Promises for the Battle
Ministry
Thanksgiving Sonnet 2025—Grateful for Ministry
As I thought about a theme for this year’s Thanksgiving sonnet-prayer, I was struck by the gratitude Paul felt and expressed for being able to contribute to the growth of the saints after they came to Christ. This gratitude appears in three of his letters, one from early in his ministry and two from later. … Continue reading
Help #7—Unusual Help
Jesus said to his disciples, “I have food to eat that you do not know about. … My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.” John 4:32–34 At the end of a long day, when we are bone-weary, frustrated, discouraged, and beat, God’s deliverance often comes … Continue reading
Thanksgiving Prayer 2023
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15 As I thought about this year’s Thanksgiving prayer, I noticed that the Apostle Paul rarely runs out of words to express the power and scope of his delight for all that God did for his people through Christ. But at the close of his … Continue reading
Comfort #2—Ministry Comfort
I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. Philemon 1:7 The comfort of love rests on the evidence of service. Love is comforting only if we know it is real. In an age when we hear the word “love” … Continue reading
Grace #4—Co-operating Grace
I am the least of the apostles—unworthy to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not wasted. Instead, I strove harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of … Continue reading
Praise and Thanks for Grace to Serve
God is gracious to us in that he exerts himself on our behalf so that we have cause to enjoy more and more of the goodness he enjoys about himself. His grace is sufficient to effect a transformation in us that will enable us to be successful in all that he gives us to do. … Continue reading
Thanksgiving for Ministry
One of the graces God gives us is people whom we can serve in order to strengthen their confidence in and allegiance to Jesus (Romans 1:11–12). Regardless of how difficult and time-consuming this ministry can be, we can rejoice in our knowledge that the situation, the insight of what to do, and the ability to … Continue reading
Success #2—Celebrating Success
I shall continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your boasting may abound in Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:25–26 As those who follow Jesus in the obedience of faith, what’s the best way to celebrate any measure of success that we experience? Abundant boasting! More and more: more talk … Continue reading
Guidance #7—Immediate Guidance
An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Arise and go south” … And he arose and went; then he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch … And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” Acts 8:26–29 Technically, this is not a promise. But it does illustrate what seems to be the … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 