Prayer for Today

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Father God, thank you for your grace upon my life. Thank you for your eternal hope. Help me do what pleases and glorifies you in the name and authority of Jesus, according to your good and perfect will. Amen.   “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to … Read more

Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20220423

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Today is a beautiful day, because God heard Moses’ plea, “When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, ‘What shall we drink?’ And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a … Read more

Does Your Church Have a Celebrity Pastor?

A View from the Pews

The megachurches that adopt the industrial complex format tend to have a celebrity pastor who surrounds himself with elders tasked with seeing to his needs and protecting him to the point of creating a buffer between him and the church body. The danger of creating a circle of yes men arises when the pastor hand … Read more

Prayer for Today

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Almighty Ancient of Days, you are above all. Search my heart and remove any motives outside your will for my purpose. Guide my thoughts, words and deeds for your good pleasure. Be glorified in my efforts. I come to your mercy seat for your favor and blessing in the name and authority of Jesus, according … Read more

Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20220422

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Today is a beautiful day, because God sent Moses to rescue His people, “Thus says the LORD, ‘By this you shall know that I am the LORD: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn into blood.’” (Exodus 7:17 ESV) … Read more

Telltale Signs

A View from the Pews

When you see this happening in your church, and you don’t get reasonable and timely answers to your questions, I’d say there is a problem with church leadership, wouldn’t you? What, then, is an acceptable recourse? Should you become part of the migrant membership to find another church home? If the elders of your church … Read more

Prayer for Today

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Lord, lead me to the rock that is higher than I. I pray for the members of your church. Give them discernment in selecting which church to attend. Keep them alert to leadership transparency. Protect them from the spiritually abusive leaders and don’t allow them to sit under the teaching of such. Give them your … Read more

Joy in Verse Encouragement for 20220421

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Today is a beautiful day, because “When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, ‘Because,’ she said, ‘I drew him out of the water.’” (Exodus 2:10 ESV) Water #joyinverse #blessedthisdayandeveryday

Are Gimmicks Necessary to Make the Point?

Speech class taught me to make my first sentence captivating for my audience. The wow factor gets their attention, and the skill of the presenter keeps it focused until the end of the message. I’ve listened to some sermons that were hard to sit through because of bad public speaking skills. I wonder, though, how … Read more

Prayer for Today

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Almighty and Holy God, you are El Roi, the God who sees me. You know my frailties and my tendency to forget. Thank you that Paul reminds me of the gospel as he writes his salutation. He puts the most important message first in his letters. I need that repetition, Father. Thank you for your … Read more