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 word that means we attribute praise to God; we assign credit to Him because He deserves it; we chalk up all …
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)
Last time, we discussed the A-C-T-S model of prayer, devoting time to: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Here we complete that article. If you missed it, you can read Knowing God Through Prayer (A-C-T-S)(Part 1) Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is the attitude and activity of expressing appreciation and indebtedness to the Lord. Christ has blessed us so richly without our deserving anything. …
Knowing God Through Prayer (A-C-T-S, Part 1)
I wrote this on New Year’s Eve when I was remembering a watchnight worship service in Philadelphia. It started at 10pm and ended after midnight. We reviewed the old year together, confessed our failings, and prepared for the new year, seeking Jesus’ blessing and renewing our covenant to follow Him. We began with Psalm 141:1-2—“I call to you, LORD, come …
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 …
Joy in Jesus: The God Who Hung on the Cross
(Excerpt from teaching/training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry) The term advent means “coming” and during this season Christians celebrate Christ’s First Coming to Bethlehem and we expectantly wait and prepare for His Second Coming in glory. The Lord came the first time to live the life we failed to live, to die the death we deserved …
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 …