Blog Articles
Who Names and Who Claims?
I often hear people say (especially as they pray), “I claim such and such….” Is this legitimate? The word claim is used in the sense of “take by faith.” Former generations called it appropriation. As is often the case, there is a legitimate Bible truth and a going...
The Wind of the Spirit – Back in Print!
Let me tell you about a time when I thought I was going to get passed by and how the Lord mercifully met with me. In 1992-93, the Lord graciously launched me on a revival journey through a discovery of the meaning of grace, but there was so much more to learn. As a...
The Necessity of Believing
Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Two profound truths are set forth. First, without faith it is not possible to please...
The Unpardonable Sin
Occasionally, someone will ask with trembling what the unpardonable sin is. Fear in their voice and a troubled countenance suggest that they wonder whether they have committed this sin beyond all hope. Jesus said, “And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man,...
In the Last Days
This phrase from the Bible is highlighted in an enlightening way in the following letter written by Pastor Jim Bickel to his church family, Bethel Baptist Fellowship of Brooklyn, New York. In the troubled times in which we find ourselves, may we find hope in God's...
More Thoughts on Conviction vs. Convenience
For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. (James 1:6,8) Every child of God should have convictions. To be conviction-less is to be spineless, double-minded, unstable, driven by...
Conviction or Convenience?
Over the years, I’ve noticed that some so-called convictions are really more positions of convenience based on accepted positions and pressures from a given Christian subculture. I fell into this myself in earlier days. In such a setting, identity and even...
Unity: Goal or By-product?
In the midst of the ministry battles of today and the ensuing clash of beliefs, there is often a call for unity. Understandably so. But will it ever work to make unity the goal? At best, such an attempt can only produce a surface unity. True unity is a by-product, not...
The Assembling of the Saints
As COVID-19 has changed normal living for many in certain states, churches have had to adapt. Several have taken advantage of modern technology and now live stream their services. This is a great blessing! Yet, as I have had opportunity to interact with several...
Lords vs. Leaders
In the COVID-19 crisis, through the varying approaches governors have taken, we are seeing examples of both “lords” and “leaders.” The former is provoking as we see demonstrated across the country; the latter is refreshing. We would do well to learn from all this both...
Genuine Spirituality
“Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 Genuine spirituality can only be when you access the Holy Spirit so that He is imparting to you the life of Jesus Christ. Is this possible? Not only is it possible, it’s the privilege...
The Plague of Our Hearts
A pastor friend told me that due to COVID-19 precautions, his church is using an internet venue to pray together on Wednesday evenings. He said over the last few weeks the prayers have turned from normal petitions to repentance. That stirred my heart! While we pray...
The Jesus Movement
The 1960s saw the hippie generation change many of America’s youth. A non-conformist spirit prevailed in a movement known for sex, drugs and rebellion, but God saw a generation searching for something more. The Spirit of God moved and what became known as “The Jesus...
Why Asbury?
In researching the 1970 and 2006 revivals at Asbury College, one may wonder, “Why Asbury?” God is not a respecter of persons, but the Word of God does make clear that those who seek the Lord will find Him (2 Chron. 15:2; James 4:8). Seeking God is faith, yet faith is...
Asbury 2006
Last week we highlighted the Asbury Revival of 1970. Before we move on to other accounts from that decade, we will consider another Asbury season of refreshing from 2006. Special thanks goes to Steven Smallwood for his research on this particular revival. Asbury:...
Asbury Revival – 1970
As mentioned in the last article, the early 1970s were blessed with revivals. Remembering what God did fifty years ago, we turn first to the Asbury Revival of 1970. The students of that college experienced revival and testified at other schools until the fire had...
Seasons of Refreshing: Remembering the Early 1970s
Fifty years ago, God granted a season of refreshing that reached many places in North America. The revival at Asbury College spread to 130 campuses. The Canadian Revival swept through the western part of that country. The Jesus Movement took many from marijuana...
Women in Public Prayer Meetings
Years ago I witnessed a moving of the Spirit in a church gathering that spontaneously brought many to cry out to the Lord—both men and women. As glorious as the experience was, people have wondered whether women are biblically permitted to pray in public prayer...
More Thoughts on Condemning the Innocent
Since Matthew 12:1-8 is where Jesus confronted the Pharisees for condemning the innocent, we will investigate more specifically their error in that context. “At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to...
Examples of Condemning the Innocent
Following last week’s article, Condemning the Innocent, a request was made for modern examples. Several come quickly to mind, but perhaps these would open a can of worms and obscure the point. However, there is a modern example that clearly is rooted in the text, “One...
Condemning the Innocent
In Matthew 12, the disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath day to satisfy their hunger. The Pharisees condemned them for doing so and complained to Jesus about the perceived violation of the law. Jesus, however, responded to their wrong way of thinking. After...
Starbucks Evangelism
We are in California this month, and between meetings, we made a quick visit to San Francisco. While walking, we passed a particular Starbucks that brought back special memories. Years ago when my son John was a toddler, we stayed in the prophet’s chamber at the...
What If the American Church Had One Day of Persecution?
What if the American church had one day of severe persecution, a day like those endured by many brothers and sisters in Christ in other nations? One ministry focused on persecution and tracking developments around the globe claims North Korea is the most unsafe place...
The Qualifying Principles of Gender Distinction and Modesty
Recently, a preacher friend introduced an interesting thought to me regarding gender distinction and modesty. While man without God chafes and pushes against God's design, those with a heart for Him must recognize that each principle has boundaries and that each...
Acts of Love and the Message of Love
Sometimes believers feel they must spiritualize conversations with lost friends and people they are burdened about regarding salvation. However, this can strain things as it ignores the practical side of life. Peter said of Jesus, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth...
Vision, Faith and Passion
When I was a kid, I looked forward to Saturday morning cartoons. I liked one in particular because I love the underwater world, and this one had something to do with life in an underwater world in the year 2020. In the 1970s, it seemed so far away, but now we have...
Introducing Terry Pergl, Conference Speaker
Several years ago at one of our Christ Life Clinics, Terry Pergl preached a series on Jesus in His humanity living in dependence on the Holy Spirit—the perfect example of faith and the Spirit-filled life. It was fabulous! Many were helped in their understanding of...
Mystery of Christmas
Mystery of Christmas night, Prophecies of old come true — Infant lies in candle light, Prince of peace in wondrous view. Gift of God and hope of man, King of glory born on earth. God's eternal master plan Offers man a second birth. Mystery of Christmas...
Christmas Wisdom
Most nativity scenes include three wise men. Technically, there were likely more than three who undertook the journey and who arrived well after the manger scene, but the wise men add a special part to the Christmas account of the birth of Jesus. We can learn from...
Christmas Treasures
“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19 This was Mary's response to the visit from the shepherds. The word things is the plural of rhema. Faith comes by the word or rhema of God (Rom. 10:17). What were these words? The words or...
