Articles
Pastors and Pietism: Part 2
Copyright © 2017 Roger Helland I’ve pastored in the Vineyard, in the Mennonite Brethren, and in the Christian and Missionary Alliance traditions. I now serve as a district minister (a pastor to pastors and churches) of 29 churches in the Baptist General Conference...
Daybreak Devotions – Exercise (Action)
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1John 3:18 NIV) I’ve been thinking about exercise a lot lately. I want to lose the “spare tire” around my middle and gain some muscle mass in my chest, arms and shoulders. I’ve been...
Daybreak Devotions – Authentic
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16 NIV) The litmus test of Christianity is love. In other words, the way to know if your faith in Christ is authentic...
Daybreak Devotions – Keep Up
“You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way . . .” (1 Peter 3:7 NASB) I often joke that it’s easy to see that Peter was married and Paul was not. In his instructions to husbands, Paul spent a great deal of time talking about...
Daybreak Devotions – Dedicate
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time . . .” (2 Timothy 1:9 NIV) Two words stand out to me in this passage:...
Daybreak Devotions – Run
“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrew 12:1b NIV) How determined would you be to run a race with perseverance if the prize for finishing the race was your...
Daybreak Devotions – Truth
“If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32 NASB 1977 ed.) God’s truth sets people free! He promised it would. I’ve experienced the freedom of that truth in my own...
Daybreak Devotions – Believe
“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:18 NIV) Where were you born? Why were you born there? Did you get a map, a tour book, or do a...
PASTORS AND PIETISM: A KEY TO SPIRITUAL RENEWAL – Part 1
Roger Helland © 2017 As I write, I reflect on what drives my three decades of Christian ministry that spans vigorous spiritual service as a lay-leader, church elder, pastor, Bible college and seminary instructor, denominational leader, mentor, and author. My fire is...
Daybreak Devotions – Pulled
“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 NLT The Greek word for “worry” in this passage literally means, “to be pulled in different directions.” It’s a rather accurate...
Daybreak Devotions – Good News
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes . . .” (Romans 1:16 NASB) The word translated “gospel” means “good news.” Why is the message of Christ good new? It’s good news because “it’s the power of God for...
CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, CHANGE YOUR LIFE – PART 9
CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, CHANGE YOUR LIFE HINDRANCES TO GODLY THINKING Part 9 “Carolyn, have you ever considered that some of the struggles you are experiencing are the result of demonic interference?” WHAT??? I grew up in an evangelical pastor’s home. I gave my heart...
Daybreak Devotions – Excellent!
November 16 “An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.” (Proverbs 31:10 NASB) Why is it that on my wife’s birthday every year, I’m the one who feels like he’s received the gift? I met her at a weekly Bible Study. I had been asked to teach the...
Daybreak Devotions – Courage
“The Lord is with me: I will not be afraid . . . The is Lord is with me; He is my helper.” (Psalm 118:6a, 7a NIV) Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s feeling the fear and forging ahead anyway. It’s doing what needs to be done despite trepidation. Courage is...
CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, CHANGE YOUR LIFE – PART 8
CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, CHANGE YOUR LIFE HINDRANCES TO GODLY THINKING Part 8 Today we will look at how vows and judgments can interfere with living a changed life. A vow is a solemn promise to do (or not to do) something. Vows are very important to God. He...
Daybreak Devotions – Encouragement
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up . . .” (1 Thessalonians 5:11a NIV) My older daughter was very cautious when she was a young child. This was no more evident than when she was learning how to walk. When she tried taking her first step she fell...
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CHANGE YOUR LIFE, CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS – PART 7
CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, CHANGE YOUR LIFE HINDRANCES TO GODLY THINKING Part 7 So far in our series on changing our thoughts in order to change our life we have talked about several dynamics that can help us grow spiritually or hinder us: the importance of our thoughts,...
Daybreak Devotions – Progress
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12 BSB) Born prematurely, little Wilma wasn’t expected to survive her first month of life. Then, she...
CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, CHANGE YOUR LIFE – PART 6
CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS, CHANGE YOUR LIFE HINDRANCES TO GODLY THINKING Part Six “Hey Carolyn, there’s more in this present for you. You didn’t get everything out of the box. Come and see what else is in it.” I was so excited to find the black sweater I wanted I was...
