Years ago, I read an article citing a poll claiming prayer being the most neglected spiritual discipline among Christians, including pastors. Clearly, Satan sees prayer as a fatal threat to his schemes or he wouldn't try so hard to make us think prayer is not that important or powerful. But this is a lie. Mary, … Continue reading Lord, teach me to pray (here you go :))
Prayer
Learning to Pray
Even Jesus' own disciples asked, "Lord, teach us to pray." For years in working with students I would find myself listening to a teen yearn to learn to pray. We would pray together but I would also encourage them to read the prayers recorded for us by others over the centuries. I would encourage them … Continue reading Learning to Pray
Why Pray? (Does it really make any difference?)
I want to thank everyone for your kind and encouraging words regarding the message I preached on June 16th about the mystery of prayer and why God, through human eyes, seems so capricious i.e. why does he answer some prayers and not others? My daughter, Macy Watts, listened to it yesterday and told me should … Continue reading Why Pray? (Does it really make any difference?)
When Jesus Worked at McDonald’s
This past week, on a Tuesday morning, I swung through the drive-though at a local McDonald's for a warm, robust beverage on my way to work. After placing my order I promptly pulled up to the first window to pay for said beverage where I was warmly greeted by a woman at the window who … Continue reading When Jesus Worked at McDonald’s
The Valley of Vision
The Valley of Vision: a collection of Puritan prayers is a book of prayers I have in my library. The Puritan Movement took place primarily during the 16th & 17th centuries. As with any “religiosity” the corrupt heart of mankind can twist God’s Word to mean what they want it to mean - hence, the … Continue reading The Valley of Vision
The Lord’s Prayer (It’s not the one you’re thinking of…)
The "Our Father, which art in heaven,..." prayer was certainly said by Jesus, but as a "model prayer" for the eager-to-learn-how-to-pray disciples. However, the disciple, John, records for us a wonderful gift. For his entire 17th chapter comprises an actual prayer Jesus prayed as he was readying himself for his crucifixion: "Father," Jesus prayed, "the … Continue reading The Lord’s Prayer (It’s not the one you’re thinking of…)
Homeless Demons
[Jesus said],“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more … Continue reading Homeless Demons
The Hardest Prayers to Pray
“But I say to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...If you love those who love you what reward will you get?” (Matthew 5:44-47) “I couldn’t do it.” That’s what one person told me after I’d asked the folks at church that night to pray for their enemies. Thank God for … Continue reading The Hardest Prayers to Pray
Family Matters
"These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, hcsb) Family devotions….. Think about that phrase for a … Continue reading Family Matters
Psalm 23 – “Bible Learning Series” Notes
Friends, Below are the "series notes" to my series on Psalm 23. All that's missing are additional comments I included while teaching. However, the "nuts & bolts" are here for your study. Paul wrote, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,..." (Colossians 3:16) May the verse-by-verse study of this simple, yet profound, passage … Continue reading Psalm 23 – “Bible Learning Series” Notes