Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Persistence References: Matthew 7:7–8; Luke 11:5–10; 18:1–8 A huge magazine fulfillment firm in Chicago sends out renewal and expiration notices for hundreds of magazines. But one day the company’s computer malfunctioned. A rancher in Powder Bluff, Colorado, got 9,734 separate mailings informing him that his subscription to National Geographic had expired. The rancher dropped … Continue reading “PERSISTENCE
PAYS”

Topics: Spiritual Disciplines; Watchfulness References: Matthew 26:41; Colossians 4:2 Hannah, three, came home from Bible school and announced that her new teacher “makes everyone bow their heads and close their eyes when we pray, but then keeps his eyes open.” I asked Hannah how she would know that if her eyes were closed. “I only … Continue reading “KEEPING
ONE EYE OPEN”

Topics: Dependence on God; Divine Power; Help from God; Miracles References: Joshua 10:1–14; Matthew 17:20 The prevailing winds in the Persian Gulf area blow from northeast to southwest. So if you attack from the southwest, your enemy can release biological weapons into the air, and the chemicals will blow right into your face. That was … Continue reading “SHIFTING
THE WINDS”

Topics: Christian Life; Truth References: Matthew 21:22; Romans 8:26–27 However much he may want to, I do not believe God will answer the prayer of the student who turned in his test and prayed, “O God, please let Paris be the capital of England!” —Nicky Gumbel, “How and Why Should I Pray?” Alpha Evangelism Series … Continue reading “NO-ANSWER
PRAYER”

Topics: Dependence on God; Faith; Miracles; Supernatural Occurrences; Trust References: Matthew 17:20–21; 19:26; Luke 1:37; James 5:13–16 During Desert Storm the United States Marine Corps was ordered to push up the Saudi Arabian coast through the minefields in southern Kuwait and capture Kuwait City. To move 80,000 marines up that coast, we had to build … Continue reading “THE
MIRACLE WELL”

Topics: Belief; Circumstances; Faith; Prayer References: Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24; John 20:29 Three farmers gather daily during a horrible drought. The men are down on their knees, praying the skies will open and pour forth rain. The heavens are silent, however, and the petitioners become discouraged. Nonetheless, they continue to pray every morning. One morning, … Continue reading “PRAYING
FOR RAIN”

Topics: Blessings; Children; Encouragement; Experiencing God; Hearing God; Identity in Christ References: Psalm 8:2; Matthew 7:7–11 Two days ago, I was kneeling in prayer in the front room of our house at 6:30 a.m. I’d just confessed sins and was asking God for a blessing that day, needing to feel loved by him. Our little … Continue reading “HEARING
GOD IN A CHILD”

Topics: Agnosticism; Dependence on God; Faith; Fear; Help from God; Trust References: Psalm 23:1–4; Matthew 6:9; 28:20; 1 Peter 5:7 Trisha McFarland stopped on a family hike across the Appalachians to go to the bathroom. In trying to catch up with her family, she found herself on the wrong trail, lost and alone. She sat … Continue reading “TRUSTING
THE SUBAUDIBLE”

Topics: Daily Bread; Dependence on God; Experiencing God; Faith; Help from God; Money; Needs; Provision References: Luke 11:9–13; 2 Corinthians 9:6–11; Ephesians 3:20 In the mid-1980s my family moved to northern Saskatchewan to start a church. As a church planter, part of my support was funded by the local mission. Most months were financially difficult. … Continue reading “ASKING
FOR MORE”

Topics: Faith; Perseverance; Power; Supplication References: Matthew 7:7; 17:20; 21:21–22; James 1:5–8 The largest and finest bell in the East was in the great Buddhist Temple, Shwee-da-gone, in Rangoon. During a war the bell sank in a river. Over the years, various engineers tried but failed to raise it. At last a clever priest asked … Continue reading “BAMBOO
PRAYER”