Leaving Laodicea

The Trinity… Right Before Our EyesIn Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,according to the riches of His grace.Ephesians 1:7Critics often point out that the word “Trinity” isn't found in the Bible, and they're right. But the truth of the Trinity is revealed throughout both the Old and New Testaments, and we can see it clearly in the first 14 verses of Ephesians. Consider the following:In the original Greek, Ephesians 1:3-14 is actually one long, complex sentence consisting of 202 words. In our English translations, this single Greek sentence is broken up into several sentences for better readability and understanding. And depending on the translation, it's divided into anywhere from 3 to 7 sentences. When taken as a whole, these verses paint for us an incredible picture of the totality of God, in which each Person of the Godhead is active in our salvation.For example, the work of God the Father is primarily described in verses 3 through 6, where He planned our salvation even before time began. In Ephesians 1:7-10, we see the work of the Son who achieves salvation for us by His redemptive death on the cross, or “through His blood” (Eph. 1:7). And the final few verses, Ephesians 1:11-14, highlight the role the Holy Spirit plays in applying salvation to our lives. It couldn't be more clear. But it was all “in Him” or “in Christ” that we were granted redemption and the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus is the One responsible for all of this.Note: I have already discussed the “in Him” or “in Christ” aspect of this verse in an earlier post. So, let me encourage you to go back and look again at that to gain a deeper understanding of Jesus' impact on all aspects of our Christian life, not just our salvation.And then, we move on to the incredible word, redemption.RedemptionRedemption is an essential core theme of Christianity. In fact, this one verse, Ephesians 1:7, summarizes the entire gospel, where it says, “In Him (Jesus, the Son) we have redemption (how) through His blood, (described as) the forgiveness of sins, (on what basis) according to the riches of His grace.” If John 3:16 is the first and most important verse kids learn in Vacation Bible School, then Ephesians 1:7 runs a close second.But how important is the idea of redemption to Christianity? It's indispensable.B.B. Warfield (1851-1921), a prominent American theologian and professor at Princeton Theologica, emphasized the significance of Christ's role as Redeemer when he said:“There is no one of the titles of Christ which is more precious to Christian hearts than ‘Redeemer.' Whenever we pronounce it, the cross is placarded before our eyes and our hearts are filled with loving remembrance not only that Christ has given us salvation, but that He paid a mighty price for it.”That's right. When we think of Christ as our Redeemer, we always picture Him as the Christ of the cross, whose blood provided for our redemption.Understanding RedemptionBut what exactly does “redemption” mean? In his book “Systematic Theology,” Wayne Grudem defines redemption as “Christ's saving work viewed as an act of ‘buying back' sinners out of their bondage to sin and to Satan through the payment of a ransom.” Okay, that makes sense. But is there more?The New Testament primarily uses two Greek words for redemption (and their derivatives). The first is agorazō and comes from the noun meaning marketplace, or agora. It means “to buy” or “to buy in a marketplace.” This word emphasizes the price Jesus paid for our salvation. In essence, He purchased or bought us back in the...

The Antidote for Self-DoubtTo the praise of the glory of His grace,by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.Ephesians 1:6As believers, one of the most incredible truths we can embrace is that God has made us, even with all our failures and shortcomings, “accepted in the Beloved” or “accepted in His Son” (Eph. 1:6). This short phrase reveals the depths of God's love and the privileged position we now enjoy in Christ. And when we grasp the full implications of these few words, they will revolutionize the way we view ourselves and how we live out our faith on a daily basis. That's not hyperbole, just the facts.Let's look at what it means to be truly “accepted in the Beloved.”God's Gracious ChoiceAs we begin to unpack the richness of this verse, we must start with the declaration that God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). Let that sink in— before God spoke creation into existence, and before He formed the galaxies or breathed life into Adam, He had already selected you to be “holy and without blame” in His sight. And He chose you for no other reason than the “good pleasure of His will” or, more precisely, because He wanted to (Eph. 1:5).Just think, you didn't earn His sovereign choice of you, and you certainly don't deserve it— none of us do. But that's what makes His grace so amazing. God set His affection on you, not because of your merits, but simply because it delighted Him to do so. He predestined you to be adopted as His very own son or daughter (Eph. 1:5). The King of Kings wanted you in His family.But, and I know it may be hard to believe, it gets even better.Accepted and Highly FavoredNow, because of His loving choice and predetermined plan, you are “accepted in the Beloved” (Eph. 1:6). The word “accepted” means much more than we assume when we use it today. We speak of inclusion, such as, “I just got accepted into college” or “I feel accepted by my co-workers.” But in Greek, “accepted” (charitóō) means being “highly honored” and “greatly favored.” In fact, it is the same word used of Mary when the angel Gabriel appeared to her saying, “Rejoice, highly favored one (charitóō), the Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28). And this is the only other place in Scripture this particular word is used.Just as Mary found grace and favor in God's sight to be chosen as the mother of the Messiah, you also have found grace and favor to be chosen and accepted by Him as His beloved child. Jesus took on the punishment your sins deserved, paying their penalty of death on the cross and, by doing so, made you righteous and reconciled to the Father. So when God looks at you, He doesn't see your sins, failures, and shame, but the perfect righteousness of His Son imputed to you (2 Cor. 5:21)— His now adopted son (Eph. 1:5).In Christ, you are now (and I know this may be hard to believe) highly honored and esteemed, deeply loved, and greatly blessed in Him. And God doesn't begrudgingly accept you because He spoke too soon, maybe before He knew what you were really like, and has to fulfill a promise He'd rather not. No, He now joyfully allows His grace to “abound” toward you in all His wisdom and prudence because of the “riches of His grace” He was pleased to lavish upon you (Eph. 1:7-8). How does that make you feel? And where is the place in your life for insecurity when God has already highly honored you to the degree He has? Read the verse again, if need be.No More Insecurity… Ever!Think about what this means for your identity and sense of self-worth. You no longer have to be crippled by feelings of insecurity or inadequacy, constantly...

“In Him”… and it Only Gets BetterIn Him also we have obtained an inheritance…Ephesians 1:11aIn this passage, we see more of the blessings that are ours because we are “in Him” or “in Christ.” Again, I suggest you spend a little time with Blue Letter Bible or another Bible software program of your choice and search the phrases “in Him” and “in Christ” for yourself. After all, we all learn better by doing rather than just watching someone else do it. So jump on in and get your feet wet. And when you do, begin with “in Christ” and scan the verses to see how the theology of these two words permeates almost all of Paul's writings. He obviously understood the significance of being “in Him,” and it would do each of us good if we understood it as well.What it SaysWe have been studying the first chapter of Ephesians and are focusing on verse 11, where it says:In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.So let's look at each word and phrase in the first part of this verse to see exactly what God is saying so we can determine exactly what He means by what He says (we are only going to look at the first eight words today; we'll cover more next time).In Him – We have discussed this at length in a prior post. Basically, this phrase reveals to us that, apart from Christ, the only thing we can expect from God is condemnation for our sins. But, because of Christ and because we are now found “in Him” (which is all a gift from God lavished upon us), we can rejoice in all circumstances for:There is therefore now (present tense) no condemnation to those (put your name here to make it personal) who are (what) in Christ Jesus, (described as those) who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit – Romans 8:1.We Have Obtained an Inheritance – This phrase is a translation of a single compound Greek word, eklērōthēmen, which has two renderings. In other words, this word can be translated in two different ways. And each of these translations, even though they mean something entirely different in English, are correct both grammatically and theologically. Plus, this word is in the aorist active indicative tense, which means it is so certain to happen, that it can be spoken of as having already taken place. We see this also in Ephesians 2:6, where the same tense is used when it states God, “raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” The certainty of this is so secure that the Holy Spirit speaks of it as having already happened. And the same applies to our obtaining an inheritance in Him.But there are two correct renderings of the Greek word in question. The first, and the one that seems to fit the context best, means “we have obtained an inheritance” in Him. Or, we have received an inheritance from God as adopted sons whom He predestined or predetermined from eternity past (Eph. 1:4-5). And the inheritance we have received in Him is just part of how God “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). This is why Romans 8:15-17 makes the point of revealing we are not only “children of God,” but “heirs”— those who receive an inheritance. But it continues, we are “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.” So, it would appear the first rendering of this passage, of our receiving or obtaining an inheritance from God, is accurate and supported by Scripture.But what about the...

God's Choice vs Our ChoiceJust as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,Ephesians 1:4We have looked at the blessings the Lord has given His children in Christ, even to the point of the promise of “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3), which are now ours because of Him. And one of the greatest blessings is being chosen by God to be adopted as His son. Nothing can compete with this. Nothing.Just think, when we were not looking for God or even had Him on our mind, He chose to bring us into His family as His child for no other reason than “the good pleasure of His will” or simply “because He wanted to” (Eph. 1:5,9). And if God wants to do something, who is going to tell Him, no? Not me.So, in Ephesians 1:3, we are introduced to the wonder that we have, past tense, already been blessed with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” And every means just that, every— or all, each, the entire, in totality, and without exception. In other words, there are no blessings that you have not already been blessed with. You have them all, every one of them, and on steroids. But that doesn't mean you are currently experiencing those blessings. That is another subject altogether, and we'll dig into that when we talk about the life of sanctification at a later time. So hang on.The Sum of Our BlessingsLet's look at just a few of the blessings the Lord reveals to us in the first few verses of this chapter.• Election: Where God chose us before the foundation of the world to become just like Him, holy and without blame in love (1:4).• Predestination: God pre-determined that we would become His son through adoption by Jesus Christ to Himself. And He did this, not because we were worthy or somehow merited sonship. No, He chose us to become part of His family because He wanted to, and for no other reason (1:5).• Acceptance: God, for some reason I'll never understand, chose to accept us into fellowship with Himself regardless of our past or how bleak our present may seem. And He did this because of His Son (1:6).• Redemption: God chose to pay the price for our freedom from the consequences of our sins by the sacrifice of His only Son. He redeemed us and forgave all our sins— past, present, and future, because of the riches of His grace (1:7).• Mystery: And if that wasn't enough, He has made known to us the mystery of His will because, again, He wanted to and it brought Him pleasure (1:9).This we could call, “Our Blessings, Part One.” But it gets even better.The Sum of Our Blessings… Uh, and Even MoreThe book of Ephesians tells us even more about how blessed we are in Him. For example, the sphere of our spiritual blessings is in the heavenlies (our translators added the word places in 1:3). This is where God dwells and where we will spend eternity. So our blessings are not temporal or have an expiration date, like everything else in this life. No, they exist, like God, forever.We are given a glimpse into Christ's present enthronement, which is also in the heavenly places, seated at the right hand of the Father (1:20). And we are then told, since we are “in Christ,” that our present enthronement is also with Him in the heavenly places (2:6). And it is in the heavenly...

Being Thrilled With What You Already HaveBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,Ephesians 1:3The Cup is Always FullLet's face it, we live in troubling times. Almost everywhere we look, there is division, chaos, fear, uncertainty, and corruption that erodes our confidence in our so-called “sacred institutions” and can be so depressing they often keep us from wanting to get out of bed in the morning. The future, for many, looks bleak. And the present doesn't look so hot either. But that should never be said of a believer— especially after praying through this one verse, which is part of a long, single sentence in the letter to the church at Ephesus. No, this truth should give us hope and encouragement as we see life, not from the physical, horizontal perspective, but from God's perspective. After all, His way is always better. And our problems always look smaller, almost insignificant, when viewed from heaven (Isa. 55:8-9).Remember, we don't have to choose to look at the glass as either half full or half empty. It is always full, totally, right to the brim. But it's not necessarily full of the same thing or with what we can readily see. Half may be water and the rest air. But it is still full, nevertheless. And so it is with God. Some things we can see and some things we can't. But He is still present, filling everything to the brim, even if our eyes are not open to Him moving. Then, we rely on faith in His promises and rest in the goodness of our God (Rom. 8:28). What an incredible place to live.For this is where we experience the peace that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:6-7).But don't take my word for it; experience His peace yourself. Ask Him to put you in a place where you have nowhere to look but up, and see what this will do for your faith. Still not sure, then check out Hebrews 11 for some examples.“Blessed,” “Every,” and “Heavenly Places”When you pray through Ephesians 1:3 today, focus especially on three key phrases: “has blessed us,” “every spiritual blessing,” and my favorite, “in the heavenly places.”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ – Ephesians 1:3.In our last time together, we spoke about the past-tense nature of our blessings, meaning they have already been given to us, and we possess them now (even if it doesn't feel like it so much). This is not some minor grammatical detail, but a liberating spiritual truth once you wrap your mind around it. Basically, all God has in store for His children is available to us today, right now, in our present situation. The phrase, “has blessed us” means we don't have to wait until He returns to earth to set up His kingdom, or we die and go to live with Him in heaven, or the trump of God sounds and the rapture takes place before we come into possession of “every” or “all” (pas) of our spiritual blessings. Nor do we have to earn them by living flawless lives or working ourselves ragged to gain His favor. No, we have them with us already, always— just like the Holy Spirit, who continually dwells in us.Next, we are drawn to the words “every” (pas) and the phrase “spiritual blessing.” For me, I am reminded He has held nothing back from me, and I am now completely “blessed” with “every” or “all” spiritual blessings. Our Lord, our Father, has already bestowed on us things we cannot understand— truly amazing things, unheard of things. Try this one on for size:“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man (what)...

Our Blessings in ChristBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,Ephesians 1:3aThe phrase “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” appears three times in the New Testament, and in each instance, it highlights some often-neglected spiritual blessings that believers have in Christ (Eph. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:3). And once we learn to embrace these blessings and not let them slip out of the spotlight because of our trials, temptations, or just the chaotic stuff of life, then we can remember how truly blessed we are, regardless of how we feel or what others might say. Long two sentences, I know. But let's look at some of the incredible things God has already given us by virtue of our redemption provided by the sacrifice of His only Son (John 3:16).The Letter to EphesusIn Ephesians 1:3, Paul proclaims, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (why) who has blessed us with (what) every spiritual blessing (where) in the heavenly places in (how) Christ.” He then lists some of these blessings that are easily ignored. For example (and we'll only look at the ones found in this one, long sentence):• We Have Been Given Every Spiritual Blessing: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed (past tense, action already accomplished) us with every (pas) spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ ” (Eph. 1:3). This overarching truth sets the foundation for all the blessings that follow. In Christ, we have been granted access to every (pas) spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms— which means there are no existing blessings we do not have access to. Everything, all of them that ever existed, are available to us as His children. This is the meaning of the adjective “every” (pas) in the Greek. It doesn't say we have been blessed with “some” of the blessings or “most” of them are available to us. No, it says “every” or “all” (pas). Think about that for a moment. Do you understand what that means?• We Have Been Chosen for Holiness (to be just like Him): “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (Eph. 1:4). Before the creation of the world, before time began, God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in His sight. And our holiness is not based on our own efforts, which are usually littered with failure, but on His sovereign choice and the work of Christ in our lives, where He imputed His righteousness to us (2 Cor. 5:21). God chose us to be like Him, holy, faultless, and without blame, simply because He loves us and wants us to be with Him (Jude 1:24).• God Determined to Adopt Us to Himself: “Having predestined (to predetermine the outcome beforehand) us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, (why) according to the good pleasure of His will” (Eph. 1:5). God not only purposed to adopt us as His children, but has also elevated our status as children to heirs, and even joint-heirs with Christ Himself (Rom. 8:16-17). Can you imagine what that means (we will unpack this truth at a later time)? God determined, long before we proved ourselves worthy or not, to bring us into His family as His children for no other reason than “the good pleasure of His will.” Or, as we would say, “Simply because He wanted to.” It was His choice to choose you as His adopted child, and this unspeakable blessing should make everything else in life pale by comparison.• God Has Chosen to Accept Us to Himself: “To the praise of the glory of (what) His grace, by which He made (His action and not...

Just Scratching the Surface: Grace and PeaceGrace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Ephesians 1:2There is so much here in these fourteen words of verse two that it is hard to know where to begin. Paul, as was his custom, often presents these two fundamental truths of the Christian faith, “grace and peace,” at the end of his greeting to those recipients of his letters (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3; Phil. 1:2; 2 Thes. 1:2, Phlm. 1:3). It is almost like he wants to remind them of the gift of salvation and eternal life they have received by faith, based on God's grace towards them, which brings a peace the world cannot understand nor experience (Phil. 4:7).And sometimes Paul would add “mercy” to “grace and peace,” creating a holy trinity of blessings we have received from Christ (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2, Titus 1:4), yet he seems to reserve “mercy” for his letters to individuals rather than churches. We'll dig into the reasons for that at a later date.What is Grace?Grace is a word that Paul uses to both begin (1:2) and end the book of Ephesians (6:24), and it occurs another ten times within these six chapters. Ephesians speaks of the grace of God's unmerited favor in providing salvation through the sacrifice of His Son (1:7; 2:8) and His power granted to each of us to lead a life of sanctification, a holy life (4:7, 29). It also speaks of the fact that by grace, and grace alone, we are saved (2:5, 8) and that it is a gift of God to be shared with others (3:7).But what exactly does the word mean? And how are we to understand this blessing of grace given to us by the mercy of God. Grace (cháris) means to “rejoice, and is God's great kindness freely given towards those who are undeserving of His favor.” But more specifically:This word may, at times, indicate kindness, as a quality or attribute of God or of the Lord Jesus Christ. It may also describe the state of salvation, and thirdly, the believer's gratitude for the salvation received or for any gift of God. But in the present instance it refers undoubtedly to God's spontaneous, unmerited favor in action, His freely bestowed lovingkindness in operation, bestowing salvation upon guilt-laden sinners. Grace is the fountain from which everything in Christ flows.¹Just think, God the Father is called the “God of all grace” (1 Pet. 5:10), and Jesus is the Author, Giver, and Dispenser of grace (Acts 15:11; 2 Cor. 8:9; Rom. 16:20; 1 Thes. 5:28). Not to be left out, the Holy Spirit is called the “Spirit of grace” (Heb. 10:29), and the very throne of God is referred to as His “throne of grace” (Heb. 4:16). As you can see, grace seems to permeate everything in the realm of God— and rightly so.But What About Peace?The peace this passage talks about is not just the absence of conflict, like peace between two warring factions, but it is a peace that is the result of God granting us His grace. When we speak of “grace and peace,” we are looking at two bookends of the entire Christian experience. What begins with God's grace freely bestowed upon us undeservingly, ends with our peace— peace with God (Eph. 2:14, 17), peace with others (2:15; 4:3), and peace with ourselves. It really doesn't get much better than that.And this peace knows no bounds. We cannot imagine what it is like until we experience it ourselves because it is unlike any peace the world can offer (Phil. 4:7). Jesus said so Himself:“Peace I leave with you, (described as) My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be...

Uh, Sorry. We Don't Do Saints in Our ChurchTo the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:Ephesians 1:1b“Saints. Really? That sounds kinda Catholic to me.” And for many, it does.But the term “saints” seems to be God's go-to description for those He redeems and calls to Himself. In fact, Paul uses this term to identify those he addresses in his letters. For example, in Romans, he writes, “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints” (Rom. 1:7). In the same manner, he addresses those in Corinth as “those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (1 Cor. 1:2). And he repeats this pattern in his letters to the churches in Philippi (Phil. 1:1), Colossae (Col. 1:2), and Thessalonica (1 Thess. 1:1).By addressing believers as saints, Paul reminds them, and us, of the reality of our new identity in Christ. Being deemed a saint is not a status earned through good works or perfect behavior, nor is it a title given by a religious body to commemorate some meritorious act, but it's a descriptive designation God bestows on His children by grace. It's how He sees us— no matter how much we may have lived un-saintly lives or how we have grieved His Spirit (Eph. 4:30). This designation as a saint reminds us we are no longer defined by our past sins or failures, but by our relationship with Christ and the righteousness He imparts to us (1 Cor. 5:21).But What is a Saint (hágios)?In the New Testament, the Greek word translated as “saints” is “hágios,” and carries the meaning of being “holy, set apart, and dedicated to God.” It is not a title limited to a select few who achieved some higher level of spiritual excellence, performed miracles, or made great sacrifices for the sake of the Gospel, but it refers to all believers who are set apart for God's purposes. Being called a saint implies we are consecrated and dedicated to God, and reflect His holiness in our lives (or at least, we should be reflecting the holiness of God in the way we live. But we'll address ‌sanctification at a later time).In Ephesians 1:1, Paul uses this term to remind those in Ephesus of their unique identity in Christ— not by defining them by what they were, but by who they are now (1 Cor. 6:19). And as saints, they in Ephesus, and we today, are called to live in a way that honors God by demonstrating His character in our daily lives. Remember, this life of holiness is not something we achieve on our own (because we can't), but it is made possible only through the work of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Note the operative word: holy— as in Holy Spirit. Our holiness is simply a reflection of the Holy Spirit who now lives in us.The Indwelling of the Holy SpiritCentral to our identity as saints is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, which is one of the most amazing things about this life with Christ. In Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul writes,In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with (what) the Holy Spirit of promise, (described as) who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.The moment we believe and regeneration takes place, the Holy Spirit makes His home within us, marking us as God's own, and acting as a seal and guarantee of our eternal inheritance in Christ. This seal signifies ownership, security, and authenticity. It is a divine guarantee of our future inheritance in God's kingdom, a promise that we will one day fully partake in the...

Zero to Hero on a Dusty RoadPaul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,Ephesians 1:1aAs we embark on this adventure in prayer and the study of the book of Ephesians, let's begin by looking at the person God chose to write this letter and evangelize the known world at that time. His name is Paul, formerly Saul— whom the Lord designated as an apostle of His Son, Jesus Christ.There is much to learn about this simple change of names and, more importantly, the change of identity that accompanies the new name. And the transformation we see in Paul is the same transformation that occurred in you— if you know Christ and have experienced true regeneration and salvation. But more on that later.In the opening few words of his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul identifies himself as “an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God” (Eph. 1:1a). Note that this transformation was by the will of God and not based on the strength of Paul's personality, his own merit or hard work, nor his ambition, education, family background, or career choice. It was by God and God alone— because only God has the power to transform lives and use individuals for His divine purposes like He did Paul and countless others throughout church history. Paul's life is a living testament to this. Once he was Saul, a violent persecutor of the early church and an enemy of Christ. Then, in a blinding light, he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. And now, everything changed (read it for yourself in Acts 9:1-19). As Mary Magdalene from the series The Chosen said when she was trying to explain her transformation to Nicodemus:“I was one way— and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between was Him.”This is what happened to Paul, and to each of us who Christ has changed.From Saul to Paul or From Darkness to LightSaul was a zealous Pharisee who dedicated his life to upholding Jewish law and tradition. It was his passion, and therefore, he saw the early Christians as a threat to his beliefs and actively sought to silence them through persecution, imprisonment, and, ultimately, death. However, God had other plans for Saul. In a blinding moment of revelation and truth, all orchestrated by God and when Saul least expected it (which is often how the Lord works), Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus and confronted him with the truth he had so vehemently rejected (Acts 9:1-9). This encounter marked the beginning of Saul's transformation into Paul, who became one of the most influential Christians and an example to all. He became a missionary, evangelist, church planter, apologist, and the writer of most of the New Testament.But what happened to Paul was not an isolated event. God is still in the business of changing lives, even yours— if you would surrender your life to Him. But once again, we'll talk more about that later.What Does it Mean For Us Today?Paul's story is a reminder that no one, including you and me, is beyond the reach of God and His wondrous grace. Just as God changed a violent persecutor of the church into a committed proclaimer of the Gospel, He can also transform our lives, no matter how messed up we have made them, and use us for His glory. All throughout history, we see examples of ordinary people, like you and me, who experienced the extraordinary, life-changing touch of God:• Augustine of Hippo was once driven by worldly ambitions and desires (he was actually a pretty nasty dude), and became the most influential theologian during the early history of the church and penned such classics as “The City of God” and “Confessions.”• There was John...

Small Beginnings Lead to Great EndingsAs we pray through the marvelous book of Ephesians, I want to give us an overview of some truths in this first chapter that will literally change your life. The book of Ephesians is something you could spend your entire life studying, and still not discover all God has hidden in its pages. It is magnificent, speaking to the very core of our being as believers in Christ, and it has an inexhaustible supply of spiritual truths and revelations that are so needed today.As an overview, early in chapter one, we encounter a grand display of God's sovereignty revealed by His choosing us, in Him, before the foundation of the world. We see this in verses 3 through 6, where it says:Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved – Ephesians 1:3-6.Next, this amazing chapter ends with the proclamation of the power and might of our wonderful Lord where the Holy Spirit proclaims that God placed Jesus “far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come” (Eph. 1:21). And as you will see later in this study, “principality and power and might and dominion” not only refers to earthly kings and kingdoms, but more specifically, demonic kingdoms (Eph. 3:10; Col. 2:10). But we will unpack these amazing truths later.And finally, the chapter is stuffed full of graduate-level discussions of the church, the body of Christ, and the power that rests with the church because of Christ. In today's turbulent times, I can't think of anything more important than for the church to understand the power we have because of our risen Savior and Lord (Eph. 1:22-23; Matt. 16:18-19). This is a topic we will spend some time trying to fully understand in order to be the salt and light we are commanded and empowered to be (Matt. 5:13-16). But once again, we'll have to wait a bit before we feast on this life-changing truth.As you can see, there is so much for us to discover as we strive to grow into the likeness of Christ (Eph. 4:22-24). And this is only the beginning.Asking Important QuestionsOne skill I hope each of us will gain during our study is the ability to ask simple questions of the text and feel comfortable doing so. These questions do not lead to doubt, but they allow us to dig a little deeper into what the text says and means, rather than settle for just scratching the surface.You may recognize many of these questions from high school English, if you were paying attention, which I wasn't (which means I had to learn this later in life, which is always harder. Ahem). They are what we call the who, what, when, where, why, how, and my favorite, to what extent types of questions. What we find when we ask questions of the text is that the macro (large, expansive) view becomes the micro (small, detailed, specific) view, and we are better able to grasp, understand, and internalize more of what the word of God is saying. And we can do all of this without additional study and resources by just asking a few questions.Let me give you an example of Ephesians 1:3-6, which are the verses we looked at earlier. But now, let's look at them and ask a few clarifying questions.Blessed be (who) the God and Father of our Lord

“Faith or No Faith, That is the Question”All throughout Scripture, we see examples of people who have faith, but it's non-saving faith. After all, every one of us has some type of faith, and we exercise faith every day. We have faith a car will stop while we cross the street, we have faith our prescriptions will do what our doctor told us they would do, we have faith a chair will hold us up when we sit down in a crowded restaurant, and we have faith the sun will come up in the morning as we prepare to go to the job we have faith we still have. We all have faith— but we have faith at different levels and in different things. And not all faith is the same.For example, we have a certain type of faith in our government, our economic system, or the media. But that faith is not as strong, nor of the same substance, as the faith we have in the sanctity of our marriage, or the trustworthiness of our best friend, or in our ability to keep a promise to those we love. Each of these kinds of faith is as varied as the objects of that faith. And none of these reach the level of faith or trust or dependence we would expect to have in Christ. Hence, we would call these examples non-saving faith.But what happens when a seeking person, just like you or me, comes to Jesus for salvation with nothing more than non-saving faith? Would that person be saved? Or would they be deceived into thinking what faith they had, bordering on intellectual curiosity, was sufficient for salvation?The Deception of Non-Saving FaithThe Scriptures repeatedly warn about the deception of non-saving faith. In the Parable of the Sower, seventy-five percent of the seeds sown did not lead to salvation (Matt. 13:3-9). Those who sowed in the shallow and thorny soil were deceived into thinking that mere growth, without corresponding fruit, equates to salvation. Or, to put it another way, faith, without corresponding fruit, leads to salvation. And the Scriptures clearly state they don't.The Scriptures also talk about having a “form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Tim. 3:5). We see people like Hymenaeus and Alexander, both lost, serving as prominent members of the church (1 Tim. 1:20). There are those who come to the wedding feast dressed in clothes of their own righteousness. The result? They were bound, hand and foot, and “cast into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 22:13). We have the warning from the Lord about the wide road that leads to destruction and the narrow gate that leads to life (Matt. 7:13-14). And, in the book of Hebrews, some were “once enlightened and have tasted the heavenly gift” but never fully drank of the living waters of salvation (Heb. 6:4).Remember, Jesus said He “did not come to bring peace on the earth, but a sword” (Matt. 10:34) and “a man's enemies will be those of his own household” (Matt. 10:36). How? Because our commitment to Christ must be greater than our love and devotion for those we hold most dear, even our own family. When asked, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?”— Jesus said of His own family, “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Matt. 12:48-50).The sad truth is many people come to Christ but never fully partake, or drink, of Him (John 7:37) and are deceived into believing they are truly saved. Many people, most in fact, go part of the way towards Christ and end up short of true salvation. They feel and recognize their need for Christ and acknowledge He is the only One that can satisfy their deepest longings, yet they fail to appropriate Him into their lives on His terms. They thirst, they

Imitation is the Highest Form of FlatteryJesus did something that seems so out of place for us today, living in a culture that exalts pride, ambition, and independence— He voluntarily lived in a dependent relationship with His Father and deferred all glory to Him. But He didn't have to live this way. This was His voluntary choice between equals. And remember, Jesus is God Himself, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father. He is the Second Person in the Trinity, and not some innately subservient, second-class God.To set the scene, Jesus is in the midst of a brutal attack by the Jewish religious elites because He said, “My Father,” showing a family relationship with God Himself. And the Jews responded with rage and death threats. His statement about being God's Son seriously enraged them.So Jesus clarified His statement and His relationship with God the Father by stating this about His dependence on the Father. You would do well to note the implications of what He is saying.Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly (truly, truly), I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, (why) but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He (the Father) does, the Son also does in like manner” – John 5:19.It appears the Son has chosen to live in a dependent relationship with His Father, much like a slave (doúlos) does to their Master. Yet, being fully God, Jesus chose this posture to ensure, as an example to each of us, the importance of seeking the will of the Father and not our own will. And if it was good enough for the Son of God to live that way, surely it is good enough for us.Jesus Speaks His Father's WordsNext, Jesus reveals the importance of seeking only the will of the Father and not His own will. And again, you would do well to note the implications of this subservient posture of our Lord.“I can (dúnamai – to be able, to have power by virtue of one's own ability and resources) of Myself do (to carry out or perform an action or course of action) nothing (no one, none at all, not even one, not in the least). As I hear (from the Father who sent Him), I judge; and My judgment is righteous (just, correct, right), (why) because I do not (the voluntary choice of Jesus) seek (to strive for, wish, require, demand) My own will (desire, inclination, plan of action, purpose) but (in contrast) the will (desire, inclination, plan of action, purpose) of the Father who sent Me” – John 5:30.This passage does not say Jesus was something less than the Father or had to appeal to a power or authority greater than Himself to perform miracles. Quite the opposite. Jesus states He is choosing, as an equal with God, to put aside His personal desire and agenda and give glory to His Father by living in a dependent relationship with Him. And His judgment is righteous because it came directly from the Father. So, to His Jewish detractors, Jesus was saying, “If you've got a problem with Me or with what I am saying, take it up with the Father. For I am only doing what the Father commands me to say and do.”But it continues.His Purpose Was to Do His Father's WillIn the next chapter, Jesus teaches the troubled masses that He is the bread of life the Father sent from heaven for them, using the imagery of Moses and manna in the...

“What Am I Missing?”As believers living in the Laodicean church age (Rev. 3:14-22), we often look back and marvel at the extraordinary lives of our Biblical heroes and spiritual giants who have gone before us. We see them in Scripture, read their biographies, watch movies about their lives, study their teachings, and aspire to experience the intimacy and devotion they had with God that allowed them to do great things. Yet, for many of us, there seems to be a sad disconnect between the vibrant, Spirit-filled experiences we admire in these heroes of the faith and the comparatively subdued, lackluster, and lukewarm reality of our own spiritual lives. And try as we may, we can't seem to put our finger on why.We find ourselves wondering, “Why does my spiritual life feel so different from theirs? Where is the promised power they exhibited that is so lacking in my own life?” Or, in essence, “Is this what Jesus meant when He talked about the abundant life in Him? I sure hope not. And if so, is there something I'm missing?” These questions are not uncommon, and they point to a deeper longing within our hearts— a desire to experience the fullness of life in Christ we see so graphically portrayed in the lives of these spiritual giants that is clearly missing in most of the church today.This brings us to the encouraging part of our dilemma, which is finally recognizing this longing comes from Him. It is a God-given desire to know Him more and to experience the closeness and intimacy with God that is our promised birthright as one of His children. This unfilled longing is your invitation to pursue what has been referred to as the “Higher Christian life”— a life characterized by a profound, transformative relationship with Christ through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. And the door to this “abundant life” (John 10:10) Jesus promised is opened by your surrender to Him. It is really that simple.Time For Self-ReflectionAs you begin this journey of embracing the Higher Christian life, take a moment to ask yourself a few questions about your own spiritual experience:• Have you ever felt a deep desire for more of God's presence in your life?• Do you long to experience the joy, peace, and power that seem to characterize the lives of the spiritual heroes you admire?• And have you ever wondered what it would be like to live a life fully surrendered to and empowered by the Holy Spirit?If you can relate to these questions, great— you're in good company. The desire for a deeper, more intimate relationship with God is a common thread woven throughout the lives of countless believers throughout the ages.Glimpses of the Higher Christian LifeTo better understand what the Higher Christian life entails, over the next few days, we will look at the lives of a few well-known spiritual giants who exemplified this way of living and their personal experiences with surrendering to the Holy Spirit that marked a dramatic change in their lives. I think these should prove to be not only instructive, but also encouraging.We shall begin with Dwight L. Moody, more commonly known as D.L. Moody.D.L. Moody (1837-1899)For those of you who may not be familiar with D.L. Moody, he was an American evangelist who founded the Moody Church in Chicago, the Moody Bible Institute (which still functions today), and the Pacific Garden Mission (I listen to their radio broadcasts weekly, and have for over thirty years). It is estimated that over a million people came to Christ under his powerful and passionate preaching in both the United Kingdom and across America. And, on a personal note, he is also one of my spiritual...

Persecution: An Inconvenient TruthAs followers of Jesus, we are promised that trials, tribulations, and persecution will come to all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:12). It simply comes with the territory. After all, Jesus warned, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18). And so, what they did to Jesus, they will do to those who call Him Lord (Matt. 15:18-20). But don't take my word for it. Read it for yourself.So rather than responding with fear, doubt, blame-shifting, or finger-pointing (which is often our natural reaction to mistreatment and persecution), we can look to the example of the early church in Acts 4 to see how they faced opposition with faith, prayer, unity, and incredible boldness. Their response holds valuable lessons for the church today as we try to navigate our increasingly hostile culture while being the light in this present darkness Jesus ordained us to be.The First Wave of Persecution (Acts 3-4)Acts 4 opens with Peter and John boldly proclaiming the Gospel and performing the miraculous healing of a lame man at the temple gate (Acts 3:2). This act of faith, however, attracts the attention of the religious authorities, who arrest and interrogate the apostles, even while the crowds are filled with “wonder and amazement” at what they had just witnessed (Acts 3:10). Plus, Peter preached a rather pointed sermon to the people, clearly exalting the crucified and risen Jesus as the Messiah which, no doubt, had the Jewish religious establishment filled with rage and indignation. It was a rather amazing day for the infant church.So, threatened by their bold message, the religious leaders arrested them and commanded them to stop speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:18). This is a pivotal moment for the church, revealing not only the apostles' unwavering faith and commitment, but also setting the stage for the church's response to future governmental intrusions, demands, and subsequent persecutions.Civil Disobedience: A Bold ResponseBut rather than cower in fear and scurry away with their tail tucked between their legs, Peter and John responded with firm, but respectful defiance, appealing to a higher authority than the Jewish politburo: “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (4:19-20). In essence, “We say ‘No' to you and ‘Yes' to God.” For, despite further threats and a future of beatings, imprisonments, cancellations, removal of tax-exempt status, lockdowns, and death— the church will not be silenced.As Christians, we are called to stand firm in our faith, regardless of the circumstances we face. We must remember that our ultimate loyalty is to God and His Word, and not to the pressures or expectations of this world which is soon to pass away (1 John 2:17).Unified in “One Accord” in PrayerAfter their release, Peter and John returned to the church to report all that had happened, including the severe threats from the authorities and their response (Acts 4:23). But instead of panicking or becoming divided (which is a common church response today), they came together in unity, what the Scriptures call “one accord,” and raised their voices to God in prayer.This “one accord” type of unity is vital when facing persecution. As Jesus said, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). Likewise, a church united in faith, purpose, and prayer, under His Lordship, will not be shaken by opposition, no matter how severe. But a church splintered by divisions, factions, and discord will struggle to stand, even on a good day.When faced with challenges, we must...

“Follow Me, and I Will Make You… Whatever I Want”In the Gospels, we encounter a radical figure who issues a bold invitation to those He calls unto Himself: “Follow Me.” These words, spoken by Jesus, are not merely a suggestion but a summons, a mandate to leave life as we have always known it and embark on a journey that has no end— at least on this side of heaven. His invitation is to die to self, to follow Him wholeheartedly, and to imitate Him in all aspects of life.Or, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously said, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him to come and die.” But what does it really mean to follow Jesus, especially in the context of the 21st-century woke Christian culture we find ourselves in? How can we be faithful disciples of our Lord?What Does it Mean to Follow Jesus?The essence of Jesus' call to “Follow Me” is about more than just physically moving from where you are to where He is. It's an invitation to a new way of life. It's about leaving behind old priorities and identities (like nets or tax booths in the Gospels) and embracing a new identity rooted in faith and obedience to Christ. And this call is marked by a willingness to let go of personal ambitions and possessions, or to take up one's cross (Matt. 16:24), and to enter a life of service and mission with Him, by following Him. It's about embracing all that Christ offers: His teachings, His lifestyle, His ambition, His mission, His sacrifice, and the purpose of His life.Ok, got that.I've heard sermons about giving all to Christ for as long as I can remember. But ‌every time I try to truly follow Him wholeheartedly, I seem to fail. Sometimes miserably. There has to be something I'm missing— maybe some key ingredient I have somehow overlooked.And, to be honest, there is.The Importance of Hearing His Voice When He SpeaksBut there is also one vital aspect of following Jesus that is often neglected in our preaching and church practices— and that is being able, or acquiring the ability, to hear His voice when He speaks to you. Otherwise, how can you follow Him? For without His direction, you're basically flying blind. I mean, how can you know what He wants you to do? How can He encourage you, instruct you, or even rebuke you? And how can you have fellowship with Him or grow in the likeness of Him if you can't hear Him when He speaks?Remember, one vital and essential key to following Jesus is to speak to Him and have Him speak back to you. This is the essence of a relationship with the Lord. All relationships, with God or with someone else, are built on two-way communication and not a single monologue from only one partner. And without a relationship… well, we're just talking about religion. And nobody wants religion.Some FAQs About Hearing His VoiceSo let me ask you, are you a follower of Jesus? Do you hear His voice when He speaks to you? And if you're not sure, let me answer just a few questions you may have.Q: How do I know if it's God speaking to me?A: God's voice will never contradict Scripture. Never. And His voice brings peace and clarity in confusing situations, often challenges us to grow spiritually, and is always consistent with His character of love. Plus, and I know this may sound mystical, but when God speaks, you will recognize His voice like His sheep do their Shepherd (John 10:3-4). Or, to put it another way, there is no way you cannot hear His voice if you belong to Him as one of His sheep. Read the chapter yourself.Q: What if I don't hear anything?A: God can even speak in silence. These times of silence may be...

Challenging the Status QuoWe live in a world where the term “radical” often evokes images of extremism and division and has developed a rather nasty reputation in our culture since the '60s. Therefore, it may come as a surprise that at the very heart of Christian discipleship lies a call to a radically different way of life. This radical lifestyle is not about taking up arms or shouting louder than the voices of opposition. Instead, it's about embracing a radical love, a radical commitment, radical obedience and sacrifice, and a radical transformation that only comes from fully embracing the life and teachings of Jesus Christ himself— who was the greatest radical who ever lived.That's right. Let that thought sink in for a moment.What is a Radical, and Why Should I Care?But first, to set the stage, let's define what the word “radical” means. According to Webster, “radical” is ‌defined as “something (or someone) new and different in contrast to what is traditional or ordinary.” In other words, being “radical” is a relative term based on a comparison with what society deems common or ordinary or what we refer to as the “status quo.” This means it is the ordinary and traditional aspects of a society that determine, right or wrong, if something (teachings or ideas) or someone (individual or actions) is radical or revolutionary. Consider that last statement carefully. Note where the power to make the determination lies (mainstream opinion and not actual truth). Do you see the problem?When a culture refers to individuals or their beliefs and practices as radical, it means they are considered extreme, controversial, and even dangerous to the mainstream. And since they could harm the status quo by threatening change or something even more frightening, accountability— those accused of being radical are often marginalized, excluded, punished, canceled, and eventually eliminated for the good of the whole, or at least for the good of the power elites who govern the whole.But What About Jesus?This compels us to address the question nobody wants to ask. Namely, is it OK, maybe even expected, for the Christian life to be viewed as radical by our lost and dying culture that rejects the claims and teachings of Christ? And if so, are our Christian ideas and actions supposed to challenge the status quo of our society (both secular and sacred) at this point in history? Or do we just blend into the woodwork and hope the culture will leave us alone to do the religious things we want? Which is it? You can't have it both ways. But we all know that.To answer this question, we need only look at Jesus' teachings and how the mainstream reacted to His life. Were He and His message considered radical and revolutionary by the Jewish establishment of His time? Was He viewed as a threat, a danger to the profitable inner workings of their religious complex? How did they view, for example, His cleaning out the corruption in the Temple by overturning the tables of the money changers (Matt. 21:12-13)? How did they respond when He called them out as hypocrites and encouraged the people to follow God and not man-made traditions (Matt. 23)? And what did they finally do to silence His voice? Exactly.It would appear, from any honest assessment, that the powers-to-be viewed Jesus as a radical and revolutionary and, as such, had Him put to death. And we are called to follow in His footsteps, to be the light of the world (which exposes darkness, John 3:19) and the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13). Remember?We Follow a Risen Savior (Who Was a Radical)Consider a brief overview of the radical life and teachings of our Lord. Let's begin with some of His radical...

Disclaimer: Let's Define Some TermsAs we discovered in Part One of How to Experience God When You Pray— when we talk about experiencing God in prayer, we are specifically defining prayer as more than a monologue, but something even deeper. It is a true, two-way conversation with God, where you speak, and He listens, and He speaks, and you hear His voice. Then, as the abundant life revealed (John 10:10), we rinse and repeat, as often as we like, and grow in our relationship with Him through a true conversation in prayer. Nothing is greater than having God personally speak into your life. And your prayer life and intimacy with God will be completely revolutionized when you experience His presence when you pray.In this post, we will examine some ways to prepare ourselves to experience God when we pray.Our Preparation for PrayerWhen you went on your first date with the person who later became your spouse, do you remember the preparation you made to meet with the person you wanted to build a relationship with? I do. I remember it was very important for me to make a good first impression. Why? Well, to do otherwise was failure— and nobody wants to fail on a first date.So I dressed in some reasonably nice clothes, or at least what was clean and didn't smell too bad. Granted, it was not my Sunday Best, but it was the best I had for a first date. I made sure I brushed my teeth, ran a comb through my hair, forcefully tamed any unruly eyebrow hairs, and tried to bring out the best of me when I was meeting Karen. And why wouldn't I? After all, I was enamored with this woman, totally smitten, or as the owl said in Bambi, twitterpated. I wanted to build a long-term relationship with her and hopefully, someday, maybe, if I got really lucky and won the lottery, make her my wife.So preparation was important— really important. Because you never get a second chance to make a first impression.Preparing to Enter His PresenceAnd if this is true about a first date, how much more is it true about entering into the presence of God in prayer? This means that when we pray, when we desire to have a direct, personal conversation with the Creator of the Universe— when we speak to the Almighty and expect to be heard and then expect Him to stoop to our level and respond, there must be some prior preparation that takes place. After all, we take the time to update our resume and try to look our best and learn about the company before we sit down for a job interview, don't we? And we would never go to our childhood friend's wedding in the same clothes we wore while mowing the yard, would we? And most certainly, we brush our teeth, sometimes twice, before sitting in the dentist's chair. So if we make preparations before these events, how much more before we bow our heads in prayer?Let me list three steps we need to do before boldly entering into His presence in prayer. But be warned, each of these is vital for experiencing Him when you pray.First, We Must Prepare Our Hearts to Meet With HimJesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, (why) for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8), which is exactly what we are hoping to accomplish through prayer. We want to experience His presence— and that begins with preparing our hearts before Him. Since God is holy, we must make ourselves as holy as we can by confessing our sins and asking for His forgiveness (1 John 1:9). This way, we can come to Him as He requires, with “clean...

The Joy of PrayerWhat if your times of prayer could become so much more than reciting words or listing random requests? What if your prayers could transport you into a holy place to experience God's presence in a very real and tangible way? What if you began having personal, life-changing encounters with the Creator of the universe every time you prayed? And what if you had the confidence to know, to truly know— that God hears your prayers and delights in answering them? How would this change your prayer life?All of this is not only possible, but readily available and expected every time we pray. The problem for most, however, is that we either devalue what prayer truly is or do not fully understand who we are praying to. And if we did, how the floodgates of heaven would open and pour on us an experience with God that would rock our world and change us forever.Let's explore prayer a little deeper.What is Prayer?— In Just a Few WordsSimply put, prayer is talking with God. Or, as the theologians would say, “Prayer is personal communication with God.”¹ Ok, got that. But what does “communication with God” really mean? In essence, “communication” is the exchange of information between two entities or individuals, both the giving and receiving of the same. And “with God” means He, the Sovereign Creator of All, the One that transcends all human thought, the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Immutable One, is on the other end of our two-way conversation.Let that sink in for a moment.When we pray, and as often as we pray, we are in the process of not only talking with God but having Him also talk with us. Prayer, just like all communication between two individuals, is not saying what you want to say and then hanging up the phone. It was never intended to be a monologue. No, prayer is a two-way conversation, both giving and receiving, between you (ultimately dust and ashes) and God (revealed in resplendent glory), whereby information (praise, requests, supplication, petitions— and His answers, instructions, commands, and encouragement ) are mutually shared. And the highest glory you can ever experience is to have the only Person worthy of praise actually speak to you personally, in direct conversation. It is a life-altering and faith-building encounter that will change everything about you in an instant.And this is available to each of us whenever we pray. But we have to pray, and we have to understand exactly who we are in conversation with in order to have confidence when we pray.Let me explain.Sovereign, Ruler, King… and FatherIn the Old Testament, God was often presented as unapproachable. He only met with His people once a year, nestled between the outstretched wings of the Cherubim above the Bema seat of the Ark of the Covenant, hidden behind a thick veil. Or when He revealed Himself to the masses, it was usually with fire and smoke and lightning, like on Mt. Sinai, which only reinforced His unapproachableness (Ex. 19). And when Moses asked to see His glory and His face, God said, “No.” His actual words were, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live” (Ex. 33:20). And regarding seeing His glory, God also said, “No.” But He did allow Moses to look at His receding glory as He passed by (Ex. 33:23). Something like, “Not My face, Moses, but you can see My back as I walk away.”So much for an intimate relationship with our Creator.But in the New Testament (and hints in the Old), Jesus reveals another aspect of God's nature and His relationship with us. He is not a despot— a frightening, powerful King ready to abuse and punish His lowly servants for any slight infraction. No, God is our Father, with all the implications that word conveys...

Just Get Out of the Boat! In almost every area of life, when we commit to a plan of self-improvement, we expect to spend time, incur costs, and suffer strain during the process. It just comes with the territory. Whether we decide to get in shape and eat healthier, or go back to school and change careers— everyone seems to follow the same pattern of sacrifice that defines our struggle, and they seldom complain about it. And when we have achieved our goal, we look back at the sacrifice as a badge of honor, something we are proud of.Each of us embraces this journey of sacrificing our time, effort, costs, and strain in every area of life except the spiritual. For some reason, when it comes to our relationship with God or our desire for more faith, we must think it comes by osmosis to passive observers because many of us refuse to put in the time required or count the costs to achieve the results. Therefore, we really shouldn't be surprised when nothing changes, and we're the same as we were before.Remember the words attributed to Albert Einstein:“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”So, if you want your faith to grow, you will have to make some changes in your life to position it to grow. Or, you will have to deliberately place yourself in situations where you can experience God's faithfulness firsthand by voluntarily embracing the testing of your faith and the trials that inevitably follow. And you do that when you choose to refuse to rely on your own resources and commit to only trusting in Him.After all, this seems to be the Lord's preferred way of increasing the faith of those who surrender to Him. He seems to put them in situations where they either trust God… or die.Trust God… Or, It's CurtainsThe Scriptures are packed with accounts of God increasing the faith of His faithful in this manner. Consider the following examples:• Abraham and Isaac – Genesis 22• Moses at the Red Sea – Exodus 14• Joshua and the Battle of Jericho – Joshua 6• Gideon and His Army – Judges 7• Daniel and the Lion's Den – Daniel 6• Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath – 1 Kings 17In each of these examples, the people made a choice to trust God, maybe more than they had before, or die. The result was that they experienced greater faith in Him than they could possibly imagine.So how about you? Are you ready to get out of the boat and walk to Jesus? Or are you content to remain in the supposed security of the boat and cheer others along in their faith journey?For me, I want to get out of the boat. And I hope you will join me.To download the slides for this message, click – HEREOur Latest Posts:588: Be Encouraged by the Small Words in Scripture587: The Purpose of the Christian Life – Experiencing God

Three Small Words from John 15In John 15, Jesus lays out our position in Christ and the key or path to the Higher Christian Life in the story of a vine and its branches. I mean, it really couldn't be more clear. This key is found in the simple word abide. We are to abide in Him— which means “to rest, remain, dwell, to make our home.” Or, literally, “to be united as one with Him in heart, mind, and will.” It is the definition of a fully surrendered life.Yet before we discover the concept of abiding in verse 5, we first must move through the first three verses of John 15, which often present a disturbing picture of God as our Father and is, more often than not, misinterpreted by well-meaning preachers and Bible scholars. And by misunderstanding the definition of three key words— takes away, prunes, and clean— we can fail to find the amazing encouragement Jesus offers those who are not quite up to meeting His standard of faithfulness or righteousness.Takes Away, Prunes, and CleanSo, let's look at these three verses as they are found in our Bibles, compare them to what they say in Greek, and see if something is “lost in translation.”“I am the true (real, genuine, one who cannot lie) vine, and My Father is the vinedresser (farmer, one who tills the earth or ground)” – John 15:1This simply sets the stage and introduces the cast of characters:God = VinedresserJesus = VineWe = Branches of the Vine (John 15:5)He continues,“Every (pás) branch (where) in Me (Christ, vine) that does not bear (to bring, carry, have) fruit He (Father, vinedresser) takes away (aírō – G142); and every (pás) branch (implied, in Me) that bears (to bring, carry, have) fruit He (Father, vinedresser) prunes (kathaírō G2508), (why) that it may bear (to bring, carry, have) more fruit” – John 15:2We are now introduced to the first two of our three important words: aírō and kathaírō. The third one, katharós, is found in verse 3.“You are already clean (katharós – G2513) because of the word which I have spoken to you” – John 15:3Three Key WordsWe now have three Greek words that we need to define to see if our English translation does them justice. And I think, after you see the definitions for yourself, you will see it does not.From The New Testament Word Study Dictionary by Spiros Zodhaites:“takes away” – (aírō – G142)This word is translated as “takes away” in our English Bibles. But that is not what it means.prunes – (kathaírō G2508)And this word is translated as “prunes” in our English Bibles. And, yet again, that is not what it means in the Greek.clean – (katharós – G2513)Finally, this word is correctly translated as “clean.” So now, what does this verse look like?Vine and the BranchesThe Vinedresser, our Father, no longer takes away unfruitful branches but lifts them up, supports them, and helps them once again become fruitful, just like a natural farmer would do to his crops.“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch (where) in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away (takes up, lifts up, elevates, to rise);In a phrase, he builds a trellis to support the fallen branches of His vine.But it gets better.“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch (where) in Me that does

The Problem: Dry Ritual Without RelationshipFor many believers, Christianity has become a religion of rules devoid of a relationship. We know we should have a quiet time, serve in church, avoid sin, and so on. But all this outward conformity easily lacks the inward reality of actually connecting with God. We act spiritual, without ever experiencing the presence of the Spirit. And that is a sad, yet common experience for many today.How did this happen? Partly because we've made faith all about knowledge over an encounter with God. We prize book learning, doctrinal precision, and intellectual comprehension of Scripture— forgetting you can memorize the Bible and miss the Lord of the Bible. Information in our heads doesn't necessarily lead to transformation in our hearts. Why? Because head knowledge alone breeds pride, heart encounters with Christ breed authentic life change.The Pattern: Experiencing God Transforms UsYet Scripture shows us a better way. When Moses saw the burning bush, he experienced God's awe-inspiring presence (Exodus 3). After Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord, he walked with a limp— an everyday reminder of his personal encounter with God (Gen. 32:22-32). And when Isaiah had a powerful vision of God on his throne, he was utterly transformed forever (Isaiah 6).For early followers of Jesus, faith wasn't a dead tradition, but a living, vibrant relationship. Acts 2:42 says the early church “continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” These early disciplines led to a powerful encounter with the Lord: “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles” (v. 43). Even repentance is meant to be an encounter, as we turn from sin and into the forgiving arms of Christ.The Invitation: Taste and See JesusThis is God's invitation to us: not just to know about Him, but to experience Him— to taste His goodness and to know that He is good (Psalm 34:8). And as we behold the Lord's glory, we are transformed into His image (2 Cor 3:18), which is the goal of the Christian life. The more we experience His presence and power, the more we reflect Christ to the world.So, what areas of your faith have become dry rituals rather than genuine encounters with the Living God? Consider these aspects of the Christian life that are meant to connect us with God:Experiencing God's Presence in WorshipWorship isn't just singing songs or listening to a praise band— it's meeting with the Lord, captivated by His beauty. Through worship in Spirit and truth (John 4:24), we experience God's presence in a life-changing way.Experiencing God's Power in TrialsEven our trials can lead us into deeper encounters with God's peace (Phil. 4:6-7), comfort (2 Cor. 1:3-4), and strength that carries us through. As we turn to Him, we experience His sustaining grace.Experiencing God's Character Through the SpiritThe fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) are not just moral qualities. No, as we walk in step with the Spirit, He produces His fruit in our lives, whereby we experience His patience, joy, and kindness from the inside out.The Invitation: Draw Near to GodGod promises if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (Jam. 4:8). So the ball is in our court. Will you accept His invitation? Will you ask the Lord for fresh encounters with Him, pray daily to behold His beauty, and let your head knowledge fuel your pursuit of heart change through experiencing Jesus?Remember, God invites us into an intimate walk with Him, where we encounter His presence daily through prayer, worship, Scripture, and...

How to Experience God Through RepentanceIn our quest for a deeper relationship with the Lord, we have been talking about what genuine repentance looks like in real-time. And we found ourselves in the middle of Psalm 51, examining six key words in David's prayer of repentance that show us how to not only receive forgiveness from the Lord, but how to experience His presence in the process. And, as a reminder, the six key words found in Psalm 51:10-12 are as follows:Please Do: Create in me a clean heart, O God, andPlease Do: renew a steadfast spirit within me.Please Don't: Do not cast me away from Your presence, andPlease Don't: do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.Please Do: Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, andPlease Do: uphold me by Your generous Spirit.But what do these words mean? And how do they point us to a deeper Christian life of experiencing His presence when we come to Him in repentance?(You, God) Create in Me a Clean HeartAfter being confronted by the prophet Nathan, David pleads,“Create (bārāʾ – to bring into existence, to create out of nothing, ex nihilo) in me (personal) a clean (ṭāhôr – clean, pure, genuine, free from moral impurity) heart (lēḇ – the immaterial part of man, the seat of a person's mind, will, knowledge, volition, and emotions), O God (ʾelōhiym – the One True God, the Creator and Sustainer, the Sovereign One).”He understood that he couldn't make himself righteous through willpower alone. No, David needed God to create something completely new in Him that he couldn't do by himself. The word “create” means to make something out of nothing, just as God created the universe by His word.Likewise, we need the Lord to give us a pure, undefiled heart when we come to Him in repentance. On our own, we can't clean up the mess inside us. God must perform heart surgery, transforming us from the inside out as we yield ourselves to Him.(You, God) Renew a Steadfast Spirit Within MeDavid also prays,“and (You) renew (ḥāḏaš – to restore, reestablish on a new or improved basis, to revitalize and make new or like new) a steadfast (kûn – to be marked by firm determination or resolution, to be unshakeable, to stand upright) spirit (rûaḥ) within me (personal).”Though God cleansed David's heart previously, he lost that wonderful experience through sin. Now David asks God to restore what was lost, to “renew” and reestablish the steadfast spirit he once had. David now understands he needs help staying firmly rooted in his commitment to the Lord because, left on his own, he will once again fail.When we walk in sin and disobedience, we become spiritually unstable, often losing our zeal for God's kingdom. But through repentance, God renews our spirit, revitalizing our passion for Christ and His righteousness.(You, God) Do Not Cast Me Away From Your PresenceHaunted by his grievous offenses, David worries about losing fellowship with God. So he implores the Lord to,“Do not cast (šālaḵ – to throw, fling, to toss casually away, to dispose of) me (personal) away from...

Embracing Who We Really AreD.L. Moody, while on his European crusade in 1873, was so inspired by a conversation he had with British revivalist Henry Varley that he prayed:“The world has yet to see what God can do with, and for, and through, and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. By God's help, I am to be that man.”This is the essence of the desire to be all God created you to be— to be “all in for Him,” as they say. The problem is, after we conjure up the desire, we come face-to-face with the “how to.” In other words, how do I surrender my life to the Lord? How do I yield everything to him? And how do I live a truly sanctified, higher Christian life?In any other endeavor, we would find someone who is where we want to be and model our lives after them. But we live in the Laodicean church age, and sold-out Believers are few, especially in the West. So what are we to do? What's the next step? And is there anything we can learn about surrender from even the obscure passages in Scripture that point us in the right direction?What Does it Mean to be God's Servant?After God gave David rest from all his enemies and after he consolidated the kingdom to himself, David made what he thought was a pretty good request from the Lord. After all, he reasoned, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains” (2 Sam. 7:2), and we can't have that. So he decided, after receiving less than stellar advice from the prophet Nathan, to take it upon himself to build a dwelling place for God, or more specifically, for the Ark of the Covenant. And, on the surface, it seemed like a good idea, even somewhat noble.But God was not amused, for neither David nor Nathan had sought the Lord in this matter.In fact, God rebuked David twice for forgetting who he was as God's servant, or “slave” (doúlos)— which, by definition, makes God the Lord and Master of all, including David. So, in response to God's stinging censure, David humbled himself profoundly before God's rebuke. He owned his true identity as a “servant” or “slave” (doúlos), and acknowledged it ten times in his brief exchange with God (vv. 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29). That's ten times in just eleven verses.So, what transformed David's perspective? He simply recognized his true identity before God— not as a self-made king, but as a submitted servant or faithful slave (doúlos) to the Lord.David's example highlights that discipleship stems from knowing we belong wholly to God. As Paul wrote, “You are not your own… you were bought at a price” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Have we grasped this liberating truth? We cannot experience God's depths while still stubbornly clinging to personal rights and claims over our lives. True freedom, paradoxically, comes through bonding ourselves permanently to our Master as His faithful servant, longing for Him to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant (doúlos)” (Matt. 25:21). Remember, God did not save us to be independent contractors employed in His service. He has something much greater in mind.Just like assuming a new family name changes the way we view ourselves, likewise, our core identity in Christ transforms how we approach life. Living “all-in” starts by accepting that we now belong to Another— to Someone far greater than we can imagine.Time to Re-Calibrate Your IdentityPerhaps it's time to let Him recalibrate your identity like He did David. His Word invites us to “present your bodies a living sacrifice… and be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:1-2). When we grasp God's complete right to direct us, surrendering fully becomes the only...

Ten Aspects of True Repentance that Gets God's AttentionGiving God a flippant “my bad” when we mess up just won't cut it, no matter how hard we try to make it work. Too often, we deal with our sin through superficial apologies, not grasping the gravity of how our choices offend our Creator and grieve His Spirit.But in Psalm 51, David shows us a better way. His raw, honest prayer of remorse models how genuine repentance can thoroughly transform us and restore our fellowship with God. In his plea to God, David holds nothing back. He pours out his grief and hope with both humility and longing, providing a template for the kind of confession that gets God's attention and purifies us deep down.David's prayer reveals that repentance goes far beyond crisis management or trying to mitigate the consequences of our sins. Instead, David walks through an intense spiritual restoration, launching him into greater intimacy with God and a commitment to remain faithful to his first love. David finds joy and wholeness on the other side through his uncompromising honesty and hunger for spiritual renewal.As we walk through ten key truths David models regarding repentance, may his prayer challenge each of us to put into practice what we will learn. We, like David, cannot experience God's full forgiveness and empowerment while still clinging to our besetting sins and flimsy excuses. So, let's look at these ten truths in the hope they will compel us toward the kind of soul-changing repentance that revives our passion for Christ and allows us to experience His presence.One, David Owned Up to His Sin and Made No ExcusesThe first step of repentance is openly admitting our wrong actions or attitudes without making excuses to justify ourselves. David begins his prayer with raw honesty, saying, “For I acknowledge (yāḏaʿ) my transgressions, and my sin (singular) is always before (present) me” (v. 3). He does not try rationalizing adultery and murder or to come up with some excuse for his actions. David faces his evil deeds head-on, keeping no sin hidden from his awareness or accountability before God. We display genuine repentance by owning where we have fallen short, without downplaying or explaining away our sin, or blaming someone else for our own actions. The devil didn't make you do it, you did.Two, David Understood Who He had Sinned AgainstThough David's actions horribly wronged Bathsheba and Uriah, he confesses, “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight” (v. 4). Even when our sin affects others, we must recognize that all transgression violates God's holy standard first, which is the greater sin— because all sin repels His glory. So, by focusing on the root issue of offending God's righteousness through sin, we gain a proper perspective of the evil of our actions, leading to our repentance. Our sin grieves the very heart of God, and to Him first, we must repent before any others.Three, True Repentance Comes from a Broken SpiritDavid says a broken spirit and a contrite (crushed) heart reveal genuine humility (v. 17). Religious sacrifices alone don't move God's forgiveness— contrition does. Repentance requires altogether abandoning stubborn pride or entitlement or clinging to our self-justification and supposed “rightness” by honestly coming to terms with the gravity of our sin. We must approach God, broken and shattered over the arrogance and self-centeredness corrupting our hearts, crying out for Him to create purity within us once again.Four, Restoration From the One OffendedThough wracked with guilt, David focuses his hope on God's power and willingness to “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and (You) renew a steadfast spirit within...

The Conditional Promises of GodOne familiar “if / then” passage, often called the “believer's bar of soap,” is found in the first chapter of the first letter of John. In it, we find one “if” condition and two implied “then” promises God grants to those who meet His one “if” condition. And the two promises of God encompass the totality of salvation this side of heaven, both our justification and our sanctification.If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness – 1 John 1:9What Does it Say?Let's see exactly what it says.If (the condition, something we must do in order to receive the promise) we (this includes you and me, make it personal, put your name here) confess (homologous – to admit, concede, to affirm or agree) our (it is inclusive, everyone has something to confess to a holy God) sins (hamartía – offense, wrongdoing, failure, fault, it is an act or feeling that transgresses something forbidden or ignores something required by God's law, whether in thought, feeling, speech, or action. Literally, it means to miss the mark or the true end and purpose of our lives, which is God. And note, the word is plural, as in more than one sin),This is the condition prescribed by God. It is something we must do, a non-negotiable, if we want to receive the promise that comes from meeting the condition. And, by His grace, it is something we can do.Next, the Spirit, through John, lists only two of God's infinite attributes as proof of the truth of His promise: faithful and just.He (God, the Sovereign One, Eternal, All-Powerful, All-Knowing, Always-Present, Creator of All, of which there is no One higher, no One more glorious, no One more beautiful or of greater worth, and there is no more lofty goal in which to devote one's life than to have a deep, intimate, relationship with Him) is (His current attributes) faithful (pistós – worthy of belief, trust, or confidence, sure, steadfast, of true fidelity) and (of all God's immeasurable attributes, the Spirit, through John, lists only these two, as if they are enough, already more than we can handle) just (díkaios – righteous, correct, perfect, upright in everything, without error, free from favoritism, self-interest, bias, or deception)And now, after stating His conditions and His attributes, the Spirit reveals the two promises or results we can rest assured of after we meet the conditions. Note, because He is “faithful and just” and does not show favoritism or bias, these promises are for everyone, including you, who “confess” their sins, no matter how great those sins may be, how unworthy you may feel, or how many times you have tried and failed in the past. To Him, it doesn't matter— every day is a new beginning.First Promise: Forgiveness (Justification)to forgive (aphíēmi – to send forth or away, to stop blaming or taking an offense into account, to leave, release, let go, dismiss. God, in effect, chooses, based on our confession, to send our sins and the consequences of them away from Himself and us, to no longer blame us for our offenses, to release, let go, and dismiss the consequences of our sins as if they never happened. We are now free from their condemnation, guilt, and shame – see Romans 8:33-34) us our (again, inclusive, which means you and me. Make it personal, put your name here) sins (plural, the sins...

Faith and Courage— Two Sides of the Same CoinThe Biblical story of Abraham is profoundly human— a narrative full of twists and turns, triumphs and failures, poor decisions and their unintended consequences, and, of course, drama— much like a Netflix mini-series. Yet, throughout the trials of his faith, we see Abraham continually return to a place of trust in God's promises. And the trajectory of his life models for us the possibilities and pitfalls of our own spiritual journey.The Call and the PromiseIn Genesis 12, Abraham, then called Abram, receives a divine call from God to leave behind the only land and people he's ever known and travel to a place yet unknown, so that through him, God would bless all the families of the world. Pretty tall order. Yet, this inaugurates the covenant— God pledging to make Abraham a great nation, to bless him abundantly, and to give his descendants the land of Canaan. The promise must have seemed improbable to Abraham, a nondescript man from an obscure country, but he obeyed nonetheless.Abraham's faith wasn't one-dimensional— the Genesis account shows it being refined through tests and trials, success and failures. In Egypt, fearing danger, Abraham lies to Pharaoh about Sarah being his wife. Not one of his better days. Later, anxious about lacking an heir, Abraham and Sarah take matters into their own hands, leading to the birth of Ishmael through Hagar. Probably one of his worst days. Yet even after these failures, Abraham returns again and again to faith in what God has spoken, as he is learning to trust in the timing and provision of the Promiser.Courage and the ClimaxUltimately, Abraham's faith journey crescendos in the test of the binding of Isaac, where God asks for the unthinkable— to offer up his son, through whom the covenant blessings were to flow, as a sacrifice to Him on Mount Moriah. Abraham obeys, demonstrating remarkable courage and trust that God could fulfill His promise even through death.Lessons for the JourneyWhat lessons can we apply from Abraham's life? And how can we learn to have the courage to follow God into the unknown and do the unthinkable, even after a history of faith that may be less than stellar?• Face the Unknown with Faith – Like Abraham, God often calls His followers out of their comfort zones into uncharted territory that requires faith and courage. Abraham's “leave your country” first step models the courage to obey God, even when the destination is uncertain.• Grow through Failures – Our mistakes need not define us. Like Abraham, we can let them deepen our reliance on God. Need more proof? Remember David's moral failure with Bathsheba and his restoration, and Peter's denial and later reinstatement by Christ. They are pictures of Divine grace— and of the blessings of second chances.• Wait on God's Timing – The years between promise and fulfillment were Abraham's training ground in patience. God frequently calls His people to endure patiently as His purposes simmer below the surface, or years of obscure preparation before emerging leadership, pleading in prayer before a longed-for miracle, or decades struggling with wounds before finding healing. May we likewise learn to wait on His timing, in all things.• Cling to God's Promises – When famine descended on Canaan, Abraham clung to God's covenant promises despite being surrounded by doubt and discouragement. We, too, can hold fast to the many promises in Scripture, even when the road gets tough, and we can't see our way forward.• Act with Everyday Courage – While few undergo anything close to Abraham's...

A Look at Our Current SituationThere is so much bloodshed and brutality taking place between Israel and Hamas, that many have been looking for comparisons between what's happening today and the Gog and Magog invasion of Israel found in Ezekiel 38 and 39. And the similarities are striking.Ezekiel foretells an end-times invasion of Israel led by Gog, ruler of Magog, along with Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, and other nations. It also reveals that God providentially brings this vast alliance down to invade Israel, only to judge them harshly. And I mean, really harshly. Sodom and Gomorrah harshly.Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops— many people are with you” (Ezekiel 38:1-6).And when you identify the people groups involved with their related nations today, it's like a primer on the beginning of World War 3.• Gog – Leader (Demonic)• Land of Magog (Scythians) – Central Asia, the countries that made up the former Soviet Union (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan)• The Prince of Rosh – Russia• Meshech and Tubal – Modern Turkey• Persia – Iran• Ethiopia (Cush) – Modern Sudan, nations south of Egypt• Libya (Put or Phut) – Modern Libya, possibly as far as Algeria and Tunisia, those west of Egypt• Gomer (Cimmerians) – Central Turkey• House of Togarmah – Modern Turkey, North of IsraelArab Nations Against God's PeopleLet's look at Ezekiel 38:1-6 again, only with the current nations included.Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog (Central Asia, the countries that made up the former Soviet Union), the prince of Rosh (Russia), Meshech, and Tubal (modern Turkey) and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I (God's actions) will turn you (Gog from Magog, prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal) around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out (again, God's actions), with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia (Iran), Ethiopia (modern Sudan), and Libya (modern Libya, including Algeria and Tunisia) are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer (central Turkey) and all its troops; the house of Togarmah (modern Turkey, north of Israel) from the far north and all its troops— many people are with you” (Ezekiel 38:1-6).Can you see the chess pieces being sovereignly moved into place for this prophecy to be fulfilled before our very eyes? I sure can. So join us as we look deeper into the Gog and Magog conflict, which is a key indicator the end is near.And keep looking up, for our redemption draws near (Luke 21:28).To

Different Strokes for Different FolksSalvation means different things to different people. For some, it's a “get out of hell free” card, the cosmic fire insurance policy they checked off and filed away years ago. For others, it's trying to be a good, moral, upstanding person and attend church— at least on Easter and Christmas. Most don't give it much thought beyond hoping to end up in the Pleasant Place and not the Hot Place when they die.But is that really the extent of what Jesus accomplished on the cross? Did He endure scourging and nails just to offer a slight upgrade in our afterlife accommodations, leaving our day-to-day lives largely untouched? I don't think so.I'm convinced salvation encompasses far more than this shallow version we've settled for. The eternal life Christ promised involves a radical transformation into new creations, holy and acceptable, right here and now. But so few seem to grasp this truth.I understand why, though. I used to view salvation the same way. As a young believer, I prayed for forgiveness, believing Jesus' death paid the penalty for my sin. I looked forward to heaven but figured holiness would have to wait. Meanwhile, I assumed grace gave me the green light to keep living as I pleased. And so I did.What changed my perspective? The book of Romans.Buried in Paul's masterful exposition hides a powerful secret that sparked the Protestant Reformation, but remains obscured to many believers today. Let's dust off this treasure and explore how the gospel offers, not just a ticket to paradise when we die, but victory over sin's grip in our daily lives.The Path to Real ChangeChances are you know the famous verse that ignited reform in Luther's heart back in 1515: “The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17). Luther had tried everything to obtain salvation: self-denial, penance, indulgences, pilgrimages, and even becoming a monk. At last, thankfully, he finally grasped that a man is justified not by works, but through faith alone (Rom. 3:28).Yet mere intellectual assent cannot change hearts. I know, I've tried. Mere head knowledge never hindered Paul from persecuting Christians, but an encounter with the risen Christ transformed him in an instant.In the same way, justification marks only the beginning of the work of salvation in our lives. The just are not only declared righteous, but enabled to live righteously through an ongoing process called sanctification. Surprisingly, this practical component of redemption receives little pulpit airtime today, though the epistles address it constantly. It's the part of our salvation experience that primarily rests on our shoulders.Sanctification means being set apart for holy use. It means growing into the likeness of Christ. And it is how we glorify the Lord today. Just as temple implements were consecrated for God's service, we who trust in Christ are sanctified and empowered to serve the Lord rather than ourselves. Although complete sinlessness awaits eternity, believers can receive real deliverance from the mastery of evil in the here and now, today. This is what it means to live out what Jesus promised as the “abundant life” found only in Him (John 10:10). Consider these promises:For sin shall not have dominion over you – Romans 6:14.For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live – Romans 8:13.His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue – 2 Peter 1:3.“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” – Acts 1:8.Through Christ, God enables His children to overcome sinful...

Deception: the Currency of Our CultureDeception runs rampant in our world today. Just look around. False teaching, twisted values, distorted truths, and outright sinister lies bombard us from every side. Even in the church, not all professing believers have embraced the genuine gospel— which means not all who claim to be saved are, in fact, saved. And this is the most frightening deception of all.As Jesus warned in Matthew 24, spiritual deception will flourish in the last days. “Take heed that no one deceives you,” He told His followers, “for many will come in My name… and will deceive many.” Sobering words.Why did Jesus put such emphasis on not being deceived, especially regarding the nature and name of Christ? Because our eternal destiny hangs in the balance. If we get this one thing wrong, what true salvation entails, then we lose everything. The cost is eternal damnation. Remember, on judgment day, many will claim to know Jesus as Lord, only to hear Him say, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matt. 7:23). This is the essence of self-deception or counterfeit salvation, believing you have a relationship with Jesus and discovering, when it's too late, that you don't. Can you think of anything worse?It's dangerously easy in our deceptive culture to assume we are saved when we lack true spiritual life. We may profess faith in Christ while possessing little beyond a religious heritage, church attendance, a reasonably moral lifestyle, or a past prayer. And the church as an institution doesn't help much either by accepting, without question, our claim of salvation even when our lives show little or no evidence of it.Salvation is the one thing you don't want to get wrong. Because if you do, you'll have all eternity to pay for it. And nobody wants to do that. Remember, the Bible says today, right this minute, is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2)— not tomorrow, or next week, or as soon as you clear your calendar. Today means today. Right now. Before you run off to do the next thing.Jesus warned us, saying the deception in the times we now live in would be so prevalent that, if it were possible, even His elect would be deceived (Matt. 24:24). Since that is true, how can we make sure we are not part of that statistic and are deceived regarding our salvation? How can we make sure the object of our faith is Christ, and Christ alone, and that we possess saving faith and not non-saving faith (Jas. 2:19). And how can we know the difference? We know by carefully examining our lives in light of Scripture to determine if our faith is authentic and will endure honest scrutiny.God's Word provides sobering tests to examine ourselves and avoid deception. Let's take a look at a few of these and then do the hard part, honest self-reflection to make sure we are not disqualified spiritually. Remember what the Bible commands:Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?— unless indeed you are disqualified – 2 Corinthians 13:5.Let's begin that test together.True Signs of a Counterfeit ConversionHere are some red flags that may indicate counterfeit conversion. See if any of these are true of you.Lack of Spiritual FruitJesus said you would know His disciples by their fruit (Matt. 7:16), not by their profession or church attendance or the Follow Me to Church bumper sticker on their car. Therefore, one key sign of false faith is a prolonged lack of consistent spiritual fruit. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit enters our lives and begins sanctifying us, to make us more like Christ. And over time, this process...

Looking at Israel TodayThe Gog and Magog invasion of Israel is a future event that has sparked some debate today about its timing due to what happened in Israel on October 7th. If you remember, on that day, Hamas terrorists and depraved citizens from Gaza attacked Israel and killed over a thousand people in a most horrific way and dragged several hundred back to Gaza as political prisoners. And the response of the IDF has been swift and intense, rendering Northern Gaza into a barren wasteland before the watching eyes of the world.But the fallout from this bloodthirsty attack and the continuing aftermath of Israel has polarized nations and political leaders in choosing which side of this war they will take. Do they support Gaza, with their demand for the total eradication of Israel, protesting and chanting “from the river to the sea?” Or do they support Israel, the victims of this attack, and their God-given right to protect themselves from this kind of barbaric butchery?Amazingly (or maybe not so amazing), the nations that have aligned themselves with Hamas and against Israel line up perfectly with those involved in the Gog from Magog invasion of Israel prophesied in Ezekiel 38-39. In fact, the precise fulfillment of this prophecy could happen right before our eyes, in breathtaking color.We are going to seek to answer three questions about this prophecy and what is happening today in Israel. First, who are the nations involved in the Ezekiel 38-39 invasion? Next, what actually happens during the Gog invasion? And, most important, when does it take place?Get Your Bible and a MapThe prophecy in Ezekiel begins by listing a group of people (or nations) that no longer exist today but inhabit geographic areas we can clearly identify. And this invasion is designed by God, who seems to be directing the players and the outcome for His own personal reasons (Ezek. 38:23, see also Romans 9:17-18).Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal'” – Ezekiel 38:1-3.Note the participants: Gog from the land of Magog, Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. But there are more.“I will (God's actions) turn you (Gog) around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops— many people are with you” – Ezekiel 38:4-6.Now we see even more participants: Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, and the house of Togarmah. These are the ones who will come against Israel during this invasion. Yet, other nations are mentioned who are critical of Gog's actions yet do not directly involve themselves.“Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?' ” – Ezekiel 38:13.So who are these people, and what countries do they represent today?Read ‘Em and WeepWhen we look at the table of nations in Genesis 10 and elsewhere, we can determine the nations involved in the invasion, or those critical of it:• Gog – Leader (Demonic)• Land of Magog (Scythians) – Central Asia, the countries that made up the former Soviet Union (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,...

No More Roller-Coaster LivingWhen it comes to spiritual disciplines like surrender or yielding our life to the Lord, the hardest part is not the act of initial surrender, but the journey of remaining surrendered to Him in the days and months ahead. For most believers, this journey can be discouraging, filled with success and failure, ups and downs, and sometimes, you may even feel like giving up. But that should never be the case. After all, it is the Holy Spirit living in you that seals you in Him and is the deposit, the guarantee of the promise of your future inheritance to come (Eph. 1:14). And this is more than going to heaven when you die— far more. The indwelling Holy Spirit also guarantees your sanctification, which is you becoming more like Christ each and every day (1 Cor. 1:30).But the one question still remains, how? How do we experience the process of becoming more like our Lord in the chaos of everyday living? And how do we make sure, at least on our end, that we remain surrendered and submitted to Him?To AbideIn Christian circles, we hear much about the word abide or abiding regarding our relationship with Christ. Jesus actually made that term the centerpiece of His teaching on the nature of our relationship with Him in John 15. You would do well to study this teaching. In it, Jesus said:“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” – John 15:4-5.Abiding in Christ is the key to remaining surrendered and walking in obedience under His authority. But what does it mean to abide in Him? And how is it done?The word “abide” in Greek is menó, and means to “remain or stay, live, and dwell with someone in an intimate, close relationship by being united with them, or being made one with them, in heart, mind, and will.”¹ It is more than a casual acquaintance but rather a deep, enduring connection. And it is only when we remain connected to Him, that we allow His life to flow through us, producing spiritual fruit that brings glory to the Father (John 15:8).The principle is simple: When we abide, we flourish and live. When we detach from the vine and try to go it alone, we flounder and die. And the choice is always ours to make.Remaining Connected (Surrendered) to the True VineWhy is abiding so important? Because it leads to spiritual fruitfulness in our lives. Jesus said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). As we stay attached or surrendered to the Vine (Christ), His life flows through us, and this supernaturally enables us to bear His good fruit— the fruit of righteousness, godly character, and the expansion of God's kingdom, all for the glory of the Father. It is an amazing dependent relationship. Remember, as a branch, we don't produce any fruit. That's the job of the Vine, Christ. But as long as we remain attached and surrendered to Him, we get the joy of bearing His fruit since all He is, as the Vine, flows through us and, as His branches, gives our life purpose. And all we have to do is remain surrendered, attached, and submitted to the source of everything that gives our life value. He produces all the fruit, and we get to bear His handiwork for the world to see. Let that sink in for a moment.The Scriptures reveal we were created for good works (Eph. 2:10), but we can only fulfill these works if we rely wholly on Jesus' power working in us. If we detach from the Vine, our best efforts become futile, and we quickly...

We've Only Just BegunWe are now at the last step to surrendering our lives unreservedly to the Lord. And this seventh and final step deals with how to keep close to Him, and how to remain surrendered and submitted, even after the initial awe of the experience begins to wear off and we let our guard down. Don't be deceived— yes, it will happen to you, just like it has happened to all those who have gone before you in seeking the Higher Christian Life or the life of full surrender.Even though we are at the last step, our journey of surrender has just begun. Like Peter, taking his eyes off Jesus and sinking into the waves when doing the impossible, walking on water, it's easy to lose focus on Christ amid the trying circumstances we face every day (Matt. 14:30). Remember, sin is sin, and all sin, no matter how trivial we make it, hinders our relationship with the Lord and grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). Therefore your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to keep Christ at the center of your life, always, regardless of the situation you may be facing. And we do that by keeping our eyes on Him.Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (see Hebrews 11), let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (how) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God – Hebrews 12:1-2.So how do we maintain a posture of continual submission to the Lord and make seeking Him our consuming priority in life? Or, how do we keep our eyes on Him like He kept His eyes on His Father? Let me share with you a few disciplines that should give you some direction in your life-long pursuit of Him.Start the Day Anchored in ChristBegin each morning grounded in Scripture and prayer. Make this a priority and set the tone of your day, communing with Jesus before anything else. Take His word in John 15:5 to heart, “Without Me, you can do nothing,” and realize He meant what He said. Read a devotional or passage about Christ's character.¹ Write down what He has been showing you or how He has answered your prayers. This anchors you in Him before the chaos of the day competes for your attention.“My voice You shall hear (when) in the morning, O Lord; (when) in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up” (Psalm 5:3). Just as we nourish our bodies with breakfast, we must nourish our spirit with Christ first thing in the morning.Don't Exclude Christ from Your Daily TasksAs you go about your day, talk to Jesus continually through quick, conversational prayers, thanking Him for the little blessings you notice. Ask the Spirit for patience when frustrations arise, and they will. And seek His wisdom in any decisions you have to make, no matter how small. Remember, He is the Lord over everything— even the small stuff. Offer up a prayer of blessing to those you encounter. And ask Him to guide your interactions throughout the day.When you pray without ceasing, as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 instructs, it keeps your focus on the Lord no matter how busy your schedule gets. Whether you're checking off your to-do list, heading to appointments, running errands, or socializing with others, you can invite Jesus into every moment of your day. And if you invite Him, you will no longer be surprised when He comes to walk beside you in what you consider the mundane things of life. Try it. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much He wants to be part of your life.Look at Everything Through His EyesConsider how your daily choices reflect on

Church: The Hatfields and McCoysWe live in a world that is totally at war with itself. Our nation is being torn apart by division – racial, socioeconomic, political – you name it, and we've experienced it. But that's not how Christ designed His church to be. In fact, Jesus said in John 17 that when we love each other more than we love ourselves, the lost world will come to believe God sent Jesus and He is truly the Son of God. In other words, our unity and oneness with each other will be the strongest evangelical draw we have to bring others to Christ.But if you look around, all we see within the church is division. Some churches believe in the sovereignty of God, while others deify man and his free will choices. Some churches see homosexuality as a sin, while others have drag queens teaching the children on Sunday mornings. The church has a history of dividing on trivial matters such as the mode of baptism or our posture in prayer rather than uniting around the “faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).But what did the Lord have in mind when He created His church? And does it look anything like what we've turned it into today? Let's take a few moments and do a brief survey on what the Lord said about His church.It's Unity Above Almost Everything ElseAs we've shared already, the early church was built on devoting themselves to the four disciplines found in Acts 2:42. And as you can see, two of the four deal with building our family relationships with each other in unity (fellowship and the Love Feast, or the breaking of bread).And they continued steadfastly in (were devoted to) (1) the apostles' doctrine and (2) fellowship, in the (3) breaking of bread, and (4) in prayers – Acts 2:42.Then we have the prayer of Jesus before His death on the cross. And what was the content of His prayer? Our unity in Him and each other.“That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us (why) that the world may believe that You sent Me” – John 17:21.Notice how many times Paul encouraged the church (and the individual believers) to humble themselves in unity with others like our Lord did. It seems that being one together in Him was continually on Paul's mind.Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be (what) like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, (why) that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 15:5-6.Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that (what) you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment – 1 Corinthians 1:10.I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to (what) walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, (how) with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all – Ephesians 4:1-6.Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others – Philippians 2:1-4.Ugh, Enough AlreadyI know, too many...

Fellowship is More Than a Pot-Luck DinnerIf you look at the book of Acts, you'll find the amazing story of how the church was born and grew to 3,000 people after one 297-word sermon preached by an impetuous, former fisherman named Peter. It's one of the most transforming passages in all the New Testament. But what we fail to look at is the fact that now the church had a serious logistic issue. Like, “What are we going to do with all these people? How are we going to feed them? Many of them don't even speak the same language we speak. We don't have training materials, a church structure, or places for them to sleep. And we don't even know if we like them? All we know is they have now received the same Spirit we received, and they consider us family, and we should start acting like family.”This was a difficult problem for the infant church, which was only hours old. I can imagine Peter and the rest of the disciples fretting over the fact this problem was way above their pay grade. This was something Jesus needed to figure out before He ascended into heaven just ten days ago. But He didn't. He just left them His Spirit and trusted them to follow His will.I can imagine their prayers went something like, “Lord, show us what to do. These are Your people, called by Your name, and filled with Your Spirit, just like we are. So please, show us what to do.”And that is exactly what the Lord did.They Continued Steadfastly in Four ThingsAs you can see from Scripture, they “continued steadfastly” or “endured to the point of devotion” to four vital disciplines that allowed them to grow from a gang of strangers into His church (Acts 4:42). Not three. And not five. Just four. But these four were essential to their growth and devotion to the Lord and to each other.And they continued steadfastly in (1) the apostles' doctrine and (2) fellowship, in (3) the breaking of bread, and (4) in prayers – Acts 2:42.Note what they were devoted to and the order they are listed.And they continued steadfastly in(1) the apostles' doctrine— or preaching and the study of the Word of God.(2) and fellowship— which is koinōnía and means a partnership, communion, or joint participation. This is something more than sharing a chicken dinner on Sunday.(3) in the breaking of bread— this is more than communion or the Lord's Supper. It is a shared communal meal, much like a family reunion, that was part of their worship service.(4) and in prayers— both corporate and individual.As you can see, there is much we are missing today that the early church deemed essential when they came together as the family of God to worship the Father. I believe there is much we can learn from them. But the key discipline that changes them, and can change us, from an institution to a family is in the “breaking of bread” or the Love Feast. And it is this forgotten love feast we will explore in this message.To download the slides for this message, click – HEREOur Latest Posts:573: The Deconstruction of Your Faith Equals Apostasy

First Sign of the End-Times: DeceptionJesus said one of the telling signs of the end times is the expositional growth of deception worldwide, especially within the ranks of those who call themselves Christians. When asked about the signs of His coming and the end of the age, Jesus said, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,' and will deceive many” (Matt. 24:4-5). He then reiterates the same truth about deception regarding false prophets in verse 11, and then expands on the depth of the coming deception in Matthew 24:23-24. Notice how powerful the final great deception will be.“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!' or ‘There!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”Did you catch that? Jesus said the deception at the end would be so powerful that if it were possible to deceive the elect, God's chosen, then they would also be deceived into believing a false Christ or the antichrist. It is that serious. And it is accompanied by false signs and miracles. It's like Moses in the court of Pharoah 2.0.Second Sign of the End-Times: ApostasyIn Paul's letter to the church at Thessalonica, he tells them what signs to look for before the coming of the Lord and the appearance of the antichrist, the “man of sin” or “son of perdition” (2 Thes. 2:3). And he said there would be a great “falling away” or apostasy – where true believers abandon the faith for some deceiving spirit or false god.So let's put this all into focus: First, great deception and false christs will proliferate worldwide throughout the culture and the church. And then, second, those who claim to be believers will abandon the faith, fall away, and reject the true Christ for one made in the image of man and empowered by Satan, namely, the antichrist. But what will this falling away look like? Will elders in a church one day stand and proclaim they no longer believe in Jesus? Or will pastors start preaching a fourth person in the Trinity – Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and their cousin Billy Bob? Will there be an open renunciation of the Christian faith by those who claim to love Jesus? Well, yes and no. All of this will happen, but not as you would think.Deconstruction: Just Another Name for ApostasyNotice again what Jesus said about the false christs in the end times:“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,' and will deceive many” (Matt. 24:4-5).When they come in the name of Christ, as a false christ, they are not saying, “Hey, follow me, I am Jesus.” Instead, they are saying, “I come in the name of Christ. I know what He is like. And I know what it means to follow Christ. So follow me, and I will show you the real Jesus and not the false Jesus you have been following.” And this is where the deception gets sinister. Because the false Jesus they are promoting is not the Biblical Jesus, but a Jesus of their making, a Jesus acceptable to our culture, and a Jesus that thinks just like we do, as sad as that sounds.And the method of converting from the Jesus of the Bible to the false Jesus we have been warned about is called deconstruction. The great, prophesied, end-time apostasy has been rebranded into a positive light where we are deconstructing the Christian faith by removing from it anything we find unacceptable, such as sin, judgment, righteousness, and sanctification. And we replace it with whatever we want, whatever our culture deems acceptable, and whatever makes us feel good.It is truly creating and worshipping the golden calf and not the Lord on Mt....

God is Three and Three in OneWhen we decide to fully yield our lives to the Lord, one essential step is surrendering control of everything to the Holy Spirit, who is probably the most overlooked member of the Trinity. And this is because the doctrine of the Trinity, or trying to explain the triune nature of God, is one of the most confusing teachings in Scripture. After all, we are finite beings who think in finite, logical, cause-and-effect, terms. Yet God is infinite, off the scales, and His nature is beyond what we can explain or logically process in our finite minds.But let's try. The doctrine of the Trinity is defined as God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God.¹Or, to make it easier to digest:1. God is three persons (Father, Son, and Spirit).2. Each person is fully God.3. There is one God.But, even though they are all equally God, they have different and unique functions, especially regarding salvation and sanctification. For example, Scripture reveals God the Father is right now seated on His throne in heaven. Jesus is currently at His right hand interceding for us (Rom. 8:34, Heb. 7:25). And where is the Holy Spirit? He is the one who now lives in us and empowers us with His gifts, guidance, and transforming power. The Spirit is not a force that emanates from the Father to do His will, like in Star Wars, but is God Himself— co-equal, co-eternal, of the same essence as the Father and the Son. Yet, even though the Spirit is as much God as Jesus and the Father, sadly, we must admit He is the one Person we spend the least amount of time with and the one we know the least about.If you look at just a few things the Holy Spirit has been tasked with, you will quickly notice these have to do with securing our salvation and enhancing our sanctification. It seems, of the three Persons in the Godhead, it is the Spirit who works the closest with us, and yet He is the one we tend to keep at arm's length, distant and aloof.The Vital Roles of the SpiritHere are some key roles the Holy Spirit plays in our lives while residing in us:• The Holy Spirit helps us understand God's word and apply it to our lives – John 14:26.• The Spirit guides us into truth and helps us discern right from wrong – John 16:13.• The Holy Spirit produces spiritual fruit in our lives like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – Galatians 5:22-23.• The Spirit empowers and equips us with spiritual gifts for ministry – 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.• The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us in prayer – Romans 8:26-27.• The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, giving us an assurance of our salvation – Romans 8:16.• The Holy Spirit seals believers for the day of redemption – Ephesians 1:13-14.• The Holy Spirit comforts believers in times of need – Acts 9:31.• The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment – John 16:8.• The Holy Spirit fills believers for service by empowering them to speak the word of God with boldness – Acts 4:31.• The Holy Spirit reveals the deep things of God to believers – 1 Corinthians 2:10.And the list goes on. Notice, these are not things the Father or the Son does in us, but the Spirit. And it is a shame that we know so little of the Spirit compared to what we know about...

He is God, and We Are NotBy nature, we are control freaks. We pray for divine healing, but only after our physician shakes his head and says, “Well, there's nothing left to do but pray,” and our medical insurance runs out. We claim Matthew 6:33, where Jesus promises to meet all our needs, but again, only after we max out our credit cards and can't make the minimum payments. In other words, we try to fix everything our way, in our own strength, and ask no one for advice or help. It's only when we come up short that we pray and ask the Lord to bless our efforts (emphasis on our) or get us out of the jam we seem to have stumbled into again. This is not a life of surrender. Nor does it acknowledge the sovereignty of God. The fifth step in surrendering your life to the Lord demands trusting completely in His goodness, grace, mercy, and especially— His sovereignty. Remember, He is God (and all that entails), and we are not. And the sooner we learn this truth, the closer we are to fully surrendering, and trusting Him.Surrendering our lives fully to God requires trusting in His sovereignty— meaning He is in complete control and His plans are always best. But what does it really mean to trust God's sovereignty? And why is absolute submission to His supreme plan vital for fully yielding our lives to Him? Let's explore the meaning of God's sovereignty, some biblical examples of surrender, and the reasons why relinquishing control to His authority brings peace and purpose to our lives.Defining God's SovereigntyTrusting in God's sovereignty means believing He reigns supreme over everything, including you and your circumstances. He has divine plans and purposes far beyond our human comprehension (Isa. 55:8-9). It's acknowledging that nothing happens without His permission, and He can, and will, use any circumstance, good or bad, to grow us in maturity and glorify Himself.Surrendering to His sovereignty requires faith that God's way is perfect, even when life feels random or senseless or anything but perfect. We must believe He cherishes us unconditionally and understands precisely what we need in every situation, even if what He knows we need is not what we have been praying for. We must be fully convinced that God is not only “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20), but that He is also willing, as a loving Father who adores His children. And when He moves in His sovereign manner, we must know and rest in the truth that His perspective surpasses our limited human insight, and He knows best— even when we can't see it or doubt His goodness.Some Biblical Examples of SurrenderThe Scriptures are full of examples of those who faced trials greater than ours, and trusted in God's sovereignty. Job suffered excruciating losses— his family, fortune, reputation, and health, yet declared in worship, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Even during unimaginable grief and agony, Job trusted God's good purposes rather than questioning His supreme authority, even when he didn't understand what God was doing.Abraham is another well-known example. God instructed him to do the unthinkable, to sacrifice his promised son Isaac— Abraham's only hope and future (Gen. 22). Though undoubtedly grieved and confused, Abraham obeyed God's command by trusting the Lord had a purpose he could not yet grasp. And God, in His sovereignty, honored Abraham's faith by providing another sacrifice instead of Isaac and blessing him beyond measure.Even Jesus surrendered to His Father's sovereign will. When facing the horrific pain of crucifixion, He prayed His will would be aligned with His Father's sovereign purpose, “Not my will, but yours,...

First Step Three, Then Step FourOf the seven steps to living a fully surrendered life to God, perhaps none is more vital than the fourth— offering ourselves, specifically our bodies, as a living sacrifice to Him. But this can only be accomplished after we have done the hard work of denying ourselves and dying to self, which was the point of the third step (Matt. 16:24). Death and denial must take place before we present our bodies (flesh) to Him as an act of worship and sacrifice. You will ultimately fail, horrendously, if you try to reverse the order. We must have died to ourselves first in order to present ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice. Otherwise, we're dealing with a two-headed monster. And it ain't pretty. Presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice means taking our body, our flesh, with all its desires and ambitions, and laying it down before God as an act of worship and submission to His Lordship. And this, as they say, is where the men are separated from the boys. It is not for the faint of heart.To be more exact on what step four entails, Romans 12:1-2 reveals what we are to do to submit to Him and what He does for us in response to our submission. What we give is all we are— and what we receive is all He is. Pretty good exchange if you ask me. We give Him rocks, and He gives us diamonds. Not too shabby. So read the passage slowly and take note of each word and promise.I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God – Romans 12:1-2.Let's look at this passage a little closer.I beseech (urge, beg) you therefore, brethren, (on what basis) by the mercies of God, that you (our responsibility) present your bodies a (what) living sacrifice, (seen by God as) holy, acceptable to God, (and why should we do this) which is your reasonable service (based on the mercies of God). And (implied, you) do not be conformed to this world, but (implied, you) be transformed by the renewing of your mind, (for what benefit) that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.The essence of the surrendered life is knowing, for certain, the perfect will of God. And this is the promise given to those who offer their bodies (flesh) to Him, unreservedly.Why is this So Important… and Seem So Extreme?Why is this so important? Because our flesh is the source of so much pride, sin, and selfishness. And therefore, our flesh has to die (see step three). Our natural instincts are to gratify our own wants and needs first, before anything else, including God. We are born self-centered creatures, seeking our own advancement and comfort above all else. But God calls us to live differently, to put others before ourselves and seek His kingdom first (Matt. 6:33). And this requires denying the flesh and crucifying it along with its passions and desires (Gal. 5:24). In a word, we must die to self so that we can live fully to God.And what do we do once we have denied and died to ourselves? We offer ourselves, our bodies (flesh), the seat of our lust and sins, to the Lord as a living sacrifice and act of surrender. But this surrender is more than just a mental acknowledgment or verbal profession. It requires action. So we demonstrate surrender by taking our body and making it a “living sacrifice”— by placing it on the altar before God to say, “I am no longer my own, but Yours to command and do with what You wish.” Or, in the words of Jesus, “Not my will, but Yours, be done” (Luke...

“Lord” Jesus Christ also means “Owner” Jesus ChristSurrendering your life fully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is no small or simple matter. But I'm sure you are painfully aware of that by now. It requires making the conscious choice each day to deny our natural desires and humbly submit to His leadership and control. And that's where it begins to chafe. We love the Lord Jesus— but we probably love the “Jesus” part more than we love the “Lord” part. But as Jesus commanded, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself (ouch), and take up his cross daily (double ouch), and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24). He sets the requirements for discipleship, not us. And as with just about everything in the Christian life, it's all or nothing— life or death, hot or cold, light or darkness, narrow gate or wide road, walk by the Spirit or the flesh, good fruit or bad fruit, you get the idea. He says to follow Him, we must first deny ourselves and then die to ourselves. This is what baptism symbolizes. Dying to self, being buried with Christ, and then being raised into the new life in Him. Ok, we got that. But what does it really look like in practical terms to “die to self” daily?Dying to self goes much deeper than just giving up a few activities we enjoy or taking on extra chores around the house. It requires renouncing the deep-seated notion that our lives still belong to us and embracing the Biblical reality that we now belong entirely to Christ (Gal. 2:20). When He died on the cross for our sins, He purchased us with His blood (1 Cor. 6:19-20). And purchase speaks of ownership— which means our lives are no longer our own. Dying to self means joyfully relinquishing all rights we think we have to our lives to the One who sacrificed everything to save us. It means enthroning Him as the rightful Lord and Owner over every area of our lives.What Does Denying and Dying to Self Look LikeConcretely, this dying to self plays out through both the small and large choices we make each and every day. It may mean choosing to leave your lucrative career that provides comfort and prestige to pursue full-time ministry at a fraction of your former salary. Or regularly apologizing to your spouse in humility when conflict arises, even when you don't think you were in the wrong, in order to restore peace and unity in the relationship by putting your spouse first.Dying to self often requires passing on purchasing something nice we can afford and believe we deserve in order to generously meet an urgent need in someone else's life. It could mean taking time away from a beloved hobby or habit that is absorbing too much of our time and attention at the expense of God's priorities or sacrificing the time we spend with our children. Each new situation presents an opportunity to once again surrender our will and way to Christ's desires and plans for us. We simply must be open and willing to put Him first, and everything about us less than first.To walk in a life of continual self-denial and dying to self, we must abandon the notion that we know what's best for our lives, almost on a daily basis, and embrace the fact that God's purposes and priorities are better and higher than ours (Isa. 55:8-9). It requires admitting we don't have all the answers and desperately need the guidance of the Holy Spirit each step of the way. As Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). The old rebellious, stubborn, selfish nature must die so that the resurrected life of Christ can reign fully in us, transforming us into His image (Rom.8:29).Of course, practically living out this surrendered, crucified life will look different for each of us. It may mean humbly serving others in lowly ways...

Surrender Your Life? The Choice is YoursSurrendering your life to God is a profound journey that transforms your relationship with Him into something many only dreamed about but few ever expected to happen. In fact, full surrender to Him is what He requires (that is why He is called Lord and Master), but is often conveniently glossed over in our churches today. We feel more comfortable with terms like servant or disciple or follower— rather than anything that resembles submission or smacks of surrender to anyone, including the Lord. We want Jesus as a friend with a Get-Out-of-Hell-Free-Card who politely laughs and turns His head at our sin. But the last thing we want is the King of kings and Lord of lords who will stand in judgment of our lives. Well, guess what? That's not our choice. We get Jesus as who He is and not who we want to make Him into.Understanding this, let's be honest about the steps to surrendering to Him (assuming that's something you want to do). Your journey into Christ-likeness cannot progress unless you continually deal with anything and everything in your life that separates you from Him. And you know what that is. It's no secret, never has been. It's always been the same thing since Adam and Eve fell prey to it in the garden and made the same mistake we make on a daily basis. And it's what works against your complete submission to Him and the joy of the abundant life He promises (John 10:10). The Achilles heel in our spiritual life is pride and the sin it inevitably brings.The Second Step: Confession and RepentanceConfession and repentance of sin are essential for maintaining fellowship with God and walking in obedience to His will. Remember, they were the essential ingredient in your salvation. And as such, they are vital for maintaining a close relationship with the Lord. As 1 John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God always stands ready to forgive. But our sin must be acknowledged and confessed, and repentance means more than simply feeling sorry you got busted for doing something you knew was wrong.What does confession and repentance look like day to day? First, it requires taking as much time as needed to ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of disobedience, unconfessed sin, wrong attitudes, or anything that might hinder your relationship with God (Ps. 139:23-24). Don't rush through this thinking there is something in your day more important. There isn't. Be willing to listen openly and honestly, as His conviction is a sign of His love and desire for you to become like His Son. So don't rush this process, and allow ample time for the Spirit to speak to you.Next, prayerfully examine your thoughts, attitudes, behaviors, lifestyle choices, relationships, and pretty much everything else in your life. Consider whether you harbor bitterness toward someone, look at pornography when no one is watching, engage in dishonest business practices, lie, gossip, steal, elevate yourself by tearing down others, or neglect time in God's Word. Call sin exactly what it is without rationalizing or downplaying it. God doesn't care that others are doing what you are doing. Two wrongs don't make a right. As 1 John 1:8 warns, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Don't let that happen to you. Make a habit of self-examination to keep your heart right before God and then respond immediately when His conviction comes.And when the Holy Spirit reveals sin, make a thorough and specific confession directly to God. Pour out your heart like the tax collector who cried out, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” Remember, Jesus...

Surrender is a Lifestyle, Not a One-Time EventWhen you surrender your life to the Lord, you will notice it is not a one-time event. You don't just say a prayer or make a vow and it's done. It is a process, usually full of ups and downs, that may take some time to master. But even as a process, it must have a starting point. And that point recognizes who God is and your responsibility to yield to His lordship. Everything follows this first step.The seven steps of surrender are as follows (in Cliff Notes form):1. Recognize and embrace a truth greater than yourself (which is God and His lordship)2. Confess and repent of any known sin in your life3. Learn to die to yourself daily (or more often)4. Present yourself daily as a sacrifice to God5. Trust completely in God's sovereignty6. Rely on the Holy Spirit for daily guidance7. Keep your eyes fixed on JesusToday, we will look at the first step— the step where every springs from. And we will cover the subsequent steps in future broadcasts.The First Step in Surrendering Your Life to the LordThe journey of surrendering your life to God begins with one essential first step: recognizing God's complete lordship over everything— especially you.What does it mean to recognize God's lordship? It means understanding that He rightfully deserves your full allegiance, devotion, and obedience. As Revelation 4:11 declares, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.”Since God created you and gave you life and breath itself, He deserves first place in every area of your existence. Recognizing Him as Lord means enthroning Him as the supreme ruler and focus of your life. It requires willingly choosing to dethrone anything else that has occupied that rightful place— relationships, career, wealth, success, self-interests, you name it. And the operative word is willingly. You must be willing. God will not force His lordship on you.Recognizing His lordship calls for an honest evaluation of who or what is currently on the throne of your heart and decisions. What do your priorities, schedule, entertainment choices, and bank statement reveal you worship? What consumes your thoughts and passions? Ask the Holy Spirit to bring conviction about any idolatry that may be hidden in your life. As J.C. Ryle wrote, “Where Christ rules in the heart, the whole course of a man's life will bear witness to the fact.”¹ If God rules your heart, your lifestyle will clearly reflect it. So, how is your lifestyle measuring up to your confession of Christ right now?Remember, this first step of surrender will lead you to reorder every area of your life— your plans, job, time, possessions, habits— and center them around God's priorities rather than self-centered pursuits. It will mean letting go of anything He calls you to release or change. And it will mean embracing a purpose defined by His eternal impact rather than your temporary comfort. But I think you already know that, don't you?Ultimately, recognizing God's lordship requires pursuing intimacy with Him like you may have never done before through heart-felt prayer, consistent reading of His Word, and obedience to Him as your highest aim, and not just an add-on for a temporary, spiritual high. He must become your supreme treasure and consuming passion.Surrendering requires submitting your life completely to His authority, which is something you give up to Him. But you receive so much more. As J.I. Packer reminds us, “He does not exploit our submission, but gives us glory, joy, peace, and fullness of life” only found in Him.² Our

The Living Hope We Have in ChristDark times can profoundly shake our faith and assurance in God. Ongoing trials, deep hurts, and spiritual warfare can make us lose sight of the incredible hope we have in Jesus Christ. But despite the darkness, Christ's resurrection guarantees our justification, sanctification, and future glorification. This living hope is ours both now and for all eternity.Justification – God's Complete ForgivenessWhat does justification mean? Simply put, it is God's complete forgiveness through Jesus Christ. When we put our faith in Christ, trusting in His sacrifice for us, God sees us as righteous in His eyes – as if we had never sinned at all. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through Christ's redeeming blood, all our sins are forgiven – past, present, and future.This justification before God happens instantly when we are born again into God's family. We go from being condemned sinners to forgiven saints in an instant, even before we have time to change our outward behavior. Our right standing before our holy God depends entirely on Jesus' atoning death for us, not on our own effort. Our only role is to have genuine repentant faith, trusting that Christ's sacrifice on the cross secured our redemption once and for all.Sanctification – God's Power to Live RightBut God does not just justify us and then leave us alone to struggle against sin. No, when He forgives us, He also sends the Holy Spirit to begin the process of sanctifying us – or transforming us into Christ's image and freeing us from sin's power in our lives. Scripture says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Justification (forgive us our sins) and sanctification (cleanse us from all unrighteousness) work hand-in-hand.Though temptations still come, we as believers are no longer helpless slaves to sin. After all, “Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14). Christ's death and resurrection have broken sin's power and its penalty. We now have the Holy Spirit living within us, empowering us to say no to sin and walk in ever greater freedom from its grip.God's Power to Keep UsWe all know this sanctification process has its ups and downs. We make progress but also stumble. Yet even when we do, God still keeps us securely in His hands. Jude says, “He is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 1:24).What comfort we have in knowing that our eternal salvation does not depend on our strength to hold on to God, but His ability to hold on to us. And just as Christ's tomb could not contain Him, nothing can snatch us out of the Father's mighty hand (John 10:28-29). The same almighty power that raised Jesus from the dead now works in us to transform our lives to look like His (Eph. 1:19-20). It doesn't get much better than this.Future Glorification – Perfected with ChristBut this living hope in Christ also includes an amazing future promise – that one day we will be completely free from sin's presence and will be perfected with Him in glory. We are promised to “see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2). Although we often stumble in this life, the day is coming when we will be fully glorified with Christ, being made completely righteous in Him.Stand Firm in the Hope of ChristDark times will come that shake our faith. That is a guarantee. But Christ stands unmovable and unchanging as our “living hope” through all the storms in...

The Higher Christian LifeLet's talk about something that has captivated believers for generations— the Higher Christian Life. This term refers to a life of intimate fellowship with God that goes beyond the ordinary Christian experience. Popularized by 19th-century revival and devotional preachers such as Andrew Murray, Oswald Chambers, and R.A. Torrey, and brought into the Christian mainstream by the Keswick movement, this life is characterized by holiness, surrender, and a depth of relationship with God that taps into His supernatural power in ways seen in Scripture, but seldom experienced in contemporary church.¹In this article, I want to provide a biblical overview of the Higher Christian Life— what it looks like, how we enter into it, and then answer some common questions that often keep seeking believers from experiencing the “abundant life” Jesus promised (John 10:10), or what has been called the Higher Christian Life. My prayer is this will inspire and equip you to experience the abundant life in Christ that He intends for each of us as believers.Defining the Higher Christian LifeSimply put, the Higher Christian Life is:A life of holiness, consecration, and victory over sin that is available to every Christian who fully surrenders themselves to Christ's lordship in faith. It is considered ‘higher” because it transcends the defeat and constant struggle that plagues much of Christian living and reveals a new dimension of faith-filled living in the power of the Spirit.Some key aspects of the Higher Christian Life include:• Complete surrender and consecration to Christ: Relinquishing our self-will and ambitions by surrendering every area of your life— your time, relationships, work, and resources — to Christ's complete control and lordship.• Death to self and sin through co-crucifixion with Christ: By reckoning or understanding that our old sinful nature was crucified with Christ, we are able to break sin's mastery in our lives (Rom. 6:6). By faith, we count ourselves dead to sin's power and alive to God since our old self is crucified and dead and we have new, resurrected life in Christ (Romans 6:11).• Filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit: By praying for the Holy Spirit to fill us and take full control, and by depending on the Spirit's power to overcome sin, we then produce Christlike character and are supernaturally equipped for ministry. The results: We are guided, moment-by-moment, and empowered by the Spirit as we yield to Him.• Victory over sin's power: Sin's mastery is broken because by faith, our old self is crucified with Christ, and sin has no dominion in our lives (Rom. 6:14). Though temptations remain, we have Spirit-given power to overcome anything our flesh or the enemy can throw our way.• Deeper intimacy and fellowship with God: We find our time in God's Word and prayer becomes sweeter as we relate to God more deeply. We desire to know Christ more as the Spirit reveals His presence and character in ways not known to us before. And, as a result, our walk with Him is characterized by joyful obedience and not legalism.• Fruitfulness and power for ministry and service: Our energies go toward serving Christ wholeheartedly and caring for others, rather than living selfish, self-consumed lives. We learn to depend on Christ working through us as we trust and abide in Him.This abundant life liberates us from defeat and brings new joy, passion, and power through our relationship with, and dependency on, Christ. It is the normal Christian life as God designed it.²Benefits of this Surrendered LifeThis...

There is So Much More to This Life in ChristAs followers of Jesus, you and I long to live the spiritually charged, victorious life He promises in Scripture— an abundant, overcoming life marked by joy, peace, purpose, and the wonder of having the mind of Christ. But let's face it, our everyday experience often falls painfully short of the dynamic faith and unimaginable blessings described in God's Word (Eph. 3:20). But it doesn't have to be that way.So what's the key to unlocking this life to the fullest in the power of the Spirit? Complete and total surrender to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.But What Does Total Surrender Look Like?Surrender means letting go of our wants, rights, and expectations and fully embracing God's perfect plan for our lives, even if the future seems unclear and we don't know what that plan is. Surrender requires trust, obedience, and complete reliance on His supernatural power at work within us, even when we struggle to feel His presence at times. And surrender is trusting Him even when the future is uncertain, and we can't see what tomorrow holds. But that's to be expected. After all, we “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). But when we surrender completely, release control of our lives, and submit to His will, we open ourselves up to the blessing of becoming all God created us to be in Him. And the results are breathtaking.True surrender brings freedom— true freedom to thrive in our identity as children of the Most High God and not be constrained by the world's definition of who we are. Surrender leads us deeper in our relationship with Him, far beyond surface-level faith, into an intimate walk with the Almighty, the Creator of All. This surrendered life overflows with heavenly abundance, just as Jesus promised. But it only comes through daily submission and complete dependence on Jesus.If you want to live out the fullness of God's calling, then it's time to surrender your all to Him— your plans, dreams, possessions, relationships, everything— even your life itself (Matt. 16:24-25). Lay it all down at the feet of the One who gave it all for you.If you're ready to experience the spiritual abundance Christ offers, here are some practical steps to help you surrender yourself completely to the Lord:Recognize Your Need for GodThe first step towards the surrendered life is admitting, “I can't do this on my own!” As humans, we're all flawed sinners falling short of God's glory (Rom. 3:23). Pride and self-sufficiency erect thick barriers separating us from the Lord and each other. So get honest with yourself about the areas where you fall short and confess those sins to Him. Ask God to show you where you need to grow spiritually and recognize that no amount of effort will ever make you holy or righteous in His sight, outside of Christ. Approach God with humility, knowing you desperately need Him.For example, when you catch yourself complaining about long lines or bad traffic, pause and acknowledge the pride behind your disgruntled heart. Or when you experience a major failure at work, use it as a reminder that you need God's strength and grace every moment of every day. For without Him, you can do nothing (John 15:15)Repent and Ask for ForgivenessOnce you're aware of your shortcomings, take those sins to God in repentance— don't justify or downplay them. It's your sin that separates you from God (Isa. 59:2). True repentance restores your fellowship with God when you acknowledge your sins and ask for forgiveness. Plus, God promises that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). And once we repent and confess our sin, the crushing...

Steps to Change a Culture for the WorseSaul Alinsky (1909–1972) was an American community activist and political theorist whose teachings have had a profound effect on the radical Democratic agenda and the philosophy of both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. In 1971, right before his death, he published Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals, which is a book about successfully running a movement for cultural change.Rather than list his 13 rules for radicals, let me sum them up for you in how they are practically applied to a society. And this is exactly the same blueprint the Nazis used in post-WWI Germany.• Words and Terms are Redefined• History is Revised and Rewritten• Questions are Not Encouraged Nor Allowed• Rules are Established• Compliance and Obedience is Expected / Demanded• Gatekeepers are Empowered• Power Now Rests with the Few and Not the Many• Decision and Authority Flow from the Top Down• All Organizations Naturally Seek Control• Double and Triple-Down Until No Dissent ExistsBy the way, this is also how control is exercised over the church by the clergy, denominational leaders, and family gatekeepers. It is not a pretty sight.It Only Takes One Person to Make a DifferenceBut God had something completely different in mind when He instituted His church. And today, we are going to see how He empowered, not just the clergy, but all His people with His Spirit and gave them bold access to His throne of grace (Heb. 4:16). The implications are life-changing.Remember, it only takes one person to make a difference.Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes; but by (who) a man (singular) of understanding and knowledge right will be prolonged – Proverbs 28:2.Maybe that person is you.To download the slides for this message, click – HEREOur Latest Posts:562: Where We Are Now and Where We Are Going561: Church Ain't Working, Its Got No Power560: If He's the One Who Builds It, He Will Come559: Apostasy and Deception are Key Signs of the End558: The Most Important Prophetic Scriptures

What the Next Eighteen Months Will Look LikePeople see the chaos all around and want to know where we are as a culture today and what the next eighteen months will look like. As a preview, we can expect economic turmoil, especially inflation and hyperinflation. There will be deception, falsehoods, and lies coming from our sacred institutions. Jesus said to expect wars and rumors of wars which will lead to the downgrading of America as a superpower. Narcissism will become the mental illness of the land, and the church will experience the great apostasy the Scriptures warned about.In a word, our future looks dark and bleak. For each of us, there are three questions we need to be asking ourselves: One, what is the end goal or what is going on? Two, what is the Lord's will for me and my family during this time? And three, why do we seem to feel or sense that time is running out and the time for playing church is over?What Can We Do? Live Like You're Soon to DieIn June 2020, Tim Keller was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. This diagnosis had a profound impact on his life. For one, he realized his life had an expiration date, and only the important things were now important to him. And two, he realized how much time he had wasted on unimportant things. Time, he could never get back and never redeem.The same could be said for each of us. Here is Tim's assessment of what he has learned about prayer since his diagnosis (he died on May 19, 2023).“Despite the pain and fear associated with cancer, Kathy (his wife) and I would never want to go back to the kind of prayer life and spiritual life we had before the cancer. Never.I realized, I never really did believe I was going to die. At some deep level, I just didn't. Looking back on it, I just don't think there's any way to go through the change that happens in you when you know that you really are going to die: the way you look at your time, the way you look at God, the way you look at your spouse— the way you look at everything just changes when you actually realize time is limited and I'm mortal.Frankly, I would have lived a better life if I had come to this realization sooner. I'm closer to where I should have been most of my life.”Remember, there is a blessing in knowing that nothing lasts forever, except the grace of God. And for living in the realization and expectation of the imminent return of Christ.To download the slides for this message, click – HEREOur Latest Posts:561: Church Ain't Working, Its Got No Power560: If He's the One Who Builds It, He Will Come559: Apostasy and Deception are Key Signs of the End558: The Most Important Prophetic Scriptures557: Hermeneutics – The Rules for Biblical...

Has Church Outlived its Usefulness?Some say that “familiarity breeds contempt,” and this is true even in the church. We come to church each Sunday to perform our duty to God. We sing, sometimes. We listen to the message, hopefully. And we worship, maybe— and then head back home to do the more important things in our day. I know this sounds harsh, but it is true, nonetheless.But church was never meant to be like this. God created His church, the ekklēsía, to be “a called-out people, an assembly of those called by Christ into the fellowship of His salvation.” And nowhere does the word church refer to a building, denomination, or tax-exempt entity.In this message, we will look at the church from a Biblical perspective and see if we can determine what church is and why it's not working for us today.To download the slides for this message, click – HEREOur Latest Posts:560: If He's the One Who Builds It, He Will Come559: Apostasy and Deception are Key Signs of the End558: The Most Important Prophetic Scriptures557: Hermeneutics – The Rules for Biblical Interpretation556: How to Surrender Your Thought Life to Christ

Our Blueprint for Church Growth: ActsIn the movie “Field of Dreams,” Kevin Costner's character hears a voice that says, “If you build it, they will come.” While this quote has become iconic, part of Hollywood folklore, the truth is, if we let God build His church the way He intended, He will come. And when He comes, He will bring with Him the power to transform lives, just like we see in the Book of Acts.Can you imagine what it would be like for today's church to look like the early church? We would experience prayer meetings with power that would shake the very room we were in (Acts 4:31). We would have boldness in the face of governmental persecution, no matter how harsh it was (Acts 4:19-20). There would be miracles and great signs from God authenticating our faith and His message (Acts 3:6-7). And if we suffered for Him, we would rejoice that He considered us worthy to suffer shame like His Son (Acts 5:41). Just imagine what Christian life would look like if we lived as they did in the early church.But sadly, that seems like just a dream. And many have lost hope of ever experiencing the power and wonder of God we see displayed in the pages of the Book of Acts. Did you ever wonder why?Remember what Jesus said:“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock (Peter's affirmation of faith in Christ) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).And note, Jesus emphasized the “I” part of this promise. He said He would build His church, and when He did, nothing, not even the gates of hell, could keep His light from shining in the enemy's darkness. So this is a promise, an if/then promise. If we do our part, then He will do His. And our part is to let Jesus build His church and get out of the way of what He is doing.Do you think we could do that? I hope so, but I'm not so sure. Let me tell you why.Three Things They Did We Don'tWhen we look at the Gospel accounts and the Book of Acts, we see people respond to Jesus in ways we don't encourage today. For them, it was a life-altering, “all or nothing” choice. It was a decision to embrace either life or death, to follow light or darkness, or to travel the wide road of destruction or the narrow path that leads to salvation (Matt. 7:13-14). There was no third option.But for us in the church today, we live for the third option. We want to follow Jesus, but just not as close or as committed as those we see in Scripture. Their life was full of blessings and hard times. And for those in the West, the dread of hard times overshadows the joy of His blessings. So we err on the side of caution.But that is not how life played out in the early church. Let me close by sharing three things the early church did that we balk at today. For us, their lives seem extreme, and we feel more comfortable, and safer, watching from the stands than playing on the field.They Forsook All and Followed HimAnd yes, they really used that word, forsook, to describe what they gave up for Him. You can read about this in Matthew 4:18-22, 19:21, 27-29, Luke 5:27-28, 9:23, and 14:33, among other places in Scripture.They Met in Their Own HomesThere were no church buildings on every street corner at that time. So the early church opened up their own homes, something we shy away from today, and allowed others, including strangers, to come in and sit on their sofas and worship the Lord. This was the original way God built His church, yet we think we have come up with a better program. I'm not so sure. Are you? You can read more about this in Acts 2:46, 5:42, Rom....

Three Questions and One Long AnswerWe find the Olivet Discourse recorded in three places in the New Testament: Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 21. The entire teaching is Jesus' response to some questions asked by His disciples after they were admiring the beauty of the Temple. But Jesus did not specify which answer corresponded to which question. He just answered them all at once, in one long narrative. Let's look at a combined account of these questions.(MT) Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple —(LK) how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations. (MK) One of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” (MK) And Jesus answered and (MT) said to them, “Do you not see all (MK) these great buildings? (MT) Assuredly, I say to you, (LK) the days will come in which not one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”At this point, the disciples' understanding of the future of Israel and their own lives was shattered. Everything in their religious life was temple based. And the thought of the temple being destroyed was beyond their comprehension.So they came to Jesus privately for more information or a clearer explanation of what He just said.(MT) Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives (MK) opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew (MT) came to Him privately, saying, (LK) “Teacher, (MT) tell us, when will these things be? (MK) What will be the sign when all these things (LK) are about to take place? (MT) And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”But even in this narrative, you can see Jesus laying the groundwork for the end times and revealing to us the Seven-Year Tribulation Period and the Second Coming of Christ. But for us today, we are going to focus on two major characteristics of the end times, and these are deception and apostasy. Jesus tells us to beware of deception and Paul speaks of the coming (and now here) great apostasy. And both are telltale signs of the end times.Jesus' Blueprint for the EndFirst, look at what Jesus said about deception during His Olivet discourse.And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,' and will deceive many” – Matthew 24:3-4.“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” – Matthew 24:11-12.“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!' or ‘There!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand” – Matthew 24:23-25.And then the Scriptures speak of a great apostasy, a falling away from the faith, that will happen at the beginning of the end, right before the revealing of the antichrist. I believe we are witnessing that apostasy today.Let no one deceive you by any means; (why) for that Day (the coming of the Lord) will not come unless the falling away (apostasía) comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? – 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.Now the Spirit expressly says that (when) in latter times (what) some will depart from the faith (apostasy), giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to...

Scripture Divides Everything into Two CategoriesWhen we look at Scripture, God has a tendency to make things simple for us and categorize everything into only two groups. There is almost never a third option. For example, you have light or darkness, evil or good, heaven or hell, the wide road or the narrow path, sin or righteousness, good fruit (tree) or bad fruit (tree), alive or dead, Spirit or flesh, blessings or curses, saved or lost, I think you get the point. And Scripture treats prophecy the same way: the Future of Israel (God's people) or the Future of the Gentile Nations (everyone else).So when we look at prophetic Scriptures, we must understand which of the two groups the passages speak about. For example, in Daniel 2, we see the vision of the great statue Nebuchadnezzar had that Daniel interpreted. This is a picture of the future of the Gentile nations. And later, in Daniel 7, we see four beasts and a little horn. Again, this is about the Gentile nations.But two chapters later, in Daniel 9:24-27, the focus shifts from the Gentile nations to the people of Israel. And this prophecy is divided into several periods of time that are separated by thousands of years. Daniel was not aware of the separation nor the time between the various periods. This is known as a prophetic skip.“Seventy weeks are determined for (who) your people (Israel) and for (what) your holy city (Jerusalem), to (1) finish the transgression, to (2) make an end of sins, to (3) make reconciliation for iniquity, to (4) bring in everlasting righteousness, to (5) seal up vision and prophecy, and to (6) anoint the Most Holy” – Daniel 9:24.Plus, you have the Olivet discourse in Matthew 24 and 25, as well as the book of Revelation. And don't forget Ezekiel 36-39, which gives us a glimpse of the future of the United States.These are some of the most important prophetic Scriptures in the Bible.Twenty Key Predictive PropheciesTo show the importance of Daniel in prophetic history, let me share 20 Predictive Prophecies that are found in that one book. These alone should give you another reason to dive into the book of Daniel.• The successive rule of four great world empires: Babylon, Medo Persia, Greece, and Rome (chapters 2 and 7)• The reuniting of the Roman Empire in the last days under the rule of ten kings or leaders (2:41 44; 7:24)• The appearance of the Messiah to rule 483 years after the decree is given to rebuild Jerusalem (9:25). This prophecy was fulfilled to the day at the Triumphal Entry.• The violent death of the Messiah (9:26)• The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (9:26)• The rise of the Antichrist to power (7:8, 20; 8:23)• The beginning of the seventieth week: the Antichrist's seven-year covenant with Israel (9:27)• The Antichrist's breaking of the covenant at its midpoint (9:27)• The Antichrist's claim that he is God (11:36)• The Antichrist's persecution of God's people (7:21)• The setting up of the abomination of desolation in the last days' Temple by the Antichrist (9:27; 12:11)• The Northern / Southern invasion of Israel and the Antichrist (11:40-45; Ezekiel 38-39)• The Antichrist's military conquest and consolidation of his empire (11:38-44)• The final doom of the Antichrist (7:11, 26; 9:27)• The second coming of Christ (2:44-45;...

How to Understand ProphecyWhen we are faced with either believing God's Word or the prevailing, confusing, and ever-changing voices of our culture, many Christians find themselves in a conundrum. They want to believe everything God's Word says, yet they don't want to be called a bonehead by their high school biology teacher or to be deemed anti-science by the pro-vac crowd. So we frantically look for some rules to help us understand what the Scriptures say about everything, and then we adopt those rules as the parameter of His sovereignty and try to funnel our understanding of His truth through this grid we have created to help us save face among our friends in this declining culture.Over the centuries, there have developed several methods of Biblical interpretation, or grids, that are used to set the parameters of our understanding of Scripture. These methods are collectively called the study of hermeneutics (Greek – to interpret, to translate). But not all hermeneutics are created equal. And the method of interpretation you embrace will determine the conclusion you have about both current and future events.For example, do you believe the Bible is the Word of God, or does it contain the Word of God? And if you say the Bible is the Word of God, we are talking about all the Bible, the miracles, the creation events, the teachings about male and female roles, and the specific two genders God created. This is an example of a personal hermeneutic. For your answer to the question about God's Word will determine how much weight you give it in your own life and what authority God has, at least in your eyes, in human events.So it is vitally important to settle for yourself the hermeneutic you will embrace to understand these prophetic Scriptures. Do they mean what they say, or can we allegorize the text to make it say whatever helps us sleep better at night? It is either one or the other. You cannot have it both ways.Tips for Understanding ProphecySetting hermeneutics aside for a moment, let me close by giving you a few tips to help you understand the prophetic Scriptures we will look at in the weeks to come.First, God wants you to understand what He said. His Word, after all, was written to be read and understood. So expect Him to speak and reveal His truth to you as you study these sometimes confusing prophetic passages.Next, God's word has allegory, parables, signs, symbols, eyewitness descriptions, etc., yet the text has only one meaning. And that meaning for us was the intended meaning when it was given. Therefore, when you encounter symbols or signs, look for the “built-in” interpretations given by the Holy Spirit within the text itself. You can see examples of these built in interpretations all throughout the Revelation.Next, compare parallel passages. After all, since the Bible originates by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, much of what is revealed in one section is also discussed in another section. Rarely (almost never) does one Scripture contain all that the Bible says about a given topic. So watch God's Word interpret itself elsewhere in Scripture. It's a wonderful thing to behold.Then, be aware of time intervals. For example, the church age was a mystery that was not yet revealed when Daniel wrote about the future (Eph. 3). And for this reason, some Old Testament prophets sometimes blend the two comings of Christ. These intervals are called “prophetic skips.”Finally, be sure to distinguish between filled and unfulfilled prophecies in Scripture.Now, armed with these tips, let's look at what the Lord reveals to us about our current situation and the times ahead.To