1. Read Five Psalms Each DayMaking the Psalms a consistent part of our time studying the Bible is enriching and important. The Psalms are meant to be sung and prayed, but so often we just read through them on our own for words of encouragement. Like Billy Graham, we ought to be intentional about spending time in this vital part of Scripture.To help

1. Cry out to GodSometimes it’s as simple as, “Dear God, help!” and that’s okay. He’s there. And He already knows everything that’s happening (Psalm 70:1). Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/Sergey Nivens2. Get rationalFigure out what needs to be done and do it. Call 911, help him breathe, etc. Put your emotions in a box and deal with the emergency. God g

“There no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (26)“Certain fearful expectation of judgment” (27)"Fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (27)Worse punishment than those who rejected Moses’ law (28-29)God is gracious, compassionate, and forgiving. But He is a just and holy God and His standards remain the same. His attitude toward sin

During the reign of Saul, the ark had been shamefully neglected. Consequently, the people had, to a great extent, been careless about the ordinances of divine worship, or had contented themselves with offering sacrifices at Gibeon, without any thought of the ark, though it was the chief and most vital part of the tabernacle. The duty and advantages

Slaves Who Are FriendsPerhaps the key passage on Jesus' demand for implicit obedience is one already alluded to-John 15:14-15: "You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have m

who does not change like shifting shadows:As there is in that great luminary, the sun in the firmament, which has its parallaxes, eclipses, and turnings, and casts its shadow. It rises and sets, appears and disappears every day; and it comes out of one tropic, and enters into another at certain seasons of the year. But with God, who is light itself

A Sad Reality...A part of my online presence affords me the tremendous opportunity to interact with dozens of pastors every month. One thing I’ve observed in recent years is that many of the pastors I encounter aren’t really looking for advice on how to lead a church. They are looking for a friend. Sadly, many pastors don’t have any friends – not t

1. Other churchgoers annoy you.One of the most countercultural and challenging aspects of the Christian church is that it draws people together from very diverse backgrounds. This is what the gospel does! This means it's very likely you'll be worshiping alongside people who you'd normally never choose to interact with. And this can be awkward and a

While sometimes vexing, this annual exercise reminds me of one of Jesus’ early followers—a man that few (if any) would have identified as open to the good news of salvation. I speak, of course, about Zaccheus. Tax gatherer for the Romans, address Jericho. A man working for an occupying force Israelites hated, collecting its taxes while free to exto

Have at least one mature member of the faith in or leading the group Christians need mentors who have had similar life experiences, so they can guide believers through the beginning stages of that season.Barnabas mentored Paul. Paul mentored Timothy (2 Timothy 2:2). Titus 2:3 talks about older women serving in a mentorship role “teaching what is go

1. Affliction drives us to God in prayerIs anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. James 5:13Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. Ps 107:6When the sun’s shining and everything’s going our way, we don’t feel our need for God. But desperate times lead to desperate prayer. When we’re helpless to ch

1. Looking Down on Someone When someone I know does something wrong, is my first response to judge and look down on them? This might come in the form of disgust or pity, neither of which is helpful. I need to find out why they did it before I begin any judgment of their actions. Hearing them out doesn’t give them an excuse for their wrongdoing, but

How many people today are attempting to run their lives as if they were God? They feel that they don't need God, and they live without Him. The interesting thing is that when God made us He did not put a steering wheel on any of us. Why? Because He wants to guide our lives. He wants us to come to Him for salvation first, and then He wants to take c

God’s blessings are the real things that produce real effects. We can but wish a blessing: He commands it.The enlargement of territory Jabez prayed for was deeply connected to the landscape of his heart. He left many disciples behind, not possessions. The territory of his heart expanded and overflowed to those around him.“That God would enlarge our

1) Take full responsibility.Proverbs 28:13If you made a mistake, own it. Don’t explain it away, minimize it, or shift the blame to others. Just admit that you blew it, and take full responsibility. If you fail to own it, then others will question your integrity, and your problems will mount. It takes guts and true character to admit when you’ve m

1. Big goals are more attainable than small goals. Do you know why people fail to read the Bible in 365 days? It’s too easy. That’s right. Reading two or three chapters a day is so easy that it’s actually difficult. About the only easy thing I can successfully do every day is brush my teeth. But immersing myself in a big time challenge for 60 days?

1. Mean JesusPerhaps this image of Jesus comes from social media and the rants we see from devoted churchgoers. Maybe it is our constant news sources bickering over who is better. Or it could be you had a hellfire and brimstone pastor growing up, and this became your earliest depiction of Jesus. Mean and angry, full of wrath, ranting and raging abo

These have further set before us the proofs He has given of His majesty in judgments by floods and fires, the rules appointed by Him for securing His favor, as well as the retribution in store for the ignoring, forsaking and keeping them, as being about at the end of all to adjudge His worshippers to everlasting life, and the wicked to the doom of

Have you ever been glad (rather than grieved) to see a colleague fall, as if this vindicated you? (If a brother or sister’s failure is your success, you do not have the heart of the Lord.)These are all symptoms of the Jonah Syndrome, and the sooner we recognize them, the sooner we can repent and ask the Lord for a transformation of heart.A number o

Sometimes we become impatient in the waiting. Whether positive or negative, change usually brings feelings of fear, anxiety, indecision, tension, confusion, hopelessness. Our emotions are a part of change. Seasons of change can last for a few weeks, months, and even years. Change lasting longer than expected can often be agonizing.Oftentimes, we lo