There are a few things that seem to be consistent stumbling blocks for Christians who are growing in their faith. I’m not necessarily talking about young Christians – though these can apply to them too – but about mature Christians…
Rest and Risk
A few weeks ago, someone told me, “The level of your rest directly affects your tolerance for risk.” What she was trying to express is the concept that we must get the rest our bodies, minds, emotions, and spirits need…
Holding on & Letting Go as the Seasons Change
Seasons are changing here. I love the cooler weather and the beginnings of splashes of color on the trees. Soon enough, we’ll winterize the pool, pick apples, and harvest the last of the produce from the garden. There are also…
The Upward Flow of Blessing & Revival
In our culture, we generally think of things flowing downward from the top of the heap to the bottom: for example, from world leaders down to the state leaders down to the municipal leaders down to the people. It’s sort…
Prophecy vs. Words of Knowledge
In the circles that I tend to hang with, there’s an emphasis on the gifts of the Spirit – including prophecy. It is amazing to watch (and experience) how heaven touches earth when the Spirit of God speaks through a…
Do You Hope Well?
There’s something very special about the expectancy of good things. It lifts our spirits; it helps us focus; it helps us to dream and use our God-given imaginations; it reminds us of God’s goodness; it gives us joy in what…
Learning to Decern God’s Voice
Sometimes I wonder if one of the more precious gifts that God has given us is the ability to hear His voice. As Jesus says in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” …
Ministering through Your Gifts – and Not Someone Else’s
Some years ago, my parents read aloud a book called, “The Five Love Languages of Children.” It’s a great book, and it helped several of us understand how to better love, serve, and accept our siblings’ differences in how they…
Logic vs. Power
I read a very interesting scripture this morning. In 1 Corinthians, Paul says, “Christ [sent me] to preach the gospel – not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Corinthians 1:17). There’s…
Fulfilled by Our Gifts
There are quite a number of benefits to working in the gifts of the Spirit that God has given us. First and foremost, these gifts allow God to work in us and through us for the building up of His…