Mar 09
Praying is hard. There is no secret formula or proven technique to make prayer easy and effective. Prayer doesn’t turn God into a “genie in a bottle.” Prayer is not a vending machine, where we pop in the right amount and get what we want. Prayer is about a relationship. Prayer is a child talking …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/praying-in-faith/
Jul 29
We teach children to let their “little Christian light” shine all around the neighborhood. Jesus said Christians are the “light of the world” (Mat. 5:14). I think we need to add an additional verse to the children’s hymn which currently speaks of hiding our light under a bushel or letting Satan blow out our light. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/has-covid-dimmed-your-light/
Jun 23
Paul understood we would have worries and anxieties in this life [see my post about this]. Paul himself dealt with many (2 Cor. 11:16-29). We certainly have reasons to worry today. Our recent wave of fear, crisis, and worry should drive us to God’s word for an answer. Paul’s answer can be seen in Philippians …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/pauls-six-step-method-for-dealing-with-anxiety/
Mar 24
We live in anxious times. We live in depressing times. We need social interaction and encouragement, yet many are confined to isolation. Fear is thriving. The Apostle Paul could relate to our anxieties. He suffered shipwrecks, imprisonments, countless beatings with whips and rods, vicious attacks from enemies, hunger, exposure to harsh weather. Upon top of …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/keeping-anxiety-from-ruling-our-hearts/
Mar 13
Fear! The uncertainty of the unknown is causing hysteria across our nation in response to the coronavirus. We are canceling annual sporting events that involve millions of dollars because of fear related to public safety. The stock market is crashing. Schools are being dismissed. Toilet paper and cleaning supplies are in high demand. What is …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/what-to-do-when-the-world-is-in-a-panic/
Sep 18
Prayer is difficult! It requires faithful persistence (Luke 18:1-8). We may pray for something for years and God never grant the prayer as we desire. This causes us to question God, our own righteousness, and the purpose of prayer. In the opening of Luke’s gospel he tells about an older couple named Zechariah and Elizabeth. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/am-i-living-wrong-because-god-doesnt-answer-my-prayers/
Jan 03
We are a culture that esteems youth and the here-and-now. We move at a rapid pace and spend little time reflecting on the past or dreaming about the future. We have too much to do in the present! As we begin 2019, I want to share two stories with you that challenge you to see …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/your-role-in-between-the-past-and-the-future/
Oct 18
Stephen Hawking final book was published this week. It is called Brief Answers to the Big Questions. He died this past March after a long bought with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Of course he tackles the most important question anyone can ask, “Is there a God?” He writes, “We are each free to believe what …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/how-big-of-question-can-your-god-answer/
Oct 12
In sports, it is offensive for anyone to question your motivation. No one wants to be accused of not being motivated to play hard and win. But what about with our faith? Motivation is the key to the success of everything we do in the church. Every ministry depends upon motivated people. Every classroom depends …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/questioning-your-motivation/
Oct 04
Acts 27 tells a fascinating story about Paul and his companions being on a ship during the midst of a tremendous storm. Paul had warned the captain of the ship not to sail because it was winter and the sea was not fit for sailing. While trying to make it down the shoreline some 40 …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.joshketchum.com/god-is-directing-our-ship-an-illustration/
