Posts by Steve Ekeroth
Be Unshakable
So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe. For our God is indeed a devouring fire. Hebrews 12:28–29 (NET) Earthquakes Everywhere Natural earthquakes can cause significant damage with great loss, both lives, and property. You might be…
Read MoreA Reflection on Praise and Worship
Have you ever considered the difference between praise and worship? Is there a difference? It is not uncommon to hear the words praise and worship used in tandem and even interchangeably, but do they mean the same thing? On one level, they may seem the same, but there are significant differences. There are numerous Hebrew…
Read MoreGot Tribulations? – Be of Good Cheer?
My dear family, when you find yourselves tumbling into various trials and tribulations, learn to look at it with complete joy, because you know that, when your faith is put to the test, what comes out is patience. What’s more, you must let patience have its complete effect, so that you may be complete and…
Read MoreHave Faith in God
“Have Faith in God.” These words from Jesus follow immediately after observing that the fig tree that Jesus had cursed earlier in the day had indeed withered and died. They immediately precede the statement by Jesus in which he said, “I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted…
Read MorePrepare to Engage
Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. John 17:18 (NLT) Last week, we began to examine our options as we confront the forces of evil comprised of the world, Satan, our adversary, and our fleshly nature. In last week’s article, Resistance Is Not Futile, we learned that…
Read MoreResistance Is Not Futile
I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world…
Read MoreEngaged: Fulfilling the Mission
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19–20 (NIV) Jesus spoke these words just before His ascension to describe the church’s primary mission. Mark’s gospel is…
Read MoreDealing with Criticism
“To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person.” Luke 6:27–28 (The Message) Recently I was in conversation with several pastors. One of…
Read MoreFully Equipped
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NIV) The car salesman exclaims, “This car is fully equipped. It has every option.” The car may have features you never thought you…
Read MoreThe Silence in Between
It is good that he waits silently For the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:26 (NASB 2020) I do not want to put you on the spot or embarrass you, but do you read the ending first when reading a book? Reading the end of a book first would be a serious breach of protocol…
Read MoreWe Want to See Jesus
“Sir, we want to see Jesus.” John 12:21 In the days leading up to the crucifixion, some men wanted to see Jesus. They did not approach him directly but instead sought to use Philip as an intermediary. We cannot be sure, but perhaps they felt uncomfortable, as Greeks, to approach Jesus. Philip, having a Greek…
Read MoreEncouraged: Words and Deeds
We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 (NLT) Words and concepts often have surface meanings that belie vast depths and rich significance. As a student of Scripture…
Read MoreWithout holiness…
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) Is holiness a subject that anyone should bring up in “polite company?” If they even know what you are talking about, there is a good possibility that they will not have…
Read MoreEmpowered to Empower
And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.” Luke 24:49 (CSB) Some people will remember the American Express slogan from the 1970s, “Don’t leave home without it.” It was a successful campaign that ran for 25 years. Although there…
Read MoreAnd Time Shall Be No More?
The concept of eternity is often beyond the capability of our intellects to grasp. Surveying Christian history, we find conflicting thoughts and ideas about time and how it intersects with eternity. On the one hand, James Milton Black, who wrote “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder,” penned the words, “and time shall be no…
Read MoreDeception and Discernment
So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. Job 34:4 (NLT) Let me begin with a question. How great is our need for discernment? There is a meme that has been floating around the Internet for several years: “Don’t believe everything you see on the Internet.”-Abraham Lincoln.…
Read MoreWonderful Grace of Jesus!
Because of his love, God had already decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. That was what he wanted and what pleased him, and it brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely, in Christ, the One he loves. Ephesians 1:5–6 (NCV) “Wonderful grace…
Read MoreThe Brevity of Life
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV) I don’t know who coined the phrase “The length of our lives is represented by a dash between two dates,” but it is undoubtedly a concise way of stating what most people sense, especially as they get older,…
Read MoreTo Swim or to Stand
Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13 (CSB) Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NLT) As we age, it is commonly believed that change becomes more difficult for many of us. Perhaps it is because…
Read MoreSwim in the River of God
He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river.…
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