Comforting The Distressed

August 26, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. 

Comfort is an important word in the apostle Paul’s letter to the saints at Corinth. In just five verses in the opening of his second letter to the Corinthians, he uses the word “comfort” nine times! 

   Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7) 

The Greek word conveys the sense of someone who comes near to help us. They come physically near, their heart draws near to us in empathy, and even their words are right on target to provide the help we need. 

If that description sounds familiar, it may be because it comes from the same Greek word that Jesus uses for the Holy Spirit—

   And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever. (John 14:16 AMPC) 

As Paul says, God is “the God of all comfort,” which we would expect. But notice that Paul also says that the Comforter comforts us for a specific purpose: “so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 

We cannot give to others what we do not have. 

How do we get comfort? The Holy Spirit—the Comforter—comforts us. 

When does He comfort us? When we are in distress. 

What happens with this comfort we receive? Three things:

  1. We have something to give to others who are in distress
  2. It builds patient endurance in us
  3. It makes our hope in God more firm

Perhaps you’re in a time of distress right now and you’re wondering why you are going through this difficulty. Can I challenge you to reframe this thought: You are going through this so that you may increase your capacity to be a comforter to others. Your comforted distress is allowing you to come alongside another struggling saint with greater empathy and patience and understanding and strength than you would have had before your time of distress. 

This is why Paul says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” He is trying to help us see the blessings that can come from this time of distress that could have come in no other way. Don’t allow self-pity to rob you of the comfort the Comforter wants to give to you so that you are able to be a comforter to others who are in distress. 

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Biblical Worldview

August 25, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. 

The definition of salvation comes from Romans 10:9. When we believe in our heart that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and we confess that with our mouth, we are now justified. I can now stand before God just as if I had never sinned. But the Christian life is more than merely going to heaven at some point. It’s about glorifying God and pointing others to Jesus while we’re on our way to heaven. 

(Check out all of the Scriptures in this post by clicking here.)

We are immediately justified but sanctification (or as I like to call it “saint-ification”) is an ongoing process. 

  • The sanctified life is fruitful 
  • The sanctified life is joy-filled
  • The sanctified life is a testimony to others  

Paul wrote to saints in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1) but he also called them “mere human beings” in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. Paul points out that there is a difference between viewing this life from a worldly viewpoint and a biblical viewpoint (2 Corinthians 5:16). 

A naturalistic world view is constantly shifting as new discoveries are made. A biblical worldview knows there is nothing new under the sun, that everything is addressed in Scripture. 

In order to not view this world through the lens of “mere human beings” we have to read, study, meditate on, and apply the whole counsel of God’s Word. We put it in and the Holy Spirit helps us live it out. Just like our prescription glasses won’t do a thing to correct our vision of they aren’t on our face, Scripture won’t help us navigate this world in a God-glorifying way if we haven’t put it in our heart. 

Each day before I ready my Bible I pray Psalm 119:18, which asks the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to the amazing things in Scripture. I read, I journal, and I pray over the passage that I have read. Then the Holy Spirit makes good application of that Scripture (John 14:26, 16:13; 1 John 4:6). I want to be sure to read the whole counsel of God’s Word, not just cherrypicking my favorite parts. And I always want to be going deeper (Hebrews 6:1). 

One place that we see contrasting world views—the natural worldview versus the biblical worldview—is in 2 Timothy 2:14-19. 

  • Natural worldview #1—quarreling about words 
  • Biblical worldview #1—correctly handling the Word of truth 
  • Natural worldview #2—engaging in godless chatter 
  • Biblical worldview #2—standing on the firm foundation of Scripture 

The results of a biblical worldview are amazing: 

  1. A sure foundation (Matthew 7:24-27) 
  2. The attention of others (Matthew 7:28-29) 
  3. Useful treasures to share with others (Matthew 13:52) 
  4. A strong defense against critics (Acts 6:9-10; Psalm 119:99) 

Let’s not get stuck in the “mere human being” level of a natural worldview, but let’s commit to studying our Bibles diligently so that the Holy Spirit can develop a robust biblical worldview in us. This worldview is fruitful, joyful, and enhances our testimony. 

Follow along with all the other messages in our series on B.A.S.I.C. Christianity by clicking here. 

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B.A.S.I.C. Christianity

August 23, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

When someone invites Jesus into their heart, they are immediately justified in God’s sight and have the assurance of Heaven as their eternal home. But then the question comes, “Now what?” 

Our justification is immediate but our sanctification is an ongoing, lifelong process. Sanctification is what brings fruitfulness to a Christian’s life and what allows that fruitful life to be a testimony to others. The Bible gives us the B.A.S.I.C.s of this Christian life, and that’s what we will be exploring over the next few weeks. 

I hope you can join me at Calvary Assembly of God each Sunday for this highly relevant series.

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Links & Quotes

August 23, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

If you want your heart to be able to perform better, you are going to have to stress it a bit—that’s called exercise. The same thing is true for the heart of leadership—we have to exercise our leadership so that it can rise to the challenge later.

I have a lot of new video content on my YouTube channel every week. Please check it out and subscribe so you don’t miss anything.

J. Warner Wallace wrote, “Everyone, whether they realize it or not, is engaged in worship. We all adore something, elevating it above the rest, sometimes so much that we overlook its flaws.” Check out this post about being careful about what we worship.

“Nothing teaches us about the preciousness of the Creator as much as when we learn the emptiness of everything else.” —Charles Spurgeon 

“We should avoid end-time hysteria and ‘not grow weary in doing good’ (2 Thessalonians 3:13). There will be good work to do (vocationally and socially and personally) right up to the Lord’s coming. Our normal earthly duties will not end until the Lord appears. The rule then, until he comes, is, ‘Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men’ (Colossians 3:23).” —John Piper 

Greg Morse has a fascinating post connecting the fable of Chicken Little with the historical account of Noah and the imminent return of Jesus. “I hope an acorn falls afresh on our heads as we observe an Old Testament saint who was the Chicken Little of his day. A man who remained awake and faithful with his back against the end of the world: a man named Noah.”

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Stick With Your Commitment

August 22, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

Though the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, the Lord delivered a very great host into their hands, because Joash and Judah had forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers. So the Syrians executed judgment against Joash. And when they had departed from Joash, leaving him very ill, his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and they slew him on his bed. So he died and they buried him in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. (2 Chronicles 24:24-25 AMPC)

Joash started well when he listened to the godly counsel of Jehoiada. But he made a 180-degree turn when he listened to ungodly counselors. Joash, it seems, couldn’t commit to a godly or ungodly lifestyle on his own; instead, he lived as those around him did—always giving in to the loudest voice at that particular moment. 

We are prone to follow the voices around us, too, which is why Paul urges us to make a commitment to follow God regardless of how others are living:

I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of all the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies—presenting all your members and faculties—as a living sacrifice…. Do not be conformed to this world (this age)—fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs—but be transformed (changed) by the entire renewal of your mind…. (Romans 12:1-2 AMPC). 

A life fully committed to living God’s precepts is red hot in its passions—“Let your love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil—loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness—but hold fast to that which is good” (Romans 12:9 AMPC). 

Related posts: 

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Commit To Overcoming

August 21, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. 

How do leaders make sure that obstacles to their personal or organizational growth don’t become permanent? 

This clip is from a lengthy conversation Greg and I had about leaders being like gardeners. You can check it out here. The main point is this: The seeds have what they need to grow, so the gardener-leader simply has to remove the obstacles to growth. 

You may also want to check out a couple of related posts:

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Ephesians 4:29 Don’ts And Dos

August 19, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace to those who hear it. (Ephesians 4:29 AMPC)

Don’t use…
❌ foul words
❌ polluted words
❌ evil words
❌ unwholesome words
❌ worthless words

Do use…
✅ good words
✅ beneficial words
✅ encouraging words
✅ helpful words
✅ graceful words

Let’s put Ephesians 4:29 in practice with every conversation—both in-person and online.

Check out this related post: Choice four-letter words. 

And this related video: Good words are a blessing.

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Beware Of People Pleasing

August 19, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. 

The apostle Paul asked himself a question which is also a great question for every Christian to ask themselves: “Am I trying to please people?” (Galatians 1:10). 

Trying to please people is a trap, and the inevitable result is frustration. Why frustration? Because it is impossible to please everyone. Even Jesus couldn’t do that!

If I am trying to win support from people, I will have to be like a politician who is angling for votes. I will have to make concessions and modifications based on which group I may be speaking to. For a Christian trying to live by the Bible, there are no concessions or modifications that can be made. 

In Galatians 1:10, Paul goes on to say, “If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” That is because trying to please people is not serving people but serving my own ego. 

Let’s zoom-in on the question Paul uses to open this verse: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?” 

He is not saying, “I hope God approves of me.” When we have welcomed Jesus into our life as our Lord and Savior, we are already fully accepted and approved of by our Heavenly Father—

   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6) 

We do not have to try to earn God’s approval, but we will have to stand before Him someday to give an account of how we lived our lives and how we proclaimed the Gospel to others. Looking ahead to this “finish line” will keep us disciplined (Philippians 3:12–14) so that we can rejoice in our reward as our end draws near (2 Timothy 4:6–8). 

Let us live, and talk, and work for the applause of nail-scarred Hands. There is only one Voice that we want to hear saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Don’t fall into the people pleasing trap, but keep your eyes and ears solely on your Savior. 

Related posts:

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Eyes On The Eternal

August 18, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. 

Most of our Royal Psalms have taken us from King David to King Jesus. Psalm 72 is a bit different because King David is speaking some of his last words as a blessing and a reminder to King Solomon. Jesus, Peter, and those in a church prayer meeting all affirmed that David’s words were inspired by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 22:43; Acts 1:16, 4:25), so these words in Psalm 72 are just as inspired. 

(Check out all of the Scriptures in this post by clicking here.)

The introduction to this psalm in the NIV says “Of Solomon.” But because the Hebrew word for “of” can also be “for” and since v. 20 says these are the final words of David, I think we can say that this psalm is of David and for Solomon. 

David has received God’s promise of an heir always on the throne of his kingdom. Here is the first transfer of power, and David is foreseeing the blessing that Solomon will be to the Israelite nation because of the endowment of God’s righteousness. Those blessings for his subjects include: 

  • fair judgments (v. 2; 1 Kings 10:1-3) 
  • prosperity (v. 3; 1 Kings 10:7, 27) 
  • safety from enemies (v. 4; 1 Kings 10:26) 
  • longevity (v. 5; 1 Kings 10:8) 
  • favor (vv. 6-7; 1 Kings 10:9) 

Historically, we know of the fulfillment of these things. We can especially see it in the visit of Queen Sheba in 1 Kings 10. 

In this next paragraph, as we have seen with other royal psalms, there is a modulation back-and-forth between King Solomon and King of kings Jesus (vv. 8-11). Verse 8 is the ends of the earth rule of Jesus; vv. 9-10 are the local rule under Solomon; v. 11 then speaks of all kings…all nations bowing to Jesus as the King of kings. 

This modulation reminds us that no earthly king can ever stand-in for the Eternal King. After the static of switching back-and-forth, from our perspective at this point in history a flashback event becomes crystal clear. 

  • David gives instructions and a warning to Solomon (1 Kings 2:1-4) 
  • Solomon wields his power in Israel (2 Chronicles 1:1) 
  • Solomon falters under his power by becoming intoxicated by it (1 Kings 3:3; 11:1-4)
  • Solomon’s kingdom is diminished (1 Kings 11:10-13) 

This is not the case for our King of kings! His kingdom has no end because His rule has no end (Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33). 

The devil tried to limit Jesus by offering Him a shortcut, but Jesus stood firm. So the remainder of this Royal Psalm can only be fulfilled by Jesus:

  • vv. 12-14 foreshadow the prophecy of Jesus Isaiah 61:1-2 and its fulfillment in Luke 4:21 
  • vv. 15-17 foretell all nations being blessed forever under the lordship of King Jesus 

Don’t get caught up in looking at what’s before your eyes right now. Don’t get discouraged by the voice that’s in your ears right now. Don’t get mesmerized by the glittery things of earth. Keep your focus on the Eternal King. David’s conclusion to this Royal Psalm is that we worship our King above all else (Psalm 72:18-19). 

And David’s final words should echo from our lips as well: Amen and Amen! 

If you’ve missed any of the other messages on these Royal Psalms, you can find them all here. 

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Links & Quotes

August 16, 2025 — Craig T. Owens

In biblical times, the Jews looked down on the Samaritans. But not Jesus. One of His longest conversations is with a Samaritan woman. If He had a poor attitude about her, she would have felt that. Instead, she felt His love. Jesus died so that “whoever believes in Him would not die but would have eternal life.” We need to treat everyone like one of the whoever’s that Jesus died to save.

I have a lot of new video content on my YouTube channel every week. Please check it out and subscribe so you don’t miss anything.

One hundred years ago, William M. Faux called the churches in the Assemblies of God to pray more for our missionaries. “Pray, beloved, pray for missions. Are more workers needed? Yes. Praying is the secret of securing them. Are more funds needed? Yes. Prayer is the force that opens men’s hearts to give to God their resources. Is greater spirituality needed? Yes, surely. Prayer is the agency that brings greater spirituality to the entire church (Matthew 9:38). Louder than the Macedonian cry ‘Come over and help us,’ which rang out to Paul, sounds the cry today, ‘Brethren, pray for us.’ Let the Scripture warning ring in our souls—‘God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.’ Prayer is the greatest force that we can wield. It is the greatest talent which God has granted us. And this talent He has given to every Christian.”

“Faith knows that every seashore on earth has less sand than God has wondrous deeds and thoughts toward us.” —Tanner Swanson

“I had always vaguely felt facts to be miracles in the sense that they are wonderful: now I began to think them miracles in the stricter sense that they were willful. I mean that they were, or might be, repeated exercises of some will. In short, I had always believed that the world involved magic: now I thought that perhaps it involved a magician. And this pointed a profound emotion always present and sub-conscious; that this world of ours has some purpose; and if there is a purpose, there is a person. I had always felt life first as a story: and if there is a story there is a story-teller.” —G.K. Chesterton 

John Piper discusses how Christian apologists can contend for the faith properly without sliding into “word fights.” 

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