure-bet first-round NBA draft pick…
A simple way to pray Jeffrey D. Enderle Learning to swim can be traumatic enough. But in the captivating memoir The Glass Castle, Jeanette Walls tells of her father’s no-nonsense…
Comfort in the midst of conflict: Revelation 4 and 5 Timothy J. Westendorf Jesus’ letters to the seven churches remind us of an important truth: The Christian Church in this world is always the…
Malachi: “The Son-Rise” Thomas D. Kock It was about a 20-hour trip to reach our summer vacation destination. Since the kids were young, it made more sense to drive through…
Comfort in the midst of conflict: Revelation 2 and 3 Timothy J. Westendorf Introduction Revelation is symbolic. That’s important to remember, and symbolic numbers play a big role. The number…