Blog Articles
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...
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...
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...
