# Spirit of Grace ## Posts - [Growing in Jesus](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2026/674-growing-in-jesus/): By Dennis Pollock Today, we are going to look at some of Peter’s concluding words to believers in his little epistle, which we call 2 Peter. He gives the believers a warning about what to avoid and what they must do. The great apostle writes this: …beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked… (2 Peter 3:17) Believers are being warned by Peter not to fall away from their stable position of faith in Jesus. This may come as a surprise to some, who suppose that it is not even […] - [God's Script for Your Life](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2026/676-gods-script-for-your-life/): By Dennis Pollock In the little Book of Ecclesiastes, we read: To everything there is a season,A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born,And a time to die;A time to plant,And a time to pluck what is planted… (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2) Solomon goes on to list many more “times” to do things, but you get the point. We are told that our lives are filled with seasons, and sometimes one season may be the very opposite of another. And wise is the man or woman who rightly discerns the season he finds himself in. “In Due Time” Certainly, the Bible speaks often about God […] - [Biblical Salvation](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2026/675-biblical-salvation/): By Dennis Pollock Today, we are going to look at the most important Biblical and theological issue of all: how does a person receive eternal life and become a child of God? There is no question more paramount than this one. If you gain eternal life at some point during your years on this earth, you win! If you go through your life without this, you surely lose. It’s a little more complicated than many people think. In that famous sixties’ song, “Last Kiss,” the singer, whose girlfriend has just died in a car accident, declares: “She’s gone to heaven […] - [When the Spirit Enters](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2026/673-when-the-spirit-enters/): By Dennis Pollock Today, I want to consider the dedication of the temple that Solomon built. This was probably more of a project of David than it was of Solomon. It was David who first thought of building this temple, and it was David who laid aside all kinds of gold and other items for it. And David was the principal architect under the direction of the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us: “Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the vestibule, its houses, treasuries, upper chambers, and inner chambers, and the place of the mercy seat; and […] - [David's Great Sin](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2026/672-davids-great-sin/): By Dennis Pollock In this study, we will consider David’s “great sin.” If most Christians were asked, “What was David’s most notable sin?” they would answer that it was the scandalous affair with Bathsheba and his arranging for her husband to be killed. When I speak of David’s sin, I am not suggesting that King David only committed one sin throughout the course of his life. David was human, just like all the rest of us who love God and seek to please Him. If you had to count David’s sins, nobody but God could do it, and it would […] - [For the Elect’s Sake](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2026/671-for-the-elects-sake/): By Dennis Pollock In writing to Timothy, the apostle Paul described why he willingly endured so much persecution and vilification by the enemies of the gospel, writing: “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10). “Endure” is not a word most of us like very much. It involves unpleasant things, people, and situations. When our lives are humming along beautifully, we are not enduring anything; we are enjoying ourselves. But when we must endure, it strongly suggests that we […] - [Why the Secular are More Compassionate than Christians](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2026/670-why-the-secular-are-more-compassionate-than-christians/): By Dennis Pollock In many of the moral, political, and controversial issues of our day, secular people, those with no interest in or faith in the God of the Bible, may appear to be more compassionate than evangelical Christians, at least in their own minds. Let me give you a few examples. Let’s consider illegal immigration in America. The tide is changing, but there are still more than a few people who believe that it is the compassionate position to allow illegal immigrants to freely cross our borders. Not only that, but some of these folks also want the illegal […] - [Forced to Depend on God](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2026/669-forced-to-depend-on-god/): By Dennis Pollock When I was in college, a long time ago, I was studying to become a schoolteacher. In the final year of my studies, I was required to do my “student teaching.” I was assigned to a specific school and teacher, and I was required to spend the next several months in her class, getting some practical experience in actual teaching. Until then, I had sat through countless classes and lectures about teaching, but now it was time for me to do some real teaching. I began by observing the teacher of the class, and soon I was […] - [God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/668-god-of-abraham-isaac-and-jacob/): by Dennis Pollock Every Christian has read or heard the story of Moses seeing the burning bush that was not consumed and then being called by God to go and liberate His people from the Egyptians. Moses was no doubt more than a little startled, but even more amazing was the voice that he heard and the words that voice uttered. The Bible tells us: Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Moreover, He said, “I am the God of your father–the God […] - [Plants the Father Never Planted](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/667-plants-the-father-never-planted/): By Dennis Pollock In Matthew, we read of a time when the disciples came to Jesus and said to Him, “Do you not know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” Something Jesus had said in His teaching had caused offense to these Bible scholars, and many of them had decided they would no longer listen to Him. The disciples were concerned about losing a portion of their congregation and anxiously asked the Master about it. We need to see that the Biblical meaning of “offended” and our current definition of this term differ significantly. Today, when […] - [Our FATHER in Heaven](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/665-our-father-in-heaven/): By Dennis Pollock The prophet Isaiah wrote: “Doubtless You are our Father, though Abraham was ignorant of us, and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father…” (Isaiah 63:16). In this single verse, Isaiah declares that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Almighty Creator of the universe, was the Father of His people. The Jews never seemed to embrace this concept. They were so determined to reverence their holy and Almighty LORD, they seemed to feel that it would have been too irreverent to commonly refer to God as Father. But when Jesus came along, […] - [Dependence upon God](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/664-dependence-upon-god/): By Dennis Pollock If you hang around Christians much, and I hope you do, you frequently hear them say things like: “Without God I don’t know where I would be,” or “without the Lord I cannot do a thing,” or “I will surely fail if God doesn’t help me.” These kinds of statements speak of the concept of dependence. We who are in Christ deeply feel our need for the Lord to continually uphold and bless us, for us to live and succeed in life. And this is a correct perspective.  To “depend” means to rely on someone outside yourself. […] - [Do Any of the Old Testament Laws "Count" for Us Today?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/656-do-any-of-the-old-testament-laws-count-for-us-today/): By Dennis Pollock Today, we will look at the issue of the laws of Moses and whether any of those laws still count or matter to Christians today. Many Christians would instinctively feel that none of them matter to us at all. After all, does not the New Testament tell us that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, and does it not further tell us that the law was nailed to the cross with Jesus? Our job as Christians is to believe, not to keep any set of particular laws, right? But not so fast. It’s a […] - [What Can Man do to Me?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/659-what-can-man-do-to-me/): By Dennis Pollock In the 56th Psalm, David writes: In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalm 56:11) Good question! David seems to be almost ridiculing the idea that evil men and enemies could successfully bring harm to him. And King David was aware of the men who sought to bring him down. From his youth to his old age, David was often in danger of losing his life. In his early days, it was the giant, Goliath; then it was King Saul, and later there were constant battles […] - [Supernatural – and yet Still Human](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/660-supernatural-and-yet-still-human/): By Dennis Pollock In this study, I will share a simple and yet profound insight into what it means to be a child of God and indwelt by God. We’re going back to the days of Moses and the mysterious “Mount Sinai,” where Moses would go and experience God in a very tangible way, a way that no one has ever experienced Him, apart from the Lord Jesus Himself. It was here on the top of Mount Sinai that Moses received the Ten Commandments that summed up God’s moral expectations for His people. In this particular case, we will consider […] - [God Speaks to His Children](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/653-god-speaks-to-his-children/): By Dennis Pollock When you become a child of God, you suddenly judge your own decisions and actions, not by what you want or desire, but by what God has to say and how He leads. Most people, once they experience the new birth, still have many years to live, many decisions to make, and countless roads on which they will travel. And the question is this: “Can we trust God to lead us in the decisions we will make and concerning the roads we will travel? Are we on our own, or will there be divine guidance?” Sadly, some […] - [A Wonderful Life](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/654-a-wonderful-life/): By Dennis Pollock I want to share a few thoughts about the Christmas movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and then use the Bible to relate this concept to a Christian perspective. Nearly all Americans will be familiar with this movie, and many will have watched it numerous times, usually in the Christmas season. The movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” stars Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, but it is primarily about the character that Jimmy Stewart plays, a frustrated man named George Bailey. When George was young, he had huge dreams for his future. He dreamed of being rich and famous, […] - [God's Tattoos](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/655-gods-tattoos/): By Dennis Pollock I want to talk with you in this little devotional about tattoos. You may be thinking that I will be taking up the subject of whether Christians should get tattoos, but that is not what I am talking about. I want to answer the question: “Does God Himself have a tattoo?” and I would venture that most of you have never even thought about this or heard a sermon preached about it. But I want to demonstrate to you today that unquestionably God has inscriptions on His mighty hands, and this is very good news for all […] - [The Exclusionary Lists](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/652-the-exclusionary-lists/): By Dennis Pollock In the New Testament, there are several lists of which most Christians are completely ignorant. These lists have to do with who you will not find in Heaven, and the behaviors and habits of those people who will be excluded from the kingdom of God. The first list that we will consider was compiled by the apostle Paul. In the Book of Galatians, Paul describes the “works of the flesh.” When Paul speaks of the flesh, he is referring to our sin nature and the actions, behaviors, and habits that spring from this cesspool of corruption. He […] - [Two Forms of Abiding](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/651-two-forms-of-abiding/): By Dennis Pollock The concept of abiding in Jesus has been a huge part of my life for almost as long as I have been a Christian. I discovered the abiding chapter, John 15, early on in my Christian life, and I have been almost obsessed with abiding ever since. In those early days, I was passionate about being useful and fruitful in my service to Christ. One day I read these words: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” […] - [Paul’s Limitations](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/650-pauls-limitations/): By Dennis Pollock Recently, I visited the post office and then the bank down the street. When I reached the post office, I was dismayed to see that there was a long line of people waiting for service. I knew I would be spending upwards of twenty minutes in that line before I could get my business done. And then, when I reached the bank, I was appalled to see that here, too, there was a lengthy line of people waiting to see a banker, and here, too, I knew I would spend over twenty minutes waiting. There was no […] - [Unbelief & Disobedience](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/649-unbelief-disobedience/): By Dennis Pollock After being liberated from slavery in Egypt, the children of Israel found themselves across the Jordan River from the land of Canaan, God’s promised land for them. Moses sent 12 spies to investigate this new land that would serve as the Jewish homeland forever. The spies sneaked around this land for a while and came back impressed with the fertile soil and its amazing possibilities. Moses gathered them together to share with their brothers and sisters exactly what they saw. It started out positively, as they announced: “We went to the land where you sent us. It […] - ["I Will" or "His Will"](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/648-i-will-or-his-will/): By Dennis Pollock In the Book of Isaiah, we find a passage that almost everybody believes is a reference to the fall of Satan, and his attitude that led to this fall. Isaiah writes: How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation. On the farthest sides of the north; I will […] - [Kind to the Unthankful & Evil](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/644-kind-to-the-unthankful-evil/): By Dennis Pollock Jesus tells us: “Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.” (Luke 6:35). Here we gain a profound insight about the character and behavior of God. He is not only kind to believers, but also to those who pray and read His word regularly, attend church, and those who try to treat people with respect. He is kind to evil people, those who refuse to submit to Him, and […] - [Why We Need Jesus](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/645-why-we-need-jesus/): by Dennis Pollock Today, I want to answer the most fundamental question regarding Christian theology. The question is this: “Why do people need Jesus in their lives? If we try hard to live a good life, and treat people decently and with respect, is it necessary for us to become Christians, disciples, and followers of Jesus Christ?” If you say, “I want to live a life without God, without prayer, and without ever consulting the Scriptures, and I want to die after the end of my meaningless life and go to hell, then you do not need Jesus. Living a […] - [As it was in the Days of Noah](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/646-as-it-was-in-the-days-of-noah/): By Dennis Pollock Some Christians suggest that truly spiritual believers do not pay much attention to the return of Jesus. They consider this a peripheral issue, not worthy of serious study. Jesus obviously did not feel this to be the case, since He taught extensively about His return and the last days that the world will experience just before He returns. In Luke 17, Jesus was asked when the kingdom of God would come. He gave a lengthy answer, and we won’t be able to consider it in detail in this brief study, but I want to focus upon two […] - [Given Over or Preserved](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/639-given-over-or-preserved/): By Dennis Pollock In this study, I am going to contradict an idea that many Christians have held from their earliest days. The question is this: Does God ever give up on people? If you surveyed professing Christians, I do not doubt many, maybe even a majority would answer, “No, God never gives up on anybody.” But that is not strictly true. In the Psalms we read: I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. But My people would not heed My voice, And […] - [Restoring and Forgiving](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/638-restoring-and-forgiving/): By Dennis Pollock In this brief Bible study, I want to explore the concept of restoring and forgiving brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone astray. This is a subject that you rarely hear addressed from the pulpits or discussed by most TV preachers. It is so rarely spoken of that many Christians might find it hard to believe, if it weren’t for the fact that it is easy to look up the corresponding verses in the Bible. Let’s start in the Book of Galatians. The apostle Paul writes: Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you […] - [Taste and See that God is Good](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/taste-and-see-that-god-is-good/): By Dennis Pollock In this study, I want to focus on one verse found in Psalms. We read these words: “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8). This is precisely what the increasingly secular population of America needs to do – to find out for themselves, by experience, that God is good. Many atheists and agnostics profess loudly that they see no evidence of God, ergo, He must not exist. But most of these folks are not looking for Him and are quite content, even joyful with the […] - [The Spirit of the Lord Came Upon Him](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/643-the-spirit-of-the-lord-came-upon-him/): By Dennis Pollock There is a particular Bible phrase, related to the Holy Spirit, which speaks a great deal about the nature of something we call anointing. The phrase is: “The Spirit of the Lord came upon” a man or woman. And amazingly it is not just a New Testament phrase. It appears numerous times in the Old Testament. Let’s consider that special day when God sent the prophet Samuel to Jesse’s house, telling him he would find the next king of Israel there. After the older brothers were inspected and rejected, the youngest boy, David, was called. Instantly God […] - ["If We Say..."](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/642-if-we-say/): By Dennis Pollock The book of 1 John is not especially popular among many Bible readers. It is never quoted or admired like Paul’s epistles, like Romans and Ephesians. While the Gospel of John is probably the most popular book of the Bible, the first epistle of John is one of the least popular among the New Testament books. This is a shame because there is a lot of spiritual meat in this little epistle. There are a couple of themes that are clearly expressed in this book. The first theme, which all Christians appreciate and magnify, is the love […] - [The Greatest Enemy of Faith](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/641-the-greatest-enemy-of-faith/): By Dennis Pollock Every Christian recognizes that faith is important. No one would argue with this, although some may protest that some ministers are obsessed with faith and preach it too much. But anyone who reads the Bible knows that faith is vital in the Christian experience. First and foremost, it is through faith in Jesus that we enter God’s kingdom and family. The apostle Paul wrote: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God…” (Ephesians 2:8). Saved by grace through faith – who isn’t familiar with that […] - [Crafted by God](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/crafted-by-god/): Formed in the Womb By Dennis Pollock We all love encouraging words of promise, and we surely find one in the opening verses of the 44th chapter of Isaiah: Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant,And Israel whom I have chosen.Thus says the LORD who made youAnd formed you from the womb, who will help you:“Fear not, O Jacob My servant…” (Isaiah 44:1-2) In these and the following verses there are several wonderful truths for Bible teachers to dissect, but for this study I want to focus on the idea of being “formed in the womb” by our Creator. This […] - [Why It's So Difficult to Be Saved](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/why-its-so-difficult-to-be-saved/): By Dennis Pollock Many Christians might find the title of this study offensive, or at least wrong. They would say, “It’s not hard at all to be saved through Christ. God made it easy and told us that all we must do is believe in Jesus. Anybody can do that very easily.” There is truth in this, but it’s not the whole story. Any reasonable person should see that there must be some difficulties in entering God’s kingdom and family because so few people have done that. And the Bible makes it clear that it is, in fact, difficult. Jesus […] - [Why David Struggled](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/why-david-struggled/): By Dennis Pollock When I was in the fifth grade, at the age of 11 or so, someone came to our school classroom from the Gideon’s Bible Society. They passed out little pocket-sized New Testaments to all the students, something that would never be allowed in our public schools today. Although I was not a Bible reader in those days, I liked the idea of getting this gift, took it home, and kept it for many years. When I gave my life to Jesus at the age of nineteen, I would read in that small New Testament at times, although […] - [The Most Powerful Words of All](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/the-most-powerful-words-of-all/): By Dennis Pollock People talk a lot. They talk when they are excited and they talk when they’re bored. One study found that women talk, on average, twice as much as men, but my wife isn’t too sure about that. One researcher concluded that the average person speaks around 860 million words during his life, about 14 times the amount of words you would find in a large dictionary. Today I want to share the most powerful and important words that can ever come from your mouth. This has to do with the Biblical concept of “confession.” In Romans the […] - ["You Can Fool Most of the People..."](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/you-can-fool-most-of-the-people-2/): The Biblical View of Hypocrisyby Dennis Pollock Hypocrisy is an attribute that is condemned by nearly everybody, saints and sinners alike. Ungodly, irreverent folks often use hypocrisy as an excuse for staying away from church. When asked about attending church, they love to fume with all the indignation they can muster: “There’s no way I’ll ever go to church. The churches are filled with nothing but hypocrites!” Many of them have hardly attended church, but they have a friend whose mother’s cousin’s mechanic is a deacon in his church and reportedly rips off his customers. And that settles the question […] - [My Testimony](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/my-testimony/):         In my teens, while I was at boarding school, I became seriously ill. I resisted going to see a doctor or going to a medical clinic, since my money was extremely limited, and it was taking all that I had saved to keep me in school and buy food to live on from day to day. A doctor’s bill or a hospital bill would devastate my savings, and I might be forced to live with a relative, or even become a housemaid, as I had previously, a miserable experience.      My sickness was taking away my appetite, causing rapid […] - [Jesus & Paul - On the Same Page?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/new-post/): It is kinda strange that one of the most popular devos I have ever posted on YouTube is almost one of my most unpopular. Let me explain. The devotional talk was titled: “Did Jesus and Paul preach two different gospels?” It has been viewed far more than most of my videos, and at the present time it has around 36 thousand views. So in that sense it is quite popular. But the ratio of likes to dislikes on this video is far worse than most of my videos. With most of my videos I often get either 100 percent likes, […] - [Creating Our Own Tabernacle](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/creating-our-own-tabernacle/): Creating Our Own Tabernacle By Dennis Pollock In the Bible, especially in the Old Testament we read about tabernacles. Moses had his own personal tabernacle, as did David, and then there was the official tabernacle whose dimensions, details, and specific materials were given directly from the mouth of God. First, let’s consider Moses’ personal tabernacle. The Bible tells us: Moses took his tent and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of meeting. And it came to pass that everyone who sought the LORD went out to the tabernacle of meeting which was […] - [Heart to Know God](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/heart-to-know-god/): By Dennis Pollock In the Book of Jeremiah, God says this of Israel: They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. (Jeremiah 32:38-40) As you read through the Old Testament, you hear again and again […] - [Backsliding - Can it Happen Today?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2025/backsliding/): By Dennis Pollock When I was younger, the word “backslide” was commonly used by pastors and evangelists. Often, after a fiery sermon, the preacher would invite “sinners and backsliders” to come forward to repent and put their trust in Jesus. Some people almost seemed to be professional backsliders. They would stray from God, return to church, go forward at the “altar call,” shed some tears, and soon repeat the cycle. These days the word “backslider” is rarely used by pastors and Bible teachers. Since this word is found only in the Old Testament, many suppose that the concept of backsliding […] - [Wommack's Wrathless God](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/wommacks-wrathless-god/): By Dennis Pollock A couple of years ago I did a video devotional about Andrew Wommack, challenging his assertion that God is never upset and never judges any person or nation. This assertion was so patently absurd, I couldn’t imagine him getting anyone to believe it. But considering his popular television ministry and his good-sized Bible college, along with its extensions and satellite branches, he is a fairly significant figure among Christian ministers. Recently I decided to download his book, “The War is Over; God is not Mad…” The book is an easy read, and Andrew essentially repeats the same […] - [Why Heaven is Missing](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/why-heaven-is-missing/): By Dennis Pollock The apostle Paul wrote these words to Titus: “Having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7). Eternal life, or life with God in heaven after we die, has lost favor in the church in the last generation. Quite a few years ago, a Time Magazine cover story made the point that hardly any modern mainline minister ever preaches about heaven anymore. They observed, “Heaven is AWOL from most churches.” One United Methodist spokesman said that heaven was too controversial to discuss. In many churches and from […] - [Why Are Evangelical Christians so Pro-life?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/why-are-evangelical-christians-so-pro-life/): By Dennis Pollock Evangelical Christians can differ widely in many of their opinions and perspectives, but on certain issues, they agree almost entirely. Since, by definition, an evangelical is a person who holds the Bible to be trustworthy and infallible, any issue on which we feel the Bible speaks plainly, is not up for debate. We never argue over the rightness or wrongness of adultery, stealing, or lying, for example. Since these evils are forbidden in both the Old and New Testaments, these behaviors are considered sins, and therefore no professing Christian has any business doing these things, promoting them, […] - [What is a Christian and How Do You Become One?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/what-is-a-christian-and-how-do-you-become-one/): By Dennis Pollock Early in my Christian days, I was trying to witness to someone who did not appear to know Jesus, and he asked me, “What would you say is the definition of a Christian?” This was a good question, and I struggled a bit to try to explain it to him. I guess I wasn’t so sure myself, although I knew Christ had become very real to me. Later I was ashamed of myself for not being able to succinctly answer such a fundamental question. Today, some fifty years later, I think I can better answer that question, […] - [Unstable as Water](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/unstable-as-water/): By Dennis Pollock At the end of the book of Genesis, Jacob, by now very old and feeling his life is nearly over, gathers his sons together to speak prophetic words over them. He begins, as we might expect, with his firstborn son, Reuben: “Reuben, you are my firstborn,My might and the beginning of my strength,The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power…” (Genesis 49:3). This is how the patriarchs and nearly everyone else saw things in those days. Once a man has his firstborn son, he has just demonstrated his might, his strength. He is now a real […] - [To-do List](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/to-do-list/): By Dennis Pollock Over the years Benedicta and I have participated in many overseas missions, mostly in Africa, but also in India and the Philippines. And each mission has been a source of anxiety for me. I know I shouldn’t admit to that, but I have to be honest. Preparing for the mission, purchasing the flight tickets, raising money to pay for the expenses, figuring out what I need to bring, coordinating with local pastors, and dozens of other organizational details keep me feeling like I will surely fail in something, or forget something, or make some kind of major […] - [Sin, Addiction, & Disease](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/sin-addiction-disease/): By Dennis Pollock Recently I heard the wife of a prominent politician being interviewed, and she seemed eager to share some of her earlier struggles with alcohol. That, in itself, was not shocking; lots of people struggle with alcohol. But I was struck by the way she framed her struggle: she stated that she had the disease of addiction to alcohol. I found that interesting. I have heard alcoholism referred to as an addiction, and I have heard it called a disease, but this was the first time that I could remember it being called “the disease of addiction.” Today, […] - [Shall We Keep On Sinning?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/shall-we-keep-on-sinning/): By Dennis Pollock In the first verse of the sixth chapter of Romans, the apostle Paul asks: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” (Romans 6:1). In this study I want to consider why Paul asked this question. Why would he say this? Notice the word “then.” Paul asks, “What shall we say THEN.” This tells us that the issue he is bringing up has something to do with what he has said in this epistle previously. In other words, Paul says, “Based on what I have been telling you in this letter what […] - [Seeking God Like Silver](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/seeking-god-like-silver/): By Dennis Pollock The idea of “seeking God” saturates the entire Bible. The word seek means to look for, to go on a quest of discovery, to pursue. It might seem a little strange that we should need to go looking for God, to go on some kind of major quest to try and discover Him. We might suppose He would surely make Himself known to one and all, in such a way that nobody would ever miss Him. But strangely God does not do this. Isaiah writes: “Truly You are God, who hide Yourself, O God of Israel, the […] - [Overwhelming Evidence for God & Christ](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/overwhelming-evidence-for-god-christ/): By Dennis Pollock It has always fascinated me that between Malachi, the last of the Jewish Old Testament prophets, and Mary’s vision of the angel Gabriel, 400 long years had passed. These years are sometimes called the “silent years.” There was no major prophetic preaching or writing over those centuries – God seemed to be silent and His people, the Jews, must surely have wondered if God had abandoned them.  They had such an amazing history of anointed prophets, kings, and of course, the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These men had heard and experienced God and communicated His word […] - [Non-Christian "Christians"](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/non-christian-christians/): By Dennis Pollock For today’s devotional, I want to start with a question, and then we will look at several verses of Scripture that should definitively answer that question. The question is this: If you think you are a Christian and profess to be a Christian, does this automatically mean that you are truly a Christian? Some would say, “Of course. If you profess to be a Christian, it must be that you believe in Jesus. And since believing in Jesus is the only prerequisite for being saved and entering heaven, anyone who professes to be a Christian must in […] - [How Would God Describe You?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/how-would-god-describe-you/): By Dennis Pollock Sometimes we see an interview where a celebrity is asked to describe himself or herself in a few words. Or perhaps they are asked how they want to be remembered. Usually, they try to maintain the delicate balance between being positive about themselves and yet humble. Few people will ever describe themselves as a horrible person or a jerk. Even jerks don’t like to think they are jerks! They would rather think of themselves as high-spirited or that they just “don’t suffer fools gladly.” But of course, any description we might give ourselves is almost always going […] - [How to Pray for the Lost](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/how-to-pray-for-the-lost/): By Dennis Pollock Today I want to discuss the idea of praying for lost people, those who have not yet found eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Is it right for us to pray for these people? Does it do any good, or is God so sovereign in this area that our prayers for their salvation are meaningless? And if we do pray for the salvation of unbelievers, how should we pray? Do we just say, “Lord save them, Lord, save them?” One concept that has sometimes been preached is that God has already done everything He’s ever going […] - [God's Self-Definition](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/gods-self-definition/): By Dennis Pollock If we were asked to describe ourselves in a few words, we might have a hard time knowing what to say. But if we were concise and truthful, we could probably share several important attitudes and values that we hold which would give our questioner a pretty good idea about the kind of person we are. Many people don’t realize it, but God did this very thing about Himself, and if we read and meditate on what He declared about Himself, we will have a rudimentary knowledge of the One who created us and holds the universe […] - [God's Hidden Shaft](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/gods-hidden-shaft/): By Dennis Pollock In Isaiah we read these words: The LORD has called Me from the womb; From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name.  And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me.” (Isaiah 49:1-2) I have long been fascinated with these two verses. I believe it has a threefold application. It refers to Israel, it refers to Jesus, and it can have an application in the life of every […] - [God Has His Ways](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/god-has-his-ways/): By Dennis Pollock In the Psalms, we are told: “Today, if you will hear His voice: Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, As in the day of trial in the wilderness, When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work. For forty years I was grieved with that generation, And said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, And they do not know My ways.” (Psalm 95:7-10) God wants us to be able to hear His voice, and He says that we must not harden our hearts. Interestingly, hearing God […] - [God and Healing](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/god-and-healing/): By Dennis Pollock There was a time when healing was a hot and controversial subject in the church. Many Pentecostals and Charismatics were declaring that healing is “in the atonement” and insisting that every Christian should expect God to heal them of any and every physical affliction. Most people in the mainline church thought this was nonsense and considered ministers who focused on physical healing as little more than snake oil salesmen. Today that debate has cooled down considerably. Most charismatic and Pentecostal churches have ceased to emphasize the subject of healing, and instead focus on themes like “Success in […] - [Do Sinners Need to Repent?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/do-sinners-need-to-repent/): By Dennis Pollock In the early days of our ministry, we struggled financially much of the time. However, we were blessed with a supporter who seemed to love us and our ministry and donated freely to help us in our various missions. He donated many thousands of dollars and made it possible for Benedicta to travel with me on every mission and play a very active role in Spirit of Grace Ministries, which continues to this day. But one day I was alarmed when I received an email from this man, complaining about another ministry he supported. He was upset […] - [Don't Worry But Do Plan](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/dont-worry-but-do-plan/): By Dennis Pollock As we read the teachings of Jesus in the gospels, we find that He is very much pro-faith and anti-worry. In Matthew 6 Jesus tells us: Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. […] - [Does God Have a Diet For Men & Women?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/does-god-have-a-diet-for-men-women/): By Dennis Pollock Today we’re going to have a little study about diet, and what God has to say about it. The question is this: is there a diet prescribed by God that will give us optimal health and longevity? The Bible is a big book. Is there something in there about what we ought to eat and not eat? You do not have to read very long in the Bible before you come to a passage about diet. You find it in the very first chapter of the very first book in the Bible, the Book of Genesis. God […] - [David's Restoration](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/davids-restoration/): By Dennis Pollock The story of David’s adultery with Bathsheba and how he arranged for her husband, Uriah, to be killed on the battlefield is well known, perhaps the most well-known story of David after he kills the giant, Goliath. It is an unquestionably dramatic story, so this is not surprising, but it is a shame that the events that followed this awful season of his life are not equally known. In this study, we will observe how God restored David and the evidence which demonstrates that David, despite his terrible sins of adultery and murder, was, in fact, a […] - [David's Melancholy Prayer](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/davids-melancholy-prayer/): By Dennis Pollock Psalm 39 is considered a psalm of David, but it is quite a bit different than his usual psalms of praise or desperate petitions. David seems to be in a reflective mood here – this is the thoughtful, philosophical David rather than the warrior David or the exuberant David. He begins by writing: “I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle.” (Psalm 39:1) David was a poet and a writer, and he normally was not at a loss for words. But now he tells of a […] - [Can God be Good?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2024/can-god-be-good/): By Dennis Pollock Neil deGrasse Tyson is an American celebrity scientist. He is often interviewed on various talk shows. He hosted a television program and these days he hosts a weekly podcast and YouTube channel called “StarTalk.” Tyson is an astrophysicist, he studies and pontificates about space, planets, stars, and astronomy. He has an engaging personality and is not nearly as dull as most scientists. But Tyson is not content merely to discuss things like “Is there a dark side of the moon?” or “Lost Alien Signals.” Tyson seems to enjoy proclaiming his suspicion that there is no God or […] - [Why the Angels Appeared to the Shepherds](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/why-the-angels-appeared-to-the-shepherds/): By Dennis Polock When the angel appeared to the shepherds “keeping watch over their flocks by night,” neither did the shepherds nor perhaps the angel himself ever guess that this scene would be an iconic event that would be told and dramatized millions of times and would be forever associated with the birth of our Lord Jesus. We could never imagine a dramatization of that first Christmas without an angelic visitation to these anonymous shepherds out in the fields minding their own business.  No manger scene would be complete without several representations of these shepherds. Wise men, we can take […] - [Why Sit Here And Die?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/why-sit-here-and-die/): By Dennis Pollock In the Book of 2 Kings, there is a story that has always been fascinating to me. It involves a siege of the capital of northern Israel (Israel was now divided into two kingdoms, northern Israel, which was called Israel, and southern Israel, which was called Judah). The capital city of northern Israel was Samaria, and this city was being besieged by their chief adversary at that time, the Syrians. The siege had been going on for some time, and without any fresh supplies of food, the people of Samaria were on the verge of starvation. Four […] - [Why Change Gods?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/why-change-gods/): By Dennis Pollock In the Book of Jeremiah, God asks a penetrating question to the people of Israel. He asks them to look around at their idolatrous neighbors, saying: Has a nation changed its gods,Which are not gods?But My people have changed their GloryFor what does not profit. (Jeremiah 2:11) Israel has always been a small nation surrounded by many other nations, many far larger than them. But Israel was unique. They were the one nation among all the Middle Eastern nations that did not worship idols. Everyone else had their idol statues dotting the land – wooden idols, metal […] - [Why a Judgement Seat?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/why-a-judgement-seat/): By Dennis Pollock In 2nd Corinthians, the apostle Paul writes: “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him (God).” (2 Corinthians 5:9). Paul declares that his aim, his goal, his objective in life is to please God. No Christian could argue with this. Every person who has the Spirit of God working in his or her life wants to please the LORD. But there is something more to this desire than we might suppose. In the very next verse, Paul tells us why we should all make this the goal of our lives, […] - [We Played the Flute](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/we-played-the-flute/): By Dennis Pollock In the gospel of Luke, Jesus asked the question: “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not weep.’” (Luke 7:31-32) Jesus is specifically targeting the people who had no use for either His own ministry or the ministry of His predecessor and announcer, John the Baptist. Both Jesus and John had tremendous ministries, leading to a […] - [Thou Shalt Follow Thy Dreams](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/thou-shalt-follow-thy-dreams/): By Dennis Pollock My wife, Benedicta, loves singing competitions, and being the dutiful husband that I am, I watch them with her, even though I would prefer a good western or a classic movie. The other day we were watching the show American Idol. This show features singing hopefuls who sing before three judges in the early stages, attempting to gain their approval, in order to move forward to the next rounds of the competition. One of the judges was the popular singing star Katie Perry, who is usually lively, outgoing, and sympathetic toward all the singers, even when they obviously […] - [Success Defined](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/success-defined/): By Dennis Pollock Recently, when U. S. President Joe Biden was in Ireland, he met with some children, and one of them asked him a question: “What is the top step to success?” Biden was thrown off a little by the “top step” part of the question, but when his son, Hunter, rephrased it for him, and asked, “What is the key to success?” President Biden finally stated that it was to understand that it is fine to disagree with people over policies and beliefs, but we should never question their motives. I don’t disagree with that idea, as an […] - [Simeon and the Holy Spirit](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/simeon-and-the-holy-spirit/): By Dennis Pollock Of all the writers of the Bible, Luke seemed to emphasize the Holy Spirit the most. His book which we call the Book of Acts, has more references to the Holy Spirit than all the rest of the books of the Bible combined. And the book below that, with the second most Holy Spirit references is also written by Luke, which is known as the Gospel of Luke. In this study we will look at a short account Luke gives us concerning the old man Simeon, who was promised a glimpse of the Messiah before he died. […] - [The Secularization of America](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/the-secularization-of-america/): By Dennis Pollock The Pew Research Center has recently declared that Christianity in America is in a steep decline and predicted that before the end of this century, Christians will no longer be in the majority. This slide is not the result of Christians moving toward other religions, they tell us. It is simply that many who formerly called themselves Christians are now labeling themselves as having no religious preference. Essentially, Americans are becoming increasingly secular. Another poll tells us that the number of Americans who say they do not believe in God has doubled, increasing from 10 percent of […] - [The Secret Place](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/the-secret-place/): By Dennis Pollock In this brief study, I want to look at a few verses from one of the classic Psalms, a Psalm known and loved by nearly every Christian. No, I’m not talking about the 23rd Psalm, although that is no doubt the most beloved Psalm, but today I want to look at Psalm 91, which is often known as the “Protection Psalm.” This Psalm is all about God’s protection. Why do Christians love this Psalm so much? The answer is simple – we are all faced with dangerous situations in our lives, seasons where our family, our health, […] - [Salt & Light](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/salt-light/): By Dennis Pollock Over the last fifty years, psychologists and American pop culture have had a lot to say about self-esteem, and its importance to our mental health. A lack of self-esteem has been blamed for everything from serial killings to poor job performance. Whatever your problems, whatever your issues, whatever your hang-ups, a large dose of self-esteem will surely fix it. I have never been quite comfortable with this perspective. It seems to me that in many cases evil men, such as Hitler, Stalin, Jim Jones, David Koresh, and Charles Manson have probably suffered from too much self-esteem rather […] - [Ruthless, Radical Christianity](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/ruthless-radical-christianity/): By Dennis Pollock In this study, we are going to take a look at one of the greatest kings of Israel. His name was Josiah, and strangely, even though he was very high on God’s list of great kings, he doesn’t seem to get the press that he should. Everybody knows about King David and King Solomon, and many have heard of King Hezekiah, but King Josiah is not so well known. So today we will give credit where credit is due and observe the zeal and greatness of King Josiah. Josiah got an early start as a king. His […] - [Paul's Obsession with The Gospel](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/pauls-obsession-with-the-gospel/): By Dennis Pollock The apostle Paul loved the gospel. He spoke of it again and again. Many might suppose that when writing to Christians there would be little need for speaking of the gospel. After all, your recipients would presumably already be saved, and there would be no point in trying to “re-save” them. Yet Paul could not help himself. Even though his epistles were all written to believers in various churches, he spoke of the gospel again and again and made constant references to the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the ninth chapter of 1st Corinthians, we have […] - [Mutual Abomination](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/mutual-abomination/): By Dennis Pollock At the end of the 29th chapter of Proverbs, there is a verse that I do not ever remember hearing in any sermon or Bible teaching. And believe me, I have heard lots and lots of sermons over the course of my fifty-plus years as a Christian. But this verse is rarely quoted and rarely made the topic of any sermon or Bible lesson. Today, we’ll talk about it. OK, by now you are curious, so let me share the verse and then I’ll discuss it. In Proverbs 29 we read these words: An unjust man is an […] - [Mary's Maturity](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/marys-maturity/): By Dennis Pollock When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to inform her that she had been chosen to be the mother of Israel’s Messiah, he began with the words: “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (Luke 1:28). This was surely the ultimate compliment, the greatest tribute that could be paid to any man or woman. God Almighty, the Creator of the universe, had just told Mary, through His angel, that she was “highly favored” and blessed above all women. Most Christians believe that Mary was probably a teenager at this point, […] - [As a Lovely Song](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/as-a-lovely-song/): By Dennis Pollock In chapter 33 of the Book of Ezekiel, God is speaking to His servant. He seems to want Ezekiel to know that although there is a good response to his prophesying and preaching, he should not be fooled into thinking that real repentance is going on. The LORD tells Ezekiel: “As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from […] - [This Light Affliction](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/this-light-affliction/): By Dennis Pollock When we first come to Jesus, we are thrilled with the idea that we now have God to help us when things get tough. The Bible is filled with exhortations to call upon the Lord in the time of trouble, and we are assured that He will respond to our prayers uttered in faith and in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. Some might suppose that this means we will have few troubles, and if and when they do come, they will not stay around for long. We pray, God hears and answers, and we can […] - [Jesus Believed the Scriptures](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/jesus-believed-the-scriptures/): By Dennis Pollock After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared multiple times to His disciples. In what was apparently His first appearance to the main group of His disciples, the Bible tells us: “They were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.” (Luke 24:37). Jesus then showed them His hands and His feet to demonstrate that He was indeed the One they had seen hanging on that cross just a few days before. And to make sure they understood that He was not some spirit, and this was not merely a vision, He asked them if they had anything […] - [I Love the Lord Because...](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/i-love-the-lord-because/): By Dennis Pollock In this study, we will look at a Psalm of praise, which most commentators believe was written by David, and which describes a major reason why He loved the Lord. I believe David’s reason for loving God should be the case for every one of us. Before we get into the Psalm, let me ask you a question: “Why should we love the Lord?” There could be many different answers to this question. But some might almost think it unspiritual or immature to love our Creator for the reason David did. Let’s look at what he says: […] - [God Still Speaks](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/god-still-speaks/): By Dennis Pollock Today, I want to discuss the idea of hearing God’s voice. We who are in Christ know that we are God’s children, that Jesus is our Savior and our Good Shepherd, and that we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The question that some disagree over is whether we can ever hear God’s voice to us. Does God speak to His children, giving them specific instructions, warnings, direction for their lives, and encouragement? Many new believers would instinctively answer, “Of course! Why would our Heavenly Father never speak to us? If earthly fathers speak words of encouragement […] - [God Gives "All Things"](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/god-gives-all-things/): By Dennis Pollock In the Book of Romans, Paul gives us a reason to be encouraged. He declares: He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32) Paul is declaring that since God loved us so much to give us His very best, His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, how will He not also give us, not a few things, not some things, but all things. So, what are the “all things?” Paul is not telling us that every […] - [God Does Good](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/god-does-good/): By Dennis Pollock Nearly everyone who believes that God exists will acknowledge that He is good, but what does this really mean and how does it play out in our lives? For many years the church has declared that “God is good – all the time.” Today we will explore this notion of the goodness of God and its implications for every one of us.  In the Book of James, we read: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” […] - [God Does Not Change](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/god-does-not-change/): By Dennis Pollock The Bible affirms that our Creator, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, does not change. In Malachi we read: “For I am the LORD, I do not change.” (Malachi 3:6). In Hebrews we read that Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” This should not be too much of a surprise. If God is perfect and all-knowing, we would expect that His attitudes, values, and ways would remain constant from generation to generation. There will never be an improved version of God. We, humans, can […] - [Eye Has Not Seen](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/eye-has-not-seen/): By Dennis Pollock Today we will look at a verse of Scripture that is very well-known. It has been quoted and preached about frequently throughout the history of the church. The apostle Paul wrote these words: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,Nor have entered into the heart of manThe things which God has prepared for those who love Him. (1 Corinthians 2:9) Paul is referring to the Christian’s prospect of life in heaven, which will occur after this present life on earth is over. Those who follow Jesus accept this and other declarations of heaven by faith. We have […] - [Every Eye Shall See](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/every-eye-shall-see/): By Dennis Pollock In the Book of Revelation, in the very first chapter, we read: Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7). This single verse contains several important insights, but the main thought, without any doubt, is that Jesus Christ is coming back to this earth, and it will be no small event. This truth is affirmed in the New Testament again and again. Some people would suggest that the idea of the […] - [Did James and Paul Preach the Same Gospel?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/did-james-and-paul-preach-the-same-gospel/): By Dennis Pollock In the last 20 years, there has arisen a substantial subset in the evangelical church who have taken exception to the idea of repenting of sins when we are saved. In fact, they usually go beyond that. They consider it almost blasphemous to tell a sinner that when they accept Christ, there must be a transformation from a selfish life to a life of love, from a sensual lawless life to a holy life. They insist that we say nothing of such things when trying to convert men and women to Jesus. Some of the more radical […] - [Consider it all Joy](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/consider-it-all-joy/): By Dennis Pollock In the New Testament we read of many “commands,” where God tells us what we must do or avoid doing. We are not saved by keeping these commands, of course. We are saved by trusting in Jesus. Still God has very definite ideas about how He wants His children to live. And of all the commands and exhortations given to the people of God, I think James gives us one of the most difficult. We find it in the first chapter of the Book of James, where we are told: My brethren, count it all joy when […] - [Celebrities and Their Causes](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/celebrities-and-their-causes/): By Dennis Pollock   Celebrities are unique individuals. They find themselves constantly recognized wherever they go, and they discover that whenever they opine on any subject, regardless of whether it relates to their particular field or has nothing to do with it whatsoever, the press and the public are fascinated and eager to devour what they have to say.     From a Christian perspective, most celebrities, particularly those dwelling in that artificial world of Hollywood, do not live highly moral lives. Hollywood “stars” typically see nothing wrong with pre-marital sex or even extra-marital sex. And when they do get married, […] - [Two Benefits of Abiding in Christ](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/two-benefits-of-abiding-in-christ/): By Dennis Pollock Today we are going to be looking at a verse from John chapter 15, which is my favorite chapter in the Bible and has been for over 40 years. In this chapter, Jesus speaks of the abiding life and promises us that if we will abide in Him, we shall be fruitful – very, very fruitful. To abide means to stay or remain. So, Jesus is exhorting us to remain in Him. Of course, you cannot remain in a place where you have never been. It would be foolish for me to command Canadians to “abide in […] - [Believing God's Love](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/believing-gods-love/): By Dennis Pollock The apostle John has been called the “apostle of love.” This man seemed to write more about love and emphasize love more than almost any of Jesus’ other disciples. It would seem that in John’s mind, you cannot separate Christianity from love. In this study, we will look at just a few of the things John said about this important topic. In the fourth chapter of John’s first epistle, he writes: “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.” (John 4:16). John assumes that this is true for all Christians: We have […] - [The Asbury Revival –Was it a Real Revival?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/the-asbury-revival-was-it-a-real-revival/): By Dennis Pollock In many parts of the Christian world, people are buzzing about the revival that occurred in February at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. I wanted to weigh in with some of my thoughts about this and other revivals, but I realize that before I do that, I will need to explain just what this phenomenon involved for the sake of those who know nothing about it. On February 8th, 2023, a young man gave a Bible teaching at a chapel service. It was not especially dynamic, but it did touch hearts. Perhaps part of the reason it […] - [Angels Call Him Lord](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/angels-call-him-lord/): By Dennis Pollock I have been reading the Bible regularly for the last fifty years. Still, there are always things that pop out at me while I read, even though I know the basic stories pretty well. Today I want to look at an interchange between an angel of the Lord and a couple of ladies who went to the tomb, to look for Jesus. In Matthew 28, the Bible tells us: And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat […] - [5 Rules for Answered Prayer](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2023/5-rules-for-answered-prayer/): By Dennis Pollock For those who have had a genuine salvation experience through faith in Jesus, prayer is as natural as breathing. There are certainly many Biblical exhortations for us to pray, but for most of us, it comes pretty naturally. A doctor may have to pat a baby’s bottom or sometimes give it a slap, but it is normally a pretty simple process to get that newborn baby crying and breathing. And most people will continue breathing freely throughout the rest of their lives, without even thinking about it. So it is with prayer for those who are alive […] - [Whose Voice Will You Hear?](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2022/whose-voice-will-you-hear/): By Dennis Pollock Proverbs 9 is a fascinating chapter of the Bible. It describes two different ladies calling out to people, inviting them to their respective homes. The first lady is described in the chapter’s beginning and has wonderful food and drink for all who will enter her doors. The second woman is described at the end of the chapter and offers sweet treats to all, but which will lead to a bad end. Enter her house and you will surely regret it, although not, perhaps, at first. Let’s look closer at Lady #1. We read these words: Wisdom has […] - [The Importance of Timing](https://spiritofgrace.org/articles/2022/the-importance-of-timing/): By Dennis Pollock Anyone who has walked with God for any length of time has discovered that when it comes to following the will of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit, timing is incredibly important. There are many absolutes given in the Bible that do not depend upon timing, of course. Stealing is wrong all the time. Whether you steal in the morning or in the evening, whether you rob houses while in your twenties or in your seventies, whether you pick pockets in the winter or in the summer, it is always wrong and always a sin. […] ## Pages - [Top Ten BD Videos](https://spiritofgrace.org/top-ten-bd-videos/): Spirit of Grace Ministries Top 10 Videos to Beat Diabetes I have made so many videos about beating diabetes, it is hard for me to say which are the “best.” But these ten are definitely in the top tier, and will help any diabetic find a great place to begin in the quest to reverse, beat, and thoroughly whip the monster of diabetes. I am currently working on a book that will challenge people to overcome diabetes in six months, by following ten steps. It will be some time before the book is available, but if you need help NOW, […] - [Devos-page-2](https://spiritofgrace.org/devos-page-2/): Free Bible Resources These are messages produced by Spirit of Grace Ministries as a part of our ongoing “1250 Project.” The audio versions normally run around 12 minutes. We intend, by God’s grace and help, to produce 1,250 of these devotional messages. New titles are constantly being added, so check back frequently. We provide these Bible resources to you at no cost. However if these teachings are being used by God to enrich your spiritual life, and you find yourself coming back to this website frequently, we ask that you consider making regular donations to help us carry on this […] - [Devos-page-6](https://spiritofgrace.org/devos-page-6/): Free Bible Resources These are messages produced by Spirit of Grace Ministries as a part of our ongoing “1250 Project.” The audio versions normally run around 12 minutes. We intend, by God’s grace and help, to produce 1,250 of these devotional messages. New titles are constantly being added, so check back frequently. We provide these Bible resources to you at no cost. However if these teachings are being used by God to enrich your spiritual life, and you find yourself coming back to this website frequently, we ask that you consider making regular donations to help us carry on this […] - [Devos-page-5](https://spiritofgrace.org/devos-page-5/): Free Bible Resources These are messages produced by Spirit of Grace Ministries as a part of our ongoing “1250 Project.” The audio versions normally run around 12 minutes. We intend, by God’s grace and help, to produce 1,250 of these devotional messages. New titles are constantly being added, so check back frequently. We provide these Bible resources to you at no cost. However if these teachings are being used by God to enrich your spiritual life, and you find yourself coming back to this website frequently, we ask that you consider making regular donations to help us carry on this […] - [Top Ten Video Devos](https://spiritofgrace.org/top-ten/): Spirit of Grace Ministries Top 10 Video Devos I have been making “video devos for quite a few years. These miniature Bible studies cover a myriad of Bible topics, reflecting the many years of Bible reading and study that I have done. I  have lost track of exactly how many video devos I have posted on YouTube, and it would be impossible for me to settle on the 10 “best” of them, but here are some videos that I consider important and helpful. May God bless you as you view these brief teachings.    “All Scripture is given by inspiration […] - [Devos-page-4](https://spiritofgrace.org/devos-page-4/): Free Bible Resources These are messages produced by Spirit of Grace Ministries as a part of our ongoing “1250 Project.” The audio versions normally run around 12 minutes. We intend, by God’s grace and help, to produce 1,250 of these devotional messages. New titles are constantly being added, so check back frequently. We provide these Bible resources to you at no cost. However if these teachings are being used by God to enrich your spiritual life, and you find yourself coming back to this website frequently, we ask that you consider making regular donations to help us carry on this […] - [Table Bible Studies](https://spiritofgrace.org/table-bible-studies/): Spirit of Grace Ministries Table Bible Studies Benedicta and I have been studying the Bible in the mornings almost since the time she came to America after our wedding (We were married in 2008, but it took a while for the government to grant her visa. She joined me in Texas in July, 2009). For quite a few years we did not record our studies, but several years ago the Lord moved on my heart to start recording them. The Holy Spirit moved so richly in these studies that I wanted a copy of them for the purpose of converting […] - [Devos-page-3](https://spiritofgrace.org/devos-page-3/): Free Bible Resources These are messages produced by Spirit of Grace Ministries as a part of our ongoing “1250 Project.” The audio versions normally run 8-12 minutes. We intend, by God’s grace and help, to produce 1,250 of these devotional messages. New titles are constantly being added, so check back frequently. We provide these Bible resources to you at no cost. However if these teachings are being used by God to enrich your spiritual life, and you find yourself coming back to this website frequently, we ask that you consider making regular donations to help us carry on this ministry. […] - [Diabetes](https://spiritofgrace.org/diabetes/): Resources for Conquering Diabetes Check out Dennis & Benedicta’s “BEAT DIABETES YOUTUBE CHANNEL” A Brief but Important Little Video about Victory for You: VIDEO SERIES Diabetes Emergency Kit This video series consists of 7 videos, most of which have two different “Beat Diabetes” episodes. Dennis Pollock shares insights and tips that demonstrate how he beat diabetes and has been able to live as a non-diabetic for years, even though diabetes tried desperately to claim him. With this series Dennis has sifted through his many videos on the subject of beating diabetes, and put together those special videos that contain “Must-Know” insights […] - [benedictas](https://spiritofgrace.org/benedictas/): Introducing Benedicta Pollock Get Benedicta’s autobiography on Amazon (15.99) — She was born in an obscure Nigerian village.— She grew up with a sense of the calling of God on her life, but had no idea what that would eventually mean.— She labored as a housemaid in her teenage years, and frequently suffered beatings.— She moved to the bustling city of Lagos as a young woman with no idea of how she would sustain herself.— She lived in one small room for years, smaller than most Americans’ bathrooms, with no running water, no kitchen, living totally by faith.— In God’s […] - [podcast](https://spiritofgrace.org/podcast/): Discover the Word PODCAST We are now producing a podcast! Why a podcast? This is a way you can listen to Dennis and Benedicta while you are in your car or walking or doing other types of exercise. There is nothing to watch but plenty to hear and learn! The normal way you can subscribe to and listen to our podcast is through a podcast app. If you have an iphone, you should already have a podcast on your phone called “Apple podcasts.” If you have an android phone, you can download a podcast app from Google play store. Type […] - [outreach africa](https://spiritofgrace.org/outreach-africa/): Outreach: Africa! In what seems like a lifetime ago, as a pastor of a small church in a small town in north central Texas, I watched my first Reinhard Bonnke video. Bonnke, a German-born evangelist, has been for many years the Billy Graham of Africa, preaching to crowds of hundreds of thousands regularly. But unlike Graham, Bonnke prays for the sick as well as preaching Christ to the lost. The fruit from his ministry is abundant and amazing. In some of Bonnke’s crusades over a million people make professions of faith in Christ. As I drank in Bonnke’s passionate preaching, […] - [latest devos](https://spiritofgrace.org/latest-devos/): Our Latest Devos To play mp3: Left click on link / To download mp3: Right click on link, then left click on “save link as” (Chrome) (The audio recordings run approximately 12 minutes, and make a great morning devotional. Feel free to download as many as you like and play them in your car player as you go to work.) When the Spirit Enters 673 – Where does God abide? article / mp3David’s Greatest Sin 672 – Did God consider one of David’s sins worse then the others? article / mp3 / YouTube For the Elect’s Sake 671 – Why did Paul endure suffering? article […] - [devo subscribe](https://spiritofgrace.org/devo-subscribe/): Subscribe to Receive Monthly Devo CDs Every month Dennis produces a new audio devotional CD which contains 5 different devotionals on all Bible topics that range the gamut of the entire Bible. These messages normally run about twelve minutes in length and are a great way to feed your spirit as well as instruct you in the ways of the Lord. The beauty of having these devotionals on CD discs is that you can easily play them in your car as you drive about and redeem those wasted hours that are normally spent on random thoughts while listening to music. […] - [african video](https://spiritofgrace.org/african-video/): Spirit of Grace Ministries Dennis & Benedicta – An Unusual and Fruitful Pairing At first glance, Benedicta and I could not be more different. She grew up in a village in Nigeria; I grew up in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. She is black; I am white. And she is clearly significantly younger than me. Benedicta preaches from her heart. She often prepares copious notes for her sermons, but when it is time to preach, she forgets the notes, moves away from the pulpit and lets it rip. I stay close to the pulpit, in fact usually directly behind […] - [Sign up](https://spiritofgrace.org/sign-up/): It’s Free! Every month Dennis writes an article pertaining to spiritual growth, the ways of God, the Holy Spirit, and other important topics vital for the building up of believers. These are more than articles – most of these pamphlets are miniature Bible studies on themes that can make a tremendous difference in your life! Others contain biographical sketches that give valuable insights into the ways of God. They have been used by Bible study groups across the country, as well as enjoyed by individual believers. These articles are produced in pamphlet form so that they can be shared with […] - [Newletters](https://spiritofgrace.org/newletters/): SOGM 2025 Newletters Read these newsletters by clicking on the blue titles. They will open up as pdf files. If your computer/phone/tablet doesn’t have the ability to open and display pdf files these links will not work. However it is easy to get a free pdf reader for your device. January, 2025 – Headline: Most Powerful WordsFebruary, 2025 – Headline: Be StrongMarch, 2025 – Headline: Overcoming DisappontmentMay, 2025 – Headline: Enemy of FaithJune, 2025 – Headline: Don’t Build in VainJuly, 2025 – Headline: The Power of AbidingAugust, 2025 – Headline: The Missing IngredientSeptember, 2025 – Headline: God Hides HimselfOctober, 2025 – Headline: In God I put My TrustNovember, 2025 – Headline: Fantastic African Youth OutreachDecember, 2025 – Headline: African Christmas Mission Break […] - [Born Again](https://spiritofgrace.org/born-again/): “Born Again” The most important truth you can ever know Video teaching: The New Birth https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=avUpWkdH-6lri_a0&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiritofgrace.org%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjMsMzY4NDIsMjg2NjQsMTY0NTA2&v=4gH57lkvPNU&feature=youtu.be Needed: Friends of this ministry We need your help! If you are blessed by the teachings, articles, devos, and missions emphasis of this ministry, please consider making a generous donation to Spirit of Grace Ministries. We are not a church; we do not receive offerings from members every Sunday. Nor would we dare ask offerings from the poor Africans to whom we minister in our overseas missions. We must depend upon tender-hearted American believers like you to help us carry on this work Christ […] - [Devos](https://spiritofgrace.org/devos/): Free Bible Resources These are messages produced by Spirit of Grace Ministries as a part of our ongoing “1250 Project.” The audio versions normally run around 12 minutes. We intend, by God’s grace and help, to produce 1,250 of these devotional messages. New titles are constantly being added, so check back frequently. We provide these Bible resources to you at no cost. However if these teachings are being used by God to enrich your spiritual life, and you find yourself coming back to this website frequently, we ask that you consider making regular donations to help us carry on this […] - [Photos](https://spiritofgrace.org/photos/): Photos Just for you! Especially for readers If you love the Word, you will enjoy these teachings, bios, and meditations. Audio Devo: “Why is there suffering?” People have debated this question for millennia. And we cannot speak concerning specific individual questions of suffering, but the Bible clearly speaks as to why suffering has always been a part of the human experience. Missions Outreach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpKLegUZDZ0&t=5s A major part of Spirit of Grace Ministries is our ministry in the great continent of Africa. In the above video Dennis shares exciting news about a recent mission which involved our “JESUS CONFERENCE,” plus a […] - [SOGM News](https://spiritofgrace.org/sogm-news/): Spirit of Grace Ministries Latest News (and Random Thoughts) (01/29/26) I received this email from our Kenyan team leader, speaking of a minister who was greatly impacted by one of our conferences/crusades some years ago: “I met again another man of God who attended your crusade in Bungoma in 2018. He shared that at the time he came to the meeting, he had already decided to close his church. After serving in ministry for over ten years without seeing visible results, he felt discouraged and unable to continue. He testified that during the crusade you prayed for him, and from […] - [Contact Us](https://spiritofgrace.org/contact-us/): Contact Us Write us:Spirit of Grace Ministries, PO Box 2068, McKinney, TX 75070 Email Us: denandben@yahoo.com Break the Chains! Audio Devo: “Why is there suffering?” People have debated this question for millennia. And we cannot speak concerning specific individual questions of suffering, but the Bible clearly speaks as to why suffering has always been a part of the human experience. Missions Outreach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpKLegUZDZ0&t=5s A major part of Spirit of Grace Ministries is our ministry in the great continent of Africa. In the above video Dennis shares exciting news about a recent mission which involved our “JESUS CONFERENCE,” plus a free […] - [Support](https://spiritofgrace.org/support/): Become a Friend of Grace We need you! God has called us to proclaim the gospel of His grace to the nations of the world, and to teach His people the principles of spiritual renewal and spiritual awakening. Much of the work we do is in places and nations where they cannot possibly pay for us to come there. We must pay Ministry in the Philippines for the privilege of ministry. In order to have the funds to do this, we need a core of people from the U. S. who are willing to support this ministry in prayer and […] - [ABOUT US](https://spiritofgrace.org/about-us/): About Spirit of Grace Ministries WHAT DO WE DO? What do we do at Spirit of Grace Ministries? That’s a good question. Obviously if we are a Christian ministry, the short answer is that we minister to people. But ministries have specific callings, just as people have specific callings, and two ministries can be vastly different, even though both are ordained of God and enjoy His grace upon their efforts.    Over time ministers and ministries evolve toward certain specific forms of ministry, usually in line with the gifts and calling that is given to the founder of the ministry. […] - [HOME](https://spiritofgrace.org/): Spirit of Grace
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minister together Latest Devos Outreach Africa Spirit of Grace Ministries Feeding Jesus’ Sheep / Equipping His Servants / Proclaiming His Gospel WELCOME Welcome to the website of Spirit of Grace Ministries. We are a ministry dedicated to sharing the word of God worldwide and encouraging God’s people to make Jesus foundational […] [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)