The Real Reason for Sin
James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth...
I’m Just a Lowly Brotha’ From Anotha’ Mutha’
James 1:9-11 - Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful...
More Wisdom Please
James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not...
More Patience Please
James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (NKJV)My first thought was to write:...
Is Hell Real and Eternal?
Matthew 25:46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (NKJV; emphasis mine) It is becoming more and more popular in fundamental Christian circles to deny the existence of a real, perpetual and eternal...
Help Me In My Un-Whatever
Mark 9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (NKJV)I read that verse for the ten thousandth time this weekend, and it struck me: if God can help my unbelief, can't He help me with my other...
Five Christian Goals: Serving Like Christ (Heart)
(Matthew 16:24) - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV; emphasis mine) We are studying five primary goals of the Christian life, taking each goal in three steps of...
Five Christian Goals: Serving Like Christ (Head) – Part 8
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV; emphasis mine) We are studying five primary goals of the...
Learning From Abby
Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. (NKJV; emphasis mine) Jesus loved children and plainly said we should be just like them. Jesus wasn’t just talking trust,...
You Might Not Get the Answer You Want
Mark 10:17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (NKJV) Often, we don't ask God life changing questions like "which choice should I make?" or "what do...
Time To Cry
There are times in life when circumstances are so intense it’s hard to communicate the range and depth of emotion, even for a writer. The diagnosis of cancer for your three year old adopted daughter would qualify as such a time.My wife and I are “managers” in the face...
Mechanical Ministry
Mark 5:34 -He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."Recently, I ran across the following stats while reading:The Gospels communicate roughly 132 contacts Jesus had with ordinary people outside of his group of...
Growing Spiritually
Heb 10: 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (NKJV)Where are you in your Christian walk?You don't really know much about God. You know about God...
God’s Statistics
Hebrews 13:5-6 ... “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (NKJV) Our adopted Guatemalan daughter, Abby, was diagnosed with Leukemia 4 days ago. Here are some statistics about...
An Opportunity for Faith
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (NKJV)The Lord has chosen to bless our family with an opportunity for faith, trust, witness and spiritual growth. The Bible...
Relevant Words From the Past
Ezekiel 22:30 - I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. I don't often use material from other writers or teachers. Too often, people just...
Your Real Need
Mark 2:4-5 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins...
Five Christian Goals: Proclaiming Christ (Action) – Part 7
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)(Matthew 16:24) - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV; emphasis mine) We are studying five primary goals of...
Nothing To Whine About
(Psalm 103:1) - Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! (NKJV; emphasis mine) There are multitudes of Christians today that face death, imprisonment, starvation, beatings, banishment and worse. This message is not particularly for...
Who Is Not Getting In to Jesus?
Mark 2:4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. (NKJV) We were looking at a passage in the Gospel of Mark this morning...
Five Christian Goals: Proclaiming Christ (Conviction) – Part 6
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)(Matthew 16:24) - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV; emphasis mine) We are studying five primary goals of...
Five Christian Goals: Proclaiming Christ (Knowledge) – Part 5
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)(Matthew 16:24) - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV; emphasis mine) We are studying five primary goals of...
Five Christian Goals: Living Like Christ (Action) – Part 4
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)(Matthew 16:24) - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV; emphasis mine) We are studying five primary goals of...
Five Christian Goals: Living Like Christ (Conviction) – Part 3
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)(Matthew 16:24) - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV; emphasis mine) We are studying five primary goals of...
Five Christian Goals: Living Like Christ (Knowledge) – Part 2
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)(Matthew 16:24) - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV; emphasis mine) We are studying five primary goals of...
Five Christian Goals: Introduction – Part 1
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)(Matthew 16:24) - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV; emphasis mine) We recently spent a couple of Sunday...
Pastor Oprah
Acts 4:12 - Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (NKJV; emphasis mine)For those of you who have read my stuff for very long, you will know that it is only on a rare occasion I address...
Head God, Heart God – Final Thoughts – Part 3
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Mark 9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (NKJV)Let's finish talking about this difference between what our head knows about God versus...
Head God, Heart God – Continued – Part 2
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Mark 9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (NKJV)We continue to look at some interesting questions that reveal the difference between what...
Head God, Heart God – Part 1
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Mark 9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (NKJV)I read a book recently and one particular chapter really caught my attention. While my...
The Most Important Fact of All History
1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. (NKJV) The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important event and fact of all of human creation and history. It has neither equal nor competitor in...
Reading the Bible Naturally
Did you realize that the original New Testament was a series of letters and written accounts and not the "textbook" that we have now, all chopped up into little bitty pieces? The titles of the books, chapters, versus and all the little subdivision headings and notes...
What’s It Look Like?
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; (NKJV) I heard someone today talk about "what's the Christian life supposed to look...
Ten Thousand Against Me
Psalm 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. (NKJV) There have been many times in my life when I realize how thankful I am to be a Christian. Not only for salvation and God's blessings, but also for what I'm...
Defining Christianity
Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. (NKJV)2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires,...
Like a Christian Who Has Not Read Romans
Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (NKJV) We are in the middle of another Presidential election year. America is more polarized than ever...
Perseverance
Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, (NKJV)(Note: for this lesson, we are not talking about the theological idea of eternal security which some call "perseverance of the saints". We are...
I Can Do All Things Through… What?
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV) We've all heard countless messages on this verse. They usually relate to themes of overcoming great odds, or facing uncertainty or fear which of course is a correct and relevant...
The Declaration of Independence – A Modern Language Version by Brent Riggs
Author PrefaceThe Declaration of Independence is an incredible document that communicates the reasons why many people pledged their life, wealth and honor to risk war and death to create the United States of America we now take for granted.For many years I have...
I Will Not Be Moved
(Psalm 21:7) - For the king trusts in the Lord, And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved. (NKJV)I love the Psalms. When you read them, they either reflect life as you are experiencing it, or remind you of things you should be focused on. In Psalms...
A New Year Lord Willing
Acts 17:28 for in Him we live and move and have our being... (NKJV) This is my first devotional writing of 2008. I had intended to get back to writing a couple of days ago, but have just been in sort of a weird, contemplative mood/funk. It all started two days before...
Just Me
Psalm 33:15 He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. (NKJV) Psalm 33:15 He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works. (NKJV) I'm often amazed to know that God really does know "me". Somehow, God is able to give His...
Whats In a Name?
NAMES WERE VERY SIGNIFICANT IN BIBLE TIMES. God often used a person's name to reveal aspects of his background, character, or destiny.For instance, God changed Abram's name from Abram (Heb., "exalted father") to Abraham ("father of a multitude"), pointing to the...
Come To The Water
Isaiah 55:1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. (NKJV)As an American especially, there is MUCH to be concerned about in these increasingly...
Has God abandoned America?
Proverbs 1:31 “Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way...” (NKJV) View an online multimedia presentation of this message at www.hasgodabandonedamerica.com Introduction Christians are known for alarmist sensationalism, partly because of Biblical apocalyptic...
What Would I Do
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? (NKJV) Have you ever stopped to think about how we unconsciously assume our own reaction or choices if we were part of certain Bible stories? And, truth be known, most...
Heaven: Can You Imagine What It Will Be Like
Revelation 21:1 - Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away... (NKJV)Today's lesson is actually an audio/visual online presentation I've been working on for a few weeks. It's a different format than I've ever...
A Prayer for Comfort For My Faults
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God... (NJKV)O Living God,I bless You..That I can see both the good and the bad in my heart;That I can weep over the sins that carry me away from You;That in your great love and mercy You discipline...
The ‘RE’ Thread – Redeem – Part 3
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Revelation 21:1, 4 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea... And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall...
The ‘RE’ Thread – Return, Restore, Renew – Part 2
(Click here to search for all the posts in this series...)Revelation 21:1, 4 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea... And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall...