Sermons and Biblical Studies

Topics: Apathy; Boldness; Change; Complacency; Desires; Presence of God; Revival; Self-reliance; Spiritual Direction; Testing; Trials References: Nehemiah 1:1–10; Psalm 85:6; Isaiah 6; Jeremiah 1:13–19; Revelation 3:15–16 Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, when we arrive safely because we … Continue reading “DISTURB
US, LORD”

Topics: Attitudes; Bondage; Ego; Self-centeredness References: Romans 1:18–32; 6:16 Those people who pray know what most around them either don’t know or choose to ignore: centering life in the insatiable demands of the ego is the sure path to doom. They know that life confined to the self is a prison, a joy-killing, neurosis-producing, disease-fomenting … Continue reading “PRAYING
OUT OF EGO”

Topics: Faith; Grace; Help from God; Waiting on God References: Job 30:20; Matthew 10:29–31; Luke 12:6–7; 18:1–8; 2 Corinthians 12:8–10; Ephesians 6:18; 1 John 5:14–15 Bill Lacovara was fishing near Atlantic City, New Jersey, when he spotted a plastic bag floating in the water. Inside he found about 300 requests for prayer that had been … Continue reading “OPENING
A BAG OF PRAYERS”

Topics: Children; Edification; Encouragement; Example; Fathers; Guidance; Mentoring; Parenting; Spiritual Disciplines References: Deuteronomy 6; Matthew 13:44–46; 2 Corinthians 4:18; Ephesians 6:4, 18 Many kids wake up to the smell of coffee brewing or the sound of a rooster crowing. My wake-up call was my father’s passionate praying. Sometimes I’d ease downstairs and join him. One … Continue reading “WAKING
UP TO PRAYER”

Topics: God; Heaven; Technology References: Matthew 6:5–18; 1 John 5:14–15 You can now send your prayers to God via a website. Newprayer.com says, “Simply click on the Pray button and transmit your prayer to the only known location of God.” The site claims it can send prayers via a radio transmitter to God’s last known … Continue reading “CLICKING
PRAYERS TO GOD”

Topics: Commands; Law; Love; Obedience; Safety; Ten Commandments References: Exodus 20:1–17; John 14:23–24; 1 John 5:3 Until a few years ago, there were no laws about child safety seats and automobile restraint systems. Many young children who were not safely belted in their seats died in car accidents. Today laws prohibit children from riding in … Continue reading “BELTING
OUR LOVE”

Topics: Atonement; Children; Cross; Devotion; Jesus Christ; Love; Mothers; Protection; Sacrifice; Salvation References: John 3:16; 12:20–33; Romans 8:38–39; Philippians 2:5–11 Northwest Airlines flight 225 crashed just after takeoff from Detroit on August 16, 1987, killing 155 people. Only one person survived: Cecilia, four, of Tempe, Arizona. When rescuers found Cecilia, they did not believe she … Continue reading “SAVING
CECILIA”

Topics: Apology; Children; Family; Integrity; Mistakes; Respect Reference: Ephesians 6:4 One day I found my son, four, trying to give his sister, two, a drink of water from his cup. Pam’s clothes were soaked, and I scolded my son for his carelessness. Later I realized the boy had been trying to share his water with … Continue reading “APOLOGIZING
TO YOUR KIDS”

Topics: Child Rearing; Children; Family; Independence; Letting Go References: Deuteronomy 11:19; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4 The task of raising kids is rather like trying to fly a kite on a day when the wind doesn’t blow, said humorist Erma Bombeck. Mom and Dad run down the road pulling the cute little device at the end … Continue reading “LETTING
KIDS GO”

Topics: Alcoholism; God’s Strength; Ministry; Mothers; Service; Weakness References: 2 Corinthians 3:4–6; 12:9 My parents divorced when I was five. My older sister, younger brother, and I were raised by my alcoholic mother. While my mother meant well—truly she did—most of my memories are of my mothering her rather than her mothering me. Alcohol altered … Continue reading “MOTHERING
ME”