Category Archives: prayer
Jesus left parting gifts
John 14. In some cultures it is appropriate for someone to give gifts when they return to friends they have departed from. In the Philippines, it is like that. Whenever Penny and I returned from a trip to Manila or … Continue reading
after faith: body life
James 5:13-20. James shows that faith in Christ is more than a personal conviction. It leads to body life. Genuine faith in a community means that the whole body of believers: prays for one another (14). confesses to one another … Continue reading
Posted in church, confession, discipleship, genuineness, giving, prayer, reconciliation
Tagged James 5
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set apart for evangelism
Romans 1:1-17. Paul’s desire to go to Rome emerged from his sense of purpose. He knew the gospel of Jesus Christ, and felt obligated to share it with people like himself: Jews (to whom the gospel first came) and with … Continue reading
the Holy Spirit and Satan’s demands
Luke 22:1-46. When Jesus told Peter that “Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you as wheat” (31) – the “you” is plural. He was referring to all the disciples. Already, Satan had entered into Judas Iscariot, and … Continue reading
Posted in deliverance, discernment, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, prayer
Tagged Luke 22
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insight from the Holy Spirit
Luke 19:45-20:44. Jesus’ teachings and the answers he gave to those who were purposely trying to “catch him in something he said” reveal an insight that goes beyond education. This insight is available to believers as well. We need merely … Continue reading
only Jesus: access to God’s presence
Hebrews 8:1-9:10. God had revealed a pattern in the old Jerusalem temple that predicted what Jesus has now accomplished for us in the heavenly temple. Under the old covenant, access to the presence of God was restricted. Only the priests … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, confidence, deliverance, grace, Jesus Christ, prayer, redemption, worship
Tagged Hebrews 8, Hebrews 9
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the lonely night of heaven’s king
Matthew 26:30-75. Jesus and his disciples had barely any time to reflect on the significance of the Lord’s Supper. they went to the Mount of Olives, and Jesus predicted again his betrayal, and the fact that his disciples would deny … Continue reading
prayer and heaven’s king
Matthew 21:12-27. Three stories from Jesus’ time at the Jerusalem temple highlight the ministry of prayer. In each story, an obstacle must be overcome. Jesus cleansed the temple by overturning the tables of commerce that had been set up. … Continue reading
religion and heaven’s king
Matthew 6:1-18. Jesus did not oppose practicing acts of religious piety, but he warned his disciples not to practice them to gain a present “reward” (1,2,4,5,6,16,18). There will be rewards in the future, but disciples should focus their attention on … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, dependence upon God, discipleship, forgiveness, giving, kingdom of God, prayer, witness
Tagged Matthew 6
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testing heaven’s king
Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus responded rightly to each of the devil’s temptations in this narrative. He used the word of God to combat the challenges the tempter brought to him. Yet it is equally clear that there are fundamental flaws in … Continue reading
Posted in dependence upon God, faith, genuineness, Jesus Christ, prayer, scriptures
Tagged Matthew 4
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Devotions 