December 2011 Blog Posts (52)

I have sent you several messages on prayer, and once again I assure you that I am not an expert. I am still learning the wonder and power of prayer, myself. I am simply sharing what I am learning. I hope you don't mind. Some people prefer to hear from professionals and people who have it all figured out . . . well, that ain't me.

But after reading some of the responses to my messages it seems obvious that some of us really struggle with the whole concept of prayer. Some go through the…

Times of Prayer

Seeing the collapse of economies, devastation that many nations endure and general hopelessness that people face, the only answer to every situation is Christ. Therefore there is an ever increasing demand for us to be radical witnesses for Christ.

Matt 9:36-38 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest , therefore, to send out workers into his harvest…

A few days ago, we attended our grandson, Dominic’s pre-school Christmas program. Some of Dominic’s classmates rang bells to the tune of a familiar Christmas carol. Not wanting to miss the perfect timing to ring his bell, one little guy got so overly excited that when his moment finally arrived, he hit himself in the head with his bell! Bamboozled by the incident, he held one hand to his throbbing forehead while unsuccessfully attempting to get back into rhythm with his…

I am sure you have heard Psalm 37:23 quoted many times. It says, “The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord . . .” (Psalm 37:23). What you may not have known, is that the Hebrew word used for “ordered,” means “fixed or pre-planned.” What this is saying is that our days are fixed or pre-planned, but we don't know what those plans are. As frustrating as it might be, our Father doesn’t work with a day planner. He doesn’t plan out our path a day, week or a year ahead. No, he…

God has a way of testing us when we don't even realize it. I was sharing dinner with a group last night. Most of these people don't share my belief that Christians should be meeting in the homes. They attend institutional churches. I was talking to some of the other people who are somewhat open to the idea of home church and I was just describing how for the first 300 years of Christianity people met in the homes not church buildings. Well, the hostess of the evening, who attends an…

Yesterday I hope you were lead into a wonderful time of prayer. I didn’t want you being a foolish “virgin,” but someone who was filled with Wisdom. So this morning’s message is for those of you who need an answer to prayer; those who need help in a time of trouble—and more to the point, those who are ready and willing to move our Father’s heart according to His Word.

First, lay hold of this covenant promise in Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help…

My my, times have changed, haven’t they? There used to be such a purity and innocence before a wedding. I was reading the story in Matthew about some girls who were classified as being either wise, or foolish. Now this was before my time, but I found out that the custom was for the groom to go to the home of the bride's parents to get his bride. Young girls and other guests would then go with them to the home of the groom's parents, where the wedding feast would take place.

So keep…

How many of you used to watch the Three Stooges? I remember one episode where they were invited to eat at a very stately and prestigious dinner. To say the least, they were uncouth, but when the dinner bell rang, all three of them rushed in and grabbed their seats.

lol. Well, that’s what we see happening in a story found in the 14^th chapter of Luke. You see, Jesus was invited by a certain chief Pharisee to “eat bread” in his house. Other Pharisees had also been…

It is Christmas morning and I am sure you expected me to give you a message to celebrate this day, and quote our favorite passage for Christmas:

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding…

I have hope. As Elton Trueblood wrote, “The endurance of our faith (referring to our Christian faith) is that of Ezekiel, that no matter how dry the bones may be, breath can come into them and they can live.”

Oh how I agree with that. I hear all kinds of negative talk about our Lord’s Church, and yes, He told us that there would be a great “falling away.” But my job is to encourage as many as I can to remain steadfast in our faith. To that end, I was reading Ephesians 5:1-2,…

I am sorry for this, but I have to get this off my chest. I often meet ministers who proudly announce their presence and proclaim their ministry. As if everything revolves around them. Brothers, I encourage you to seek to edify—to build up—”The Church” and forget about your ministry and start thinking about His ministry. You are just one of a thousand gifted teachers and preachers.

Several years ago I discovered that I may have a particular calling and gift, but if I think too highly…

A few days ago, I over-heard a young mother threatening her misbehaving child with this old familiar standby, “Santa’s not going to bring you any presents if you don’t behave!” While it may be a common coercion, my heart immediately cringed.

Ponder, if you would, the meaning of the lyrics to this familiar Christmas tune:

You better watch out

You better not cry

Better not pout

I'm telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to town

He's making a list…

Yesterday I told you about a brother I had picked up on the highway as I was traveling back from Texas. Now please understand that I shared that story just to show how Holy (or gullible) I am. No, no. I'm kidding. I just wanted to illustrate the reality of what the Lord is calling each of us to. Some may call me a sucker because I fell for this guy’s story. Well, maybe even I am a fool, but that is okay. Jesus is taking the foolish things in the eyes of the world and confounding their…

Every day a Miracle

Every day there is a desire in us to experience the supernatural. Many with agree with me that when we seek the face of our God and Father we want to live in the supernatural every moment of our lives. Looking at the life of Mary she lived the miracle she experienced not just for the day but every day after it also.

When she was told that she is going be with child she said Luke 1:34 Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be,…

Social care is not my problem?

On the way from Middlesbrough to London

Mission 7

Story 7

I lived in Middlesbrough for five years and during that time I got very involved with the students in the local college.  Gradually the number of students coming to our church community increased substantially. A number of the students were doing degrees in social work and we often had long conversations…

Times of Prayer

Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains  Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns !"

I trust that you are also taking time to refresh yourself in the Lord and spending some good times of fellowship with your family over this holiday season. We are also not short of programmes displaying the goodness,…

I love Romans 8:14: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God . . .” Yes, okay. I realize I love the whole chapter . . . okay. Yes, I love the whole letter, but right now let’s focus on being led and walking in the Spirit. In fact, not only did Paul encourage the church in Rome by saying that if you are “led by the Spirit, you are the children of God . . .” he also the church in Galatia to, “Walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).

The Amplified Version makes it…