Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

You’ve probably heard the line about the guy who cried out to God in desperation, praying, “Lord, give me patience—and give it to me NOW!” Joseph could well have been driven to pray like that during many times in his life. He was sold into slavery by his brothers—only after Reuben, the eldest, persuaded the others not to kill him! (Actually, Reuben intended to rescue him later.)  In his slavery his conditions went up and down.  Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is my habit to daily read and confess Psalm 91 for myself and my family. This morning I just kept going and read Psalm 92. There I found such a gift!

Easter Sunday was a day of powerful praise and worship at Gateway Community Church—my church home. Yet we were doing so in the midst of electrical problems, some who were not feeling their best, and other issues that the world, the flesh and the devil had instigated. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I want to introduce you to my friend, Al Cagle. I’ve known Al and his wife, Jeane, for a number of years through our church, Gateway Community.  I’ve served with them on the drama team and come to love them both as two of God’s special people.

Jeane sent this example of Al’s writing to share with me and gave me permission to share it with you.  It is from an email he sent to the members of his Life Group.

The following is from Al: Read more »

Read My Big Break – Part One here.

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 Amp

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

Continuing to read from the mythical Book of William, Chapter 1:11:

¹¹And so it was that William was taken from the home of Hermann along the road to city of his home. The Lord continued to be faithful and to travel with him.

¹²Throughout the days that passed, faithful friends called and visited to inquire of his well-being and to bring meals to sustain and enjoy.

¹³There continued to be wailing and gnashing of teeth but, as at the home of Hermann, there were great blessings from God and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

¹⁴And the Lord continues to work to this day. Read more »

Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us]. Isaiah 7:14 Amp

All this took place that it might be fulfilled which the Lord had spoken through the prophet, Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel–which, when translated, means, God with us. Matthew 1:22-23 Amp

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One prophetic scripture written some 700 years before the second has a meaning beyond its own time.  Read more »

Read My Big Break – Part One here.

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 (Amp)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Continuing to read from the mythical Book of William, Chapter 1:7: Read more »

Read My Big Break – Part One here.

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 (Amp)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 

We continue reading from the Book of William, dropping down to Chapter 1:3:  Read more »

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Romans 8:28 (Amp)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

And so we begin by reading from the book of William 1:1-2,

¹And it came to pass in the year of our Lord 2008AD on the 25^th of November that Christine and William journeyed for an hour on the heavily-traveled road to the Gateway. They ventured forth to help with the decoration of the temple for the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²And as they gathered at the Gateway with other true believers they knew not of the great fall that awaited William nor that he would be taken from their midst by strangers who would offer healing for his broken body…. Read more »

And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord is my Banner.
Exodus 17:-15 Amp

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

However majestic the pageantry of an Olympic opening ceremony, the most thrilling part to me is the parade of athletes. As the athletes of each nation parade into the stadium, the proud citizens stand, applaud, and cheer for those who represent them. And each group is preceded by the flag of their country. Their banner goes before them as a rallying point for the nation they represent. Read more »

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:22-24 NIV

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I wrote recently about those Bible verses that contain words and phrases that seem to “jump out” at us when we read them because they’re contained in familiar songs of praise and worship.

Well, I had that experience just the other day when Hebrews 12:24 grabbed my attention. All at once I heard this song in my mind. Are you familiar with it? Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I was listening to the Avalon’s Faith – A Hymns Collection CD recently and came to their new arrangement of this great old song.

Hearing old hymns in a new way can cause us to hear them with “new ears.” This fresh perspective can help us realize the powerful messages they often contain. Read more »

For the LORD Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth. Psalm 47:2 NLT

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Those who have spent much time around me know what I think about the overuse of the word awesome. Rather than write once again with my own opinions, here’s something written by Dennis De Haan. I found it in the Our Daily Bread devotional some time ago: Read more »

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Have you heard or sung any of these lyrics before?

“…Your lovingkindness is better than life…”

“Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”

“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere…”

“…not to us but to your name be the glory…”

Okay, while they are song lyrics, they’re actually from various verses from Psalms: 63:3, 36:5-6, 8:9, 84:10, and 115:1 respectively.

These are just a few examples. I’m sure you can think of more. What better praise and worship can we offer than to speak–and sing-His Word back to Him! Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Browsing through a copy of The Cokesbury Worship Hymnal (copyright 1938) I came across a hymn that is short and sweet and gets straight to the point in only three lines.

Its title is “Everybody Ought to Love Jesus”, written by H.D. Loes. It was written in 1917 when, apparently, everything was simpler, including the presentation of the Gospel. Read more »

“…I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that My Father will grant you whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM].” John 16:23 The Amplified Bible.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Do you ever say, “In Jesus’ Name, Amen!” very quickly at end of a prayer as if they were either magic words to ensure your prayer would be answered, or have you ever treated them as if they were just the standard thing to say to indicate the prayer was done–sort of like “over and out”, “so long”, or “later, God?” I must admit that I have done so.

No, these are not “magic words” we tack on the end of a prayer nor are they a way of saying, “I’m through praying for now.” They are words that say everything about what gives us the right to pray to God in the first place. Read more »

“May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, ^[a]through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!” Ephesians 3:17-19 Amplified Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I’m sure most, if not all, of you know this old story, but I’m going to tell it anyway. (Don’t stop me if you’ve heard it!)

Two old prospectors are arguing over the best way to train a pack mule. The first one maintains that you have to be extra firm with a mule from the beginning–just to let him know who is boss right away.

The other prospector maintains that you have to be gentle to win over a mule; you have to speak to him softly and sweetly. Then, he says, you can get the mule to do anything. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One time many years ago my mother, in a time of discouragement, said, “Sometimes I feel like my prayers don’t reach higher than the ceiling.” I replied to her, “Mother, they really don’t have to go any higher. God is with you right here in this room.”

She knew that. I was just reminding her of something we all know as believers: Jesus is with us through His Holy Spirit. (John 16:7)

Still, probably each of us is subject to the feeling that, at times, God does not hear us when we pray. It is not my intention in this letter to open the subject of unanswered prayer. Rather, I would like to remind you, and myself, of just one of those instances recorded for us in God’s Word where we can KNOW that a prayer for us was definitely answered.

The One offering the prayer is Jesus. The prayer is found in John 17. Read more »

And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. Genesis 28:10-12 (NKJV)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The same year my mother-in-law died in 2000, there was a song that caused both my wife, Christine, and I to think about her every time we heard it. “Boots”, as she was called since childhood, greatly loved the Lord and was a godly influence to both of us, teaching by example and also praying for us all during our married life. Read more »

PAUL’S PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL EMPOWERING

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT (1997)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For some time, I have made it a practice to reword the prayers of Paul included in his letters. Changing the pronouns to refer to myself (i.e., “at home in my heart as I trust in him”). I was delighted to find a book about the prayers of Paul that contained all of them already reworded for my use and for use in praying for someone specific. Read more »

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NKJV

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I’m thinking today about the phrase according to. Strong’s Greek Lexicon defines this phrase as used in Philippians 4:19:

by, after the manner of, by any means, beyond measure

We can see that the phrase according to does not mean only that God supplies our need from His riches in glory.

For example, Bill Gates, I believe, is the richest man in the United States-surely one of the richest. He could quite easily supply some of my financial need from his earthly riches. He could do that by giving me $100. That amount would not go far but he would be supplying me from his riches.

However, if he were to supply my need after the manner of his riches he would be treating me as if his riches were mine. I would be living after the manner of Bill Gates!

That is what God promises us—in greater terms than what could be offered us by any earthly billionaire! Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

If you haven’t read my previous post “New Bible Reader? Here’s Where To Start” you might want to do so before reading on.

After a study of Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, here’s my recommendation for your next study. Oh, and by the way, by “study”, I don’t mean some theological exercise but, instead, just reading with an open mind and heart. Before reading, just ask God to open these scriptures up to you and cause His Holy Spirit to help you to see into–and accept–the concepts you see introduced there. Let God, our Abba Father, show you how much He loves you through His Word. Read more »

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Depending on the translation you read, over 130 times in the New Testament we find the words “in Christ”, “in Him”, or “in Whom”. If you look at the book of Ephesians you will find all of these phrases 11 times in the 1st chapter alone! (NKJV) Read more »

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Are you a new Christian? Have you just accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord of your life? Are you eager to begin reading the Bible but don’t know where to start?

Or, maybe you’ve been a Christian for some years, as I was, and still can’t seem to make “heads or tails” of what you read. Maybe you’ve decided you were going to read your Bible from Genesis to Revelation and then got bogged down in Leviticus.

Whatever your situation is, I’ve got a suggestion for you: start reading in the books which best describe who you are now that you have chosen to be a follower of Christ Jesus. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Wonder…a sense of wonder. Isn’t that where we all end up when we consider our God, His creation, the works of His mighty hand?

I once had an office mate at work with whom I did this wondering out loud. One day I was talking about one thing in particular that I wondered about when she suddenly burst out with, “Bill, you just wonder TOO MUCH!” Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Read these words of Jesus from the book of John:

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NLT)

Lately, I’ve given the Lord reason for Him to bring these words to my mind and to read John 15. In the Christian community we talk about things like “spiritual growth” or “maturity” and the Bible seems to be filled with “DOs and DON’Ts” regarding how we are to live our new lives. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

How amazingly quick and efficient is the God we worship and serve! When He speaks to me I hear no audible voice and He usually speaks His mind in an instant. Yet, to relate what He says takes me many words and much time. It’s as if He gave me an mp3 file which took only a moment to download but which took hours to play. He spoke to me that way this morning and I am still considering the weight and substance of His thoughts. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Read these words from Isaiah:

“On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves.” (Isaiah 62:6)

Recently I was given an opportunity through which the Lord reminded me about aspects of intercessory prayer that I had forgotten. Perhaps you have been in the place I was and can identify. I admit I am a slow learner when it comes to spiritual matters and need repeated instruction to get it to “sink in.” Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me,
Now safe am I.

Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.”

(Love Lifted Me Copyright 1912, by Charlie D. Tillman. Robert H. Coleman, Owner)

That’s the way I felt last night. Oh, I know the subject of the song is really the salvation experience–that moment when God reaches down in His grace and pulls us up into His arms, just as we are, from the depths of sin. Still, this old song came to mind. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Enjoy yourself.
It’s later than you think.
Enjoy yourself
While you’re still in the pink.
The years may go as quickly as a wink.
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself!
It’s later than you think.

(Music by Carl Sigman, lyrics by Herb Magidson, copyright 1950)

Now, why I thought of this old song I’ll never know, but it took me on another journey with the Lord into the history of this language that He gave us. It illustrated for me again the richness of our vocabulary and, most important, gave me new insight into how I can use my words in praise and worship of Him; of how I can enjoy myself as I enjoy Him. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” -Psalm 46:10

Surprise, surprise! Another song has led me down the path of discovery in the Lord. As before, even though this “lesson” was intended for me, I want to share it with you. Perhaps you will find some application in your life as well. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Have you given up on your dreams? Or do you feel your dreams have given up on you?

Do the things you dream about, wish about, and pray about seem further away than ever?

If so, then give those dreams to God. Surrender the things you dream about to our Heavenly Father. Look to Him and listen to Him. He dreams more than enough for you.

As He says in Jeremiah 29:11,
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Are you feeling far from God right now? Need some “warm fuzzy” from Him? Then take some time today to meditate on these verses. I especially love the Amplified Bible translation because of its full, rich, wording bringing out the abundance and lavishness of that love. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If you lead me
I will hold your people in my heart

(Words and Music by Dan Schutte, 1981; adapt. by Carlton R. Young, 1988)

A number of years ago my dear friend, Robbie, gave me new insight into the significance of this song. We must have been singing it in a service and I told her how much I liked it. She said something like, “But have you ever thought of the seriousness of the words—about what you’re saying when you sing this song?”

And, therein, lies the beginning of another journey with the Lord… Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“When you get this concept into your mind and heart it will totally revolutionize your life.”

That’s just the way the Lord said it to me. And just what is this revolutionary concept? His all-consuming, unconditional love for me. And each of you can say the same of yourself. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

These goals for 2008 from Teen Life Ministries sound like good advice for all parents and leaders of teens—as well as teens themselves.

1. Do whatever it takes to get teens to heaven. Paul wrote that he became all things to all people so that some might be saved (II Corinthians 9:19-23). How well does this relate to your ministry? What could you be doing that might reach more teens in your schools and community?

Ministry has its own set of pressures. We have to worry about what the leaders, parents, and members will think about a program or event. By doing whatever it takes to get teens to heaven, you will endure your share of criticism about your approaches, but keep the goal in focus. Keep everyone involved aware that you are not using a certain technique just to be different, but to bring teens to Jesus. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of my nephews sent me the following devotional from John Piper of Crosswalk.com. The devotional quotes an article by Christian Smith, professor of sociology at Notre Dame. Smith’s article deals with the new phenomenon of “adultolescence”–that is, the postponement of adulthood into the thirties. Piper then relates the phenomenon to the church. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I found this in my inbox this morning and knew immediately I wanted to use it in this blog. I asked the person who sent it for the identity of its source but I’ve not receive a reply yet.

I’m so anxious to share it, though, that I’m going to use it with no credit. If and when I find out the creator, I’ll alter this post. In the meantime, if you know the source, please tell me. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Here’s an encouraging word for Bible teachers from Glenn Brooke, the author of Teach the Bible to Change Lives:

Be positive about God’s work in people’s lives.

Many of the people coming to your class or group are hurting. They’ve been through a lot. Maybe not life-threatening stuff, but just the regular wear and tear of day-to-day living can drag people down and discourage them.

Sometimes you won’t know it because a person puts on a ’stained-glass masquerade.’ (Casting Crowns has a great song with that title. There’s a lyric that goes “Maybe if they all believe it, I’ll believe it, too.”) Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Here’s a new perspective–at least to me–on the way in which we can come to know God. It’s from Rumors of Another World by Phillip Yancey:

“The ordinary natural world contains the supernatural, a necessary step since we do not have the capacity to apprehend God directly. We see God best in the same way we see a solar eclipse: not by staring at the sun, which would cause blindness, but through something on which the sun is projected.”

The harder I try to get to know God; the more I try to “figure Him out”, the more blind corners I hit. For me, God is reflected in the person of Jesus Christ. I can begin to grasp God–and it is only that–when I think of what Jesus said when to Philip when he asked to see God, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

Today I will reflect on God by practicing the presence of Jesus.

Love,
Brother Bill

About the Author:

Bill Walker is the creator and webmaster of Everyday Christianity, which provides ministry and resources for Christian families. This article may be reprinted in your e-zine, e-book and/or on your web site so long as it includes this resource box and a link back to the website at http://www.EverydayChristianity.com.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Do Pharisees still exist? Well, certainly some of the attitudes do. What’s more, sometime these attitudes are in us–I can speak for myself specifically. We call it “holier than thou”, usually.

I got the quote below in an email from ChristianBibleStudies.com. It started me thinking about how often my own pharisaical thinking rears its ugly head. Take a look at this true-life experience:

“When our children were young, my husband and I decided we wouldn’t watch R-rated movies. We wouldn’t allow our children to watch them, so we decided that to watch them ourselves would be confusing to them. We made this decision in good conscience and never regretted it. I found, however, that it made me feel judgmental toward other parents who watched R-rated movies. I began to feel they weren’t fully committed to Christ because they watched things I’d decided not to watch.

Even as I write this, I realize how ridiculous it is to judge someone’s relationship with God by what rating of movies he or she watches, but it was so subtle at the time. Since it was a sacrificial commitment for me, I instinctively evaluated other people’s spiritual dedication when they talked about the latest movie they’d watched. As I made this judgment, I never thought about my own sin or all the things that person was doing right. Instead I focused on this one thing I thought they were doing wrong.

The ability to see sin in others and ignore it in your own heart is one of the distinguishing characteristics of a Pharisee, and being a Pharisee is so easy. It’s great to make rules to guide our own behavior, but when we extend those rules to everyone around us, we’re in danger of becoming pharisaical.”

(End of Quote)

I remember from my youth a comic strip named “Pogo”, and a famous line which I’m probably misquoting but hopefully getting the jist of: “We have met the enemy and it is us.” Gotta watch that pharasaical thinking.

Let us pray that our practice of everyday Christianity will cause us to look inward and allow the Holy Spirit to change us instead of us seeking to change others.

Love,
Brother Bill

About the Author:

Bill Walker is the creator and webmaster of Everyday Christianity, which provides ministry and resources for Christian families. This article may be reprinted in your e-zine, e-book and/or on your web site so long as it includes this resource box and a link back to the website at http://www.EverydayChristianity.com.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For some time I have been led to send notes and cards to the people around me at church and at work with the intent of encouraging them in the faith and expressing gratitude for what they do. This calling, if you will, led to the creation of www.sarcalogos.com.

On my website, I have essays, letters, articles–whatever you want to call them–along with books, ebooks, etc. all aimed at building up Christians and Christian families. If you visit Sarcalogos, I’d be interested in your comments.

Lately, I’ve been led to create this blog. Just today I read a short article on ChristianityToday.com that I took as a confirmation of this latest step. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Here’s another Bible teaching tip from Glenn Brooke:

“Prepare with God’s desired outcome in mind.

Now you might be thinking, “That’s not new, Glenn.”

Which is exactly correct.

But as Richard Halverson said, “It is as important to be reminded as it is to be informed.”

I need to be reminded of this, FREQUENTLY, in my own teaching ministry.

Because it’s pretty easy to work up powerful hooks, great discussion questions, illustrations, even humor that you know will help conversation, and forget about your
objective: the application, and the launch at the end of the teaching time.

So let’s keep about our primary business: teaching to change lives.

Start with prayerfully identifying the objective. What does God want this class or group to learn at this specific time?

I recommend you actually write this down on paper, so you are sure to have it in words.

Then build everything towards that end. And then we go on to the next time. Repeat until the Lord calls us home!”

Thanks, Glenn.

Changing lives. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Changing lives ETERNALLY!

Our goal as Christians–the great commission given to us by Jesus Christ–is to change lives!

Whether you are called and gifted as a teacher of the Bible or have some other calling, you share with all of us the calling to spread the good news–the saving news–of Jesus Christ.

That’s what “Everyday Christianity” is all about. Whatever our calling, we are to bring Christ into all aspects of our everyday lives.

If your specific calling is teach the Bible, you might want to check out Glenn’s course by clicking here or on the banner at the top of the page.

Love,
Brother Bill

About the Author:

Bill Walker is the creator and webmaster of Everyday Christianity, which provides ministry and resources for Christian families. This article may be reprinted in your e-zine, e-book and/or on your web site so long as it includes this resource box and a link back to the website at http://www.EverydayChristianity.com.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence has, without doubt, had more impact of my daily walk with Jesus Christ than has any book other than the Bible.

I have read and reread this little book since I discovered it over ten years ago. Of course, it has been around much longer than that and countless other Christians long ago discovered it.

You also my already know and be familiar with this simple account of one man’s journey with the Lord. If, however, you are not, I invite you to download it for free by right-clicking on the link below.

The Practice of the Presence of God

If you would like a bound copy of a newer version written in more modern language, you can click here to pick one of several others including the one pictured in this article.

I pray that God will speak to you through its pages and that it will spark and stimulate your own daily walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Love,
Brother Bill

About the Author:

Bill Walker is the creator and webmaster of Everyday Christianity, which provides ministry and resources for Christian families. This article may be reprinted in your e-zine, e-book and/or on your web site so long as it includes this resource box and a link back to the website at http://www.EverydayChristianity.com.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Here’s something I received from Kenneth Copeland Ministries. Just think of the eternal impact the Body of Christ could have on the world if we set aside doctrinal differences and controversies about “pre-trib or post-trib”, “tongues”, “end times” as well as others and simply spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Teen Life Ministries founders Al Millergren and Paul Evans have over 50 years of youth ministry experience between them. They recently expressed some thoughts about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. They were speaking specifically to youth leaders but, as it turns out, they were unknowingly speaking to me as well. Perhaps you might also find something to think about as you read what they wrote: Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of the most sacred relationships in our everyday Christian life is the relationship the pastor of a church has with his people. God is not served when the people are dissatisfied with their pastor, nor is God served when the pastor has a bitter attitude toward his people.

Here are some helpful tips for building a great church. The tips speak specifically to the church pastor but apply also to other ministry professionals, lay leaders, or anyone else with the responsibility of shepherding others in the body of Christ. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The post below is from an article entitled “Beyond Remembering” by Phil Ware and comes from Heartlight.org. It asks the question “Who is the person who helped you best know how to live like Jesus.” Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Do you want to get excited right now? If so, just read these words from the book of Ephesians:

“Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people–free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.” (Ephesians 1:7-10 MSG)

Now, if you didn’t read that passage out loud, then go back and read it again so you can hear yourself saying the words. And if you really want your fire lit, read it until you actually internalize it, feel it, and believe it! Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.’

“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.“Then God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.’

“Then God said, ‘Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.’ And that is what happened.

“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.” Genesis 1:26-31 (NLT)

Below is a meditation I received from Kenneth Copeland Ministries. If you are feeling unloved today, read it carefully and internalize its message. If you feel God’s love this day, it will confirm what you are feeling. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

One of my nephews emailed me this story from The Dallas Morning News:
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When the kids were very young, we often sat on the floor and played a board game called Chutes and Ladders.You probably know it. It’s one of the simplest of games. You thump a spinner and move ahead to the designated space on the board. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Here’s an excerpt from an email I received from Jonathan Leger. Jonathan is one of the successful internet marketers from whom I’ve been trying to learn how to grow my online business.

The subject of this email was not how to grow a business, though. Instead, it has application for how we deal with other people in our everyday Christian life. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Consider these words of Jesus from the book of John:

“Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.”

(John 10:9-10 NLT)

Gatekeepers. That’s what we are called to be. We stay close to Jesus, the Gate to God, and place the hands of the lost on the latch—the latch that each person must open for himself, but to which we can direct them. It’s part of the great commission Jesus gave us when He went back to be with our Heavenly Father. We find reference in the gospels to the task we are all given: Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to Adam, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’”
(Genesis 3:8-9)

God was accustomed to communing with Adam in the garden “in the cool of the day” (for some reason I really love that phrase). After Adam had eaten of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, he was not so eager to take an afternoon stroll with God.

If we are reluctant to have a “one-on-one” conversation with our Creator, or with His Son, it is often due to similar thinking on our part. When we are “good”, we are eager to be in His presence–praising, worshiping and conversing. When we are “bad”, we usually are not so eager to seek Him out, nor do we really want to think about the fact that we are always with Him because of the presence of His Holy Spirit in us. Read more »

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There’s a song which has dominated my attention some time now. From the first time I heard it, I began to play it so many times I’ve lost count. I think it’s a beautiful song, of course, but there’s so much more to it than that.

The song is titled “Captivate Us.” It’s on a CD by the group Watermark. It’s a simple, quiet song with two voices and an acoustic guitar. I’m sharing the music with you here but I really want to suggest it not as a song, but as a prayer–a prayerful preparation for a conversation with our Heavenly Father. Not only have I listened to the song many times on the way to and from work but I’ve also used it to prepare my heart to commune with the Lord and to practice His presence as I begin to have conversation with Him. Read more »