Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in His ways and keeping His statutes, His commandments, His rules, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn. — 1…
Depression: Fighting Dragons
Being the Hunted What did Jesus call people who were attacked by dragons, regardless of the righteous way they were conducting their lives? Jesus called these people normal. Jesus made a few promises about what would happen to us, regardless of our faith. Here is what Jesus promised those who love Him the most: In…
Why Your Prayers Need to Be Dangerous
Hey, Craig, do you believe God still does miracles?” “Of course,” I said. “Good — because your prayers are so lame.” I tried to laugh with him, but my friend’s joke stung — mostly because he was right. We had just left a prayer service together, back when I started working in ministry. My buddy…
Where is Our Fear Taking Us?
Fear Frenzy You’ve probably heard that fear of public speaking is one of the greatest fears in our society. That doesn’t come from some random backwoods survey. It actually originated with Chapman University and their now famous “Survey of American Fears,” which started in 2014. Among others that year were walking alone at night, being…
Jesus, Born a Servant
Editor’s note: As we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, enjoy these two short but powerful devotions on the beauty of the Incarnation from Eugene Peterson, beloved pastor and translator of the Message Bible. The 365-day devotional God’s Message for Each Day gathers Peterson’s best-loved, most powerful writing into a daily invitation to…
The Dude’s Guide to Marriage: Listening to Your Wife
Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way. — 1 Peter 3:7 Women like it when you listen to them. They are funny that way. My wife often asks if I hear what she says: “Are you really listening to me?” Many times I’m not. I mean, I am, but I’m not. I…
Thanksgiving Proclamation – George Washington
George Washington (1732–1799), the first President of the United States, was a deeply religious man. The famous portrait of Washington kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge captures his religious zeal and the role faith played in his personal and political life. He famously proclaimed in his 1796 Farewell Address, “Of all the dispositions and habits,…
Continue the Work of God
The annual National Religious Broadcasters conference came around again in the spring of 2020, right before the virus shut everything down. NRB held a bittersweet place in my life. It was a reminder that thirty minutes after my father had been inducted into their hall of fame, he was telling us that Mommy’s cancer had…
Beyond Valor
I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. — Psalm 34:4 KJV Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. — John 15:13 KJV We have a lot of problems in this country, but we should never forget…
Love Everybody, Always
Love Everybody, Always “Love one another.” What is simple often isn’t easy; what is easy often doesn’t last. It was a lawyer like me who tried to set up Jesus. This lawyer asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was. I think he was looking for a plan, but Jesus told him about his purpose instead.…