When we are talking with unbelievers, we need to remember two things (at least).  First, that we used to be where they are right now; and two, that they are scared to death (rightly-so) of this God about Whom we speak (in Jesus).  Because of this, they have to concoct all their arguments against Him,... Continue Reading

People who remain connected with their brothers and sisters in the local church almost invariably grow in self understanding, and they mature in their ability to relate in healthy ways to God and to their fellow human beings. This is especially the case for those courageous Christians who stick it out through the often messy... Continue Reading

Remember the goals you are trying to achieve, and don’t give up no matter how discouraged you may be at any given moment. Keep your focus in the face of obstacles and consider the good that will come from your efforts.   Resolutions for the new year are easy to make but not always so... Continue Reading

The Spirit arrived with force and clarity. Voices rose at once, shaped by languages that had never passed through these mouths. Praise spilled without instruction. I recognized the sound immediately. My chest tightened. I had heard it before in Jerusalem. My companions heard it too. I watched their faces change as understanding reached them.  ... Continue Reading

It can be easy to keep your prayers at a surface level out of fear of admitting weaknesses or because you’ve practiced covering up in other conversations. Yet God already fully knows you, he’ll never sin against you, and he wants to help you.   One of my closest friends moved across the country. I’ve... Continue Reading

God’s thoughts soar as far above ours as the heavens are above the earth. So “do not lean” on your own way of thinking. “Lean” means “rely”—don’t rely on your mind, strength, righteousness, works. Put your weight totally on God in Christ.   How precious it is to know that the God who created and... Continue Reading

You purify the outside of the cup, but inside you’re full of impurity. You’re blind! You’re lying to yourselves! First purify the inside of the cup, and then you’ll be the right kind of pure on the outside. Outside purity without inside purity is no purity at all. So, what does it mean to be... Continue Reading

His daughter was dead. Had Jesus only responded more quickly. Had Jesus set aside the woman and sensed the urgency that was there, maybe it would have ended differently. Why would Jesus heal this woman and allow his daughter to die? I have struggled with these same questions. I have experienced the disappointment that comes... Continue Reading

In keeping with the journalistic tradition of looking back at the recent past, we present the top 50 stories of the year that were read on The Aquila Report site based on the number of hits. We will present the 50 stories in groups of 10 to run on five lists on consecutive days. Here... Continue Reading

Let’s instruct people that the Bible’s promises are not magical, mechanical, or automatic. But let’s also euthanize the false and confusing reflex that communicates that, because proverbs are not mechanical, they are not “promises.” Stating the matter that way has only misled people and created worse problems than those we attempted to solve.   It’s... Continue Reading