Blog Articles
Christmas Cheer
Christmastime. Truly the Christmas season has a uniqueness to it more than any other season. There is hope in the air—a sort of Christmas cheer. Though many do not understand why, there is hope because, even in secular society, there is a focus on Jesus more than at...
Scripture Memorization and Faith
Believers desiring victorious living are often instructed to memorize Scripture as a means to experience victory. An example often cited is Jesus using Scripture against the devil's attack in what we call the temptation of Christ. Scripture memory is undoubtedly an...
It’s a Promise!
When someone you love gives a promise, you can count on it. This is especially true if that one is Jesus. Jesus promised, “If a man love me, he will keep my words” (John 14:23). What a powerful promise! Jesus is both the source and goal of life. When you love Jesus—in...
Revival Journey Book
Are you traveling this Thanksgiving or planning a visit to be with family for Christmas? Whether you intend to go home or open your home to those making the trip, remember there is another journey that awaits all of us. We speak of life again (or as it’s otherwise...
Assurance of Salvation: Preaching for Doubt vs Preaching for Faith
Over the years, I have received more inquiries regarding assurance than any other matter. It’s a joy to offer help by pointing people to the object of faith, Jesus, based on the sure Word of God. The only infallible assurance is the infallible Word of God. A simple...
Christian Fake News
“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him” (Prov. 18:13). A conservative paraphrase of this verse says, “Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.” The warning here is to refrain from speaking to an...
The Gift of Jesus Tract
Merry Christmas! Too early? Perhaps the greeting is rushing things, but the time is right to place your order and be ready to share the gospel this Christmas season. The Gift of Jesus, a Christmas tract written by John Van Gelderen, highlights the gospel message of...
More Thoughts on Finney and Faith
Some people understandably and rightfully find portions of Charles Finney’s theology troublesome. Others have taken issue with his methods (an assessment which may not be as fair). But we should all recognize that Finney is excellent on faith. I recall hearing someone...
Finney and Faith
In recent decades, some have been quite negative about the ministry of Charles Finney. It’s easy to criticize someone who is no longer here, but are the criticisms valid? I had heard so much criticism against the man that in spite of being blessed by biographies of...
The Guidance of the Holy Spirit, Part Three: How Can You Discern Counterfeit Guidance?
In this series on spiritual guidance, we have noted that the Spirit of God does lead individuals and have addressed how the Spirit leads. But knowing that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light, how can we discern the true from the false? Recognizing the...
The Guidance of the Holy Spirit Part, Two: How Does the Holy Spirit Lead?
In the first part of this series, we addressed the reality that the Holy Spirit does in fact guide individually. But how does the Spirit lead? Knowing the genuine is always vital to discerning the counterfeit. Two key biblical principles provide a plumb line for...
The Guidance of the Holy Spirit, Part One: Does the Spirit Guide Individually?
Satan knows a believer in right relation to the Holy Spirit poses a threat to what he considers his turf. In response, he has orchestrated attacks against the person and work of the Holy Spirit and has influenced some individuals to even deny the specific leading of...
The Meaning of Meditation Music
In our world, “meditation music” has become popular even in the secular realm. However, the New Age version under this label is not meditation music at all. Meditation involves the mind. Thus, the Scripture urges believers to meditate on God’s Word day and night...
Giving All, Taking All
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your...
The Focus of Your Thinking
In a context challenging the believer to awaken and live an overcoming life, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Rom. 13:14), there is a two-fold imperative.First, it literally it says “be endued”...
Overcoming Fear
Have you ever woken up early—too early, and found yourself dreading the day? Anxious about certain relationship tensions? Worrying over how to pay a bill? Not looking forward to dealing with circumstances you find yourself in at home, at work . . . wherever? Dread can...
The Danger of Misinformation
“Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His...
KESWICK—A GOOD WORD OR A BAD ONE? Part Three: Reasons for the Attack
What lies behind the criticism of Keswick theology? In this article, we will cover some key factors that fuel objections and cause some problems for those seeking the truth.Basic MisinformationAmazingly, I have been in some settings where a speaker taught the truths...
KESWICK—A GOOD WORD OR A BAD ONE? Part Two: Inaccurate Accusations
Last week, we discussed the historical background and theology of Keswick. In our day, the orthodoxy that Keswick was once accorded has been replaced in many minds because of misunderstandings and a wealth of misinformation. Several critical charges have been leveled...
KESWICK—A GOOD WORD OR A BAD ONE? Part One: Historical Background and Theology
Occasionally, I hear people use the label Keswick in a derogatory fashion. Yet others use the term quite positively. Hearing something of these widely ranging opinions, someone unfamiliar with the term might wonder whether this word Keswick denotes something good or...
The Greatest Hindrance to Revival
The greatest hindrance to revival is not sin. Sin is why we need revival. The greatest hindrance is when we do not deal with our sin.The psalmist said, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear” (Psalm 66:18). The issue is not the fact of having...
Listening Accurately
Early in my ministry, I encountered some who misunderstood what I was preaching. I was quick to grasp the idea of speaking clearly and precisely to avoid misunderstanding, but there was another factor I had yet to consider. While talking about the matter with a wise,...
Repent and Believe, Part 15: How Important Is It?
The foundational issue regarding gospel extremes centers on one’s understanding of what it means to repent and believe. How important is it? It could cost the very souls of men and women.On one occasion, a lady who operated a country/western radio station heard the...
Revived to Fulfill the Great Commission
Guest post by Evangelist Matt Barfield:Since the Summer of 2001, when the Lord touched my heart with revival, I have sought to more fully connect to his Great Commission. The Revival Road led to some surprising places (the Middle East, the Amazon jungle, and the Chin...
Repent and Believe, Part 14: Keeping the Difference of Purpose Clear
A proper understanding of the moment of salvation and the movement of walking in the Spirit hinges on the distinction of purpose for each. Confusing the two purposes threatens to obscure free salvation in Christ while bringing a works or bondage salvation into...
Repent and Believe, Part 13: The Purpose of Repent and Believe Differs for Salvation and for the Spirit-filled Life
Although the concept of faith and repentance is the same for salvation and the Spirit-filled life, the purpose for each differs. The former relates to what you receive. The latter relates to what you do with what you have received. The earthly goal of a decision of...
Repent and Believe, Part 12: The Concept of Repent and Believe Is the Same for Salvation and the Spirit-filled Life
The Bible does not portray two kinds of repentance and two kinds of faith, the one for salvation and the other for the Spirit-filled life. Faith is faith. Repentance is repentance. The concept of repent and believe is the same though the purpose varies.Galatians 3:2-3...
Repent and Believe, Part 11: The Nature of the Turn
The “turn” in repentance is the turn of trust in Christ alone as the Savior, which is the essence of faith. The nature of one’s initial wrong way of thinking will determine details of the turn of trust.For the religious idolater depending on a false god, repentance...
Repent and Believe, Part 10: The Clarity of Turning to Christ
In the New Testament, which provides the greatest precision on the doctrine of salvation, the emphasis of the wording is not on turning from sin. Rather, emphasis is properly placed on turning to Christ (for salvation from sin). The Christ child was named Jesus...
Repent and Believe, Part 9: Confusing Terminology: “Turn and Trust”
Although well-intentioned, confusing terminologies regarding salvation need to be honed to keep the gospel message crystal clear. To add something to the definition of repent, making repentance more than a turning to Christ (believing in Jesus) for salvation from sin...
