We are in a war and it is real. The enemy is relentless. The battle does not get easier with time and it can be exhausting. Yet in the Bible we learn that the battle is not uncertain, the turf is not individual, the enemy’s schemes are not unknown, nor is our strategy a mystery. It is natural when under attack to fight or flee, … Continue reading Stand Firm
When you consider your future it will have an impact on how you live now. In other words, eyes that are fixed on a future hope will inevitable impact where the feet tread today. When it comes to faith it is no different. Hope of the future has its work in faith. God is sovereign and powerful. He shook creation and history with his presence. … Continue reading The Future’s Work in Faith
I once heard a church member say, “The church would be a lot more peaceful if there weren’t any people in it.” As true as that statement may sound, what would the church be without people? No church at all. A church is a community of imperfect people striving for peace together (Hebrews 12:14). This is no easy task. Often it is exhausting, discouraging, heartbreaking … Continue reading The Church’s Work in Faith
To melt gold a goldsmith needs to stoke the furnace to over 1,000 F. However, in order to remove all the impurities and to make 24k gold the heat of the furnace is doubled to nearly 2,000 F. The hotter the purer and more valuable. God is like a goldsmith. He takes his creation made of dust, full of impurities and at times puts it … Continue reading God’s Work in Faith
God never promised that this life will be easy, but he promises to be with you in the fire. The consequences of saying that you love and worship Jesus can be real and hurtful. Those who are close to you may even turn their back on you. For many around the world there is pain and suffering. There is ridicule and rejection. Peter knew what … Continue reading Encouragements for Christians When their Faith is Under Fire
Steve and I would ride our bikes for miles. We’d push each other faster and longer. After the ride we would wobble onto the road and run. Steve was more than 20 years older than me, but he could lap me on the run. That is embarrassing for a young guy, but exhilarating for an old guy. He knew running was my weakest event training … Continue reading Jesus is the Great Object of Our Faith
When I was in elementary school I was in a community swim league. Other than the Speedo and practices, I liked swimming. I was super strong in the backstroke. All those tedious practices paid off with my first blue ribbon. After all these years, I still have it. At the end of a race there is a trophy or ribbon. At the completion of a … Continue reading What the Reward for Faith Looks Like
