Roots by the River

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). There is a unity in the Spirit. We become part of that unity at the instant we are born of the Spirit. “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:4-5). This unity is a reality! We are to make every effort to keep it. We cannot establish it. It is true already by virtue of our being born into the body of Christ. Here are few of the ways we destroy this unity: ·        We become men followers (1 Corinthians 1 & 3). ·        We seek followers for ourselves (Acts 20:30). ·        “ We have the best church government.” ·        “ We have the best form of worship.” ·        “ We have the best doctrine.” ·     ...

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14). Much of prayer is wishful, hopeful, anxious, or desperate praying. This text and the ones below are God’s conditions for answered prayer. “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving , present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name . Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” (John 16:24) “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit— fruit that will last . Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other” (John 15:16-17). “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt , because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tosse...

by Chris Schlect I was recently* involved in a conversation regarding two distinguished, voluminously-published theologians. Both are divorced; their wives left them because they spent so much time reading, writing, and teaching that their families suffered from neglect. I was also disappointed to hear of a pastor who wrote a rather helpful book on child discipline, yet has a rebellious child. All three of these men know their Bibles very well, but their lives have not demonstrated practical godliness. Practical godliness lies at the heart of the Christian life. Knowing good and evil is important, but it is not enough. Good must be practiced. The Scriptures speak of a difference between milk and solid food . Milk is for the immature, and solid food is for the mature. We often associate milk with simple, basic truth, and solid food with lofty theological concepts. But Scripture denies any necessary correlation between godliness and vast Bible knowledge. The men mentioned above cou...

Walking with God: A Puritan's Perspective Excerpted from "A Christian's Daily Walk" by Henry Scudder, c. 1640 To live by faith and to walk with God are all one. Enoch was said to have walked with God (Gen. 5:24). What was this else, but to rest and believe on God, whereby he pleased Him? (Heb. 11:5-6). The moral actions of man’s life are fitly resembled by the metaphor of walking, which is a moving from one place to another. No man, while he liveth here, is at home in the place where he shall be (Heb. 11:5-6). There are two contrary homes, to which every man is always going, either to heaven, or to hell. Every action of man is one pace or step whereby he goeth to the one place or the other… First, you are commanded to walk as Christ walked (1 John 2:6); and it concerns you so to do, if you would approve yourself to be a member of His body: for it is monstrous, nay, impossible, that the head should go one way, and the body another… Secondly, it is all which the Lord re...

Many years ago, my wife and I heard a message that we took very much to heart. It was preached at our wedding. The message had been given first more than 3,000 years earlier to a people who did not take it to heart. It was part of Moses’ final talk to the new generation. "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth" (Deuteronomy 11:18-21). There was very little application of this teaching by the people of Israel in the Old Testament. I have also observed hundreds of Christians, senior to me, contemporary to me, and junior to m...

As much as possible, follow up on the letters by spending time with your parents. Show them with your attention that they are valuable to you. When you go home, express affection to your parents physically. Don’t do the polite hug. Get into it. Really give them a squeeze. Maybe even a kiss! Just rock the old man. Surprise your mom. You may receive a favorable response to your letters. If you do not receive a response, do not think that you did something wrong. Be patient and keep on giving. Some cultures (e.g. those of Northern Europe) are not expressive with their emotions, except for lost tempers. This kind of expression from you may be embarrassing for your parents. But they still want and need to receive this expressed love, even if they do not know how to return it. If your parents are still alive, it’s not too late to do this. One man I know who is in his late fifties wrote this kind of letter to his father. His mother replied, “I have been married to your father for sixty...