Posts by Taigen Joos
Learning to Discern
In addition to the prayers of our Savior, the prayers of the apostle Paul offer excellent material for the Christian to study if he seeks to grow in his prayer life. Paul’s prayer for the Philippian believers is one such example. Found in Philippians 1:9-11, it is full of theological material for any Christian to…
Read MoreThe Jesus Revolution?
The worldwide release of a new film entitled Jesus Revolution is set for today, February 24, 2023. The film is based on a book by the same title written by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, CA. The book and the subsequent movie tells the story of Laurie’s conversion during the so-called…
Read MoreTen Things to Pray for this Year, and Every Year
In the last few years, our conversations were full of talk about maintaining or regaining physical health, about COVID-19, about government intrusion and many political scandals. With our eyes on the news, our hearts can grow spiritually cold, full of fears and anxious doubts. We must realize that our spiritual health is more important than…
Read MoreThe Fourth Sunday of Christmas: Christ Our Peace
Luke 2:8-14 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be…
Read MoreThe Third Sunday of Christmas: Christ Our Joy
Luke 2:9-11 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before (the shepherds), and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there…
Read MoreThe Second Sunday of Christmas: Christ, Our Faith
Matthew 2:1-6 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When…
Read MoreThe First Sunday of Christmas: Christ Is Our Hope
Isaiah 11:1-5, There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His…
Read MoreFour Big Ideas about Spiritual Gifts
There are two primary passages in the New Testament that address the issue of spiritual gifts: Romans 12, and 1 Corinthians 12-14. While a few other passages mention spiritual gifts, they are secondary in importance to the discussion. There are four “big idea” thoughts about spiritual gifts that I think believers need to be reminded…
Read MorePastoral Obscurity: the blessing of anonymity
About every six months, a small group of pastor friends and I get together to discuss a Christian book and pray together. It is a great time of ministerial camaraderie and encouragement. All of us are pastors of relatively small churches. None of us have churches with more than two hundred attendees, and most of…
Read MoreParenting Toward Maturity
Parenting cannot be delegated. God is clear in both the Old and New Testaments that parents are responsible to raise their children in such a way that points their attentions and affections towards the one true and living God (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Ephesians 6:4). This truth cannot be denied, nor can it lawfully be ignored. This…
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