The Power of Affirmation
Your words have weight and carry a creative power. God spoke, and creation came into being, and then God "blessed" creation. "Blessed" is derived from a Hebrew word primarily meaning 'to pronounce favor.' It's the act of declaring, or extending through pronouncement,...
Walking In Unity
Unity for Christians is not merely a suggestion - it is a necessity. However, unity is not automatic; it is something to work toward in our relationships. Unity is essential for all our relationships – whether it’s our marriage or family, school or work, church or...
Faith vs Fear
Our security in Christ rests in our understanding of God's love for us and the fullness of our our adoption in Christ. In Eph. 5:25 Paul tells us that, “Christ loved the church… gave himself for her.” Jesus gave himself completely for you, and for his beloved,...
Perfect Love Drives out Fear
Fear can be debilitating. Fear can paralyze. We have all faced fears in the past. Some healthy, some not so healthy. Most of us learned at an early age to "fear" the burners on the kitchen stove - that's a healthy fear. Fear of the dark, however, though real to many,...
The Bride of Christ
Paul's message in Ephesians of the Church as the glorious and victorious Bride of Christ is important for our generation. Paul develops the allegory of the marriage union between a man and woman as illustrating one of the greatest mysteries of all – Christ wed to the...
The Father’s Love
Several years ago, I was traveling with my wife and youngest daughter. We were in the airport, just enjoying each other’s company and having fun before our flight. I can still see my daughter as she lovingly reached her hands and heart out to me wanting another hug....
Developing Kingdom Culture in the Local Church
The whole of the teaching of Jesus and the early church leaders revolved around understanding the Kingdom of God, or Kingdom of Heaven. In fact, in Matthew's gospel, the Kingdom is mentioned approximately 52 times. Yet in the same gospel the word "church" is only...
A Lofty View of the Church from the Book of Ephesians
Perhaps the pinnacle, or as some have stated, the “Magnus opus” of Pauline theology, is the letter to the Ephesians. While some have questioned the authenticity of Paul’s authorship and whether the letter was indeed written to the church in the city of Ephesus, this...
