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If we choose to follow the Lord, we need to understand what will happen in our lives as we do so. God’s way forward will lead us directly into the path of spiritual conflict, not around it. He does this because the way of the Lord will leave behind a testimony that...
In prayer, I saw an image that could have a variety of applications. It was a pen held above a ballot yet to be cast, or a declaration needing formal agreement, or a marker indicating an agreement with a new course to be taken. When the person marked their choice, a...
There’s a lot of social noise being made in our world. Each voice in the noisy crowd demands that we follow its agenda. When the increasing noise of a fearful crowd reaches a fever pitch, the Lord is asking us to pay special attention to His voice. The noise indicates...
Just because someone celebrates something that is opposed to God’s will doesn’t mean we are required to join in that celebration to prove our love for them. It's one thing to walk humbly and lovingly with those living in opposition to the truth of God’s word, it is...
Two years ago, the walnut tree that shaded our backyard from the summer heat had to be cut down. The tree had become diseased. This year some of the walnuts that fell from that tree began to sprout and grow new walnut trees. They are all over our backyard spreading...
While some in the Church are defining the future as a time of progressive peace, the reality is, that we are engaged in a spiritual battle. Not being prepared for war will have us walk into the future unprepared to engage in what is taking place. We will live in that...
As I read through Revelation, I am reminded of God’s justice. Only by knowing that God is the final arbiter of injustice can we be a peace and park our emotions in the safe confines of our trust in God. Scripture is clear how God feels about injustice, “Our God does...
Over the years, I have taught the book of Revelation several times – verse by verse. Each time I taught the book, I had to adjust my understanding. It wasn’t that Scripture had changed. I began to see a simple understanding of what the Lord was saying. Whether one...
Jan and I are in our 50th year of marriage. The Lord has been merciful to us because, like any marriage, we’ve had moments of failure, doubt, and unbelief. In the middle of all of that, Jan and I are a living example of what the Lord can do with two failing people....
We are all going to die, so why waste the impending certainty of that event? Death and its inevitability will be ignored by people who fail to grasp the lessons it can provide. As I read Scripture certain verses will get my attention. A particular verse will capture...
I saw a photo that was taken in the 1800s of a family standing in front of their sod house on the prairie. They were working hard trying to make ends meet, but joy and peace were on their faces indicating they had discovered something that wealth, prestige, and...
It is important to know the source from which we speak, either by the Spirit of Truth or from the world's viewpoint. Some in the Church have leaned dangerously close to the latter and are diminishing the message about the distinctiveness of Jesus Christ. John defined...
I was in a conversation with the leader of a Christian community who said some of those under his care had become “fuzzy around the edges” concerning certain issues of faith. That fuzziness had diminished the clarity of the truth allowing undisciplined...
I am seeing an increase in the differences of opinion on non-essential issues within the Church. It is causing greater levels of division. I am beginning to think these differences of opinion are part of God’s plan because He gave each of us free will to choose a...
As I read through Song of Songs this morning, I came across a verse that sounded different from the beautiful love song that Solomon described between a man and woman in the covenant of marriage. The verse describes angelic hosts who are skilled in spiritual conflict,...