In Upper Room conversations, we can find hope for our every day
Our difficulties create opportunity for the enemy to distract and discourage, even going so far as to suggest that God surely is not with us. These are times when we must lean in on the promises of God. And these are the times when if we falter, we can discover the richness and beauty of repentance and restoration.
Learning to lead as the servant of all is a lifelong journey
So who is in charge in your home? Your job? Your club? Your town or country? You may have a title that says you are at the top of the ladder, but are you?
How we can keep going even when we don’t how things will turn out
Wouldn’t it be great if we just knew how everything would turn out? But we don’t. And the disciples didn’t. But Jesus does.
How to avoid the real possibility of drifting away from Jesus
Allowing idle thoughts can be good. But letting them lead us away from Jesus is dangerous. There are several ways to keep that from happening.
Many questions, but some with answers we’ll not know here on earth
Questions abound . . . some of them good, some of them with motives that inspire even more questions. And some come from God himself.
How to react if deliverance doesn't come when we think we need it
Like you, I sometimes have trouble for a long time before deliverance appears. And sometimes it seems the wicked walk away from trouble and not into it. Did the wise writer of Proverbs get something wrong?
Sitting at God’s right hand, Jesus is the source of our strength
The only place I know to go in hard times is to Jesus. With all of my training and experience, I find myself running to Jesus again and again.
Why submitting to authorities is a mandate, not just a nice idea
I have always been perplexed by the mixed responses from followers of Christ to the various instructions in scripture about submitting to rulers and authorities. It seems we tend to claim these verses when we like the elected official and ignore or explain away the instruction when we don’t.
How to embrace our role as an influencer for God—no matter our age
Paul gives some valuable instruction about roles in the church we may not discuss enough. What should older men and women do to keep a church healthy?
What I learned about spiritual restoration by refinishing furniture
As much as we like to think we can figure life out by ourselves and fix the broken pieces in us on our own, time and time again we fail. We are all in need of restoration.
Power, stones, and disciples laying down their coats. What do they mean?
Although both the Pharisees and the disciples wanted to see Jesus accomplish the same end, none of them understood the real reason for his coming.
How the ‘Great Commission’ is for more than overseas missionaries
We tend to think of this instruction of Jesus as applying most to those who serve far away where we can’t go. But every believer has the responsibility to be a disciple-maker in every area of their everyday life,
Why we need not wait for some ‘big moment’ for God to use us
We remember Esther’s big “for-such-a-time-as-this” moment. But we need to think about all the less noted moments before that, moments that made this one possible.
Jesus may not do what we want and when we want it, but he will prevail
Jesus was not the hero wanted and expected by those who first encountered him. But he accomplished his purpose in ways no one would have anticipated.
Have you reached maturity? Read this before you give your answer
We all probably want the ones we love and, frankly, ourselves to be among the mature, because maturity brings the best chance at a healthy and purposeful life.
Paul’s encouragement to Timothy sets the path for our discipleship
Timothy would soon be without his mentor Paul. He would also be facing new and more difficult challenges in his ministry, and his older and wiser mentor was trying to prepare him for the journey yet to come.
Fear: the enemy’s tactic to discourage and distract us from God’s work
Just as Nehemiah’s detractors used fear to try to stop his work, fear may distract us from the work God has for us to do.
Three verses support my commitment and ability not to be afraid
I don’t know exactly when I started repeating and praying these three verses. But for at least 15 years, they have been a part of my daily routine. They have reminded me why I don’t need to be afraid.
Turn to Proverbs to discover the very best prevention for burnout
Experts say the problem is increasing, but Solomon’s ancient wisdom can help those trapped by burnout today.
How to embrace the calling that comes to you as a follower of Christ
I have tried to live in such a way that I heard the nudge from God telling me what to do next. I’m noticing today that Paul’s words to Timothy can help me figure that out in the future.