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Now this is the confidence we have before Him: whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. - 1 John 5:14 Language acquisition is one of the most important activities of an overseas missionary, and it presents opportunities to explore various topics in the context of differing cultures. For example, in a French language class, we once discussed the responsibilities of parents in the education of their children. One topic we explored was the handling of money

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! - Psalm 133:1 It seems, at least within my particular "flavor" of Christianity, that conflict is often preferred instead of peace. Some might even suggest that our disharmony is a distraction and barrier to growth. Perhaps, but even if conflict should not be pursued, it also should not be avoided for the sake of a compromised truth or a false peace. The Body of Christ (in its local expression, i.e., churches)

I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. - 1 John 5:13 One of the things I sometimes complain about is a lack of proper "signage" in some places (be it a business, hospital, or town). International travel in third-world environments, on the other hand, certainly cut down on that complaining! Signs are necessary because they tell us if our direction is good or bad, right or wrong. They may of

Yahweh, if You considered sins, Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be revered. - Psalm 130:3-4 Webster's dictionary defines the act of reverence as "showing devoted, deferential honor to something or someone; regarding something or someone as worthy of great honor." In the verses above, David revealed great truth and evidence of God's unparalleled wisdom; truth and wisdom that proves God's absolute superiority over all other objects of w

The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn't have the Son of God does not have life. - 1 John 5:12 There are two French phrases that many people know (or have heard) even if they don't speak the language. They are: 1) Comment ça va ?, and 2) C'est la vie! The first question asks, "How's it going?" and the second seemingly answers, "This is life!" Or, in American vernacular, "It is what it is." So, how is your life going? Are you really living or just existing? Do y

How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, you will be happy and it will be well with you. - Psalm 128:1-2 The blessings of God are abundant and, if pondered in number and complexity, sometimes overwhelming. Yet shouldn't we take time to count and number them anyway? As the psalmist reminds us above, we are going to be blessed (generally) if we fear (worship, revere) God and follow Him in obedience. We al

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn't have the Son of God does not have life. - 1 John 5:11-12 Live! This is the word often used by lifeguards, doctors, and others who each day fight for the lives of those who are dying. It is also the desire of the Lord Jesus Christ for you today. He wants you to live, and He knows that this is not possible apart from Him. Jesus is the Sour

Unless Yahweh builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless Yahweh watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain. - Psalm 127:1 When my wife and I lived in Africa, our security was sometimes a concern. We had a guard, two dogs, and a wall around the house. We were always careful to lock our doors and to keep an eye on our possessions. We weren't fearful, just watchful. Life was more about lessening interferences than avoiding distractions. When we returne

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. - 1 John 5:11 Why wife and I served as missionaries in West Africa. While there, we met missionaries from a number of differing agencies. The stories of how they arrived were all different, but the destination was the same. Differing paths, same destination. Unfortunately, many in this world are deceived into believing that there are also similar paths to eternity with God. Most people bel

Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves. - Psalm 126:5-6     If our hearts are broken over the needs of this world then our tears will surely flow, but what might be one hopeful result of those tears?   The psalmist said that if we sow in tears, we will reap with shouts of joy. If this is true, then one result of our tears might be a harvest!

The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. The one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son. - 1 John 5:10 Have you ever called someone a liar? Has anyone ever called you one? I was called a liar once, publicly. It wasn't fun. The man was angry at me and didn't have all the facts. When he realized his error, he apologized and asked forgiveness. It was a very unpleasan

I raise my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from Yahweh, the Maker of heaven and earth. - Psalm 121:1-2 In the old western movies, when the hero got into trouble, he would look to the horizon for someone to ride in on horseback and save him. Ancient Israel, under siege from almost every enemy that surrounded them, often looked to some neighboring nation to come and bring relief. When you or I face overwhelming attacks, where do we go for

If we accept the testimony of men, God's testimony is greater, because it is God's testimony that He has given about His Son. - 1 John 5:9 The strength of a testimony comes from the person who gives it. If the character of a person is dishonest, then their testimony will not be credible. If, on the other hand, a person is known to be honest, then their testimony will usually be considered believable. For example, we can believe God the Father's testimony, because He is holy,

My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow Your instruction. - Psalm 119:136     What makes you cry?   Scraped knee? Bruised ego? Your favorite team losing? A particularly moving worship song or service? A movie? (I remember hearing that some men who watched Toy Story 3 cried like a little girl at a Taylor Swift concert)?   I cry (at times), but I wonder, "When was the last time any of us wept over the fact that God's instruction was being ignored?" Could

... the Spirit, the water, and the blood — and these three are in agreement. - 1 John 5:8 When I was a little boy, my brother and I would sometimes get caught lying because our stories didn't agree. Since we weren't of one mind, we didn't think together and since we didn't think together, we weren't believable. That is the problem with lying, remembering which lie you just told, and keeping your stories straight. It is better to just tell the truth. Right? John said that Jes

I open my mouth and pant because I long for Your commands. - Psalm 119:131 If you have never heard of "Cat and Dog Theology," then I highly recommend you pick up this book Cat and Dog by my good friend, Gerald Robison. While the analogy certainly has its limits, Gerald stresses the difference between a "cat-Christian" (one who believes that this life is all about them (and a "dog-Christian" (one who believes that this life is all about Him (God). When I came upon the verse a

For there are three that testify.... - 1 John 5:7 If I had ever told my friends and family that prior to October 18, 2009, I would preach in Africa (in French), they would have laughed and said (along with me), "I don't think so, Dave." However, that is just what I did. Yes, even I found it hard to believe at the time, but the claim that I actually did it comes from two facts: 1) those who were actually present that can testify to the actual event, and 2) how many were pre

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. I have solemnly sworn to keep Your righteous judgments. - Psalm 119:105-106 I was once in the shower, in a bathroom with no windows, when the lights went out. By God's grace, I didn't break my neck trying to get some light. Let's just say that it's difficult to navigate in total darkness. Do you have any idea where your life is headed? It seems like sometimes I know, but then again at other times I don't have a clue. The

Jesus Christ — He is the One who came by water and blood; not by water only, but by water and by blood. And the Spirit is the One who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. - 1 John 5:6 The first time that I saw a sign advertising rubber stamps in Francophone Africa, I was pretty surprised. I mean, they seemed to be everywhere ! You see, the French word for a rubber stamp is "tampon." They really like their rubber stamps in French-speaking Africa and therefore, there ar

Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep Your word. – Psalms 119:67 Affliction is not something that we seek or particularly like to experience. In fact, I would say that it ranks right up there with illness, trial, and disaster. Who would ever want to be “afflicted?” How could we ever see such things in a positive light? The Scriptures clearly teach that God’s purposes are often accomplished through difficult circumstances. Hardship, in its various forms, is of