“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). What does it mean to “fear God”? It’s an idea that troubles some people. If God is for us (Romans 8:31), and if he is loving (1 John 4:8), and if perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), … Continue reading Volcanic reverence
billy graham
Beating back fear
Fear can’t rule you if God already has the job. In the Bible we are taught to “fear God.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 succinctly says: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Proverbs 9:10 famously says: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” But it’s not a … Continue reading Beating back fear
The house started to sink
Billy Graham tells a story about a family who purchased a plot of land for a home in the Appalachian Mountains. It was breathtaking, overlooked a valley, and faced some beautiful mountains. They made plans, chose a builder, and the house was completed. After about a year, things started to go terribly wrong. They noticed … Continue reading The house started to sink
It’s a win-win (With thanks to Billy Graham)
Yesterday we learned that the great preacher Billy Graham passed away at the age of 99. So for today’s devotional, and as a testament to Graham’s own teaching, let me share a story he once told, and which captures something about the hope that was deep within him. There was a 30 year-old truck driver … Continue reading It’s a win-win (With thanks to Billy Graham)
Like you’re actually talking to the King of kings
The famous Billy Graham says that prayer is the “sweetest work of the soul.” If that’s true, why do so many people struggle with it? One of the continual refrains I hear is that prayer is hard work and that it’s easy to get distracted. So today I’d like to offer super-practical advice to those … Continue reading Like you’re actually talking to the King of kings
