The Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.  Psalm 147:11 Bible commentator, Matthew Henry, said it well when he wrote: “A holy fear of God and hope in God not only may consist, but must concur. In the same heart, at the same time, there must be both a reverence…

When my kids were little, I remember coming home to a house that was a disaster, with toys and stuff everywhere and my wife was completely worn out. I could tell that it had been one of those days! As I looked at my three kids playing in the midst of the mess, I thought to myself, This is my beautiful…

Blessed by these insights from the book of Nehemiah by Warren Wiersbe. If you are involved in any type of leadership this is worth the read. 1. He knew he was called of God The worker who doesn’t have a divine calling to the work is like a house without a foundation or a ship without an anchor, unprepared for…

“God doesn’t give us joy instead of sorrow, or joy in spite of sorrow, but joy in the midst of sorrow. It is not substitution but transformation.” -Warren Wiersbe In John 16:21-22 Jesus illustrated this truth by the birth of a baby: “A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she…

I was thinking today about that glorious day that is coming soon upon the earth; the day known as the rapture of the church. Yes, I still believe in the rapture! That day Paul talks about in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, where Jesus comes, not to the earth, but to the clouds, and where His bride is caught up to meet…

It seems like everyone I talk to these days is battling a major trial. For some, it is the dilemma of working harder than they ever have before in a job that they don’t like. The stress level is through the roof and the demands on their time are astronomical. For others, it is health issues that have them perplexed…

The last thing LaShanda Calloway saw before she died was people literally stepping over her to continue shopping as if nothing had happened. Calloway had stopped to shop in a convenience store in Wichita, Kansas when she was stabbed in an altercation. As she lay dying, a surveillance camera recorded no less than five people stepping over her to continue…

“After the Philistines captured the Ark of God, they took it from the battleground at Ebenezer to the town of Ashdod. They carried the Ark of God into the temple of Dagon and placed it beside an idol of Dagon. But when the citizens of Ashdod went to see it the next morning, Dagon had fallen with his face to…

“Fear is the greatest enemy of our faith.” – Alan Redpath, The Making Of a Man of God “Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re…

Ray Stedman is one of my favorite Bible teachers to read. He is with the Lord now, but his teaching ministry lives on through publications like this one, which ties in nicely to our current study in Colossians. Hope you are blessed! “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires…

When I was a kid I grew up in the city, about twenty minutes from Newport Beach, Ca. I spent a lot of days down at the beach, especially in the summer. Catching waves, playing whiffle ball and football on the beach was my scene. I had a friend named Jim, and every once in a while we would go…

I really enjoyed this article from my friend Pastor David Guzik, who will also be one of our speakers for our men’s retreat October 24-25! A Father’s Legacy Sometimes parenting feels like the most wonderful duty in the world, sometimes it feels like the worst. The Bible is filled with stories of success and failure in parenting and gives us…

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” –  Proverbs 12:25 After sharing about some recent struggles with a good friend of mine, he shared this encouragement: “Worry never robs tomorrow of it’s sorrow, but only saps today of it’s joy.”  Quickly, I was reminded of how many times I have allowed things like worry…

I read a great article in Relevant Magazine today that I thought was well-written and worth sharing on the subject of how we interact with a brother or sister who is in sin. Read it and I would love to hear your comments.  – Pastor Rob How We Misunderstand ‘Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin’ There’s a difference between loving…

I read this great reminder today from my friend Jon Courson in his devotional called “A Day of Feasting.” I pray it blesses you as much as it blessed me: “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear!Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come…

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” – James 1:2-4 I love the way the New…

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through…

“Take heart.  I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 In the heat of war, in the depths of the battlefield, nothing is more unsettling than the unknown.  If I got drafted today and was placed into a firefight, I’d be sweating bullets! I’d be thinking, “Is this the end? Can I make it?” Imagine if someone showed up with a crystal…

“Leave the broken, irreversible past in God’s hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.” – Oswald Chambers One of the saddest things that I witness on a regular basis as a pastor is people whose lives have been crippled by past failures, mistakes, sins, and hurts. I meet people all the time who are unwilling, afraid, or…

“Seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” – Luke 12:31-32 I still remember the very first time I read this. I was floored by the phrase “It gives the Father great pleasure to give you the kingdom.”…