Theology

05 Dec

Spiritual Warfare #4 Chocolate Soldiers?

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:10-12 “Difficulties, dangers, disease, death, or divisions don’t deter any but Chocolate Soldiers from executing God’s Will....

06 Oct

Spiritual Warfare #3 The Fighting Old Fogies

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [2 Tim 4:7] “Where in the Bible do we see retirement? Did Moses retire? Did Paul retire? Peter? Do military officers retire in the midst of war?” Dr. Ralph Winter I have a pastoral friend who told me of a great story concerning his three year old granddaughter. He caught her staring at him for a long time. Finally, he said to her, “What’s a...

16 Sep

Spiritual Warfare #2 Strong In the Lord

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:10-12 His adversaries complained that “Wilberforce jumped up whenever they knocked him down.” One of...

21 Aug

Spiritual Warfare #1 Basic Training

[The first in a series of articles designed to show how we can fight and win the battle for faith and joy by being strong in the Lord and by using the spiritual weapons he has provided.] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the...

01 May

Providence #6 Providence and Ministry

Providence and Service “Almighty God, just because He is almighty needs no support. Twentieth-century Christianity has put God on charity. So lofty is our opinion of ourselves that we find it quite easy, if not enjoyable, to believe we are necessary to God.” A.W. Tozer When I was growing up in the church, it was a common thing to hear evangelists and missionaries attempt to motivate us to go to the ends of the earth to complete the Great Commission. I still...

14 Apr

Providence # 5 Providence and Prayer

Providence and Prayer “Prayer is not designed to inform God, but to give man a sight of his mercy; to humble his heart, to excite his desire, to inflame his faith, to animate his hope, to raise his soul from earth to heaven.” Adam Clark The doctrine of providence should give us great confidence. It affirms that God controls everything for the glory of his name and the salvation of his people. Paul said it like this: “In him we were also...

05 Apr

God So Loved-He Gave

God so loved…He gave. “All the different ways God has chosen to display his glory in creation and redemption seem to reach their culmination in the praises of his redeemed people. God governs the world with glory precisely that he might be admired, marveled at, exalted and praised. The climax of his happiness is the delight he takes in the echoes of his excellence in the praises of the saints.” John Piper It is the high point of our year. It is...

27 Mar

Providence #4 Providence and Evil

Providence and Evil “The church has not been spending its energy to go deep with the unfathomable God of the Bible. Against the overwhelming weight and seriousness of the Bible, much of the church is choosing, at this very moment, to become more light and shallow and entertainment-oriented, and therefore successful in its irrelevance to massive suffering and evil. The popular God of fun church is simply too small and too affable to hold a hurricane in his hand, The biblical...

07 Mar

Providence #3 Waiting on God’s Timing

“What may seem to us as “accidents” are no such things in the universe governed by the providence of the true and living God. Prayers may be directed to this mighty and reigning King knowing that while he tenderly and compassionately hears the cries of his people, he “sits” in the unique position of knowing perfectly what is best and possessing unthwarted power to bring to pass what he wills. The world is not spinning out of control; in fact,...

01 Mar

The Reason We Go and Stay

 “I could not exist if Jesus was not glorified; it would be hell to me if he were to be always thus dishonored.” Henry Martyn Countless men and women have left the comfort and safety of home for the risk and joy of missions. There are many reasons for choosing such a radical life: obedience to the Great Commission, love for the lost, and desire to share with the less fortunate. All of those are good motives. But, only one motivation...