Posts with the tag “faith”

When we hear the word "dangerous," our minds often leap to images of physical threat or violence. But what if the most dangerous force in the world isn't physical at all? What if true danger to darkness, to despair, to the powers that seek to destroy lives—comes from something entirely different?  Read More

Faith doesn't eliminate risk. It transforms it. Faith places obedience on one side of the scale and sacrifice on the other, and reveals that what we gain through obedience always outweighs what we might lose through sacrifice. This is where the Christian life becomes truly dangerous—not to ourselves, but to the forces that would keep us frozen in fear.  Read More

Nothing is wasted in God's economy. Every struggle has purpose. Every storm can become a testimony. Every moment of fear can transform into an opportunity for God to demonstrate His faithfulness.  Read More

We cannot allow false theology of grandeur to rob us of the nearness of God, because so often we act as though the only prayers worth praying are eternal prayers. But if we take the time to look closely at Scripture, we find a God who listens to the unremarkable.  Read More

There is a kind of piety that is only convincing to people who do not read their Bibles. The Pharisees had it. So do many modern Christians. It is the sort of godliness that always has a moral lesson, an inspirational caption, a powerful takeaway—and it always, somehow, involves the self at the center.   Read More

The time is now, we must stop reducing the church to a recruitment agency, and instead embrace the full, biblical identity: The church exists for the glory of God, the worship of Christ, the holiness of His people, and the proclamation of His gospel.  Read More

What if, to put it absurdly and yet sharply, someone has discovered themselves to be a cannibal? Must we accept that too? The question may seem ridiculous, but its clarity helps pierce the fog. When the ethic of “accept me as I am” is left unchallenged, it demands affirmation of the self even when that self is in rebellion against God. And Christianity, which never flatters the flesh, will not comply.  Read More

They desire to be seen as spiritual, as valuable to the community of the faithful, as useful to the movement of God—yet all the while, the intent of the heart is angled not toward Christ’s glory but their own. And the Spirit sees. The eye of man may be beguiled by charisma, gifting, zeal even—but the Spirit knows the bent of a heart.  Read More

The weight of words is not in their fervor but in the obedience that follows. A glaze may gleam on pottery, but beneath—has the fire purified it? Or does the heat reveal fractures unseen?   Read More

Life resists our control. We draft plans, set expectations, and map out the trajectory we believe things should follow. But then reality intervenes—detours, delays, dry seasons. Growth does not arrive on schedule. Change does not look the way we imagined. Faced with the discomfort of uncertainty, we try to force movement, fabricate progress, and impose structure where there was once only the wild and unmeasured work of God. But here is the danger: what we manufacture in our impatience can look like growth while suffocating the very life we claim to nurture.  Read More

When believers come together in unity, with faith and expectation, amazing things can happen  Read More

Baal-perazim. It is not exactly a name you hear tossed around at dinner parties, is it? Yet, maybe it should be. This obscure place is a pivot point, a place where God’s power crashes through our reality, turning everything on its head.  Read More

Trusting God does not mean we neglect common sense or the responsibilities He has given us. Faith is not passive. It is not about sitting back and waiting for God to do everything. Faith is active. It is about seeking God’s will, aligning our actions with His Word, and partnering with Him.  Read More

It is not about never making mistakes. It is about knowing who God is and believing that He is good, even when life does not make sense. Trust Him. Not blindly, but with eyes wide open to His goodness, His power, and His love. Because in the end, that is what faith is all about.  Read More

My fellow sojourners, the paradox we must embrace is that while we may justly love our earthly nation, our supreme devotion and patriotism must be to the coming Kingdom of God. We are Americans, yes, but more importantly we are citizens of heaven itself.  Read More

Amid the daily hustle and bustle, our minds never find true rest, as an inner voice provides ceaseless commentary on our lives. It chatters incessantly, often echoing doubts, fears, and insecurities that can lead us astray from God’s purpose. It is that voice in our heads, the internal dialogue that tells us everything we are not.  Read More

What fears, insecurities, or pride are holding you back from speaking the full truth? Take courage, for the Spirit empowers you to overcome.  Read More

Sometimes, I think we need to stop saying “God builds the church” as if it absolves us of responsibility. Jesus tells Peter in Matthew 16:18 (ESV), “...on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” It is a statement of divine certainty, yes, but it is also wrapped up in human participation.  Read More

Busyness is a peculiar thing. It looks productive. It gives the illusion that something meaningful is happening. Calendars full, meetings back-to-back, outreach events, sermon series, and an active social media presence. But there is a profound emptiness when the motion becomes more important than the mission.  Read More

Our God is faithful. He stands with us in our distress, strengthens us in our weakness, and works through us to accomplish His purposes. Finding our strength in God is our blueprint for navigating the trials of life.  Read More

So let us fling wide the doors to every bleeding dysfunction and unrent garment. No stigma or mistreatment is too severe to be outdone by the furious love of Christ in us. For this is why we were called, to have our hearts ruined for the lovely, and so remade that our lives become a sanctuary for the unlovely.  Read More

David’s life echoes the very heart of the Gospel, the calling of the poor in spirit, the forgotten and reviled, to inherit the Kingdom  Read More

The Key Question: Whom Do You Seek to Please?  Read More

Decide today to no longer resignedly cope with the lingering sins and idols that subjugate you. Raze them to the ground without reservation or mercy, wielding the inexhaustible power available in Christ.  Read More

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” (1 Timothy 6:12, ESV). The war has been won through Christ’s death and resurrection, but the spiritual battles remain until He returns.  Read More

Throughout church history, theological imbalance has led to practical excess. Overemphasizing one biblical tension at the expense of the other inevitably results in distortion.  Read More

“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.” A. W. Tozer  Read More

God’s call to the Israelites to take possession of the Promised Land was not just an invitation to kick back and soak up the milk and honey. It was a charge to step into their divine inheritance through obedience, courage, and spiritual tenacity. For us today, possessing the proverbial “promised land” is laying hold of all God has in store by embracing the opportunities and challenges before us with the same valiant spirit.  Read More

Every believer has been granted the supreme privilege of communing with the Creator of the universe through prayer. Yet within the lives of some Christians burns an ember of holy desperation, a smoldering hunger to enter the Most Holy Place, beyond the veil, and wage spiritual warfare through fervent, prevailing intercession. The Bible upholds shining examples of these mighty intercessors who ushered in sweeping revivals, cultural transformations, and deliverance through their passionate prayers.   Read More

In life’s darkest battlegrounds when all human effort fails, there remains one supreme weapon that cannot be impeded—the persistent, unwavering prayer of faith.  Read More

We must also carefully consider the motivations behind prophetic claims. John instructs, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1, ESV). Is the person seeking fame, financial gain, or a following?  Read More

A troubling event played out decades ago involving a self-proclaimed prophet. This ‘prophet’ held strange theological perspectives, filtering everything through his personal lens. He existed as a lone wolf, believing submission to others was unnecessary.  Read More

Though we all stumble, His grace abounds. He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of our faith. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Continue pursuing holiness while resting in the righteousness of Christ. The day of His return draws near. Take courage and press onward!  Read More

Allow nothing to supersede this sacred quest for communion with Christ. As you continually seek God’s power and presence, the transformational joy of finding Him awaits you. Lift your eyes in hope—the best is yet to come!  Read More

Throughout Scripture, God makes many promises to His people. These pledges demonstrate His faithfulness and point to the certain hope believers have in Christ. While human promises may fail, God’s guarantees stand sure, giving confidence for the present and future.  Read More

Psalm 28:7 (ESV) says, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song, I give thanks to Him.” The Master Builder secures the scaffolding around our frame. He views the cracks in our composition, fills them with His love and grace, and binds up broken branches and buttresses structures on the verge of collapse  Read More

Though God has a purpose for each life, His flawless timing clashes with our impatient longing for instant visibility and elevation. Psalm 27:14 (ESV) exhorts, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage.”   Read More

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to a life of purpose, one focused on building God’s Kingdom by making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). However, the temptation often arises to become complacent and settle into a comfortable Christian bubble, disconnected from the spiritual vitality required to effectively advance the very mission that Christ has entrusted His Church.  Read More

As believers, our purpose and positions remain defined by eternal Kingdom principles rather than shifting cultural trends. Such a heavenly perspective provides the courage to uphold truth lovingly amid earthly conflicts.   Read More

Beloved child of God, the time has come to shed all that holds you back and take your place as an activated ambassador of Christ’s Kingdom. Though you feel weak, His strength is made perfect in you. You have been divinely gifted and empowered for this moment—to shine the hope of Christ amid gathering darkness.  Read More