Can the power of the Gospel be proven? Two devotionals that I read regularly are both emphasizing Saint Paul’s letter to Philemon. The letter of Philemon is one of Paul’s prison epistles. It is written to an individual rather than a church. Philemon was a prominent man in the community and a faithful brother in the church. Onesimus was a …

It’s difficult to be a Christian. We saw that yesterday in the Louisiana Legislature over a bill known as the “Pastor Protection Act.” The House has approved the bill; now we wait for the Senate. This morning’s assessment of the bill in NOLA.com shows why it’s hard to be a Christian. Governor John Bel Edwards has said he will not …

I’ve looked at churches for years and had the opportunity to see how they work and how they don’t work. Unfortunately, many churches don’t work. So many churches have great potential. They live in the midst of a growing population. They have an excellent location, where people can get to the building easily. They often have great preachers who are …

I know that God works all things together for good to those who love Him. This truth is one of the great convictions of my life. Let me tell you how I know God does this. First, I know God works all things together for good because of Scripture. The apostle Paul made this abundantly clear. Though he faced persecutions, …

One of the most famous Scripture passages for believers is Romans 8:28: “For we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” The problem is not that Christians don’t know this passage. They do. The problem is they don’t really believe it. They …

For several years I have been praying the doxology in Ephesians 3:20–21. A doxology literally means a word of praise. These verses are beautiful and powerful words of praise toward God. I would encourage you to read, meditate upon, memorize, and then pray these verses as an act of praise, adoration, and thanksgiving toward God. These are beautiful words as …

The Bible clearly states, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” As Paul planned to sail to Jerusalem, he met with the elders of the church at Ephesus, saying farewell and encouraging them in their work in the Lord. He reminded them of his labor among them over a three year period and called on them to give …

We all wonder why bad things happen to good people. This is one of the biggest questions in Christian apologetics. How do you reconcile a good God and tragic events? My thoughts have turned to this question because I know of many good people who have experienced bad things in recent days. Many of my friends, neighbors, and church members …

Have you missed the significance of one of the most important events in the earthly life of Jesus? I’m thinking of the transfiguration of Jesus. Luke 9 records this most important event. Eight days after the confession of Simon Peter and the other disciples that Jesus was “The Christ of God,” Jesus took Peter, James, and John on the mountain …

I so much want to please God and to be what He wants. How can I become a more dedicated follower of Christ? Many passages of Scripture could be used to answer this question. One of the most meaningful is 1 Peter 1:22-2:3. In this passage Simon Peter calls on those believers who have been scattered by persecution throughout the …