Don Worried About What God Will Do For Me? I talk to a lot of people about God in my work. Some people come to me with concerns about what God is going to do for them. Others come to me worried about what they need to do for God. What about me? Which of … Read more
We all have our flaws… When I look at other people who seem to have it all together, I feel like a failure. My short-comings loom large, ever-present in my vision. But other people (church people?) seem so righteous, so fruitful and so strong. The truth is we all have our faults. Most of us try to hide them … Read more
Is Your Spiritual Life Self-Focused? What is God doing for me? Why doesn’t God fix this?! I go to church but I don’t get anything out of it. I have tried to serve the Lord, but things don’t work out right. These are common questions, but dangerous ones. We can see faith (if one had it at … Read more
Reading the Book of Proverbs Proverbs, with 31 chapters, is a book that fits well into a monthly reading program. You can read one chapter each day of the month, with minor adjustment and at the end of the year you will have read it twelve times! Some sections are made up of paragraphs … Read more
Should I Take the Bible Literally? The answer to this question depends on what a person means by it! The Bible is clearly and obviously full of metaphors, hyperbolas, and various figures of speech. That is true of all human communication, both written and verbal. For example, Jesus said: “I am the door. If anyone … Read more
Why is Satan so Effective? Satan is effective in pulling people into sin and rebellion because he ignores all the rules. Most significantly – he is a liar. Read the Bible account of the first sin (Genesis 3:1-6). Satan will tell you whatever you want to hear. He will contradict God, truth and reality without … Read more
Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness. Jesus said: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Hunger and thirst are blessings because they push one to get what is desperately needed for survival. If you hunger and thirst for righteousness Jesus promises that you will be filled. You will get what you … Read more
How Do I Get the Fruit of the Spirit? The fruit of the Spirit is not something you receive. It is something He produces in you! Fruit is the produce of plants. The word is often used metaphorically for all kinds of things produced. In Galatians 5:22-23 “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, … Read more
Are You A Peacemaker? Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). I picture myself mediating between two parties at odds with each other, telling them to calm down and forgive. What a noble idea. However, that is not what Jesus means. Peacemakers are called sons of God … Read more
Can I Learn to Interpret Scripture? People beginning to read and study the Bible are often afraid that they will not be able to understand it. How can I make sure I am reading it right. What is the key to proper interpretation? We need to start with the confidence that God as our … Read more
