I’ve been given the opportunity to share about a brand new Bible from Gateway Publishing. Gateway is associated with Gateway Church in the Dallas, Texas area. They have churches affiliated with them all around the world. I’m so grateful to be part of this launch of this Bible. It’s a New Living Translation (NLT). The Fresh Start Bible (NLT) is packed full of commentary on almost every page. There are plenty of writings to make the Scriptures come alive to you... Read more
My first look at the Fresh Start Bible happened in September. I have a seat on the Pentecostal-Charismatic Curriculum Commission, a discipleship consortium of major publishers. We were preparing to begin the on-boarding process for a new publisher. The day arrived and the new publisher’s liaison entered the conference room with new boxes of Fresh Start Bibles for all of us. What better gift for the lifelong students of the Word that sit on the commission? Review & Giveaway Fresh Start... Read more
I’ve been doing a series on Hebrews. I believe this will be the last installment of that series. I’m doing a couple brief points to end the series, both on Christian leadership. To watch the last video, 4 Uncomfortable Commitments to Christian Leaders: CLICK HERE At times we have to think, not in terms of what the world thinks of leaders, but in terms of what God has called us to do for our leaders when we participate with them in... Read more
On Patheos and YouTube, where I offer these sermon snippets as vlogs, I’m going to share a couple pieces from a sermon. The first piece has to do with leadership and committing to leaders. The second piece has to do with what types of commitments leaders make. We live in a day and age when it’s very difficult to comprehend the role of authority, authoritarian figures, and how we need to commit to them. I believe it’s something that we’ve... Read more
This is a recent sermon from my series on “Today” in Hebrews. I decided to post the whole sermon after considering different parts that may be good to share. There were elements throughout the sermon that I thought would be good to hear. So I have decided to share it all with you. This is a sermon that affects us all because it looks at our lives, our jobs and work, as something greater than that. It’s our vocation. We’re... Read more
Imagine sitting down in my office or yours, and discussing the great works that are influencing our lives and ministries right now, over a good cup of joe. That’s the heart behind The Study this week, a list I’m experimenting with on Amazon . . . So, here are some points of interest from my readings and my library this week. Take a look at the Amazon list if you’re interested in some of my top recommendations, readings, and good coffees... Read more
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. – 1 Corinthians 10.16-17, ESV We took communion last Sunday, so I thought it would be good to take a break from the Today series in Hebrews to... Read more
As Acts 1.8 says, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth.” Witnessing can be quite an endeavor, but one of the most useful tools we have for this is kindness. Kindness is special: it’s an action that is fulfilling for the giver and for the recipient. It brings new perspectives to everyday situations, and it’s made me think about myself and... Read more
What I’ll be sharing is found in the Bible, Hebrews chapter 4, verses 5-7. I’m going to explore how God is active now, and how God really is at work in our lives at this time. That’s a little difficult for us to grasp sometimes because we all go through seasons of doubt. However, Scripture is clear that God is very much alive, and that He is active in our world today. So there are 2 major indications in these... Read more
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. – Hebrews 3.13, NRSV In this verse I’ve discovered 4 major ideas about Today, 4 major ideas and concepts that are being shared in this brief verse. Take a little bit of time to read or listen in. 4 Major Ideas Today i. Every day: each and every day The author is still emphasizing... Read more
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