Blog
We are called to enter the battle over our cities and lift them up higher. And there is a measurement we can use to discern the spiritual condition of our city, state, and nation: Corporate godliness and righteousness (all that is just and right) brings a benefit to...
There is something much deeper that we can all possess beyond personality types, family dynamics, lineages, and inheritances. Those who know God can learn to discern spiritual realities. Ignoring important truths distorts our thinking. Human interpretations of reality...
I have been impressed with the openness of many in the generations after ours who communicate openly and honestly and are willing to listen to wise counsel. At that earlier age, my parents' generation influenced me with its value of rugged independence and...
God’s Word and His ways and His commands are perfect in every way—the revelation-light of His Word revives our souls, leads us to truth, and changes the simple into wise. His Word makes us joyful and radiates His light. His Word challenges us to keep close to His...
In the late 70s, my life had begun to break apart piece by piece. I had invited Jesus into my heart as a young boy and loved Him, but by the end of my first year in college, I did not follow Him. Deep within me, I still had a desire to love God, but my rebellion...
Who presumes the privilege of being close to the Lord—living next to Him in His shining place of glory? Who are those who daily dwell in the life of the Holy Spirit? Who will never be shaken—who will stand firm forever? King David answered that question in Psalm...
Jan and I have been listening to some rare, old, forgotten hymns called Appalachian Soul Hymns, and both our spirits and souls have been touched. We noticed so many of the words point to Heaven. While watering the garden at 6 am this morning, I heard these sounds...
“For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then, my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you” (Isaiah 54:10). God’s expressions of love began at creation and span both...
Sunday, during our worship time with our church community, Living Waters, I physically felt several strong bursts of wind pass over me, like a draft from a door being opened. It was so noticeable that I turned to see the cause. No door had opened, and no one had...
The Old Covenant reveals what is authentic and real about creation and the nature of the Creator. He is honorable and admirable, noble and reputable, compelling and gracious, beautiful and awesome, pure and holy, merciful and just. The nature of humanity is...
This morning, I was reading in the Psalms that God's favor surrounds us. For the last few years, Jan and I have asked God for a heart to receive His special grace in that moment when one of us leaves this world, and the other one must stay behind for a time. It is a...
Many of us have been aware of an increasing effort to dismiss or reinterpret Scripture believed to be irrelevant in this day and age or simply out of a growing distrust for God’s truth. Some have reduced their understanding of Scripture to just the New Testament or to...
Thousands of years ago, a future forecast was made, pointing to our time. Isaiah described the coming of a righteous King in His true humanity—the Messiah—who will be the ideal governmental leader. What kind of influence and authority does an ideal leader have? The...
We make daily and future plans, but a lot of those plans are dreamed up without God’s input. This form of rebellion and stubbornness is celebrated as free choice, freedom, and independence. Listen to His word spoken to Judah through Isaiah: “You make plans...
Isaiah prophesied this word: “We are surrounded by the walls of God’s salvation” (Isaiah 26:1). The essence of that ancient word to Judah applies to us today, thousands of years after it was spoken and after Jesus rose from the dead to ensure our salvation. We see and...