James and the Resurrection
Christians around the world celebrated the day when Jesus rose from the dead. Truthfully, we do that every Sunday, but, by tradition and convention, it’s especially celebrated once a year—Easter Sunday. Why do I believe that Jesus was resurrected? Admittedly, the resurrection is an extraordinary claim. Yes, there are many documented cases of people dying […]
“Can the Leopard Change Its Spots?” Eternal Security and the Limits of Free Will
By Bob Wilkin A friend sent me this second-hand question: “If God desires for us to always have free will, why would He not allow us to give back the free gift of eternal life if we so choose?” That is a common objection. I’ve also been told that while no one can pluck us […]
Resurrection Life, Right Now!
By Phil Congdon Spring is the season of resurrection—as the whole world seems to come alive from its winter hibernation and burst forth with new promise. Here in Texas, the profusion of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, verbena, and a host of other wildflowers is a vivid reminder—resurrection time is here! For Christians, the word “resurrection” means […]
Look Only at the Lord (Matthew 14:30)
By Shawn Lazar I have a devotional by Watchman Nee called The Lord Is My Portion. In the reading for January 22nd, Nee meditates on Matt 14:30 which reads: But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Nee comments: In […]
Top 5 Questions to Initiate Spiritual Conversations
By Summer Stevens I’ve taken several personality inventories lately that have all given me the same general result: I’m a “people-person.” To me, people are fascinating. I count it a privilege to learn someone’s story or be trusted with someone’s heart, and it’s rare I come across a person I don’t find interesting. I’m almost […]
The Truth About Truth
By Dix Winston A pastor, a college professor, and a boy scout were flying together on a small plane when the pilot had a heart attack and died. Since none of them could fly the plane and it was headed down, they began looking for parachutes. They only found two. This created a moral dilemma: […]
The Place of Failure in the Christian Life
By Bob Wilkin Over the years I’ve had lots of failures in life. I know we all have. But I’m more acutely aware of my own failures than I am of those of others. Have you ever felt like giving up on your job, your ministry in your church, or on some major responsibility you […]
Nine Reliable Evidences of Justification by Faith apart from Works (Romans 3:28)
By Bob Wilkin “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” While working on a book on one hundred verses which prove that salvation is by faith alone, apart from works, I came across an interesting explanation of what Paul meant in Rom 3:28 when he […]
Becoming a Man of the Book
By Shawn Lazar Are you an elder? Do you hope to become one? Are you trying to raise them up in your church? If so, Donald Norbie has some practical advice. In his booklet, Shepherd the Flock, Norbie summarizes the qualifications and functions of the elder. One qualification is being “able to teach” (1 Tim […]
You Can Keep Them (Daniel 5:17)
By Ken Yates We all know the stories about Daniel. He was a faithful servant of the Lord during a trying time in Israel’s history. He had been taken captive when he was a teenager and lived the rest of his life in Babylon. When we get to chap. 5, Daniel is a man in […]