Category Archives: Belief

The Blessing of Changing a Sermon

On Sunday, July 1st, 2009, I had in mind to preach a sermon on prayer. Specifically, I planned to preach on the so-called “Lord’s Prayer.” But as I began to ease into my studying and preparing for that sermon, the … Continue reading

Posted in Baptism, Belief, Change, Children, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Disobedience, Forgiveness, Obedience, Parenting, Personal, Preaching, Reward, Salvation, Seeking Forgiveness, Sin, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Lord, I Believe; Help My Unbelief”

The story of a certain father bringing his demon-possessed son to Jesus is recorded in Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29, and Luke 9:37-42. While each of those accounts provides different details about the story, the account that typically gets used as … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Belief, Comfort, Faith, Fear, God's Love, Grace, Needs, Personal, Prayer Requests, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

My Runaway Child

One night, when my son Royce was eight years old, my wife Tonya had to chaperon a school dance for a couple of hours. That left me at home with not only Royce but also his older brother Ryan, who … Continue reading

Posted in Backsliding, Belief, Children, Christ's Death, Corporal Punishment, Depravity, Disobedience, Family, Fatherhood, Forgiveness, Humor, Parenting, Personal, Salvation, Sin, Spanking | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Giants in the Bible

Now it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Belief, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Leadership, Needs, Prayer, Problems, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, Temptation, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

You Can Be a “Good” Person and Yet Still Be Lost

Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. … Continue reading

Posted in Belief, Forgiveness, Good Works, Grace, Salvation, The Gospel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Do You Really Trust God?

My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your hearts to him for God is our refuge. … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Assurance of Salvation, Attitude, Belief, Commitment, Courage, Discipleship, Doubt, Eternal Security, Faith, Fatherhood, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, Human Life, Needs, Personal, Problems, Sanctification, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

You Can’t Fool Jesus

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no … Continue reading

Posted in Belief, Christ's Miracles, Discernment, Faith, God's Omniscience, Salvation | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Do You Know Jesus as Savior? Or Do You Just Know About Him?

I subscribe to a certain Christian publication that recently featured an old sermon from Oswald J. Smith. Smith was a Canadian pastor/church planter/author who is probably best known for founding The Peoples Church in Toronto and serving as the church’s … Continue reading

Posted in Assurance of Salvation, Backsliding, Baptism, Belief, Church, Church Attendance, Church Discipline, Evangelism, Heaven, Repentance, Salvation, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Attempting to Define Faith

Faith is one of those things that is hard to pin down to a simple definition. As evidence of this, Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary offers the following definitions: “allegiance to duty or a person” (as in, “lost faith in the company’s … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Belief, Commitment, Doubt, Faith, God's Sovereignty, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Letting Go & Letting God

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6, K.J.V.) “Don’t worry.” That advice is a lot easier given than accepted, isn’t it? The temptation … Continue reading

Posted in Belief, Faith, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Provision, Needs, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment