The Next Step

Posted by on 2.13.12 in Bible Study, Devotional

“When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to” (Acts 16:7).Acts 16:6 10 contains several mysteries and much useful information concerning God’s will. The mysteries revolve around two divine refusals experienced by the apostle Paul and his company. At two defin…

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Imperfect

Posted by on 1.28.12 in Devotional

Anyone out there feeling a little bit “imperfect” today? Thank you, I see that hand being raised. Mine too. Here are some encouraging words for “imperfect” people from Charles Spurgeon: Do you not feel in your own soul that perfection is not in you? Does not every day teach you that? Every tear which trickles from your e…

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“The Lord Hates Me”

Posted by on 1.26.12 in Devotional

“You grumbled in your tents and said, “The LORD hates us” (Deuteronomy 1:27). Obviously the Lord hates you. That’s why he worked miracles for you in Egypt.That’s why he parted the Red Sea for you.That’s why he gave you manna and quail.That’s why he gave you water in the desert.That’s why he came t…

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A “So That” Prayer for China

Posted by on 1.24.12 in Devotional, Prayer, Radio

After Robert Schuler attended one of our Chicago home meetings for the new China partnership with Trans World Radio, he wrote me a note containing his “so that” pray for China:"I’ll be praying every day between now and 3/26 – that God would prepare the hearts of the Chinese people, that He would bring attention to the broadc…

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So That

Posted by on 1.23.12 in Devotional, Prayer

A few years ago my friend Robert Schuler shared with me one of the most important insights on prayer I’ve ever heard. Over supper one night Robert told us how he prayed:"When I pray I always try to include the phrase ’so that.’ I heard a guest preacher mention that in a sermon several years ago, and I’ve been doing i…

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Take Up Your Cross

Posted by on 1.4.12 in Devotional

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).Every man has a “cross” to bear. It is always “his cross,” a unique and very personal set of circumstances.Carrying that cross requires a personal decision, an initiative, an act of the will.What sort of man …

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“I Resign”

Posted by on 12.14.11 in Christmas, Devotional

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).I have always been intrigued by a phrase in this famous Christmas verse-"and the government will be on his shoulders.” It means …

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Unfixable

Posted by on 12.10.11 in Christmas, Devotional

Last Sunday the pastor made a passing comment that has stayed with me. While preaching about Jesus bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders (“the government will be on his shoulders,” Isaiah 9:6), he remarked that Christmas is the season for fixing thing. “I’m a fixer,” he said. He went to say that some pe…

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Homer Simpson’s Thanksgiving Wisdom

Posted by on 11.23.11 in Devotional, Thanksgiving

The Bible tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), but sometimes it’s not easy to do.Last Sunday our pastor made a passing comment that seemed exactly right to me. “This may have been the worst year of your life. If so, give thanks that you have survived it."We all chuckled knowingly becau…

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Counterintuitive Faith

Posted by on 10.20.11 in Devotional

Marlene and I were having dinner with some close friends who are also supporters of our ministry. At one point during a delightful evening, the husband looked at me and said, “What you are doing is counterintuitive.” The dictionary defines counterintuitive as being “contrary to what common sense would suggest.” As I thou…

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