John Woodward
Growing Your Faith
“A man fell off a cliff, but managed to grab a tree limb on the way down. The following conversation ensued:‘Is anyone up there?’‘I am here. I am the Lord. Do you believe me?’‘Yes, Lord, I believe. I really believe, but I can’t hang on much longer.’‘That’s all right, if you really believe you have…
Read MoreThe Use of “Old Man” in Ephesians 4:22
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24, KJV. The interpretation of man’s essential nature…
Read MoreWhat Child Is This?
The Christmas carol by William Dix asks, “What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?” Since the Christmas season should celebrate the birth of Jesus, the question of His identity and mission deserves our informed consideration. Biblical prophecies give…
Read MoreKnow God, Know Life
When our son was a toddler he had a blue and yellow tricycle with wide tires. He would zip around the driveway and along the sidewalk with his set of wheels. The bike had a place for a license plate that came with stick-on letters to personalize the tag. John III uses our middle name–Bradford.…
Read MoreThe Privilege of Access
Many of us in North America are getting used to the privileges of having access to hi-tech communications when needed. For example, cell phones have become so common that this service is routine. Computer users usually have access to the Internet, surf the Web and check e-mails as commonly as the previous generation turned on…
Read MoreLiving Above Your Circumstances
One of the most common factors in emotional depression is the feeling that our circumstances box us in, keeping joy, hope and peace beyond our reach. I heard about an incident at a theological seminary when a professor noticed that one of his students seemed to be dejected. He asked him, “How are you doing?”…
Read MoreSorting Your Self Out
Have you ever wondered: Should I deny myself? Or should I accept and love mySELF? It depends on which “self” is being referred to! If we don’t define and clarify the meanings of this term, we’re bound to end up confused. As a fellow once jokingly said to me, “B.I.K.!” I asked, “B.I.K.?” He replied,…
Read MoreThe Perfected and Progressive Aspects of the Believer’s Sanctification
Is it possible to be so excited about God’s grace and our new identity in Christ that we miss part of God’s provision for victorious living? Imagine a mechanic who sets out to fix his car, since the engine won’t run. He finds and replaces the broken part and puts it all back together. The…
Read MoreDoes the Believer Have Two Natures?
Question: Do you have something within your website dealing with the two natures of a Christian? I will mention two authors: Joel T. Andrus, his booklet “The Believer’s Two Natures,” and E.C. Hadley, his booklet, “The Believer’s Two Natures”…I would like to know where you stand on this subject. Thank you very much for your…
Read MoreTotal Surrender
One of the essential conditions for experiencing “life more abundant” is total surrender to the lordship of Christ. The classic Scripture text that speaks directly to this need is Romans 12:1,2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is…
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