category
Search by topic, scripture, category etc..
127 Results in 164ms
Display
Sorted By
-
illustration
Bruce Almighty Tries Granting Every Prayer
Have you ever thought to yourself, "I'm glad I'm not God!" Too much responsibility! In the 2003 movie "Bruce Almighty," Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) gains God’s divine powers b... -
illustration
If birds could write books, their story of creation
If birds could write books, their story of creation would no doubt read quite differently than ours. In the first place, I expect they would make quite a lot out of that wind of God that swept over th... -
illustration
Various Types of Invitations that Keep us from the Kingdom Banquet
Jesus’ parable [of the banquet in Luke 14:16-23] makes it clear that there are business and career invitations . Some people had real estate that demanded attention, and others had invested in ox... -
Quote
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams observes that the biblical ideal is not so much that we need to deny the self as to decenter the self: To see the self in truth, as an integral member of a comm... -
illustration
Martin Luther on His Last Day on Earth
There’s a well-shared (though probably apocryphal) story that took place about the morning, the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther was having a theological discussion with a few of his friends. One... -
illustration
Keep Looking Up
The apostle Paul said, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on thin... -
illustration
My Brother BIrds
Unlike most of us, Francis of Assissi's love of preaching extended beyond just human beings. On one of his journeys through the valley of Spoleto, near Bevagna, Francis of Assisi came upon a large... -
liturgy
We come before our heavenly Father
Pastor: We come before our heavenly Father in the name of the One who is King of kings, His Son, Jesus Christ. At His invitation we pray. People: Your Kingdom come; Your will be done. P... -
illustration
The Kingdom is Here for Me
A young Russian, deeply moved by the teachings of Tolstoy and the New Testament, had become a conscientious objector. Standing before a magistrate, he spoke passionately about a life that loves its en... -
illustration
Clashing Kingdoms
While I don’t agree with late professor and scholar Marcus Borg on significant theological positions, I appreciate how he described the context surrounding Jesus’ new paradigm of kingdom living: In hi... -
Quote
There is a king who rules, a people who are ruled, and a sphere where this, rule is recognized as taking place. Put another way, the Kingdom of God involves: (a) God’s people (b) in God’s place (c) un... -
illustration
The Bible a Prop for Politics
In June 2020, during nationwide protests over the killing of George Floyd, President Donald Trump posed with a Bible outside St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC. Police used riot-control tac... -
series
Psalm 121 | God as Our Help and Keeper
Ancient lens What’s the historical context? Historical Background In our modern world we know so much about our universe that it is easy to forget that in the Bible there is a connection between ... -
liturgy
Heavenly Father, we come before Your
Heavenly Father, we come before Your throne of grace to confess our sin. We have been selfish instead of generous; we have been proud instead of humble; we have held grudges instead of forgiving; we h... -
liturgy
King Jesus, We confess that we are
King Jesus, We confess that we are quick to put our hope in places other than You. We are often more driven by our fears than by our faith in You and Your Kingdom. We place our trust in health, jobs, ... -
liturgy
Gracious God, we know that You have
Gracious God, we know that You have forgiven us in Jesus Christ, but we often remain slow to forgive one other. You have sent Your Spirit to reconcile us to each other, but we resist Your work to bind... -
liturgy
God of all times and places, we confess
God of all times and places, we confess that we try to limit our exposure to you. We try to limit your presence to a tidy little box, safely tucked away where we can pull you out as needed. We try to ... -
liturgy
Adapted from “A Cry for Deliverance” in The Valley of Vision
Pastor: Heavenly Father, save me from sin! I know I am righteous only through Jesus’ righteousness, but I greatly desire to be more like him! I am your child, so help me to resist the temptation to si... -
liturgy
God our Father, Lord our Shepherd,
God our Father, Lord our Shepherd, Spirit of the Living God, One in Three … and Three in One: We praise You our Creator, Savior, and Provider. By Your grace, we lack nothing. You feed us in body... -
liturgy
Gracious God–who opens Your arms wide
Gracious God–who opens Your arms wide to welcome us just as we are but who’s too loving leave us that way: in response to Your invitation we come humbly and boldly with our broken hearts and weak hand... -
liturgy
Almighty God, we take pride in our
Almighty God, we take pride in our self-sufficiency while we look down on the weak who cannot provide for themselves. We praise others for their efforts, yet we demand perfection from our own families... -
liturgy
Ask, Seek, Knock
May we ask according to your will, not according to our desires, for you will give us what is right for us. May we seek you as the pearl of great price, not half-heartedly but with our whole being, fo... -
liturgy
Heavenly Father, we confess that in our pursuit
Heavenly Father, we confess that in our pursuit of good, we often miss opportunities to bring you honor and glory. We try to address our shortcomings by compensating for them, rather than by orienting... -
liturgy
Adapted from Matthew 6:25-34 (WEB)
Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, Do not be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body m... -
liturgy
Holy redeemer, we come before you in
Holy redeemer, we come before you in repentance. For we get so caught up in discerning who is worshiping you correctly that we forget to worship you ourselves. Fill us with your Spirit so that we migh... -
liturgy
Holy Spirit, you have come to reconcile
Holy Spirit, you have come to reconcile us to each other, but we resist your work to bind us together. We hold onto grudges. Even though we know God has forgiven us in Jesus Christ, we are slow to for... -
liturgy
Living and present Lord (Extended)
Prayer of Adoration Living and present Lord: You often surprise us, coming when we least expect it; or, You simply fold back the curtain to show us You’ve been there all along to give us hope and to ... -
liturgy
Lord of glory and honor – You are
Lord of glory and honor – You are worthy of our worship and allegiance. You are Faithful and True. With authentic justice You judge the world, and each of us in it. You’re the Word of God – made fles... -
liturgy
Lord, our King, we confess our tendency
Lord, our King, we confess our tendency to build homes and kingdoms that are more for us than they are for you. We confess the pride we take in our own security and ability to protect and to preserve.... -
liturgy
Lord, through Your son have ushered in
Lord, through Your son have ushered in a new kingdom. You have invited us into that kingdom and You invite us to participate with You. Please show us Your powerful presence today as we discover more o...
Page 1 of 5
Top_level_categories by Topic
A
- Abiding in Christ (1)
- Ability (2)
- Abundant Life (1)
- Acceptance (1)
- Achievement (1)
- Actions (1)
- Adoration (1)
- Adultery (1)
- Advent (1)
- Aim (1)
- Air (1)
- Alcohol (1)
- Allegiance (2)
- Anger (1)
- Animals (2)
- Answered Prayers (2)
- Anxiety (2)
- Apologetics (1)
- Art (1)
- Attacks (1)
- Attention (1)
- Authentic Faith (1)
- The American Dream (1)
B
- Baggage (1)
- Banquets (1)
- Beggars (1)
- Being A Child Of God (2)
- Being Humbled (1)
- Being Set Free (1)
- Believing in Jesus (2)
- Belonging to God (1)
- Belongings (2)
- Beyond Understanding (1)
- Biblical Faithfulness (3)
- Biblical World (1)
- Blessing (1)
- Blindness (1)
- Body Image (1)
- Bold Prayers (1)
- Boldness (1)
- Broken Families (1)
- Business (1)
- Busyness of Christmas (1)
- The Bible (3)
- The Biblical Story (1)
- The Body (1)
C
- Called by God (1)
- Challenges (1)
- Change the World (1)
- Charity (3)
- Cheerful Giver (1)
- Children (1)
- Children of God (1)
- Christ The King Sunday (1)
- Christ's Resurrection (3)
- Christian Leadership (1)
- Christians (1)
- Christlikeness (2)
- Christmas (3)
- Christmas Gift-Giving (1)
- Church and Politics (2)
- Circumstances (1)
- Cleansing (1)
- Clothing (1)
- Coldness of Heart (1)
- Comfort (1)
- Comforter (1)
- Coming of the Kingdom (7)
- Communion (1)
- Communion of Saints (1)
- Community (2)
- Compassion (2)
- Completion (1)
- Concentration (1)
- Confession of Sin (1)
- Conflict (1)
- Conscience (1)
- Consequences (1)
- Consumerism (1)
- Contentment (3)
- Control (2)
- Controlling God (1)
- Conversion (1)
- Cost of Discipleship (1)
- Creation (4)
- Cross-Cultural Experience (1)
- Crowds (1)
- The Christian Faith (1)
- The City (1)
D
- Darkness (1)
- Death (2)
- Death and Dying (2)
- Death Has No Power (1)
- Death of a Loved One (1)
- Decisive Moments (1)
- Denying Self (2)
- Dependence on God (2)
- Desire (3)
- Desire for God (1)
- Despair (1)
- Destiny (1)
- Devotion (1)
- Direction (1)
- Discernment (1)
- Discipleship (1)
- Dishonesty (1)
- Disorder (1)
- Divine Intervention (1)
- Divinity of Jesus (1)
- Doctrine (1)
- Dreams (1)
- Drought (1)
- Dying to Self (1)
- The Dying (2)
E
F
- Failure (1)
- Faith (2)
- Faith and Doubt (1)
- Faith and Prayer (1)
- Faith in Action (1)
- Faithfulness (1)
- Fame (1)
- Family (1)
- Family Dysfunction (1)
- Fathers (2)
- Fathers and Sons (1)
- Fatigue (2)
- Fear (3)
- Fear of Death (1)
- Fellowship (2)
- Food (5)
- Football (American) (2)
- Football (Soccer) (1)
- Forgiveness (13)
- Freedom from Sin (1)
G
- Gardening (2)
- Genealogies (1)
- Generosity (4)
- Gifts (2)
- Giving (7)
- Giving and Receiving (1)
- Giving to the Poor (1)
- Glory (3)
- God (1)
- God the Creator (1)
- God the Father (1)
- God's Creation (3)
- God's Faithfulness (1)
- God's Gifts (2)
- God's Goodness (1)
- God's Hands (1)
- God's Invitations (1)
- God's Justice (3)
- God's Love (1)
- God's Plans (3)
- God's Protection (4)
- God's Provision (4)
- God's Sovereignty (2)
- God's Throne (1)
- God's Truth (1)
- God's Will (4)
- God's Word (3)
- Good Life (1)
- Good News (1)
- Goodness (2)
- Goodness of Creation (1)
- Goodness of God (1)
- Gospel (1)
- Government (1)
- Grace (4)
- Grandparents (1)
- Gratitude (2)
- Greatness of God (1)
- Grudges (2)
- Guidance (1)
H
- Habits (1)
- Half-Heartedness (1)
- Happiness (1)
- Harvest (1)
- Hatred (1)
- Healing (4)
- Health (1)
- Healthcare (1)
- Heart (5)
- Heart Change (4)
- Hearts (1)
- Heaven (3)
- Help (1)
- Helping the Poor (1)
- Holding a Grudge (2)
- Holiness (2)
- Home (3)
- Home Ownership (1)
- Homelessness (1)
- Honor (2)
- Hope (4)
- Humanity (1)
- Humility (7)
- Hunger (1)
- The Holy Spirit (5)
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
- Pacifism (1)
- Parents (1)
- Patience (1)
- Paul (1)
- Peace (2)
- Peacemaking (1)
- Peoples (1)
- Perfection (2)
- Permanence (1)
- Perseverance (1)
- Personal Agendas (1)
- Plans (1)
- Political Leaders (3)
- Politicians (1)
- Politics (1)
- Poor (1)
- Poor in Spirit (1)
- Possessions (6)
- Poverty (2)
- Practices (1)
- Praise (2)
- Prayer (3)
- Prayer Life (2)
- Praying for your Enemies (1)
- Praying in Public (1)
- Praying with Expectance (1)
- Preaching (1)
- Preaching Christ (1)
- Preaching the Gospel (1)
- Price (1)
- Pride (4)
- Problems (1)
- Prosperity Gospel (1)
- Protection (3)
- Providence (3)
- Provision (4)
- Purity Of Heart (1)
- Putting God in a Box (1)
- The Psalms (1)
R
- Racism (1)
- Real Estate (1)
- Receiving (1)
- Receiving Forgiveness (1)
- Receiving Grace (1)
- Reconciliation (8)
- Recovery (1)
- Redeemer (1)
- Redemption (2)
- Reformation Sunday (1)
- Relationship with God (1)
- Relationships (1)
- Religion (1)
- Religion and Politics (2)
- Relying on Jesus (1)
- Renewal (3)
- Renewing our Minds (1)
- Repentance (1)
- Resisting Temptation (1)
- Resources (1)
- Rest (1)
- Restlessness (1)
- Resurrection of the Dead (2)
- Revelation (1)
- Revenge (1)
- Righteousness (2)
- Risks (1)
- Rituals (1)
- Running from God (1)
- The Roman Empire (1)
S
- Safety (2)
- Saint Nicholas (1)
- Salvation (4)
- Santa Claus (1)
- Savior (5)
- School (2)
- Security (1)
- Seeking God (1)
- Seeking the Kingdom (5)
- Seeking the Truth (1)
- Self-Absorption (1)
- Self-Centeredness (3)
- Self-Forgetfulness (1)
- Self-Justification (1)
- Self-Knowledge (1)
- Self-Reliance (1)
- Self-Renunciation (1)
- Selfishness (5)
- Selflessness (1)
- Sermon on the Mount (2)
- Set Apart (1)
- Sex (1)
- Shelter (2)
- Shepherd (1)
- Shortcomings (1)
- Simplicity (2)
- Sin (5)
- Sinfulness (1)
- Single Parents (1)
- Sinners (1)
- Sleep (1)
- Society (1)
- Soil (1)
- Spiritual Growth (1)
- Spiritual Hunger (1)
- Sports (1)
- Step-parents (1)
- Stewardship (4)
- Storms (2)
- Struggles with Prayer (1)
- Stuff (2)
- Submission (1)
- Suffering (1)
- Surgery (2)
- Surprise (1)
- Surrender (1)
- Sustainer (2)
- The Sick (1)
T
U
Top_level_categories by Reference