Have you ever heard the expression "going to hell in a handbasket"? Doesn't it sometimes seem--at least, judging by our leaders--as if that's what the body of Christ is doing? We have high-profile charismatic preachers divorcing their wives to marry someone else, evangelical pastors falling prey to Internet pornography, mainline denominational priests sexually abusing their congregants' children and, more recently, a homosexual priest being raised up to the position of bishop. As a Christian journalist, I hear the reports--and I cringe.

But I have learned that if we focus on what we see, we can easily become discouraged. So I choose to keep my eyes on Jesus, the magnificent Bridegroom, and my heart anchored in His Word, which tells us that Christ gave Himself for the church "that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish" (Eph. 5:27, NKJV, emphasis added). His plan is for us to be a glorious church--a beautiful, wrinkle-free bride. read more

8:00PM EDT 9/30/2003

CHRIST'S FINAL WORDS GUARANTEED OUR FREEDOM. HAVE YOU FULLY EMBRACED WHAT THE SAVIOR PROPHESIED?

When I began to study and meditate on the last sayings of Christ, I discovered that each statement carries with it an important freedom for believers. Jesus spoke seven times when He was on the cross--the number of completion or perfection. In so doing, He secured our complete redemption from every kind of problem we can face.

The powerful anointing released 2,000 years ago through Jesus' last words is available to you--today! Walking in these seven freedoms will transform your life. read more

7:00PM EST 1/31/2004

Our ability to defeat the enemy in our personal lives is based on our reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive to God because of Calvary.

In the power of the living Christ upon the throne we can stand as victors in the face of all the hosts of darkness. But you must never allow yourself to look at the enemy so as to blot out your clear consciousness of the person of the victorious Christ (see Eph. 1:17-23).

God raised Jesus from the dead and lifted Him right through the plane of the power of the air to the place above "principality and power" (Eph. 1:21, NKJV). He made Him to sit at His right hand, and "He put all things under His feet" (v. 22). read more

8:00PM EDT 5/31/2006

Christ's resurrection power is released in us when we embrace the cross.

When Paul wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal. 2:20, NIV), he declared the person he used to be, dead. His dependence on his own strength had been broken, so the life flowing through him was the life of Christ.

Brokenness is a prerequisite for experiencing the fullness of the Spirit's power. It is not to be avoided or feared because its product is wholeness. read more

8:00PM EDT 9/30/2001

In going to the cross, Jesus Christ reconciled mankind to a Holy God. Today, his sacrifice offers us even more than salvation.

The blood of Christ is the thread that runs through the Bible from beginning to end, tying it together into a comprehensive whole. It is the central theme--the very heartbeat of the living, active Word of God; everything points to it. Therefore, it is imperative for our spiritual formation that we gain a fuller understanding of it.

One morning recently I had an opportunity to do this. I was reading a scripture verse so familiar to me that its words almost didn't register on my consciousness. "The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7, NIV). read more

7:00PM EST 1/31/2002

NONE OF US LIKE SUFFERING. BUT IT IS ONLY  WHEN WE EMBRACE THE CROSS THAT GOD'S KINGDOM BEGINS TO COME TO LIFE IN US.

Do you wonder why God has to make it so hard on you? Why doesn't He make you good without making you miserable in the meantime? Of course He could, but He does not choose to do so.

He wants you to grow a little at a time and not burst into instant maturity. This is what He has decided, and you can only adore His wisdom--even when you don't understand it. read more

7:00PM EST 12/28/1999

Interestingly, the Bible says that the Lord was not in these things, but He was in the "gentle blowing," a very special place requiring silence before God (v. 12, NASB). He speaks to us in a still, small voice.

When we become quiet before God, we are able to receive the revelation of His presence that Elijah received. We can also receive direction, correction and new instruction.

Elijah was surrounded by spiritual warfare and demonic activity. In moments such as these it's more important than ever to be silent in order to receive clear direction.

One of the characteristics of an intimate walk with God is greater rest and peace and a realization that God does the battling on your behalf. If you'll take time to silence yourself before God, He not only will give you direction but also will remind you that He's taking care of it all. Silence will make you see how small you are, how big God is, and that God has everything under control. read more

9:36AM EDT 8/2/2010