New readings and translations built on timeless, eternal Christian principles — by Alan Drake.https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/en-ushttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/beware-of-powerless-christians/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/beware-of-powerless-christians/The Apostle Paul warned us to stay away from Christians who do not recognize the power of God.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-satan-tries-to-neutralize-your-gift/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-satan-tries-to-neutralize-your-gift/Your spiritual gift is from God. There is no doubt about that.Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-if-we-have-revelations-of-bad-things/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-if-we-have-revelations-of-bad-things/When we receive what seem like "negative" revelations about "bad things" that might happen, we might wonder if these revelations came from the devil; but the devil cannot give what he does not…Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/should-we-seek-spiritual-gifts/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/should-we-seek-spiritual-gifts/Should we seek spiritual gifts?Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/is-your-gift-from-god-or-the-devil/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/is-your-gift-from-god-or-the-devil/Have you ever known something was going to happen before it actually happened?Sat, 13 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-life-devoted-to-the-gospel-is-richly-rewarded/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-life-devoted-to-the-gospel-is-richly-rewarded/The Gospel is the most important message ever delivered to us. Life without the Gospel has no lasting meaning, but a life devoted to the Gospel message is filled with meaning, significance, and…Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-full-gospel-makes-disciples-not-just-converts/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-full-gospel-makes-disciples-not-just-converts/The message of salvation produces converts. But the full Gospel makes disciples!Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-full-gospel-includes-everything-jesus-taught/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-full-gospel-includes-everything-jesus-taught/“but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”—1…Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-gospel-meets-the-needs-of-people/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-gospel-meets-the-needs-of-people/Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He focused on meeting the needs of the people He encountered. When He sent His disciples out to minister in His name, He directed them to do the same.Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-full-gospel-transforms-your-spirit-soul-and-body/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-full-gospel-transforms-your-spirit-soul-and-body/The full Gospel includes the Truth about eternal judgment that each of us will face.Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-full-gospel-includes-complete-freedom-from-sin/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-full-gospel-includes-complete-freedom-from-sin/The full Gospel also includes complete freedom from sin. We are not only freed from the penalty of sin, but we are also freed from the desire to sin.Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-full-gospel-includes-the-baptism-of-the-holy-spirit/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-full-gospel-includes-the-baptism-of-the-holy-spirit/The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an essential part of the Gospel message. It was being declared by John the Baptist even before Jesus began His earthly ministry.Sun, 26 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-gospel-is-more-than-salvation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-gospel-is-more-than-salvation/The Gospel of Jesus Christ shows us the way of salvation, but the Gospel is much, much more than that. The Gospel shows us—not just the way of salvation—but the Way of Life. In the Gospel, we…Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-full-gospel-is-powerful/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-full-gospel-is-powerful/The Gospel message of Jesus Christ is not words only. The full Gospel that the Bible teaches comes with the power of God.Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-many-gospels-are-there/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-many-gospels-are-there/Depending on the translation you use, the Bible speaks of the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 4:23), and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mark 1:1), and the Gospel of peace (Romans…Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seated-with-jesus-on-his-throne/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seated-with-jesus-on-his-throne/“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”—Revelation 3:21 (NKJV)Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/jesus-outside-the-church/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/jesus-outside-the-church/“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”—Revelation 3:20 (NASB)Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-lukewarm-church/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-lukewarm-church/“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”—Revelation…Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-amen/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-amen/The seventh letter in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 was written to the church in Laodicea.Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-word-is-%E2%80%9Ccommunity%E2%80%9D/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-word-is-%E2%80%9Ccommunity%E2%80%9D/When I was much younger, there was a game show on television called Password. In this game, two teams of two people competed against each other. One partner on each team was given the secret…Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/to-the-overcomer-in-philadelphia/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/to-the-overcomer-in-philadelphia/Here in His letter to the sixth church, with only one more letter to go, Jesus begins to speak of His soon coming. After the Philadelphia Church Age, there will be only one more age before Christ…Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-age-of-the-open-door/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-age-of-the-open-door/In addition to the restoration of the doctrine of sanctification through the “washing of water by the Word of God,” the Philadelphia Church Age also saw the restoration of Christian outreach and…Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-pearl-of-great-price/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-pearl-of-great-price/Jesus began His message to each of the seven churches in Revelation in the same way:Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-key-of-david/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-key-of-david/In His address to the Philadelphia church, Jesus declares that He holds the key of David.Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-messenger-to-the-philadelphia-church-age/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-messenger-to-the-philadelphia-church-age/The messenger for each of the seven church ages in Revelation carried the message that was key for that particular age. For the Sardis age, the message focused upon the transformation of the…Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-did-god-create-evil/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-did-god-create-evil/We may wonder, “Why did God Create evil?” But a better question might be, “Where did evil come from?”Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-message-to-the-church-in-philadelphia/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-message-to-the-church-in-philadelphia/“And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘These are the words of the Holy One, the True One’”—Revelation 3:7 (AMP)Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/whose-names-will-be-blotted-out/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/whose-names-will-be-blotted-out/There are many pastors and teachers who assure the people in their congregations that all they have to do to ensure eternal salvation is to say a few words in a prayer. These people are led to…Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/blotted-out-of-the-book-of-life/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/blotted-out-of-the-book-of-life/At the end of Jesus’ message to the church in Sardis, He gives us one of the most unsettling verses in all of Scripture.Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-do-we-clean-our-robes/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-do-we-clean-our-robes/When Esther was preparing to enter into an intimate relationship with her king, she committed herself to an intense and thorough purification regime. It took an entire year for her purification…Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/clothed-in-pure-white/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/clothed-in-pure-white/When the Bride has prepared herself to meet the Bridegroom, she will be clothed in pure white linen.Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-messenger-to-the-sardis-age/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-messenger-to-the-sardis-age/“Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first;…Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/as-a-thief/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/as-a-thief/To the church in Sardis, Jesus issued a warning with His wake-up call that carried serious, eternal consequences if it was ignored.Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-wake-up-call/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-wake-up-call/When Jesus dictated His message to the church in Sardis, the church was dead, as many churches are today. To the Sardis church, and to all churches in similar conditions, Jesus sends a wake-up call.Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/worshiping-the-mother-of-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/worshiping-the-mother-of-god/The church is Sardis was the 5th church that Jesus addressed in his messages to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Sardis was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. This city…Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-message-to-the-church-in-sardis/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-message-to-the-church-in-sardis/Jesus opens this fifth message in the same way that He begins all seven of these messages in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. He addresses His message to the chosen messenger of the church, and then…Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-everlasting-kingdom-of-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-everlasting-kingdom-of-god/Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great statue ended with the statue being struck by a stone and completely crushed. Then the stone that struck the statue became a mountain that filled the whole earth.Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-stone/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-stone/Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great statue ended with the statue being struck by a stone and completely crushed. Then the stone that struck the statue became a mountain that filled the whole earth.Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/clues-in-revelation-17/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/clues-in-revelation-17/In Revelation 17, an angel shows John the great harlot “who is seated on many waters [influencing nations], she with whom the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality, and the…Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-final-empire-of-man/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-final-empire-of-man/In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the final empire of man is represented by the statue’s two legs of iron and the feet of iron mixed with clay. This empire is different from the other empires represented…Fri, 17 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-number-of-man/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-number-of-man/The image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream included four empires that have ruled the world since Nebuchadnezzar’s time.Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-image/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-image/It is no accident that the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream representing world empires is in the image of a man. The image that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream was “large and of unsurpassed…Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/nebuchadnezzar%E2%80%99s-dream/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/nebuchadnezzar%E2%80%99s-dream/After Daniel received revelation from God about the dream that King Nebuchadnezzar had, along with its interpretation, Daniel was rushed into the presence of King Nebuchadnezzar.Fri, 26 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-devastating-consequences-of-name-calling/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-devastating-consequences-of-name-calling/In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, one of the first commands that Jesus emphasized was about name-calling.Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-revelation-came-to-daniel/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-revelation-came-to-daniel/Daniel received some of the most profound revelations that anyone has ever received from the Lord. These revelations spanned the future timeline of mankind on earth from the time of the Babylonian…Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/when-mercy-triumphs-over-judgment/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/when-mercy-triumphs-over-judgment/James wrote that “judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; but [to the one who has shown mercy] mercy triumphs [victoriously] over judgment” (James 2:13 AMP).Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/to-the-overcomer-in-thyatira/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/to-the-overcomer-in-thyatira/Jesus concludes his message to the church in Thyatira (as He did in all seven of His messages to the churches) with promises to the one who overcomes. As in all the other churches, the promises to…Tue, 02 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/your-greatest-superpower/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/your-greatest-superpower/Your greatest superpower is the grace of God. Grace gives us the desire (the motivation) and the ability to overcome the challenges of life, to do God’s will, and to fulfill our purposes in life.Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-most-important-thing-to-ask-god-for/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-most-important-thing-to-ask-god-for/The letters from the early apostles that are recorded in Scripture were written to be read aloud to the believers who received them. As these letters were read aloud, the powerful blessings…Fri, 15 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-judgment-of-jezebel/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-judgment-of-jezebel/In His message to the church in Thyatira, Jesus focuses much of the message on Jezebel, who represents an evil and corrupting influence in the Church.Sat, 09 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/jezebel-in-church-leadership/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/jezebel-in-church-leadership/“I know your record and what you are doing, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your recent works are more numerous and greater than your first ones.”—Revelation 2:19…Sat, 02 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-son-of-god-to-the-church-in-thyatira/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-son-of-god-to-the-church-in-thyatira/“And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Thyatira write . . .”—Revelation 2:18 (AMP)Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/doctrines-of-balaam-and-the-nicolaitans/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/doctrines-of-balaam-and-the-nicolaitans/“But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things…Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-message-to-the-church-in-pergamum/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-message-to-the-church-in-pergamum/“And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Pergamum write:. . .”—Revelation 2:12 (AMP)Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-message-to-the-church-in-smyrna/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-message-to-the-church-in-smyrna/“To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Smyrna write: . . .”—Revelation 2:8 (AMP)Sat, 05 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-message-to-the-church-in-ephesus/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-message-to-the-church-in-ephesus/“To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Ephesus write: . . .”—Revelation 2:1 (AMP)Thu, 26 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-seven-church-ages/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-seven-church-ages/One of the revelations that God gave to William Branham to share with the Church was that each of the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 represents a Church Age since the…Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/branham-the-overcomer/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/branham-the-overcomer/A Deeper Dive Into the Book of Revelation - Part 56Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-letters-to-the-seven-churches/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-letters-to-the-seven-churches/In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, John wrote as Jesus dictated seven letters to seven churches that were in Asia Minor at the time of John’s writing. These were not the only churches in Asia at that…Sat, 07 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/joining-forces-with-satan/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/joining-forces-with-satan/“At that time Jesus went through the wheat fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry so they were picking heads of wheat and eating them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him,…Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/when-god-opened-the-book-in-1960/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/when-god-opened-the-book-in-1960/The Church received a profound revelation from God in 1960, but that revelation has largely been forgotten today. The forces of darkness have had a lot of success in robbing the Church of its…Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/perfect-love-casts-out-fear/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/perfect-love-casts-out-fear/When John sees the end-time Jesus in all His glory, there is no strength left in his body. Unable to stand, John collapses at Jesus’ feet.Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/looking-for-problems/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/looking-for-problems/“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/john%E2%80%99s-vision-of-%E2%80%9Comega-jesus%E2%80%9D/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/john%E2%80%99s-vision-of-%E2%80%9Comega-jesus%E2%80%9D/Four times in the book of Revelation, Jesus called Himself Alpha and Omega.Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-great-voice/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-great-voice/While John was on the Isle of Patmos, he was transported into the future to witness the Day of the Lord and the events at the end of this age.Fri, 02 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/dealing-with-error/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/dealing-with-error/Jesus commanded us not to judge people, but we are also commanded to deal with sin and also to deal with error in doctrine or teaching when it becomes evident.Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/john-on-patmos-and-beyond/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/john-on-patmos-and-beyond/“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony…Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/who-does-john-represent-in-the-book-of-revelation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/who-does-john-represent-in-the-book-of-revelation/The last book of the Bible, the Revelation of Jesus Christ, was given to John the Apostle, as we are told in the very beginning of the book:Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-story-of-jim-bakker-and-billy-graham/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-story-of-jim-bakker-and-billy-graham/In the 1980’s, Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker raised enough money through their PTL ministry to build a 500-room hotel and waterpark complex that they named Heritage USA. This was intended to be a…Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-alpha-and-the-omega/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-alpha-and-the-omega/Jesus describes Himself four times in Scripture as the Alpha and the Omega. All four mentions are in the book of Revelation. Jesus says this two times in the first chapter of the book, and he says…Sat, 12 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/divorced-and-excommunicated/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/divorced-and-excommunicated/We were at a street festival in large American city, It was about 10:00pm. The festival was in the process of shutting down for the night. Artists were securing their booths and clearing out. My…Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/ruth%E2%80%99s-journey-to-perfection/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/ruth%E2%80%99s-journey-to-perfection/The journey of Ruth is the journey of the Overcomers. In her life we can see a progression through the six principles of the doctrine of Christ as she grew to perfection, which is another word for…Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/dealing-with-sin/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/dealing-with-sin/As far as I can see in Scripture, there are only three situations in which it is appropriate to judge the behavior of people, and these all must be done within the context of the Church body and…Tue, 25 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/jew-and-gentile-in-one-body/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/jew-and-gentile-in-one-body/In the last chapter of Ruth’s story, we see the birth of Obed restore life and purpose to Naomi in fulfillment of the blessings that the women of Bethlehem spoke over them.Fri, 21 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/%E2%80%9Cbut-didn%E2%80%99t-paul-tell-us-to-judge-people%E2%80%9D/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/%E2%80%9Cbut-didn%E2%80%99t-paul-tell-us-to-judge-people%E2%80%9D/People point out that the Apostle Paul actually directed the Corinthian church to judge people.Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-fruit-of-the-life-of-ruth/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-fruit-of-the-life-of-ruth/“So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And he went in to her, and the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.”—Ruth 4:13 (AMP)Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-redeemer-takes-his-bride/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-redeemer-takes-his-bride/“So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he had relations with her. And the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.”—Ruth 4:13 (NASB)Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god-is-the-only-righteous-judge/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god-is-the-only-righteous-judge/“We know the God who said, ‘I am the God who judges people. I will pay them back.’ (Deuteronomy 32:35) Scripture also says, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ (Deuteronomy 32:36; Psalm…Sun, 02 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-blessings-of-boaz/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-blessings-of-boaz/After the unnamed kinsman redeemer rejected his responsibility to marry Ruth and to raise up children to continue his brother’s family line, Boaz gladly accepted this responsibility.Wed, 26 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-we-must-stop-judging-people-part-1/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-we-must-stop-judging-people-part-1/We are commanded by Jesus not to judge people.Sun, 23 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-self-serving-nature-of-religion/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-self-serving-nature-of-religion/Immediately after Ruth submitted herself to Boaz, declaring herself to be his maidservant and asking him to redeem her, Boaz immediately began to focus on meeting her needs.Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-two-redeemers/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-two-redeemers/In the story of Ruth, there are two redeemers. There are two near kinsmen who are both in positions to redeem Ruth. In these two redeemers, we see the contrast between true and false religion.Sat, 08 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/laying-down-your-reputation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/laying-down-your-reputation/Anyone who pursues the high calling of God will eventually be required to lay down their reputation.Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/pursuing-marriage-with-the-redeemer/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/pursuing-marriage-with-the-redeemer/Immediately after Ruth declared herself to be a maidservant to Boaz, she declared her desire to marry him.Sat, 25 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/from-the-outer-court-into-the-holy-place/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/from-the-outer-court-into-the-holy-place/“And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down.Tue, 14 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/no-one-escapes-the-threshing-floor/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/no-one-escapes-the-threshing-floor/“Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to Ruth, ‘My daughter, shall I not look for security and a home for you, so that it may be well with you? Now Boaz, with whose maids you were [working], is he…Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-necessity-of-bridal-preparation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-necessity-of-bridal-preparation/“So wash and anoint yourself [with olive oil], then put on your [best] clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but stay out of the man’s sight until he has finished eating and drinking. When…Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/pentecost-and-bridal-preparation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/pentecost-and-bridal-preparation/The Feast of Pentecost speaks to us of bridal preparation. Pentecost is an experience of cleansing and anointing. The experience of Pentecost takes the believer from the Outer Court into the Holy…Wed, 25 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-tragedy-of-naomi/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-tragedy-of-naomi/Naomi represents the “thorny ground” believers in Jesus’ parable of the Sower. These are the Christians who seem to have one foot in the Church and one foot in the world. There is something…Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/blessed-are-those-who-hunger/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/blessed-are-those-who-hunger/Symbolically, Ruth represents a new believer with a good heart who seems to have an insatiable hunger for the things of God. Since she arrived in Bethlehem (the House of Bread), she has spent…Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-favored-one/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-favored-one/Ruth represents the Overcomers that Jesus addressed in the letters to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. She represents those wise virgins who will enter in through the open door…Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-heart-of-good-soil/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-heart-of-good-soil/A Deeper Dive Into the Book of Revelation - Part 31Thu, 28 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/ruth-meets-her-kinsman-redeemer/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/ruth-meets-her-kinsman-redeemer/“So Naomi returned from the country of Moab, and with her Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law. And they arrived in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.”—Ruth 1:22 (AMP)Thu, 21 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/ruth%E2%80%99s-wholehearted-dedication/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/ruth%E2%80%99s-wholehearted-dedication/In the first chapter of Ruth, Naomi tries to discourage Orpah and Ruth from making the journey with her to the Promised Land of God’s people. She urges them to turn back to their old lives among…Thu, 14 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/orpah-falls-away/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/orpah-falls-away/Continuing on with the story of Ruth, God gives us some good insights into the three groups of believers represented by Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth.Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/three-groups-of-believers-in-the-story-of-ruth/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/three-groups-of-believers-in-the-story-of-ruth/The book of Ruth in the Old Testament gives us deep insights into the end-time harvest. This little book of Ruth also highlights for us the characteristics of the three groups of believers that…Thu, 31 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/responding-to-suffering-and-tribulation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/responding-to-suffering-and-tribulation/It has never been God’s will to keep us from all suffering and tribulation. Suffering accomplishes God’s will in our lives when we respond to it correctly.Sat, 26 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god%E2%80%99s-purposes-are-accomplished-through-tribulation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god%E2%80%99s-purposes-are-accomplished-through-tribulation/God allows persecution, suffering, and tribulation so that His purposes might be accomplished. This has always been true. It was true in Job’s time, in Joseph’s time, and in Paul’s time. It is…Sun, 20 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-do-christians-go-through-tribulation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-do-christians-go-through-tribulation/We have already seen that Christians will go through the Great Tribulation period. Jesus told us that Himself, and it is repeated and confirmed in multiple passages of Scripture.Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-great-falling-away/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-great-falling-away/The Apostle Paul told us that Jesus would not come back and gather the believers to Himself until “the falling away comes first.” Paul seems to tell us that this great falling away from the faith…Sat, 05 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-house-of-god-will-be-complete/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-house-of-god-will-be-complete/In the Old Testament, King Solomon took all of the materials provided for him by His father, David, and built the temple of God. It took seven years to complete, but once it was finished, it was…Fri, 27 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-is-god%E2%80%99s-goal-for-the-church/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-is-god%E2%80%99s-goal-for-the-church/We cannot understand why God would allow some Christians to escape the Great Tribulation while leaving others to go through it until we understand God’s ultimate goal for His Church.Sat, 21 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-antichrist-mindset/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-antichrist-mindset/In the 1960s and 70s, Walter Cronkite was a highly respected news reporter for the CBS Evening News. He was so highly respected that he was called “the most trusted man in America.”Sat, 14 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/developing-confidence-in-hearing-god%E2%80%99s-voice/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/developing-confidence-in-hearing-god%E2%80%99s-voice/I have been asked, “When you ask God to speak to you, how do you know that it won’t be the devil speaking to you instead?”Thu, 05 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/hearing-gods-voice-for-others/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/hearing-gods-voice-for-others/Hearing God’s voice more clearly and accurately is a lifelong pursuit. Your ability to hear God’s voice will grow as your relationship with the Lord matures and deepens.Fri, 30 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/learning-how-god-speaks-to-you/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/learning-how-god-speaks-to-you/Settle it in your mind that it is God’s will to speak to you. It is God’s will for you to hear His voice. Reject any thoughts that contradict this.Tue, 20 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/recognizing-the-voice-of-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/recognizing-the-voice-of-god/Growing in maturity as a disciple of Christ includes growing in our ability to recognize God’s voice, and to hear Him more clearly and accurately.Sat, 17 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/eat-the-word/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/eat-the-word/The Bible tells us in the Old and New Testaments that hearing God’s voice is essential to our lives.Thu, 08 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/hearing-god-through-his-written-word/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/hearing-god-through-his-written-word/God desires to speak to you more than you desire to hear His voice.Sat, 03 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/some-escape-and-some-go-through/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/some-escape-and-some-go-through/In the book of Revelation, we see that some believers remain on earth through the time of the Great Tribulation, while others escape and are taken to Heaven before that time of Great Tribulation…Sat, 27 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-three-parts-of-the-harvest/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-three-parts-of-the-harvest/To understand why the 144,000s are called “firstfruits” in Revelation 14:4, we need to understand God’s instructions for the harvest that were given to Israel. God’s instructions divided the…Thu, 18 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/who-are-the-144000-on-mount-zion/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/who-are-the-144000-on-mount-zion/When God’s Spirit breathes on a passage of Scripture that you may have read 1,000 times, then it comes alive to you and it becomes, not just the written word anymore but it transcends the written…Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/after-the-tribulation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/after-the-tribulation/We see the main harvest of the Church in Revelation 14:14-16. It is at this time that “the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain [on the earth] will simultaneously be…Fri, 05 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/%E2%80%9Cone-will-be-taken-and-the-other-left%E2%80%9D/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/%E2%80%9Cone-will-be-taken-and-the-other-left%E2%80%9D/The Left Behind film series gets its name from the presumption that the believers (wheat) are taken first in the great harvest at the end of this age, and the unbelievers (tares) are left behind,…Fri, 28 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/sins-against-the-body-of-christ/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/sins-against-the-body-of-christ/In the parable of the Wheat and the Tares, the master commanded His servants to “Let the weeds and the wheat grow together until the harvest time” (Matthew 13:30 ERV). The servants were explicitly…Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-should-we-treat-the-tares/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-should-we-treat-the-tares/Jesus taught us in the parable of the Wheat and the Tares that there are people among us who are masquerading as children of God, but really are children of the devil.Sat, 15 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-wheat-and-the-tares/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-wheat-and-the-tares/In Matthew 13, Jesus gave us a profound prophecy in seven parables that described the Church Age from its beginning during His own ministry to its culmination in the Harvest at the end of this age.Thu, 06 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-parables-and-seven-churches/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-parables-and-seven-churches/In Matthew chapter 13, Jesus gave us seven parables of the Kingdom of Heaven.Wed, 29 May 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/an-overview-of-the-book-of-revelation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/an-overview-of-the-book-of-revelation/A real key to understanding the book of Revelation is to realize that it is not written as one story in chronological order. Thanks to my former pastor, Dan Cummins, of Capitol Worship Ministry, I…Tue, 21 May 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-seven-spirits-of-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-seven-spirits-of-god/We can see the 3 persons of the Triune Godhead (the Trinity) in the 3 areas of Moses’ Tabernacle.Sat, 18 May 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/revelation-is-a-book-of-3%E2%80%99s-and-7%E2%80%99s/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/revelation-is-a-book-of-3%E2%80%99s-and-7%E2%80%99s/Revelation is a book that is characterized by two numbers: 3 and 7.Sun, 12 May 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/two-keys-in-the-first-verse-of-revelation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/two-keys-in-the-first-verse-of-revelation/“[This is] the revelation of Jesus Christ [His unveiling of the divine mysteries]. God gave it to Him to disclose and make known to His bond servants certain things which must shortly and speedily…Wed, 01 May 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/end-time-restoration-of-truth/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/end-time-restoration-of-truth/The restoration of God’s Truth continued in the 1900s with the restoration of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/restoration-of-the-holy-place/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/restoration-of-the-holy-place/After the restoration of the foundational principles of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ and water baptism for believers during the Reformation of the 1500s, God continued to restore…Sat, 20 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-restoration-of-all-things-1/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-restoration-of-all-things-1/Over time, the Church lost much of the power and the truth that God had given it from the time of Jesus' ministry on earth, even losing the foundational doctrines of salvation by faith and water…Sat, 13 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-brief-history-of-the-church/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-brief-history-of-the-church/The Church began when Jesus was physically here with us on Earth. There are many people who believe that the Church was birthed at Pentecost, but I personally believe that the church began when…Wed, 03 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/can-jesus-come-back-today/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/can-jesus-come-back-today/The book of Revelation opens in this way:Wed, 27 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/blessings-of-the-book/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/blessings-of-the-book/One of the most avoided books in the Bible is the book of Revelation. Some people are fascinated with it, but many others assume that they cannot understand it because sadly, other Christians have…Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-most-important-moment-of-your-life/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-most-important-moment-of-your-life/Very soon, you will face the most important moment in your life. The moment that decides your future for all eternity will be here before you know it.Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-end-of-this-universe/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-end-of-this-universe/After the last of the rebels are consumed by the fire of God, focus shifts to the great white throne of Almighty God. The time has come for the final judgment.Tue, 05 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-end-of-satan/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-end-of-satan/“When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison”—Revelation 20:7 (NASB)Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-fullness-of-god%E2%80%99s-purposes/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-fullness-of-god%E2%80%99s-purposes/When Jesus reigns for 1,000 years from Jerusalem, all of God’s creation will finally begin to experience the fullness of God’s purposes and His goodness. Finally, after millennia of deception,…Fri, 23 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-is-jesus-looking-for-in-his-bride/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-is-jesus-looking-for-in-his-bride/The standard for the Bride of Christ is very high. We are told in Ephesians 5:27 what Jesus expects from each of us if we are going to qualify to be included among those who will become His Bride.Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/prepared-to-meet-the-bridegroom/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/prepared-to-meet-the-bridegroom/Traditional belief is that the whole church will be the Bride of Christ, but it seems obvious from Scripture that those who are accounted worthy to be included in this bridal company will only…Thu, 15 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/thriving-economy/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/thriving-economy/"Your eyes will shine, and your heart will thrill with joy, for merchants from around the world will come to you. They will bring you the wealth of many lands. Vast caravans of camels will…Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/reign-of-justice-and-peace/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/reign-of-justice-and-peace/Earth will be governed in perfect justice during the 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ. Justice will no longer be twisted and perverted by deception, self-interest, and wrong motives. The…Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/disregarding-the-invitation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/disregarding-the-invitation/The Apostle Paul spent the latter part of His life preparing disciples to be ready to meet the Heavenly Bridegroom—the Lord Jesus Christ.Sun, 04 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-new-seat-of-government/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-new-seat-of-government/“Jerusalem, get up and shine! Your Light is coming! The Glory of the Lord will shine on you. Darkness now covers the earth, and the people are in darkness. But the Lord will shine on you, and his…Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/restoration-of-israel/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/restoration-of-israel/"In that day, says the Lord, I will assemble the lame, and I will gather those who have been driven away and those whom I have afflicted."—Micah 4:6 (AMPC)Thu, 25 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/judgment-and-restructuring-of-the-nations/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/judgment-and-restructuring-of-the-nations/After the Battle of Armageddon, there will be a complete regime change as the Antichrist and his False Prophet, who formerly ruled the world, are summarily tossed alive into the Lake of Fire to…Thu, 18 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/cleanup-after-armageddon/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/cleanup-after-armageddon/Jesus will take His rightful throne in Jerusalem after winning complete victory over His enemies at the Battle of Armageddon. There will be many immediate changes for good throughout the earth,…Fri, 12 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-glorious-1000-year-reign-of-jesus-christ/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-glorious-1000-year-reign-of-jesus-christ/After the defeat of the unholy trinity at the battle of Armageddon, the Antichrist and the False Prophet will be hurled into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:20), and Satan will be imprisoned in…Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-imprisonment-of-satan/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-imprisonment-of-satan/After the seventy-five days of God’s wrath on the earth and Satan's forces are defeated at the battle of Armageddon, Satan will be bound. He will not face his final judgment until after the…Thu, 14 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-harvest-of-god%E2%80%99s-wrath/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-harvest-of-god%E2%80%99s-wrath/We see two great harvests take place in Revelation chapter 14.Thu, 07 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-harvest-of-the-believers/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-harvest-of-the-believers/We see two great harvests take place in Revelation chapter 14.Wed, 29 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/prelude-to-two-great-harvests/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/prelude-to-two-great-harvests/We see that when Jesus returns in the clouds of Heaven, it will be time for the two great end-of-the-age harvests to finally take place.Fri, 24 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-return-of-christ/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-return-of-christ/As Jesus ascended into Heaven after His resurrection, two men dressed all in white spoke to His disciples saying, “This [same] Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will return in…Thu, 16 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-armies-of-heaven/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-armies-of-heaven/This age will come to a close at the end of the Great Tribulation period. After His wedding in Revelation 19:7, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will return to Earth to personally conquer all who…Wed, 08 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-to-improve-your-rank-in-the-kingdom-of-heaven-part-3/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-to-improve-your-rank-in-the-kingdom-of-heaven-part-3/“Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is keeping the commandments of God.”—1 Corinthians 7:19 (AMP)Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-to-improve-your-rank-in-the-kingdom-of-heaven-part-2/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-to-improve-your-rank-in-the-kingdom-of-heaven-part-2/In Matthew chapter 23, Jesus contrasted the professional religious ministers of His time with those who are truly great in the Kingdom of Heaven.Fri, 27 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-to-improve-your-rank-in-the-kingdom-of-heaven-part-1/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-to-improve-your-rank-in-the-kingdom-of-heaven-part-1/Did you know that believers are assigned ranks in the Kingdom of Heaven?Sat, 21 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-does-it-mean-to-%E2%80%9Cmake-disciples%E2%80%9D/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-does-it-mean-to-%E2%80%9Cmake-disciples%E2%80%9D/“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”—Matthew 28:19 (NKJV)Sat, 14 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/where-is-the-fruit/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/where-is-the-fruit/Jesus concluded His earthly ministry by commanding His disciples to reach out to people beyond the walls of the Church and to make disciples of all nations.Sat, 07 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/forgiveness-is-an-act-of-overcoming/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/forgiveness-is-an-act-of-overcoming/We may struggle to forgive our offenders at times because even if we forgive them, the damage remains. They may have caused real damage to our lives that seems irreparable. They may have caused…Wed, 27 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/barriers-to-forgiveness-part-2/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/barriers-to-forgiveness-part-2/We often put up barriers in our own thinking that hinder us from forgiving our offenders. Of course, Satan is happy with this, and he reinforces this resistance in hopes of preventing us from…Thu, 14 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/barriers-to-forgiveness-part-1/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/barriers-to-forgiveness-part-1/We often put up barriers in our own thinking that hinder us from forgiving our offenders. Of course, Satan is happy with this, and he reinforces this resistance in hopes of preventing us from…Thu, 07 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/freedom-from-bitterness/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/freedom-from-bitterness/Bitterness is a signal from God. Bitterness takes root in our lives because of our refusal to forgive those who offended us.Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/signs-of-a-root-of-bitterness/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/signs-of-a-root-of-bitterness/Bitterness is often the first consequence of resisting God’s grace and rejecting His signals. There may be many other harmful attitudes and consequences that spring from that, but bitterness is…Sun, 27 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/your-root-determines-your-fruit/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/your-root-determines-your-fruit/In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had a choice. They could choose the Tree of Life, or the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, which brought death.Fri, 18 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-root-of-our-problems/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-root-of-our-problems/The root of our problems is not our parents, or our spouses, or our bosses, or our leaders, or our circumstances. The root of our problems is not anyone or anything that we might blame for our…Thu, 10 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/becoming-spiritual-mothers-and-fathers/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/becoming-spiritual-mothers-and-fathers/I tell people now that I feel we are pastors to the people we encounter on our outreach adventures. We are pastoring people outside of a traditional church setting because many of the people we…Thu, 03 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/protect-the-seed/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/protect-the-seed/I still remember this encounter vividly—not because of what was said, but because of the physical reactions of the two ladies we encountered.Sat, 29 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/hurting-people-with-good-intentions/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/hurting-people-with-good-intentions/In the 3rd chapter of Acts, Peter fastened his eyes on a lame man and said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6 KJV). Then he took the hand of the lame man and…Sat, 22 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/crossing-over-to-the-dark-side-of-ministry/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/crossing-over-to-the-dark-side-of-ministry/“For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; but [to the one who has shown mercy] mercy triumphs [victoriously] over judgment.”—James 2:13 (AMP)Fri, 14 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/violating-people-spiritually/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/violating-people-spiritually/Almost a year ago, a couple from our outreach group went into the store where Ginger worked at the shopping mall and told her that they were learning to interpret dreams. They asked Ginger if she…Fri, 07 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/be-empowered/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/be-empowered/Power, ability, and motivation is available from God when you need it. Sometimes we know we need help, and in those situations, God urges us to come before his throne and to receive the grace that…Thu, 22 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/keys-to-fulfilling-your-purpose-in-life/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/keys-to-fulfilling-your-purpose-in-life/Your greatest superpower is the grace of God because it is God’s grace that gives you the motivation, the power, and the ability to fulfill your purpose in life according to God’s will.Fri, 16 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/your-most-vital-superpower/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/your-most-vital-superpower/In addition to the light of God’s Truth to guide us on our journeys in life, God has given us His own vital superpower to enable us to live according to His light and to follow the best path for…Fri, 09 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/more-light/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/more-light/“You are my God. You bring light into my darkness.”—Psalm 18:28 (NIRV)Fri, 02 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god%E2%80%99s-truth-is-our-light-in-the-darkness/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god%E2%80%99s-truth-is-our-light-in-the-darkness/The most destructive counterfeit of all is experienced when we turn away, even in part, from the Truth of God in the Bible and give ourselves over to a different philosophy of life in any area,…Sat, 27 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/walking-in-darkness/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/walking-in-darkness/“He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables“—Mark 4:2 (NLT)Thu, 18 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/problems-are-signals-from-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/problems-are-signals-from-god/We all experience signals from God every single day. He has no problems sending signals to help guide us. Our challenge is to prepare ourselves and be alert to recognize, receive, and respond to…Thu, 11 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-do-we-have-so-many-problems/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-do-we-have-so-many-problems/In Deuteronomy chapter 28, God exhorts all of us to make sure that we are very careful to obey all of His instructions to us. Then He goes on to tell us why that is so important. The extent to…Wed, 03 May 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/adventures-at-the-shopping-mall/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/adventures-at-the-shopping-mall/A few years ago, I was walking through a shopping mall with some friends. On this outing, we were focused on possible outreach opportunities. We were trying to discern who might be open to an…Fri, 28 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-do-god%E2%80%99s-signals-come-to-us/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-do-god%E2%80%99s-signals-come-to-us/God never intended for us to live dismal lives filled with disappointment, hopelessness, and depression; being tormented daily by negative thoughts and feelings.Sat, 22 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/ignoring-the-signals/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/ignoring-the-signals/On the evening of July 24, 2013, a high-speed train was traveling from Madrid to Ferrol, in northwest Spain. The train never made it to its scheduled destination. On a curve just 4 kilometers…Sun, 16 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/your-life-is-being-determined-by-your-choices/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/your-life-is-being-determined-by-your-choices/Your circumstances do not determine the quality and the direction of your life. Your choices do.Fri, 07 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/stop-seeing-yourself-as-a-victim/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/stop-seeing-yourself-as-a-victim/If you really want your life to count . . . If you really want to live your life to the fullest . . . If you really want to make significant changes and get your life on the best path, then you…Thu, 30 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/blame-cripples-you/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/blame-cripples-you/"Until a coaching client accepts responsibility for where they are in life, including their own health, there is little movement toward improvement. When blame and victimhood are shed, when the…Sat, 18 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/no-escape-from-consequences/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/no-escape-from-consequences/"Until a coaching client accepts responsibility for where they are in life, including their own health, there is little movement toward improvement. When blame and victimhood are shed, when the…Sat, 04 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/reconnecting-with-a-good-friend/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/reconnecting-with-a-good-friend/Many months ago, I had a dream.Sat, 25 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/to-the-ones-who-overcome/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/to-the-ones-who-overcome/I remember attending two days of meetings in which Heidi Baker was speaking. In the first meeting, I noticed that she was wearing an all-black outfit. I think it stood out to me because of its…Tue, 14 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/conquering-the-desire-for-wealth-and-power/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/conquering-the-desire-for-wealth-and-power/Jesus gave us a key to conquering covetousness in his encounter with the rich young ruler.Thu, 09 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-pursuit-of-wealth-and-power/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-pursuit-of-wealth-and-power/There is nothing wrong with wealth and power. God gives these to certain people who have the maturity of character to be able to steward wealth and power without being corrupted by it.Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-third-temptation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-third-temptation/“Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory [splendor, magnificence, and excellence] of them; and he said to Him, ‘All these…Sat, 28 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/overcoming-the-second-temptation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/overcoming-the-second-temptation/The first Adam fell, along with his wife, when they deviated from what God had directed them to do, and decided to go their own way, convincing themselves that they knew better than God about what…Sat, 21 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/choosing-respectability-over-the-anointing/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/choosing-respectability-over-the-anointing/We must all learn to wait on God and not to jump ahead of Him. On the other hand, when God moves, we must move with Him so that we are not left behind without the presence of God—and outside of…Fri, 13 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-is-this-happening-in-america/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-is-this-happening-in-america/At this point in time, the third chapter of Isaiah seems to be an accurate description of the current state of affairs in America. But why?Sat, 07 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/waiting-on-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/waiting-on-god/The second temptation tries to get us to move out of sync with God—either to move ahead of God, or to move in a different direction from God, or to stay where we are when God is moving.Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/jumping-ahead-of-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/jumping-ahead-of-god/The second temptation often comes to us at times when we feel pressure to make something happen, and God does not seem to be doing anything.Sat, 24 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-second-temptation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-second-temptation/"Then the devil took Him into the holy city and placed Him on a turret (pinnacle, gable) of the temple sanctuary.Fri, 16 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/revelation-of-the-bridegroom/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/revelation-of-the-bridegroom/After the wedding of the Lamb, Heaven is opened, and we see Jesus as we have never seen Him before. No longer does He appear as the slain Lamb of God that took the sealed book from the hand of His…Wed, 07 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seeing-the-baby-she-lost-years-before/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seeing-the-baby-she-lost-years-before/Recently I visited my cousin and spent some time with her family. While I was staying with them, she told me this story that I had never heard before.Mon, 05 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/overcoming-the-first-temptation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/overcoming-the-first-temptation/Our appetites must always be kept in subjection to the higher call of God. This may mean delaying satisfying our needs for food, as Jesus experienced in the wilderness, or the companionship of a…Tue, 29 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/in-god%E2%80%99s-time-according-to-his-will/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/in-god%E2%80%99s-time-according-to-his-will/In His first temptation in the wilderness, the devil tempted Jesus to satisfy His needs, but it was not in God’s way, and it was not in God’s time, and so it was not in God’s will.Tue, 22 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/when-ministers-fall/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/when-ministers-fall/There have been many believers who have fallen to the first temptation. Many Christian leaders have fallen to this temptation and have put their own needs and desires ahead of God’s will and His…Wed, 16 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/revelation-of-the-bride/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/revelation-of-the-bride/The Bride of Christ has a destiny that is nothing less than overwhelmingly awesome! The future that God has prepared for those who qualify to be a part of this chosen group really defies…Thu, 10 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/taking-down-the-highly-gifted/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/taking-down-the-highly-gifted/Samson was the most gifted minister on the face of the Earth in his day. He was consecrated to the Lord as a Nazirite from the womb. His miraculous birth was announced by the Angel of the Lord who…Tue, 01 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-first-temptation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-first-temptation/“And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.’Sun, 30 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-three-temptations-part-1/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-three-temptations-part-1/There are three temptations that we must overcome in order to be entrusted with God's ministry and prove ourselves faithful in it. We may see these temptations as originating with Satan, but if we…Fri, 21 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/denying-the-power/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/denying-the-power/T.L. Osborn came back from India feeling like he had failed in his mission. He felt that he had failed to reach the Indian people with the message of Christ that He was called to share with them.Sat, 15 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/come-to-serve-not-to-save/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/come-to-serve-not-to-save/I watched for several minutes as my outreach partner used different angles and arguments trying to persuade a New Age practitioner to make a decision to put his faith in Jesus Christ. No matter…Sun, 09 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/church-planting-or-christian-imperialism/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/church-planting-or-christian-imperialism/Another of the most common causes of failure in mission work is failing to make a sincere effort to understand the people we are trying to reach.Sun, 02 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/who-is-opposing-us/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/who-is-opposing-us/When there is a pattern of opposition to our outreach ministry, I've learned to look at who is opposing us.Wed, 21 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-to-fail-as-a-missionary/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-to-fail-as-a-missionary/Mission work is very demanding. I always think it is ironic to hear church goers praying for revival, while missionaries who are in the midst of great moves of God are praying for someone to come…Thu, 15 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/destinies-of-two-women/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/destinies-of-two-women/At the end of this age, there will be two great women who will finally receive the fruit of their labors and enter into their eternal rewards. One will be destroyed, and one will be exalted to a…Thu, 08 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-punishment-fits-the-crime/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-punishment-fits-the-crime/Martin Luther reluctantly realized, after years of trying, that the Roman Catholic Church would not be reformed. Protestants would have to come out of the Catholic Church in order to free…Wed, 31 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god%E2%80%99s-final-judgment-on-spiritual-human-trafficking/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god%E2%80%99s-final-judgment-on-spiritual-human-trafficking/“The Daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor at the time it is being trampled and prepared; Yet in a little while the time of harvest will come for her.”—Jeremiah 51:33 (AMP)Sat, 27 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-greatest-awakening/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-greatest-awakening/They said, “Come, let us build a city for ourselves, and a tower whose top will reach into the heavens, and let us make a [famous] name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered [into…Sat, 20 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/called-to-prepare-laborers-for-the-harvest/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/called-to-prepare-laborers-for-the-harvest/They said, “Come, let us build a city for ourselves, and a tower whose top will reach into the heavens, and let us make a [famous] name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered [into…Wed, 10 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/may-your-church-be-scattered/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/may-your-church-be-scattered/They said, “Come, let us build a city for ourselves, and a tower whose top will reach into the heavens, and let us make a [famous] name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered [into…Fri, 05 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/focusing-inward-upon-ourselves/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/focusing-inward-upon-ourselves/They said, “Come, let us build a city for ourselves, and a tower whose top will reach into the heavens, and let us make a [famous] name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered [into…Thu, 28 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/hibernating-in-the-safety-of-our-christian-bubbles/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/hibernating-in-the-safety-of-our-christian-bubbles/They said, “Come, let us build a city for ourselves, and a tower whose top will reach into the heavens, and let us make a [famous] name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered [into…Fri, 22 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seeking-the-praise-of-men/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seeking-the-praise-of-men/They said, “Come, let us build a city for ourselves, and a tower whose top will reach into the heavens, and let us make a [famous] name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered [into…Fri, 15 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-cover-up/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-cover-up/They said, “Come, let us build a city for ourselves, and a tower whose top will reach into the heavens, and let us make a [famous] name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered [into…Wed, 06 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-trap-of-self-promotion/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-trap-of-self-promotion/They said, “Come, let us build a city for ourselves, and a tower whose top will reach into the heavens, and let us make a [famous] name for ourselves, so that we will not be scattered [into…Mon, 04 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/no-heavy-burdens/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/no-heavy-burdens/“And they said, ‘Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven’”—Genesis 11:4 (NASB)Thu, 23 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-tower-to-reach-heaven/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-tower-to-reach-heaven/“And they said, ‘Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven’”—Genesis 11:4 (NASB)Sat, 18 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/empire-building-targets-children/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/empire-building-targets-children/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Thu, 09 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/abortion-begins-in-the-church/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/abortion-begins-in-the-church/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Fri, 03 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/finding-your-purpose-and-discovering-your-identity/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/finding-your-purpose-and-discovering-your-identity/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Thu, 26 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/feed-the-sheep-not-the-programs/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/feed-the-sheep-not-the-programs/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Sat, 21 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-fruit-of-spiritual-human-trafficking/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-fruit-of-spiritual-human-trafficking/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Thu, 12 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/feeding-on-the-sheep/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/feeding-on-the-sheep/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Sun, 08 May 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-to-become-a-spiritual-human-trafficker/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-to-become-a-spiritual-human-trafficker/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Fri, 29 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/whose-church-is-it-anyway/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/whose-church-is-it-anyway/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Fri, 22 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/control-issues/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/control-issues/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Sun, 17 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/man-in-the-place-of-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/man-in-the-place-of-god/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Mon, 11 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/whose-kingdom-will-you-serve/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/whose-kingdom-will-you-serve/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Sun, 03 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/rendering-gods-word-powerless/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/rendering-gods-word-powerless/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Fri, 25 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/theres-got-to-be-more-than-this/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/theres-got-to-be-more-than-this/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Sat, 19 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/using-man-made-materials/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/using-man-made-materials/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Sun, 13 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/settling-in/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/settling-in/The six characteristics of the religious spirit of Babylon are the same today as they were when they were first recorded in Scripture in Genesis 11.Thu, 03 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/from-babel-to-babylon/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/from-babel-to-babylon/"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]."—John 10:10 (AMPC)Thu, 24 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/spiritual-human-trafficking/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/spiritual-human-trafficking/Human trafficking is an enormous problem in the world today because it is an enormous problem in the Church.Sat, 19 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/be-prepared-and-alert-at-all-times/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/be-prepared-and-alert-at-all-times/Whenever Jesus experienced the slightest hint of temptation, He instantly sprang into action with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit to protect Himself from the lies and to overcome…Fri, 11 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-truth-about-temptation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-truth-about-temptation/In general, Christians have a wrong concept about what temptation is.Thu, 03 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/take-every-thought-captive/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/take-every-thought-captive/Jesus is very wise. He knows that if we even allow our thoughts to focus on cravings from our old habits of our old lives, we’ve already lost the battle. The way He said it was that when that…Sat, 29 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/reject-thoughts-of-the-old-life/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/reject-thoughts-of-the-old-life/“Do not lie to each other. You have left your old sinful life and the things you did before.”—Colossians 3:9 (ICB)Sun, 23 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/%E2%80%9Cbut-i-like-this-sin%E2%80%9D/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/%E2%80%9Cbut-i-like-this-sin%E2%80%9D/In his Victory Seminar, Jamie Lash shared a dialog that he had with God. In his prayer, Jamie said, "OK, Father, I understand that truth sets free, but I don't want to be free. I enjoy this sin.”Thu, 13 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-romans-road-to-freedom/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-romans-road-to-freedom/Romans 6-8 are key chapters for anyone who wants to overcome bad habits and addictions. These chapters not only reinforce the truth of our freedom from sin, but they give us specific guidance for…Sat, 08 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/presenting-ourselves-as-living-sacrifices/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/presenting-ourselves-as-living-sacrifices/In Moses' Tabernacle and also in Solomon's Temple, fire was sent from God, and the glorious presence of God filled the Tabernacle and the Temple. The same experience is available to each of us as…Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-do-we-receive-the-baptism-of-fire/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-do-we-receive-the-baptism-of-fire/Water Baptism is received by faith as a part of our Salvation experience.Fri, 24 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/prepared-by-fire/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/prepared-by-fire/We have seen that the two main qualifications that believers will need to have in their lives to pass God’s tests on the Day of Atonement are humility and an intimate relationship with Jesus…Fri, 17 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/when-will-the-feast-of-tabernacles-be-fulfilled/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/when-will-the-feast-of-tabernacles-be-fulfilled/Many have entered into the Outer Court experience of Salvation.Sat, 11 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/finding-true-life-and-spiritual-maturity/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/finding-true-life-and-spiritual-maturity/The three compartments of the Tabernacle of Moses illustrate Jesus’ declaration to Thomas:Wed, 01 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-second-qualification/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-second-qualification/The first qualification to enter into this last great move of God—the fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles—will be humility. Just as in Gideon’s time, the first qualification is a quality of…Thu, 25 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/cast-into-outer-darkness/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/cast-into-outer-darkness/Throughout His teachings, Jesus referred to three types of believers, which could correspond to the three compartments of the Tabernacle and the three great Feasts of the Lord. These three types…Fri, 19 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-higher-call-of-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-higher-call-of-god/The Outer Court experiences of salvation and water baptism are wonderful, but God never planned for us to stay there. It has always been God’s will for us to press on into the glorious experiences…Sun, 14 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-first-qualification/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-first-qualification/The Day of Atonement on God’s calendar happens in autumn, near harvest time. In 2021, the Day of Atonement was September 16th.Wed, 03 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-feast-of-trumpets/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-feast-of-trumpets/The Feast of Trumpets is the first event that sets in motion the culminating activities of the seventh month. This feast begins on the very first day of the month.Wed, 27 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god%E2%80%99s-calendar-for-the-growing-season/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god%E2%80%99s-calendar-for-the-growing-season/The Feast of Passover was celebrated in the first month of the calendar that God gave to the Jewish people. The first month represented the beginning of a journey. In the life of the Church,…Fri, 22 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-do-we-have-to-qualify-to-experience-the-feast-of-tabernacles/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-do-we-have-to-qualify-to-experience-the-feast-of-tabernacles/There are always qualifications for entering into any transforming experience with God. We have to meet the conditions that He has established.Sat, 16 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/modern-day-examples/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/modern-day-examples/When we are looking for examples of what it is like to enter into the fullness of the Feast of Tabernacles experience and have the God of the Universe residing in our bodies with His authority and…Fri, 08 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/people-who-entered-into-the-feast-of-tabernacles-experience/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/people-who-entered-into-the-feast-of-tabernacles-experience/We can also look at the lives of people who entered into the Feast of Tabernacles experience to see glimpses of what it will be like when we enter into the fullness of transfiguration and…Tue, 28 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-ark-of-the-covenant/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-ark-of-the-covenant/You can also look to the Ark of the Covenant to discover what it will be like when you experience the third transformation because when you enter into this experience, you will become a living Ark…Thu, 23 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/rivers-of-living-water/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/rivers-of-living-water/What does it look like when we enter into the fullness of the Feast of Tabernacles and experience our own personal transfiguration? Scripture describes this for us.Sat, 18 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/three-transformations-in-jesus%E2%80%99-life/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/three-transformations-in-jesus%E2%80%99-life/These three transforming experiences affect us in different ways.Sat, 11 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-feast-of-tabernacles/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-feast-of-tabernacles/Salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit are wonderful transforming experiences, but God has provided a third transforming experience for every believer that is illustrated in the third great…Fri, 03 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-feast-of-pentecost/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-feast-of-pentecost/The second great Feast of the Lord, the Feast of Pentecost, was originally observed to commemorate a landmark event in the history of the people of Israel when God descended onto Mt Sinai in the…Thu, 26 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-feast-of-passover/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-feast-of-passover/These three transforming experiences can also be clearly seen in the three main Feasts of the Lord:Sat, 21 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/three-experiences-in-the-tabernacle-of-moses/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/three-experiences-in-the-tabernacle-of-moses/There are three transforming experiences that God has made available to every believer. It is His will that we fully enter into all three experiences. If we do not enter into all three…Sat, 14 Aug 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/strongholds-must-be-torn-down/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/strongholds-must-be-torn-down/Strongholds are lies that have taken the place of truth in our personal beliefs.Fri, 02 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/replace-the-lies-with-truth/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/replace-the-lies-with-truth/Years ago, I contacted Jamie Lash to ask permission to include links in my writings to his teachings about freedom in Christ. I had two reasons for wanting to link to his teachings. First, his…Fri, 25 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/expose-the-root-lie/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/expose-the-root-lie/If you have been born again to new life in Jesus and your heart and mind are filled with truth, there is no way for bad habits and addictions to have any power to enslave you.Sat, 19 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/resist-the-devil/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/resist-the-devil/Speaking to people who were not born again, Jesus said,Fri, 11 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/put-off-the-old-and-put-on-the-new/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/put-off-the-old-and-put-on-the-new/Any thoughts or actions that used to lead you to engage in bad habits in the past need to be replaced with thoughts and actions that lead you in a positive, healthy direction. You can kill those…Sat, 05 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/exchange-your-old-life-for-the-new/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/exchange-your-old-life-for-the-new/A wonderful exchange happened at the time of your baptism in water. Your old self that was addicted to bad habits and was a slave to obey the lusts and cravings of those habits was buried, never…Sat, 29 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/power-to-do-what-you-could-not-do-before/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/power-to-do-what-you-could-not-do-before/When you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, you receive power to do what you could not do before and to be what you could not be before. The difference was clearly seen in the lives of the…Tue, 18 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/receive-the-power-of-the-spirit/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/receive-the-power-of-the-spirit/Years ago, I worked in a department where almost all of the employees were professing Christians. They went to church on Sundays. Many of them were involved in church ministries. They taught Bible…Sun, 02 May 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/be-baptized/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/be-baptized/Once you are born again, it is especially important that you are baptized. Baptism is a necessary next step in your new life of freedom from old habits and cravings.Fri, 23 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/you-must-be-born-again/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/you-must-be-born-again/To be completely free of all bad habits and addictions, along with the cravings that keep you bound to them, you must be born again. It is pointless to try to use willpower to overcome bad habits…Thu, 15 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/set-yourself-apart-for-god%E2%80%99s-higher-purposes/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/set-yourself-apart-for-god%E2%80%99s-higher-purposes/Jesus said, “I tell you the truth: John the Baptist is greater than any other man who has ever lived.” (Matthew 11:11 ICB)Thu, 08 Apr 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-modern-nazarite/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-modern-nazarite/When William Branham was a 7-year-old boy, as he was carrying buckets of water across his family’s property, he was captivated by a whirlwind that seemed to be caught in a particular tree. As he…Wed, 31 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/qualifying-for-greater-things/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/qualifying-for-greater-things/Keeping yourself clean from anything that would defile your body may not seem very important, but it is actually a key to living a godly spiritual life and qualifying for God’s higher purposes.…Fri, 26 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-failed-nazarite/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-failed-nazarite/Samuel became a highly respected prophet and priest to the nation of Israel, accomplishing great things for his people. Taking over from the corrupt leaders of his childhood, he remarkably turned…Fri, 19 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-nazarite-vow/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-nazarite-vow/In a time of corrupt governmental and religious leaders, a baby was born to a woman named Hannah. This baby boy had been greatly desired, and yet, before he was born, his mother gave him back to…Sat, 13 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-power-of-choice/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-power-of-choice/Choice is a powerful thing. God gives us the power of choice and allows us to use the power of choice to direct our lives, for good or bad. If we use our power of choice to direct our lives down a…Sat, 06 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god-is-good/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god-is-good/(I have been asked to provide messages for disciples who did not come from a Christian culture. This is one of those messages. It is intended to help provide a solid foundation for faith in Jesus…Tue, 02 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-law-of-sowing-and-reaping/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-law-of-sowing-and-reaping/“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit…Sat, 20 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/missing-out-on-the-good-life/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/missing-out-on-the-good-life/“Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power, allowing it to control…Thu, 11 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-book-of-revelation-is-divided-in-half/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-book-of-revelation-is-divided-in-half/“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly…Thu, 04 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-myth-of-the-7-year-tribulation/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-myth-of-the-7-year-tribulation/Most people who teach and write books to explain the events of the End Times teach that there will be a 7-year Tribulation.Sat, 30 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/prophetic-prayer-outreach/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/prophetic-prayer-outreach/Do you ever doubt that you can hear God clearly? Do you ever wish that you could be sure that it is really God speaking to you and not your own thoughts? Do you wish that you had more confidence…Sat, 23 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-can-i-be-an-overcomer/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-can-i-be-an-overcomer/Understanding Revelation chapter 12 is a key that unlocks the entire book. Once you have an understanding of the events of chapter 12, you have a foundation of understanding that will allow the…Sat, 16 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-purpose-of-the-wilderness/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-purpose-of-the-wilderness/We have already seen that the Great Tribulation is necessary as a final effort on God's part to bring the church to full maturity, without spot or wrinkle, lacking nothing, and prepared as a bride…Fri, 08 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-tribulation-is-not-the-wrath-of-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-tribulation-is-not-the-wrath-of-god/Many believers resist the idea that the Church will experience the Great Tribulation because they confuse the Tribulation with the wrath of God. They cite verses such as 1 Thessalonians 5:9 and 1…Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-mission-of-the-overcomers/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-mission-of-the-overcomers/During the Great Tribulation period, the Church—the Sun-Clothed woman of Revelation 12—flees for her life into the wilderness. The “wilderness” is probably not a literal wilderness area but is…Fri, 25 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-happens-to-the-sun-clothed-woman/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-happens-to-the-sun-clothed-woman/We saw that the Overcomers, the Firstfruits of the end-time harvest, were caught up to God in Revelation 12:5, before the time of the Great Tribulation. But what happens to the Sun-Clothed Woman,…Fri, 18 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-man-child-is-revealed/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-man-child-is-revealed/In Revelation 12:2, we find out that the sun-clothed woman, the Church, is pregnant.Thu, 10 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/who-is-the-sun-clothed-woman/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/who-is-the-sun-clothed-woman/“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:”—Revelation 12:1 (KJV)Thu, 19 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/three-parts-of-the-harvest/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/three-parts-of-the-harvest/It is only when you realize that God deals with the Church as three distinct groups of believers in the book of Revelation that you can begin to make sense of the book as you track the progress of…Thu, 12 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god-deals-with-the-church-as-three-distinct-groups-of-believers/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god-deals-with-the-church-as-three-distinct-groups-of-believers/We’ve looked at the resurrection of the dead, but what about the living? What about those of us who will still be alive at the end of this age? What will happen to us?Fri, 06 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/different-destinies-in-the-kingdom-of-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/different-destinies-in-the-kingdom-of-god/The overcomers will experience greater rewards, greater privileges, greater authority, and greater responsibilities than other believers. Jesus clearly stated this in each of His letters to the…Wed, 28 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/qualifying-for-the-first-resurrection/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/qualifying-for-the-first-resurrection/We have a lot of distractions in our lives today. There is much going on in our world that is disturbing. These distracting and disturbing images try to pull us in. They try to demand our…Wed, 21 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-life-of-a-bond-servant/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-life-of-a-bond-servant/There are two Hebrew words in the Old Testament for "servant." The word sakiyr denotes a hired servant. The Hebrew word ‘ebed is the word for bond servant. In the New Testament there are several…Tue, 13 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-bond-servant-commitment/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-bond-servant-commitment/There are at least two kinds of servants listed in Scripture, and there are two kinds of servants to God. Most are hired servants. A smaller number make the commitment to become bond servants.…Fri, 09 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/he-who-has-an-ear-to-hear/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/he-who-has-an-ear-to-hear/For years I have wondered why some people seem to have a fairly good grasp of the book of Revelation, while others seem to have no clue about how to even begin to understand it. And there doesn’t…Fri, 02 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/time-is-short/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/time-is-short/I remember sitting in a meeting a few years ago with John Paul Jackson when he told us that the person who would become the Antichrist was already alive and was probably in his late teens. He…Thu, 24 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/to-whom-should-you-give-your-tithes/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/to-whom-should-you-give-your-tithes/Abram’s story in Genesis 14 is valuable because it teaches us who we should give our tithes to. In this chapter, Abram gave tithes to Melchizedek, who was the priest of the Most High God. Tithes…Thu, 17 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/visualize-destiny-in-people/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/visualize-destiny-in-people/“Jesus looked at him and said, You are Simon son of John. You shall be called Cephas—which translated is Peter [Stone].”—John 1:42 (AMPC)Fri, 28 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/beginnings-of-revelatory-ministry/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/beginnings-of-revelatory-ministry/"Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, ‘You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas’ (which is translated, A Stone)."—John 1:42 (NKJV)Fri, 21 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/value-a-persons-name/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/value-a-persons-name/"Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, ‘You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas’ (which is translated, A Stone)."—John 1:42 (NKJV)Thu, 13 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/valuing-people-as-god-does/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/valuing-people-as-god-does/The foundation of effective evangelism is love. Love must be the guiding force behind every encounter with another person. Love must be the motivation that guides our words and actions. At times,…Thu, 06 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/living-under-a-curse/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/living-under-a-curse/As the angel of the Lord met with Neville Johnson, he said, “You do not understand that giving gives you power in spiritual warfare.” You can listen to Neville's description of this encounter in…Thu, 23 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/but-didn%E2%80%99t-tithing-pass-away-with-the-old-testament-law/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/but-didn%E2%80%99t-tithing-pass-away-with-the-old-testament-law/Some people argue that tithing was part of the law of Moses, and now that we are living under a new covenant we are not subject to the “old tithing requirement.”Sat, 18 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-tale-of-two-prophets/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-tale-of-two-prophets/John Alexander Dowie had an amazing healing and evangelistic ministry decades before the healing revival of the 1940’s and 50’s. His meetings in Chicago at the turn of the century were so powerful…Wed, 08 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/give-the-glory-to-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/give-the-glory-to-god/Herod, Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Lucifer . . . . The examples of their downfalls warn of the devastation that can be experienced by those who lift themselves up in pride. How can we avoid such…Thu, 02 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/but-what-if-you-can%E2%80%99t-afford-to-give-10-percent/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/but-what-if-you-can%E2%80%99t-afford-to-give-10-percent/A lot of what I've written about tithing comes from conversations I had with my friend, Julia. A few years ago, in one of our online chats, Julia wrote, "in the many business books (mostly…Sat, 27 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/when-do-you-tithe/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/when-do-you-tithe/Years ago, when I was just beginning to learn to obey God, I got myself into financial trouble. I had a steady job that provided me with a regular paycheck. The money that I was paid was…Sat, 20 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-do-you-tithe/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-do-you-tithe/It is important for us to give 10% of our income to God, but what does that include?Sat, 13 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/giving-releases-anointing-for-ministry/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/giving-releases-anointing-for-ministry/God commands us to give tithes and offerings, not so that the church organization may fatten itself and become rich, but so that there will be provision for others. The Church is a place of…Thu, 04 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-do-we-give-a-tenth-back-to-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-do-we-give-a-tenth-back-to-god/God directs us, in no uncertain terms, to give 10% of all of our income to Him. This is called the tithe. But why? Why does God direct us to do this?Fri, 29 May 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-test/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-test/“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”—Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)Thu, 21 May 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seeking-a-sign-from-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seeking-a-sign-from-god/For generations, people have tried to find some way to prove that God is real; that He really exists, and that He really is Who He says He is. And there is a way to do that! In fact, it’s easy if…Fri, 15 May 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-greatest-payoff/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-greatest-payoff/Spending time with God, nourishing that relationship with Him, is not a waste of time. It is the best and most important use of our time, with the greatest payoff. Spending time and deepening our…Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/one-thing-is-necessary/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/one-thing-is-necessary/The Lord and his disciples were traveling along and came to a village. When they got there, a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat down in front of…Sat, 02 May 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/become-a-disciple-with-powerful-impact/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/become-a-disciple-with-powerful-impact/How can we become people who can have a significant impact on people's lives just by living our lives in their presence?Sat, 25 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/show-people-the-difference-between-light-and-darkness/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/show-people-the-difference-between-light-and-darkness/"You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light…Sat, 18 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-need-for-proof/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-need-for-proof/When John pointed out Jesus as He was passing by and declared him to be the Lamb of God in John 1:35, it got the attention of Andrew and another disciple of John. The two of them started following…Sat, 04 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/establishing-priorities-for-ministry/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/establishing-priorities-for-ministry/“Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, And he looked at Jesus as He walked along, and said, Look! There is the Lamb of God! The two disciples heard him say this, and they…Sat, 28 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/attempted-suicide/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/attempted-suicide/After a lifelong Christian friend of mine survived his second suicide attempt, he was checked in to a hospital for a period of time and only allowed limited visitation. During and after his…Sat, 21 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/noodling/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/noodling/We are to be Fishers of Men. Fishermen have a variety of techniques. Some are fly fishermen. Some use live bait. Others use nets, as they did in Jesus' time. And then there are those few who…Sat, 14 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/listening-to-understand/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/listening-to-understand/Listening with the intention to really understand the other person is therapeutic in itself. One of the most dramatic changes that I’ve ever witnessed in a person simply due to attentive listening…Sat, 08 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/listening-on-the-streets/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/listening-on-the-streets/My friend Mark is a leader in the Street Pastors ministry in Scotland. He tells the story of meeting a group of Afghanistan war veterans coming out of a pub late one night. Mark approached them as…Sat, 01 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/commanding-the-weather/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/commanding-the-weather/It happened two weeks ago. I was scheduled to fly to Mexico City on Friday, January 10, 2020, at 8:56 a.m. I was going to Mexico to visit friends, but also to take some of my books to Christian…Sat, 25 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/becoming-a-listener/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/becoming-a-listener/For ministry purposes, if we really want to make a difference, we've got to change the way we interact with people. Instead of our focus being to talk about ourselves and communicate what is…Tue, 03 Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-ministry-approach-asking-questions-that-draw-people-out/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-ministry-approach-asking-questions-that-draw-people-out/I recently lost a good friend. Kent and I had known each other for several years. He was a very insightful person and a deep thinker. When we met for lunch, he often would tell me about the books…Sat, 30 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/good-soldiers-in-god%E2%80%99s-army/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/good-soldiers-in-god%E2%80%99s-army/Each of us is called to be a “good soldier of Jesus Christ” and to endure the hardships and suffering that come with that calling (2 Timothy 2:3).Sat, 23 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/submission-vs-lawlessness/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/submission-vs-lawlessness/Jesus’ actions as a 12-year-old in the temple created chaos and distress for his authorities.Sat, 16 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/choose-character-over-gifting/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/choose-character-over-gifting/John Paul Jackson taught us that if we insist on pursuing what we are gifted to do, while disregarding the limits that our authorities have placed upon us, then we are exalting our gifts above our…Sat, 09 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-blessings-of-waiting/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-blessings-of-waiting/It really doesn’t matter how gifted you are, how much education you have received, how close to God you are, or how much wisdom and insight you have.Sat, 02 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/waiting-for-your-commissioning/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/waiting-for-your-commissioning/“But if I submit to my parents or my church authorities, I will never be able to enter into God’s calling for my life!”Sat, 26 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-first-test/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-first-test/We usually think that Jesus’ first real test came after His baptism when He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, but actually, the first testing of Jesus that is recorded in Scripture…Sat, 19 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/many-are-called-but-few-are-chosen/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/many-are-called-but-few-are-chosen/Many people are called by God for special ministry assignments. Many people are presented with a special invitation from God to partner with Him to accomplish great things.Sun, 13 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/%E2%80%9Cwell-done-good-and-faithful-servant%E2%80%9D/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/%E2%80%9Cwell-done-good-and-faithful-servant%E2%80%9D/Believers want God to welcome them with open arms and greet them with, “Well done” at the conclusion of their life’s journey, just as the Lord said to his faithful servants in the parable of the…Fri, 04 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/principles-of-jesus-ministry/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/principles-of-jesus-ministry/In my previous book, Doing the Works of Jesus: Becoming a Disciple Who Loves, certain principles were presented that were fundamental to Jesus’ ministry. It is helpful to remind ourselves of these…Thu, 15 Aug 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/just-start-just-go/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/just-start-just-go/We may think that we are unqualified in some way to enter into God's high calling. God doesn’t seem to care about that. He seems to prefer it that way. It is almost impossible for God to use a…Sun, 31 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-restoration-of-all-things/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-restoration-of-all-things/Jesus' life was the ultimate demonstration of God’s love and power in ministry, but after His ascension, the Church slowly began to lose touch with that. Finally, the Church lost sight of almost…Sun, 24 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/will-you-accept-god%E2%80%99s-high-calling/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/will-you-accept-god%E2%80%99s-high-calling/We have been focusing on basic principles that guided Jesus’ ministry and that should guide our own lives and ministries as well:Sun, 10 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/feed-the-relationship/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/feed-the-relationship/Opportunities for ministry often arise within the context of relationships. A person rarely ever reveals deep, personal problems to a stranger.Sun, 03 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-signs-that-you-have-been-saved-6/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-signs-that-you-have-been-saved-6/After your life is changed, you may feel an urgency to tell others about Jesus and about the change that He has made in your life. It is natural to want to share Jesus, especially with those you…Sun, 24 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-signs-that-you-have-been-saved-5/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-signs-that-you-have-been-saved-5/After your life is changed, you may want to spend more time with people who have also experienced this transformation in their lives. You may want to seek out others who believe in Jesus and spend…Sun, 17 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-signs-that-you-have-been-saved-4/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-signs-that-you-have-been-saved-4/Becoming a believer in Jesus Christ does not mean that your life will suddenly become easier. In fact, you may begin to face challenges that you have never had to deal with before!Sun, 10 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-signs-that-you-have-been-saved-3/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-signs-that-you-have-been-saved-3/You may feel an urge to change the lifestyle you’ve been living and follow God’s commands. That makes perfect sense because the Bible teaches us that when you accept Jesus Christ into your life…Sun, 03 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-signs-that-you-have-been-saved-2/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-signs-that-you-have-been-saved-2/As a new believer, you may feel a hunger for God’s word, like a hunger for daily food. You may feel drawn to read your Bible often. This is a normal desire that many new believers experience.…Sun, 27 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-signs-that-you-have-been-saved-1/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-signs-that-you-have-been-saved-1/As a new believer in Jesus, you may feel like you are sinning more now than you were before you accepted Christ! You may have what Bill Gothard calls a new awareness of right and wrong. You may…Sun, 13 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-signs-that-you-have-been-saved/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-signs-that-you-have-been-saved/"The Lord knows those who belong to him."—2 Timothy 2:19 (ERV)Sat, 05 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/gods-most-wonderful-gift/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/gods-most-wonderful-gift/"[and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our…Sat, 29 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-you-can-never-do-enough-to-earn-heaven-and-avoid-hell/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-you-can-never-do-enough-to-earn-heaven-and-avoid-hell/We must realize, first, that we cannot save ourselves. It is utterly impossible.Sat, 22 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-book-of-life/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-book-of-life/The Book of Life may be the most critical book, as it relates to our ultimate judgment because, as God’s Word declares, anyone whose name is not written in this Book of Life will be forever…Sat, 15 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-final-exam/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-final-exam/After this life is finished, we will all have to give account for the lives that we lived.Sat, 08 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-peek-into-the-other-side/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-peek-into-the-other-side/It is essential to understand that death is not the end. In fact, the reality is that there is no end to life. Our lives will go on for all eternity. But where will we spend eternity? What is…Sat, 01 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-warning-from-beyond-the-grave/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-warning-from-beyond-the-grave/Since the age of 12, Oscar-winning actor Yul Brynner had been a smoker. At times, he smoked five packs of cigarettes a day. At age 63, he was diagnosed with lung cancer.Sat, 24 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/looking-back-with-regret/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/looking-back-with-regret/As a boy, I had many sports heroes. I looked up to them, watched them on TV, read their biographies, and wrote letters to them. Many of them sent me autographed photos in answer to my letters. One…Sat, 17 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-is-life-all-about/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-is-life-all-about/When I was much younger, after graduating from high school, I started thinking about college, trying to decide on my next move. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. I had been…Sat, 10 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/be-a-doer-not-just-a-hearer/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/be-a-doer-not-just-a-hearer/"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."—James 1:22 (ESV)Sat, 08 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-proud-will-be-abased-no-one-is-exempt/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-proud-will-be-abased-no-one-is-exempt/Herod, Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Lucifer . . . all brought down because of pride. But do these stories have any relevance for us?Fri, 31 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-example-of-heidi-and-rolland-baker/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-example-of-heidi-and-rolland-baker/Heidi and Rolland Baker of Iris Ministries have adopted this focus of meeting the needs of individuals they encounter, and they demonstrate this in many ways. They constantly reinforce this focus…Sat, 11 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-fall-of-lucifer/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-fall-of-lucifer/The ultimate example of the tragic consequences of pride is found in the fall of Lucifer in Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14. When Lucifer was created by God, he was blessed beyond imagination. Lucifer…Sat, 04 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/where-gods-interests-are/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/where-gods-interests-are/As the angel told Roland Buck, if we want to see what God’s interests really are, we can find them in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah:Sat, 28 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-fall-of-belshazzar/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-fall-of-belshazzar/"The writing is on the wall!"Sat, 21 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/drawing-people-to-jesus/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/drawing-people-to-jesus/Jesus makes it clear in John 6:26 that it is not demonstrations of the miraculous that cause people to become disciples. People are searching for something that will meet their needs.Sat, 14 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/whats-at-stake/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/whats-at-stake/We are in the middle of a powerful spiritual battle for the future of our nation and the world. As our nation begins to return to its spiritual roots and seek again the righteousness of God, the…Sat, 07 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/behavior-signals-needs/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/behavior-signals-needs/Sometimes, the needs that people have are obvious. Other needs are more difficult to pinpoint. Often behavior signals a need in someone’s life, but it may still be a challenge to link that signal…Sat, 30 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/by-any-means-necessary/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/by-any-means-necessary/Assassination attempts can take many forms, as the Games in Catching Fire showed. First, the victors encountered an electric force field that knocked Peeta on his back, stopping his heart and…Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/our-ultimate-model/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/our-ultimate-model/"But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus."—Ephesians 4:20–21 (NKJV)Sat, 16 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/assassination-plots/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/assassination-plots/After Katniss was declared the victor in the 74th annual Hunger Games, something happened that none of the other victors had experienced, at least not to the same degree. She was targeted for…Sat, 09 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/self-evaluation-how-prepared-are-you-now/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/self-evaluation-how-prepared-are-you-now/Appropriate preparation is essential to maximize our effectiveness in ministry. Jesus did not send out the twelve on the first day of their discipleship; and He did not send them out without…Sat, 14 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/heavens-agent/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/heavens-agent/Any presidential candidate has campaign staffers. It was no different for Donald Trump. In the Hunger Games films, there seemed to be three people who filled these roles for Katniss and her…Fri, 06 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/preparation-piece-5-availability/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/preparation-piece-5-availability/Appropriate preparation is essential to maximize our effectiveness in ministry. Jesus did not send out the twelve on the first day of their discipleship; and He did not send them out without…Sat, 03 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/preparation-piece-4-confidence/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/preparation-piece-4-confidence/Appropriate preparation is essential to maximize our effectiveness in ministry. Jesus did not send out the twelve on the first day of their discipleship; and He did not send them out without…Sat, 10 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/mocking-the-system/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/mocking-the-system/Katniss Everdeen was launched into her calling through a prophetic dream. It was not her own dream, but a dream that her sister Primrose had. This dream that Prim experienced at the beginning of…Sun, 04 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/preparation-piece-3-practice/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/preparation-piece-3-practice/Appropriate preparation is essential to maximize our effectiveness in ministry. Jesus did not send out the twelve on the first day of their discipleship; and He did not send them out without…Sat, 20 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/rise-of-the-mockingjay/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/rise-of-the-mockingjay/Until now, we have focused on the system that was in place at the time of the 2016 American presidential campaign. Now, as we turn our focus to the rise of the Mockingjay, we begin to see clear…Sat, 13 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/preparation-piece-2-training/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/preparation-piece-2-training/Appropriate preparation is essential to maximize our effectiveness in ministry. Jesus did not send out the twelve on the first day of their discipleship; and He did not send them out without…Sat, 06 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/collusion/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/collusion/In the second Hunger Games film, Catching Fire, just as the Games are starting, we see Head Gamemaker Plutarch, and the media powers who are controlling the Games, in the same building with…Sat, 30 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/preparation-piece-1-equipping/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/preparation-piece-1-equipping/Appropriate preparation is essential to maximize our effectiveness in ministry. Jesus did not send out the twelve on the first day of their discipleship; and He did not send them out without…Sat, 16 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/controlling-the-games/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/controlling-the-games/The first Hunger Games film, which was released in 2012, may have prophesied, in remarkable detail, the events leading up to the American presidential election of 2016, with the Games themselves…Sat, 09 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-greater-the-darknessthe-greater-the-anointing/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-greater-the-darknessthe-greater-the-anointing/In Jesus’ ministry, part of the reason for His great impact was the contrast of bringing such great light into a place of such great darkness.Fri, 01 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-presidential-campaign-as-entertainment/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-presidential-campaign-as-entertainment/The first Hunger Games film, which was released in 2012, may have prophesied, in remarkable detail, the events leading up to the American presidential election of 2016, with the Games themselves…Sun, 26 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/sponsors/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/sponsors/The first Hunger Games film, which was released in 2012, may have prophesied, in remarkable detail, the events leading up to the American presidential election of 2016, with the Games themselves…Sat, 28 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-tributes/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-tributes/The first Hunger Games film, which was released in 2012, may have prophesied, in remarkable detail, the events leading up to the American presidential election of 2016, with the Games themselves…Sat, 21 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-message-emerges/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-message-emerges/During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He often told parables, or stories, which seemed simple on the surface, but contained deep, hidden spiritual truth. Jesus still speaks in parables, whether those…Sat, 14 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-to-lose-the-ability-to-hear-gods-voice/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/how-to-lose-the-ability-to-hear-gods-voice/The last newsletter was on the topic of how we can hear God’s voice more clearly. It concluded by saying that you can be as close to God as Moses was! You can hear God as clearly and as often as…Sun, 03 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-can%E2%80%99t-we-hear/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-can%E2%80%99t-we-hear/God still speaks today. He speaks in a variety of different ways, using a variety of different means and media. He speaks through believers and non-believers. He speaks often. If we are not…Sun, 13 Aug 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-message-from-hollywood/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/a-message-from-hollywood/The more I watched, the clearer it became.Sat, 15 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/look-on-the-fields/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/look-on-the-fields/In some outreach events, we consistently have people lined up, waiting for their chance to receive ministry, sometimes waiting for over an hour in unpleasant conditions. When we've offered…Sat, 08 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/my-new-best-friend/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/my-new-best-friend/During our ministry encounters with people outside the walls of the church, we build rapport. We accept and love people as they are. We don’t require them to change in any way before we minister…Sat, 01 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/accepted-just-as-they-are/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/accepted-just-as-they-are/During our ministry encounters with people outside the walls of the church, we build rapport. We accept and love people as they are. We don’t require them to change in any way before we minister…Sat, 10 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/as-the-father-draws-them/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/as-the-father-draws-them/We have noticed that when people come to us in outreach settings, they tend to open up to us. They let their defensive “walls” and barriers down. They share openly with us about their problems and…Sat, 03 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/i-send-you-out/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/i-send-you-out/When Jesus commissioned his disciples, he did not send them into churches. Jesus sent them out into the cities and towns, after His example.Sat, 27 May 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/who-do-we-love/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/who-do-we-love/If you believe that we are supposed to love everybody, look again. Surprisingly, God never commanded us to love everybody. That’s God’s job. He’s big enough to handle it.Sat, 13 May 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/claim-repayment-for-your-unjust-losses/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/claim-repayment-for-your-unjust-losses/In the last few minutes of the last CD of his teaching series entitled “Entering His Glory”, Paul Keith Davis tells the story of a distinguished-looking man with white hair, a white beard, and…Sun, 07 May 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/justice-and-restoration/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/justice-and-restoration/The premature death of Abel in Genesis 4 shows us what God provides when we experience unjust loss; in this case, the unjust loss of a child. Immediately, God provides for two things to happen:…Sun, 16 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seeds-of-a-great-harvest/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seeds-of-a-great-harvest/God’s justice provides compensation packages for our pain and losses that more than make up for the losses that we’ve suffered, even if we’ve suffered the devastating loss of a child. If we have…Sun, 02 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god-wants-you-to-know-why/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god-wants-you-to-know-why/Years ago, I was asked to lead a dream interpretation team at an outreach event. One dear lady came to our team to share a dream she’d had years earlier but had never understood. In the dream,…Fri, 17 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/adventures-in-africa-part-6/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/adventures-in-africa-part-6/The focus of the morning sessions on the final day of our conference was on forgiveness and freedom from bitterness. As Bill lead us into repentance for any unforgiveness in our lives, a…Sat, 11 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/adventures-in-africa-part-5/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/adventures-in-africa-part-5/Our team faced a challenge on Day Two of our leaders conference because we all had to follow the passionate and fiery presentation that Dr. Sammy had delivered the previous day! That seemed a bit…Sat, 28 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/keeping-first-things-first/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/keeping-first-things-first/Years ago, I was on a bus trip from Dallas to Charlevoix, Michigan to play guitar. I had a lot of time to think on the trip, and at one point I took time to inventory all of the major areas of my…Sun, 22 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/keeping-first-things-first-1/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/keeping-first-things-first-1/Years ago, I was on a bus trip from Dallas to Charlevoix, Michigan to play guitar. I had a lot of time to think on the trip, and at one point I took time to inventory all of the major areas of my…Sun, 22 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/adventures-in-africa-part-4/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/adventures-in-africa-part-4/Our three-day conference for pastors and leaders began on Wednesday with a rousing time of worship lead by a young and enthusiastic team of musicians and singers. Even if I didn't understand all…Sat, 21 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/adventures-in-africa-part-3/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/adventures-in-africa-part-3/On Tuesday, Dr. Sammy, Frank, Bill, Lynda and I went to visit the young men of Youth Coalition in Action. This is a Christian organization in which teenage young men who have no homes and no…Sun, 08 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/adventures-in-africa-part-2/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/adventures-in-africa-part-2/We were up early on Monday morning. Scrunching ourselves into two cars, the six of us headed up the long, winding mountain roads with our drivers and Honorable Evariste Ndikumana, a former member…Tue, 11 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/adventures-in-africa-arrival/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/adventures-in-africa-arrival/My final destination was Bujumbura, Burundi, Africa, but I had stops along the way in London, Doha, and Nairobi.Sat, 27 Aug 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/walking-with-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/walking-with-god/Objective: To become more alert to God’s divine appointmentsSat, 30 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-greatest-problems-can-lead-to-the-greatest-blessings/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-greatest-problems-can-lead-to-the-greatest-blessings/Think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the book of Daniel. They were thrown into a fiery furnace. Big interruption in their plans, right? But they declared to the king their complete…Sat, 23 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/thank-god-for-problems/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/thank-god-for-problems/If we can get a glimpse of how God orchestrates the seemingly insignificant circumstances of our lives on a daily basis, we would feel a great sense of security and peace, knowing that God has…Sat, 16 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seeing-interruptions-from-gods-point-of-view/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seeing-interruptions-from-gods-point-of-view/Divine appointments come disguised as interruptions. They come with bad attitudes, at inconvenient times, acting inappropriately. Examples from Jesus' life include the Gaderene demoniac, the…Sat, 02 Jul 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-in-between-times/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-in-between-times/One thing that you may notice as you study the significant events in Jesus’ ministry is that very few of them were scheduled. For example,Sat, 25 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/outside-the-church-walls/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/outside-the-church-walls/As we examine the ministry of Jesus, it is remarkable to realize that most of the significant events in Jesus’ ministry happened outside of the “church” meetings of His day—meetings in the…Sat, 18 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/step-into-maturity/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/step-into-maturity/We may be motivated with a desire to help others, but how can we best do that? What should we look to as our model for ministry? I believe it can be found in Jesus' words in John 14:12 (NKJV):Sat, 11 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/an-invitation-to-life/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/an-invitation-to-life/"Jesus was walking by Lake Galilee. He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. These two men were fishermen, and they were throwing a net into the lake to catch fish. Jesus said to them, 'Come, follow…Sat, 14 May 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-key-to-finding-purpose-and-identity/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-key-to-finding-purpose-and-identity/Some people claim to have “invented themselves” or become “self-made men.” That may be an indication of the determination that drives them to succeed, but to a large extent, your identity and your…Sat, 07 May 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/answering-the-two-most-important-questions-in-life/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/answering-the-two-most-important-questions-in-life/There are two questions in life that you must find answers to, or else your life will have little meaning. These two questions are:Sat, 16 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-desires-of-our-hearts/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-desires-of-our-hearts/If you will put God first in your life, seeking his Kingdom, doing His will, and giving priority to His concerns, you will see that He will honor that by personally taking care of you in return.…Sat, 09 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-ultimate-payoff/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-ultimate-payoff/In every situation of pain and great loss, God provides a compensation package that more than makes up for the pain and loss that was suffered. We must learn to view pain and loss in that context.…Sat, 19 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/always-on-time/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/always-on-time/If you will put God first in your life, seeking his Kingdom, doing His will, and giving priority to His concerns, you will see that He will honor that by personally taking care of you in return.…Sat, 05 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-degenerative-consequences-of-pride/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-degenerative-consequences-of-pride/In Romans 1, Paul describes a progression of degenerative consequences which has caught many people in its grip. It can happen to any of us who, in our pride, reject the reality of a God Who has…Sat, 27 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seeing-the-full-justice-of-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seeing-the-full-justice-of-god/When God described the future of Abram’s descendants to him, He put it all in context. He not only described their enslavement in Egypt, but God also described the repayment they would receive for…Sat, 20 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-challenge/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-challenge/You may have a desire to do God's work and to serve Him in ministry, but other needs may seem to be taking priority. You may have thought, "How can I get involved in ministry to others when I have…Sat, 13 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-fall-of-the-greatest-king/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-fall-of-the-greatest-king/If we find ourselves in positions of greatness, we must remember that it is only because God gave us the means to achieve those positions, and the opportunities to obtain them; and God can take…Sat, 06 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/pain-loss-and-the-justice-of-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/pain-loss-and-the-justice-of-god/We tend to view incidents of great pain and loss in an isolated bubble. That is, we don’t always connect the painful incident with the payback that comes later from a just God, to recompense us…Sat, 30 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-you-cant-afford-to-be-proud/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/why-you-cant-afford-to-be-proud/In our cultures, and in daily lives, pride is often extolled as a virtue. We take pride in the land of our birth, in the sports teams we support, and in the organizations to which we belong. There…Sat, 23 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-perfect-messenger/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-perfect-messenger/After the tornado in Moore, OK, ripped through Plaza Towers Elementary School on May 20, 2013, first responders rescued several children and returned them to the safety of their parents. But they…Sat, 09 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/where-was-god/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/where-was-god/Early in December, I sat down to watch the film, "Where Was God? Stories of Hope After the Storm", expecting it to be an intellectual argument for the existence of God. I have little patience for…Sat, 09 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-accuser-at-work/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-accuser-at-work/God has only pure love for you! No condemnation. No accusations. No memory of your past failures! Only love and acceptance.Sat, 10 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god-pulls-back-the-curtains/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/god-pulls-back-the-curtains/“Now there was a day when the sons (the angels) of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (the adversary and accuser) also came among them.”—Job 1:6 (AMP)Sat, 12 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/gods-discipline/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/gods-discipline/“Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them.”—Job 1:4 (NLT)Sat, 15 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/suffering-does-not-equal-punishment/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/suffering-does-not-equal-punishment/“That man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.”—Job 1:1 (NRSV)Sun, 09 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/when-you%E2%80%99re-in-the-lowest-pit-of-hopelessness/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/when-you%E2%80%99re-in-the-lowest-pit-of-hopelessness/When you’ve experienced great loss and reached the lowest pit of hopelessness, you need encouragement. You need comfort. You need friends to talk to—friends who will stick with you and listen…Sat, 01 Aug 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/overcoming-every-setback/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/overcoming-every-setback/Adam Brown died a hero, admired even by elite members of the US Navy SEALs; but in his darkest days, he looked nothing like a hero.Wed, 08 Jul 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/switching-tracks/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/switching-tracks/Our journey through life can be compared to traveling on a train. Circumstances in life seem to place us in particular locations, with particular collections of people, as we travel through life…Sat, 13 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-does-it-mean-to-do-the-works-of-jesus/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/what-does-it-mean-to-do-the-works-of-jesus/(An updated excerpt from Doing the Works of Jesus: Book 1: Becoming a Disciple Who Loves)Sun, 26 Oct 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/significance-of-the-blood-moons/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/significance-of-the-blood-moons/This Tuesday night of October 7-8, 2014, there will be a “blood moon”. This blood moon will mark the first day of the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles.Sun, 05 Oct 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/no-more-time/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/no-more-time/My grandmother passed away in 2001—just a few days after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon—at the age of 97. I was really close to my grandmother. As we were growing up, my…Tue, 30 Sep 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/cutting-people-off/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/cutting-people-off/One of my good Ukrainian friends challenged me (in a good way) about a statement that I made in my last newsletter. I wish that would happen more often because when my writings are challenged, it…Sat, 20 Sep 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/forgetting-the-past/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/forgetting-the-past/There's a scene in the movie The Bourne Identity that really struck me and has stayed with me ever since. At one point in the movie, Jason Bourne realizes that the police are closing in on him. In…Sat, 06 Sep 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-scattering-of-babel-and-why-your-church-needs-it/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/the-scattering-of-babel-and-why-your-church-needs-it/The story of the Tower of Babel. Is it just a simple narration included in the Bible solely to explain why there are so many different languages in the world, or is there more to it than that? I…Fri, 20 Jun 2014 00:00:00 GMThttps://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-priorities-of-life/https://sowmap-site.pages.dev/articles/seven-priorities-of-life/It happened years ago when I was in my 20’s. I was on a long cross-country bus trip. I was traveling from my home in Dallas, Texas, to participate in a classical guitar master class in Charlevoix,…Sun, 14 Jul 2013 00:00:00 GMT