If you have been following this prayer series so far, we have discussed worship, thanksgiving, and confession. The next topic embodies the bulk of what most people consider prayer. That is the intercession or requests made on the behalf of others such as praying for salvation, health, or help in trials that others are facing. …
The Heart of Confession: The Third Step of Prayer
One of the strongest indicators of God’s existence is the consistent sense of morality found in the hearts of men from every culture, tribe, and nation. Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican priest and philosopher from the thirteenth century, introduced this moral argument as an observation to consider. He noted that men compare values and goodness in …
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Prioritizing Worship When Life Is Hard….And When It Is Good.
If you have ever entered church, barely putting one foot in front of another because of the swirl of out-of-your-control circumstances going on in your life, you have prioritized worship over fear of the unknown. If you have ever chosen to make your reason for going to church God alone, amid church hurt, you have …
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Worship: In Marriage
A recent conversation with a missionary with more than three decades of experience discussed the sad state of Christian marriages. More than anything, he has seen marital conflict derail and destroy those who came to share the Gospel in his country as new missionaries. Their inability to solve conflict sent them home, many of them …
Worship: Adorned with Grace
Small children in Christian schools can be so hilarious. As a class lined up in opposition for a fierce, fake snowball fight last week, the “L” sign on the forehead with the accompanying taunts of “Loser” came out in full force. As the children’s PE coach, I asked the ringleader what the Bible said about …
Radical Reconciliation Before Worship
Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 1 Corinthians 6:7b Joni Eareckson Tada, who has spent more than fifty years in a wheelchair after a diving accident, often reminds her listeners, “God allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves.” While she refers to …
Worship: Loving God with All My Mind
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true…think on these things. Philippians 4:8 Who has walked through the valley of depression without learning a few lessons about how thoughts and emotions intertwine? Anxiety, panic attacks, and highly stressful situations can also teach us a similar lesson. It may seem like emotions are in the driver’s seat, …
Worship: By My Attire?
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17 I grew up in a conservative, Baptist church, for which I am thankful. Had two ladies not knocked on my door on a Saturday morning visit, …
Worship: A Personalized Journey
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. John 21:22 If there is anything that trips up my personal worship of my Savior, it is the same comparison trap Peter struggled with in his post-denial, post-resurrection conversation with Jesus. Paraphrasing, Peter queries, …
Abiding: Worship Beyond Sunday
Abide: “To remain or stay in a given place, state, or relation. It conveys a sense of persistence and continuity, often implying a steadfastness or enduring presence.” In the New Testament, it pictures a continual connection with Christ. (Bible Hub definition from Strong’s Concordance) Abiding is not a difficult concept when we consider occupying our …
His Song in the Night 