Self-denial does not come naturally. It is a learned virtue (often hard-learned), encouraged by few and modeled by even fewer, especially among those who are what we’ve come to know as Type A personalities.
Read MoreCategory Archives: Prayer
Prayer of Faith
Isn’t it amazing how often people try everything but prayer? It’s like the old saying: “When everything else fails, read the instructions.” The same with prayer. When everything else fails, try prayer. “Okay, okay . . . maybe we should pray about it.”
Read MoreDivided Allegiance
Divided allegiance is as wrong as open idolatry. “How long will you hesitate between two opinions?” Elijah asks the people of Israel. The easiest thing to do when you are outnumbered or overwhelmed is to remain in that mediocre state of noncommitment.
Read MoreWhen Tragedy Strikes
I’m deeply impressed by the man’s gentleness. Though Elijah deserved none of the woman’s blame, he stood silent under her blast. That’s gentleness. Someone, somewhere, has called this fruit of the Spirit “the mint-mark of heaven.”
Read More”A Very Present Help”
David had reached the point in life where some people think of taking their own lives. He was so far down the ladder of despair that he’d reached the bottom rung. The last stop.
Read MoreDoing Time
Now we know why God met with Moses. But what did He reveal? Verse 12 tells us: He revealed His written word. The first thing God gave to this man who met with Him was His truth in written form.
Read MoreI Will Not Retreat
Right after God told Moses what He would do, He said to him, “You must believe it. I command you to do this thing.” “Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron about the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt, . . .”
Read MoreLessons in Adversity
This is a good time to call to mind several lessons we can learn from Jacob’s family and Joseph’s adversity. The first is obvious. No enemy is more subtle than passivity. When parents are passive, they may eventually discipline . . .
Read MoreA Surprising Answer to Prayer
Many years ago one of my mentors told me a story I have never forgotten. A missionary was home on furlough, traveling by car from church to church.
Read MoreA Puritan’s Prayer
Some years ago I was given a book of Puritan prayers called The Valley of Vision. I have worn out one copy and had to purchase another. I recommend this volume to you. Read the following prayer from the Puritan’s pen slowly.
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