Assume Godā€™s responsibilities and you’ll neglect your own

One of the common themes Iā€™ve observed as a pastor is that people often fail to do what they should do, because theyā€™re trying to do what only God can do.Ā We are notĀ equipped to carry out Godā€™s role, but that doesnā€™t keep us from trying.Ā  Here are some examples: God sees the future; we canā€™t see it, so we worry … Read More

What we can learn from Jonah about anger

Jonah had an anger problem.Ā  A really big one. Sure he could push it down for a chapter or two (his book only has four chapters), but before long it would comeĀ roaring back again. The final chapter closes with Jonah sitting on the side of a mountain, being good and angry at God’s gracious ways. It actually appears that a … Read More

Trade in pride for humility

Millicent Fenwick understood loss. Born in 1910, she lost her mother five years later when a German U-boat torpedoed the Lusitania off the coast of Ireland. Fenwick went on to serve as the editor for Vogue magazine and as a New Jersey congresswoman. She gives the most colorful statement about self-pity youā€™ll ever read: Self-pity . . . the most … Read More

13 Ways to Submit to Imperfect Authorities

Each of us has authority figures we struggle with. If you don’t have one now, you will sooner or later. What do we do in those situations? We know its easy to complain, or resist, but is that what’s best?Ā  I first met Dr. Robert Smith when I was having my own struggle with authority. I had been told how … Read More

Whose words have the power to change?

When it comes to our communication with others our words are to be gracious and forgiving.Ā  Note Paulā€™s admonition in Ephesians 4:29, 32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. . . Be kind to one … Read More

Submission and the will of God…

Whenever I begin a message on submission, I remind my audience that this a very simple message to preach. Itā€™s just a really hard message to live. I can preach it in ten minutes, but it will it take a lifetime of moment by moment surrender to learn it. If you could leave all of your preconceived ideas behind and … Read More

3 words to remember when you serve…

Serving others is not without its challenges. Three words describe our service to the Lord: faithful, joyful, and sacrificial. Serve Faithfully: Are you looking for every opportunity to serve the Lord? Jesus tells a parable about three servants. The master commends two of the three because they were faithful (Matt. 25:21, 23). They had actively looked for every opportunity to … Read More

Hiding or Confessing Sin?

There is a word that is small, but in spite of its size it has left a significant impact. It has disrupted nations, families, marriages, and oneā€™s relationship with God. It is discussed in nearly every form of religion, but in no other sacred book is the word treated as thoroughly as it is in the Bible. The word? Sin. … Read More

Diagnosing the Idolatrous Heart

John Calvin once referred to his heart as an idol factory. Perhaps you know the feeling. But he was not the first to see it that way. God, through the prophet Ezekiel, refers to men with idols in theirĀ  hearts (Ez. 14).Ā  If you had to make a run to the ER for chest pain, chances are they would ask … Read More