Jesus said: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or …
Ascribing Praise to Jesus (Part 2)
Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. (Psalm 29:1-2) “Ascribing” praise to Jesus means that we worship, glorify, adore, and speak well of Him to ourselves and to others. Harold Lindsell rightly said: “The continual …
Ascribing Praise to Jesus (Part 1)
Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations. Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. Bring an offering and come into His courts. (Psalm 96:7-8) “Ascribing” is an old Middle English word that means we attribute praise to God for the glory that He already has. We worship the Lord …
Prayer of Richard of Chichester
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28) Richard’s Prayer Richard of Chichester (1197–1253), also known as Richard de Wych, was an English pastor. His dying prayer was adapted for the song “Day by …
Following Christ in a World That Doesn’t (Part 2)
I am grateful for your feedback that our last blog was helpful. Being a Christian means being a Christ-follower. We don’t follow the Lord to earn His salvation and favor. We follow Jesus because He has first saved us by His doing and dying and rising. Because we belong to Him, Christ, by His Holy Spirit, assures us of eternal …
Following Christ in a World That Doesn’t (Part 1)
I used this in New Testament Survey class at Belhaven University and also in other teaching/training, pastoral counseling, and prison ministry. Jonathan Goforth (1859-1936) was a Canadian missionary to China, serving with his wife, Rosalind. Goforth preached to large crowds and in small homes. He was stirred to serve Christ in China by the writings of Hudson Taylor. Jonathan was …
Knowing God Through Prayer (A-C-T-S)(Part 2)
Christianity is not mindless, but knowing God (Father, Son, and Spirit) as our Creator, Savior, and Guide. Knowing the Lord engages our minds, stirs our hearts, and transforms our lives. This knowledge is personal. How do we gain it? By listening to what God says (learning the Bible) By engaging the Lord in conversation (prayer) By spending time in His …
Joy Before Jesus’ Awesome Throne
(Excerpt from teaching/training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry) Even as a baby, Christ was fully God and fully human in one person. The Bible teaches that and I believe it and rejoice in it. Christ is my only hope in this life and in the world to come! He is the Creator God and the Sovereign …
Joy in Jesus’ Great Promises
(Excerpt from teaching/training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry) Used in “Joy and Peace in Christ” taught at Christ E.P.C. and Jester #3 prison. Jesus’ promises are powerful medicine for our souls and awesome to grasp. Ask God the Holy Spirit to implant these truths deep in your heart and give you righteousness, joy, and peace in …
The Power of Prayer and Reality of Revival
(Excerpt from teaching/training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry) If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14) Beginning in 1857, a revival …