Four Benefits of a Blameless Life

King David, in Psalm 119:80, offers this rich prayer: May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame! Indeed, this prayer ought to be on the lips of every follower of Jesus Christ. I ask myself what might be the benefits of a blameless life. It appears that READ MORE

Think Small; Think Big

As summer is slipping away and fall is descending upon us, at least here in Minneapolis, I offered these words to the scores of phenomenal staff that help New Hope Church shine. Perhaps these words can encourage you as well. Here you go:   As we step into this new season I wish to ask READ MORE

A Call to Arms

When you turn to 1 Chronicles 12:33 you find a notation that is all but ignored. The chronicler of Israel’s history tells of men from the tribe of Zebulun who were experienced soldiers prepared for battle with every type of weapon, to help David with undivided loyalty. Consider the text: Of Zebulun 50,000 seasoned troops, equipped READ MORE

Three Temptations Common to All

In the barren wilderness known as the Jordan Rift the Lord Jesus faced three universal temptations designed to undermine him as a man and corrupt his sense of personal mission. It is likely that he dealt with many other temptations while in this physical wasteland, but these three are recorded, and they do indeed carry READ MORE

Five Rocks for Everyone’s Bag

Being just days away from stepping into my new responsibilities with the New Hope Church family in the greater Minneapolis area, it seems reasonable to offer one final, loving word to our beloved Bethel Church community—words put forward in my last sermon on July 12, and which will be meaningfully helpful for Bethel Church in READ MORE