The spiritual condition of England, right before the great 18th century awakening, was worse than what we are facing in America today. Interestingly, the social commentators of that day are quoted as laying the blame at the feet of "passionlessness…
God is incredulous. In Isaiah 44, God can't get over the foolishness of someone cutting down a cypress or cedar and from the same tree trunk, burn wood to cook over, make a fire to keep you warm, and carve…
Paul wrote that... ...the stories of God's people in the Old Testament "happened to them as an example" for us and "were written down as warnings for us..." (1 Corinthians 10:11) Warnings? Turns out we live in a culture that…
There are two equally extreme and dangerous attitudes about spiritual warfare. One extreme spends so much time on the devil and what he is doing in the world that people end up being more impressed with him and more engaged…
Praise or Worship. What's the difference? I was asked this question in a recent "sermon" at Westgate Chapel, based on questions texted to the church from the congregation. I jokingly said the difference was tempo. But the question deserves a…
It makes no sense! That's the first thought that came to mind when I read the story of King Amaziah, in 2 Chronicles 25... especially what he did right after God helped him defeat the Edomites. Amaziah brought back the…
What are we willing to accept from the hand of the Lord? Generally, we have a theology in America that freely accepts blessing as from the Lord, but really struggles to believe that hardship can come from Him, also. Figuring…
You can't be cute and have Him wonderful at the same time. That is a statement attributed to a nineteenth century Canadian pastor and theologian, Henry Ironside. And it especially holds true today in a Christian culture where celebrity is…
You will recognize that as Jesus' response to John the Baptist's question, asked from Herod's prison. John had sent his disciples to ask Jesus whether He was "the one who was to come, or shall we look for another?" It…
Anyone in any kind of ministry knows the huge struggle it can be at times. I think our western view of ministry is that it should be "struggle free" if we are doing it right... and should be evidently successful…