For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) Now, I freely admit that it is impossible to hold a Christian service without an agenda. If order is to be maintained, an order of service must exist somewhere. If two songs are to be […]

Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father Who is in Heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, “Lord, Lord did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many […]

“If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.” (2 Thessalonians 3:14) The apostle Paul speaks on the subject of professing believers who continue in sin (1 Cor. 5:9-12; Titus 3:10-11) several times in the New […]

Back when I was still coaching high school football I received the following sermon illustration from Grady Vigneau, who was at that time anyway, the director of the All-Star Football Camp in Burlington, VT. In the times I was talking with him Grady never gave me any indication of being interested in spiritual things, so I don’t believe he had any […]

The LORD enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people. (Isaiah 3:14) Reject Contemplative Spirituality And Instead Pray According To The Will Of God What will follow is illustrated e.g. by the Apprising Ministries piece Ravi Zacharias International Ministries Contunues Asserting Henri Nouwen A Great Christian Saint. Since I happen to be one whom God, […]

The Disciplines recommended by Foster, as well as his whole spiritual formation system, are derived from the mystics.  His list of recommended spiritual masters is witness to this:  Ignatius of Loyola (p. 66); Teresa of Avila (p. 166); Jeremy Taylor; William Law; Dallas Willard (pp. 24, 80, 153); Henri Nouwen (pp. 64-65, 110); Father Anthony […]

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14 , ESV) Jesus Himself Says […]

Here in my part of New Hampshire it’s still rather chilly, and this spring anyway, frequently stormy. Frankly, this description wouldn’t really be too far off from illustrating the current state of the visible church world-wide. As I shared with Connecticut River Baptist Church in my sermon from last Sunday Satan has been quite successful in making things […]

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1, NASB) But Then How Would You Know Which Is True? At the 2:18 mark of the commercial below Beth Moore reads the text above and then says dramatically, “Several years ago Christ began to place […]

“Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading.” (Lamentations 2:14) Contemplative Spirituality/Mysticism As Spurious Spiritual Formation Breeds Deception Following in this Apprising Ministries piece we’ll give you another look at where the kind […]