Since God knows everything before we even know we need something (Matthew 6:32) and because He has no need of anything, including praise, thanks, etc. (Acts 17:24-25 – that is to say, though He may desire to hear our thanks, it is not something He needs to feel good about Himself), what is the real point in prayer?
Category: Devotions/Biblical Insights
The Powerless Prayer
I’m in a new series on prayer as we look at what has been traditionally called “The Lord’s Prayer” or “The Model Prayer.” When we start looking at what Christ said prayer is and isn’t, we quickly realize that much of what we do really isn’t prayer at all…at least not the kind that Jesus said is acceptable to the Father.
The Power of Worship
An interesting thing happened to me as a result of this spontaneous worship I experienced aboard ship: I was “sucked into” the very presence of God and put into a place where I was able to experience some things over the next few days I don’t think I would have been prepared for otherwise.
God took me on a journey for the next several days aboard ship and during our ports of call, where I was exposed to some of the most horrible injustices and poverty I’ve ever seen.
PSI – 2 Corinthians 10
Paul was a master warrior who understood the battle, had expert knowledge in spiritual warfare, knew the motives and tactics of the enemy, and relied on the commands and power of the Master. Every Believer is called to spiritual warfare and every leader is called and equipped in the same way as Paul. Unfortunately, we too often walk according to the flesh, not realizing how embedded the enemy is within the hearts and minds of people and we take our eyes off of the objective, being more content with making people happy than holy.
I am Mephibosheth.
My name could easily be Mephibosheth, could yours? Strange name, but an amazing story. This morning, Spurgeon pointed me to the account of King David seeking to find any living descendants of Saul’s house that he may show them the kindness of the Lord for Jonathan’s sake (2 Samuel 9). It is amazing because Mephibosheth…
What Will I Do With My Inheritance?
Every moment of every day should be an experience of worship because we are ever mindful of the shear grace of a loving God to hold onto us, though He receives nothing (as He needs nothing – see Acts 17:24-25) in return. As Steven Curtis Chapman said in a recent song: “This is a moment made for worshiping, cause this is a moment I’m alive.” What a great statement. All of life, for a Christ-follower, is a worship experience because “he gives to all life and breath and everything.”
The Great Misconception of Christianity
If Christianity truly is about relationship…real relationship with Christ based on faith, then there must be troubles that push us into Him; there must be times of trial so that we know that we can trust Him and know that our faith is real. Unless we break the cycle of religion based on litmus tests and rules of conduct and get back to Scripture that reveals the Truth about real life with real problems, we’ll simply end up with more guilt-laden religious people, carrying the burden of their sins and reflecting none of the glory of Christ’s righteousness which leaves them complete in God’s eyes and finding that Christ is enough for their lives.
The Idol of Christian Service
As a Christian minister, I am called to carry out the work that has been prepared for me before the foundation of the world. Actually, every Believer in Christ has, certainly not just “professional Christians” like pastors and the like, as it is through the blessing of service that we become most Christlike and, thereby,…
Faith in America: The Great Life Preserver (use only in case of emergency)
I am struck by the flippancy with which most of us follow Christ. To most of us, “Christianity” is just something that we are; a part of our lives. To these men, Jesus was their life…all of it, totally sold out and recklessly abandoned. How many of us today still call on Him in the tough times and then move on with our lives, barely giving Him a second thought when things are good? Then we don’t understand why the blessings don’t last.
Is the Devil in the Details?
I think the answer to that question is a resounding “yes!” The Devil is in the details because that is usually where we find that the failure comes. Personally, I am often careful to make sure I am generally healthy physically, spiritually, emotionally, etc., but it is usually in the small areas that I find…
One Life
What difference can one life really make? When we think of people like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or others who have been in extraordinary positions, wielding extraordinary power, perhaps we say one life can make a tremendous difference. It’s another thing, though, when we talk about us ordinary folk with limited resources and limited opportunities…
M.I.A.: The Strong, Silent Type
I have been reflecting on Charles Spurgeon’s devotion for this morning which referenced Matthew 27:11-14. That’s the section that tells of Jesus before the governor, being asked as to whether or not He was the “King of the Jews.” Jesus only response was, “You have said so.” It then follows that Jesus would give no…
Hard-learned Lessons
I was reminded again this morning about how important it is to seek Christ’s mind in all things big and small. I was reading in Joshua 9 following the defeat of Jericho and Ai by Joshua, where God had begun to fulfill His promise to the people in giving them a land to call their…
To the Victor Go the Spoils
Man, I love it when God provides in ways that demonstrate He’s in control! The context in which I write is how God has blessed our church in the last two weeks as we were faithful to do what He commanded. Specifically, it was to take our two services and combine into one, thereby bringing…
The Power of Perspective
I was reading in Exodus this morning (chapter 1) of how God dealt with two Hebrew midwives as they demonstrated their fear of and commitment to the one, true God. Pharaoh had commanded the midwives to kill every Israelite child born who was a male. Instead, because of their fear of God, they let the…