November Prayer Guide 2021
SOUTH SUDAN — Revenge killings continue in South Sudan. Pray that the peace of Christ as proclaimed through Words of Hope programs would turn hearts toward non-violence. We have heard directly from individuals who, after listening to Words of Hope messages about peace and reconciliation in Christ, have decided to forgive revenge killings in their […]
Jesus’ Public Ministry
Read: Matthew 4:23-25 And he went throughout all Galilee . . . (v. 23) Matthew 4 and Matthew 9 contain two almost identical passages (compare 4:23-25 and 9:35). Between these bookends is a series of snapshots illustrating the three major elements in Jesus’ public ministry. First, he preached. He “went throughout all Galilee . . […]
The Summit of Grace
Read: Romans 8:31-39 We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (v. 37) Our climb up the mountain of Romans 8 began with the life-giving declaration “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (v. 1). It ends with the breathtaking view from the summit that nothing “will be able to separate […]
Making Sense of Suffering
Read: Romans 8:18-30 All things work together for good . . . (v. 28) The question “How can a good God allow so much suffering?” prevents many from receiving Jesus. In my pastoral experience, however, the biblical view of suffering is the only explanation because it offers an origin, an end, and a cure. Suffering […]
Dearest Dad!
Read: Romans 8:12-17 But you have received the Spirit of adoption . . . (v. 15) British royalty provides endless fascination for many with its pomp, formality, and tabloid stories. I find their titles of nobility intriguing. Prince Charles has 20! If you or I addressed him, we’d use words like His Royal Highness, Prince […]
Mount Everest
Read: Romans 8:1-11 No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (v. 1) The book of Romans is sometimes described as the Himalayas of the Bible and Romans 8 as Mount Everest. I agree! Once while flying from India to Nepal, my eyes grew wide as the 29,031-foot mountain came into view. The sky […]
Wretched No More
Read: Romans 7 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (v. 25) When I received Jesus at age 13, I mistakenly believed sin would no longer be tempting to me. Wrong! Maybe when I joined my local church at 18? Wrong again! And it has not ceased waging war (v. 23) on me […]
Know Your Freedom
Read: Romans 6:15-23 You have been set free . . . (v. 22) On the first Saturday of every month, hundreds of people gather in Mukono, Uganda, for an eight-hour experience called “Know Your Freedom in Christ.” There are new and old believers, seekers, and strugglers of all sorts. Throughout the day the throng praises […]
Life, Not License
Read: Romans 6:1-14 In order that . . . we too might walk in newness of life. (v. 4) One misunderstanding of the abundant grace in Romans 5 and 6 is that, because God’s grace is greater than our sin, we can go on sinning. I have actually heard a person say, “I’ve professed my […]