On Behalf of the Choir
“…for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.” (Philippians 1:19) What is the secret to sustaining one’s spiritual strength in order to keep on keepin’ on when things get tough? The Apostle Paul describes it […]
Paraclete
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever…you know him, for he lives withy you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17) Jesus just told the disciples that he would be “leaving them” soon, and they were understandably upset. In his comfort to them, he […]
Happy Dependence Day!
“No! You will certainly not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “In fact, God knows that when you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4–5) Americans value independence – freedom from outside control or authority. Our foundational document claims as much: “When […]
With the Transgressors
“It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”” (Luke 22:37) Jesus made this strange comment to his disciples at the Last Supper (Thursday night of Holy Week). What a crazy turn of […]
God Chaser
Years ago, there was a popular book called The God Chasers. I remember one of my more theologically conservative friends asking me if God was running from us and that’s why we were chasing him. Besides just being an unfunny jerk, he missed a very important point the Bible wants us to grasp. Yes, of […]
Gone Fishing
“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, `Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’” (John 21:15) A little background might help here. The resurrected Lord told the disciples to go from Jerusalem to Galilee and wait for him at a certain mountain. Somewhere along the way, Peter […]
Our High Priest
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) Frederick Booth Tucker was a Salvation Army Officer in the late 19th century. One of his sermons in Chicago […]
The Name above Every Name
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9–11) […]
The Perfect Sacrifice
“…by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10:14, NIV84) There’s an old story of a church in England with a stone archway inscribed with the words: “We preach Christ crucified.” Years passed and generations of preachers came and went. By then, the cross seemed too old-fashioned and […]
Our Substitute
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!” (Ephesians 2:4–5) I read a story recently of an ancient nomadic tribe in the great expanse of Siberia. The tribe had […]
Be Happy or Else
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up […]
The Great Miracle
“Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity…” (Philippians 2:7, CSB) Paul is describing the incarnation of Jesus. Incarnation literally means “en-fleshment.” John says “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14, NIV) C.S. Lewis, one of my favorite thinkers, describes the […]
