Author Archives: Intentional Faith

READ Titus 2:11-15 Who is a servant of God? Ask the average church-goer that question, and he will most likely point to his pastor or some Christian celebrity.  He almost certainly will not say,“I am God’s servant.” The church has a mixed-up idea that believers are separated into servants—that is, individuals in full-time ministry—and layContinue reading “To Be or Not to Be”

READ Acts 5:17-42 Today in a nation around the world and here at home, someone was physically assaulted for their belief in Jesus Christ.  Now more than any other time in the history of the church, followers of Jesus are paying for the faith big time. Imagine receiving a beating as a warning to stopContinue reading “When You Love Too Much”

READ Ephesians 5:15-21 Why would God command us to thank Him regardless of the circumstances?  The idea defies human logic.  But then, the Lord rarely binds Himself to man-made rules.  Scriptural principles serve specific purposes in the Christian’s life. Gratitude keeps us aware of God’s presence, which builds our trust and ultimately strengthens our peace. Continue reading “Thanks Anyway”

READ:1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Some verses are easier to memorize than practice. If we could simply remove a word or two from these verses, God’s command would feel doable.  Giving thanks is easy, but giving thanks in everything is a nearly impossible task. Often gratitude seems our last choice, considering the depth of pain or turmoilContinue reading “When Its Hard to Say Thanks”

READ: Philippians 3:3-12 In today’s world, “passion” usually refers to sensuality or sexuality.But the word’s meaning—an intense desire toward something or someone—can apply to any area of life, including spirituality. Indeed, the one place passion ought to appear is in the believer’s life: We should fervently seek to know the Lord Jesus Christ who savedContinue reading “Passion”

READ: I Corinthians 13 On this special day, I thought it would be appropriate to refer to the love chapter once more. (I Corinthians 13).  The love I am speaking of is God’s love (called agape).Divine love empowers us to respond calmly to difficulties, to demonstrate patience in seasons of waiting, and to sacrifice withoutcomplaint.Continue reading “A Little More Love”

Luke 15:11-32 Since tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, I thought we would spend a little time on the power of love in our lives. The New Testament uses three Greek words to express love—Eros (physical intimacy),Philia (friendship), and Agape (the love produced in us by the Holy Spirit).(Galatians 5:22) Our Father cares for us with agapeContinue reading “The Power of Love”

Read: Psalm 23:5-6 People rarely think of suffering as profitable.  But when facing the difficulty and pain of a valley experience, we mature spiritually.  We make discoveries about ourselves when trials peel away any facade we might typically display and instead expose who we truly are.  As our life is shaken,we learn what forms ourContinue reading “The Profit of Pain”

What would you say if God asked you to: lead many others, as Joshua did? Speak His words to prominent leaders, as Daniel did?  Become a traveling missionary like Paul? God wants us to respond with courage when He calls us to tackle something beyond our ability. Our first step toward bravery is meditation onContinue reading “Joshua 3:1-17 Courage Wanted Here”

When I was completing my graduate degrees at Indiana University, a human development course introduced what it considered the most primary fears of a human being.  The fear is to be abandoned by those we love.  More than the physical price of such desertion, the havoc wreaked upon our sense of peace and security isContinue reading “The Worst Fear”