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...
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...
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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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...
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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As he rode along, the crowds spread out their garments on the road ahead of him. When he reached the place where the road started down the Mount of Olives, all of his followers began to shout and sing as they walked along, praising God for all the wonderful miracles they had seen. “Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” But some of the Pharisees among the crowd said, “Teacher, rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” He ...
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I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. John 17:14–16 (NLT)
Jesus prayed for his disciples and us before he went to the cross. In preparation for his departure, he tells the Father that he has prepared the disciples by giving them the words of the Father. He a...
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. Romans 13:1 (NLT)
As Christ-followers, we have dual citizenship. Peter tells us that we are citizens of heaven and earthly countries. As believers, how should we perform our civic duty? Some of them are prescribed to us by the country’s laws, but we also have responsibilities beyond those because we represent our Lord and Savior as his ambassadors...
Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 1 Corinthians 9:24 (NLT)
What Paul says in this verse could be challenging or discouraging, depending upon our perspective. What is our goal, and what is the prize? Nothing of significance is accomplished without a goal. To compete as an athlete in the Olympic Games requires dedication and sacrifice that does not occur accidentally or casually. The same thing is true of our spiritual lives.
At...
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 (NIV)
The apostle John warns us, “Do not believe every spirit, but to test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” False teachings frequently sound enticing and even close to the truth. Someone remarked, “Satan will use an ocean of truth to hide a teaspoon of poison.”
It may be true that some people will fall for any...
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil…Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground… Ephesians 6:10-11,13-14a (NLT)
The thought of boot camp provokes a variety of reactions. The reaction can range from satisfaction to horror. We need spiritual Boot Camp....
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:33–34 (NLT)
Every generation faces challenges, but it is hard to imagine that life has ever been as hectic and fast-paced as it is today. For me, the weeks seem to fly by. Someone once said, “Time flies by when you are having fun.” But it passes by fast whether we are ha...
And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs. Mark 16:20 (NLT)
People will tell you that the power and capabilities that Jesus gave to his disciples were only for the early church. They will say the early church needed the credibility to demonstrate to an unbelieving world the validity of their claim. That Jesus died for the sins of all and was raised back to life again by the power of God. The world we li...
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The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. Psalm 27:1–3 (NLT)
David lived a life filled with danger. He faced many life-and-death situations where he had to overcome his fears. Fear can...
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And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5 (NLT)
Reactions to the new year are varied. Some people get excited about making new resolutions while we know of others who are more blasé, “Been there, done that.” We all know of individuals who have carefully made resolutions, only to see them forgotten before the end of the month.
Sadly, I am among those who h...
She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem. Luke 2:38 (NLT)
Expectations are funny things. At times, we have “great expectations,” while we only anticipate disappointment or dread on other occasions. The Advent of Christ elicited hopeful expectations from Simeon and Anna. Granted, it is possible that they did not foresee a Messiah who would be cr...
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. Psalm 34:6 (NLT)
It is not unusual for children to have a sense of desperation this time of year. They have made their wish list, perhaps even written a letter to Santa Claus. The anticipation leading up to Christmas is excruciating. Will their desires come true? Will they try and sneak a peek? Do they secretly fear that they might be on the naughty list?
A sense of desperation brings things into focus. It...
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:17 (NLT)
We live in a world where the brokenness is evident. Some people realize their brokenness, while many do not. We need to understand three things about the brokenness in this world. At times, our sin is the cause of our brokenness; at other times, it is because we live in a fallen world under a curse. But finally, there is a brokenness that God can use to heal the world.
Ecc...
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