The Privileged Calling

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. (1 Timothy 1:12)

I have formed a good habit over the years, that when I experience frustrating situations, I read and re-read 1 and 2 Timothy.

The Rise of the Antichrist, Part 1

And so you know what holds him back, so that he will be revealed in his own time. For the hidden power of lawlessness is already at work. However, the one who holds him back will do so until he is taken out of the way, and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom…

Thanking God in Hard Times

But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. He called you to this salvation through our gospel, so that you may possess the…

The Rise of the Antichrist, Part 2

The arrival of the lawless one will be by Satan’s working with all kinds of miracles and signs and false wonders, and with every kind of evil deception directed against those who are perishing, because they found no place in their hearts for the truth so as to be…

Taking on His Yoke

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my Yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28–30 NKJV)

Hard Hearts in the Last Days

For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. (2 Thes. 2:11–12, NASB)

Pursue Righteousness

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11)

In the 1972 Olympics, Finnish runner Lasse Viren competed in the 10,000 meter race — a grueling long distance. Finnland had not won a…

A Tough But Essential Command

But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition they received from us. (2 Thes. 3:6 NET)

That Your Joy May Be Full

And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:4 NKJV)

In a Presbyterian church in Omaha, Nebraska, the worshipers were given helium-filled balloons so they could express their joy. Since they were Presbyterians, the service was a bit…

If You Believe

Jesus answered them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, if you believe, you will receive.” (Matthew…

Moving onto Maturity

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will…

Guilt-free Blessings

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all… The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (2 Thes. 3:16–18, NKJV)

If I were known for only one thing in my ministry I would hope that it would be to bless…

Being Grateful

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Being grateful is both a grace gift and a Christian discipline, not a Christian emotion. We are not to be grateful only when we feel like it, but by faith we are to…

Engaging the Enemy Together

Finally, pray for us, brothers and sisters, that the Lord’s message may spread quickly and be honored as in fact it was among you, and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil people. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect…

Ethics and Consequences

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)

How fair are your ethics?

The Harvest Is Great

The harvest is so great, and the workers are so few. (Matthew 9:37, Living Bible)

I often read from a series of devotions for missionaries called Beyond Call, written by Dr. Baker James Cauthen, former General Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board for the Southern…