We just added a new page where you can download PDF files of a commentary on the book of Acts that I have been working on for several years. You can access it through the "Writings" link on the main menu above or click here to go there directly.
It is interesting how the Scripture quoted above gives us a step-by-step snapshot of the progression Christian growth follows...
What does it take to impress God? Read on....
Dead, religious activity is repugnant to God and causes Him pain. Instead, our religious works should flow out of our faith in and relationship with God.
Writing Understanding the Prophetic Nature was a big, all-consuming effort and sometimes it was easy to lose sight of the purpose behind that effort. What was my motivation behind this book? Why did I write it? What is its mission? To understand that, you must understand me.
In publication-ese a "galley proof" is the manuscript of a book that has been formatted to look exactly like the final printed form of the book. Two weeks ago I received the galley proof of Understanding the Prophetic Nature from the publisher, reviewed it and sent it back with some suggested changes. The publisher made the changes and sent it to me again for my approval. Since it looked good, I readily approved it and it is now on it's way to the printer.
Each of the fivefold gifts carries with it a God-given personality and perspective unique to its nature. Far too often pastors and prophets find themselves conflicting because their God-given constructions contrast and rub each other the wrong way. Chapter 6 addresses this conflict and presents advice to both pastors and prophets on dealing with these issues.
Chapter 5 looks at the lives of five Old Testament prophets and what they reveal about the prophetic nature and the challenges those chosen to bear it face.
1. How is the prophet’s message often sweet and bitter at the same time?
2. The author wrote that discouragement is the prophet’s greatest challenge. What else makes his calling difficult? (Hint: Re-read the section about Moses.)
Chapter 3 discussed the fivefold ministry gifts that are listed in Ephesians 4. The New Testament contains two other "gift lists": the Manifestational Gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 and the Motivational Gifts listed in Romans 12. The prophet's ministry relies heavily on these gifts, so Chapter 4 discusses them in some depth. Because of its controversial nature, the author spends extra time discussing the manifestational gift of speaking in tongues, detailing six ways this gift brings God's grace into the life of the believer.
In Ephesians Chapter 4 the Apostle Paul listed five ministries that he called "gifts" to the church. These gifts come directly from our Lord Jesus Christ and are an expression of His grace towards us. The chapter explores all five of these gifts giving us a framework for seeing how the gift of a prophet fits in with the other four. We learn how they all work together to nurture Jesus' body, protecting, nurturing, healing, guiding and innoculating against error.