Steve's Blog
I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. Revelation 1:18 (NLT)
Jesus holds the keys of death and the grave. Possession of the keys indicates authority. The Resurrection was more than an event fixed in history two thousand years ago, it represents a fundamental change in man's relationship with God. God, through Christ, paid the penalty for our sin and conquered death and the grave. There is no domain excluded from his autho...
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Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
This is my story. It’s not as dramatic, or as traumatic as other people’s testimonies, but it illustrates God’s goodness and his faithfulness.
To provide context I need to go back to about 2 months before I was born. My mother was riding in the backseat of a car that was involved in an accident. This was before the days of seatbelts and other safety restraints, and...
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:7 (NLT)
Without testing, there will always be room for doubt regarding the genuineness, durability, and even practicality of anything. Certainly, companies take sho...
The warfare we’re engaged in, you see, isn’t against flesh and blood. It’s against the leaders, against the authorities, against the powers that rule the world in this dark age, against the wicked spiritual elements in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (BFE)
Jesus told us that in the last days we would hear of wars and rumors of wars. We know that throughout history, times of complete peace have been rare, if not nonexistent. Arguments for pacifism are at times compelling, and yet there h...
For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 (CSB)
The expression, “Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket” has been around for centuries. It advises that it is unwise to place all of your resources, hopes, dreams, even faith in one place, or in one person.
In parts of the world, it is relatively easy to persuade someone to “accept Christ” into their life. The problem is that they simply add...
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You live in a world of deception. In their deception they refuse to know me. This is the Lord’s declaration. Jeremiah 9:6 (CSB)
God’s words through Jeremiah ring true today. Ours is a world of deception. If we are reading a mystery novel or watching a magic act, deception can be entertaining. But it can also be deadly. Previously, we read:
“Beware of your neighbor! Don’t even trust your brother! For brother takes advantage of brother, and friend slanders friend. They all fool and defraud ea...
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. James 3:17 (CSB)
Is there any doubt that this world needs more wisdom? In every sphere and arena of life, we can find devastation, and heartbreak because leaders and people have failed to acquire or utilize wisdom.
We must also remember that there is true wisdom, and false wisdom. What some think is wisdom, is really foolishness: For the wisdom of this...
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. Matthew 5:11–12 (NLT)
Growing up we learned “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words shall never hurt me.” It is an expression that has been around for a long time, but in recent years it has come...
O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 (NLT)
It does not require genius, or great spiritual discernment to understand that we live in turbulent times. In the United States, again we are hearing that this is the most important election of our lifetime. Didn’t we hear that 4 years ago?
King Jehoshaphat, a godly king, realized that Israel faced an en...
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And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 2 Corinthians 4:15–16 (NLT)
Famed football coach, Lou Holtz, said, “In this world you're either growing or you're dying so get in motion and grow.” Others have expressed this idea as well, but nevertheless it is a truth that we ignore at our peril.
As long as we are i...
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
As Christ-followers we should be different from the world, but in reality, it can be uncomfortable to be a nonconformist. Yet, it is the only way for us to be able to test and approve “what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Various translations shed even more light o...
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It is important to have role models in our lives, but we can also learn from people in the Bible, and in history. Peter is someone to whom we can relate because even though he failed at times, he kept on going. He wouldn’t give up.
Peter was at the center of everything. The first one to speak up to respond. He did things that no one else dared to do. Peter did nothing small. He had big wins and big losses. Still, we should desire to be like Peter.
Peter Responds to Jesus
One day as Jes...
You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. Hebrews 5:12 (NLT)
When babies are born, parents have expectations about their development. For example, babies can walk as early as 9 months, and most are walking by 16 months. According to experts, most children start to say their first words around 12 months, and typically by ag...
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So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. Ephesians 1:6–7 (NLT)
It is probable that John 3:16 is the most familiar verse in the Bible. It has been memorized and loved by countless people for centuries. Accordingly, "Amazing Grace" is the most widely known and loved hymn, at least in the English-speaking world. PBS broadcast a show...
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Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10–11 (NIV)
Have you been confirmed? No, we are not talking about the religious ceremony where young people are admitted to Communion. Peter is asking us to confirm our calling and election. Why is this important?
The Word of God is the seed w...
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The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions. Deuteronomy 29:29 (NLT)
What is accountability, and why are people averse to being held accountable? Deuteronomy tells us that we will be accountable for everything that has been revealed to us.
The dictionary defines accountability as “the obligation to report, explain, or...
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT)
Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Acts 15:39 (NLT)
The apostle Paul made a wonderful appeal to the Corinthian church. Their objective is to live in harmony with each other, and that there be no divisions in the church. As Christ-foll...
So, he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. John 13:4–5 (NLT)
Do we ever get to the place where we are too important or big to do certain jobs for the cause of Christ? Do we refuse to get our hands dirty? At times we may not be the most suitable person, but it should never be because we are too proud, and the job too humbling.
Any tim...
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Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:16–17 (NLT)
Getting older should change our perspective on life. When we are young, and the majority of our life is still in front of us, the value of time can be lost to us. One of my favorite quotations is from missionary C. T. Studd: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Whether we are young, or older (please not...
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 (NLT)
June is the month when people speak of pride as though it were a good thing. The Bible paints a different picture concerning pride. Pride may actually be the deadliest of the seven deadly sins.
An attitude of pride was associated with the fall of Satan (Ezekiel 28:14–15; Isaiah 14:12–15). King Solomon in Proverbs repeatedly addresses the dangers of pride. Pride comes before disaster, and arrogance before a fall....
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Isaac dug out again the wells that were dug during the lifetime of his father Abraham. The Philistines had closed them up after Abraham’s death. Isaac gave them the same names his father had given them. Genesis 26:18 (CEB)
It is noteworthy that two essential elements of life, breath, and water, are symbolic of the Holy Spirit. Understanding this relationship, the enemy of our souls seeks to disrupt our supply. In Isaac’s day, the Philistines, (representative of this world) sought to cut off t...
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
What causes anxiety? Living is the simple answer. Each day we are confronted with potential sources of anxiety. There are things we have no control over, but we can have anxiety over things that we “think” we have a measure of control. We can even have anxiety, but not know or understand the cause.
Regardless of the cause, anxiety is not good for our health, or well-being. Anxiety can cause elevated heart rates, high b...
Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ Luke 14:16–20 (NLT)
Making excuses is a...
You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? James 2:19–20 (NLT)
Faith and belief are closely interrelated in Scripture. At times, the words are used interchangeably in various translations. Jesus talked about “little faith.” Some people, along with demons, have enough faith to believe that there is one God, but “saving faith” must go f...
And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:22–24 (NKJV)
We see an echo in this passage with what Jesus experienced...
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