2 Samuel 7:2-17 This is the God I serve. The God who appreciates a King’s heart but doesn’t take him up on his generous offer. The God who had a bigger plan. David wanted to build a temple for the Lord, but God told David’s cousin, Nathan, “Let David know I appreciate the […]
Intimacy with God
God’s not a Cosmic Vending Machine in the Sky
The enemy would love for you to believe that if you received every spiritual gift out there, you would be more valuable to God and more influential than others. The enemy aims to distance you from God in whatever way he can. If that means dangling the carrot of fame and recognition in front […]
What was John’s Secret to Longevity?
What made John the apostle? I mean… what transformed this man into the one to whom Jesus entrusted the Book of Revelation? We first encounter John in Mark 10:34, fishing with his brother and father – just doing the family business. At a simple invitation by a man they hardly knew, James and John leapt […]
Sometimes, Courage is Needed to Wait
Psalm 27:14 (NASB) -“Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage, yes wait for the Lord.” In Hebrew poetry, repeating words or phrases would carry the same weight as the English usage of bold font or italicising words we want people to pay attention to. And the phrase that David tells […]
Last Man Standing? Is It Time to Bow Before the King?
On July 31 2022, the usual 10:30 am church service at Bethel Church in Redding, California, was invaded by the holiness of the presence of the Lord. No one preached a sermon. There was very little interaction beyond the worship, and it was powerful. It was spontaneous, and yet the Lord had a plan. For […]
By Definition, Christians follow Christ – but Do We Know Him?
I want to thank the faithful ones. Those who attend church weekly, contribute financially to various church endeavours, volunteer at church bazaars, serve on church boards, and take their turn volunteering in Sunday School. There is no doubt. Your faithful service blesses the pastors of your faith community. Perhaps you are a staff member of […]