Bart's Blog

2 Kings 6:8–23 What if the greatest battles you’re facing aren’t the ones you can see? Most of us picture the obvious struggles—the bills piling up, the bad news from the doctor, the stress at work, the tension in our homes. Maybe the unseen battles of temptation or anxiety that keep us up at night. Those are real. But Scripture reminds us that there’s another dimension to every fight—a spiritual one that we often overlook. Elisha’s servant in 2 Kings 6 learned this the hard way. When he woke up to find their city surrounded by an enemy army, he panicked. To him, defeat was certain. But the prophet Elisha calmly prayed, “Lord, open his eyes.” And suddenly the servant saw what had been there all along—the hills blazing with horses and chariots of fire. God’s heavenly host had them completely surrounded. That story pulls back the curtain on reality. The world we see isn’t all that exists. The Bible repeatedly shows that the spiritual realm—God’s unseen world—is not a myth or metaph...

Hebrews 1:1–14 When you picture an angel, what comes to mind? A glowing figure with wings? A chubby cherub from a Christmas card? Maybe a tall blond in a white robe with a halo? The Bible’s version is far different—and far more awe-inspiring. When angels appear in Scripture, people don’t giggle or grin; they tremble. Luke tells us that when an angel appeared to the shepherds at Bethlehem, “the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” ( Luke 2:9 NIV ) That’s a far cry from the figurine on your mantel. But even these powerful beings—God’s messengers, warriors, and servants—exist for one reason: to glorify the Son of God. And that’s what the Book of Hebrews wants us to see. Big Idea: Angels are mighty servants in God’s story, but Jesus is the Son, the Sovereign, and the Savior. 1. Listen to Jesus, the Final Word Hebrews opens with this declaration: “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets… but in these last days he has spoken...

  by Bart L. Denny, Ph.D. Introduction — Why I must speak I have been reflecting on recent events in our nation and wrestling with how best to speak into them. As a follower of Jesus Christ and as a pastor, I believe my calling is to shed more light than heat in times of turmoil, and to offer the seasoning of grace in a culture that often tastes bitter. This will not be an exercise in soft-peddling. It will be frank, pastoral, and, where necessary, unflinching. Somewhere, this post will fail to address a consideration that it might have spoken to. I own it, saying in my defense only that space prevents my discussing everything that might be said on a subject and my views on it. Yet undoubtedly, this will cover more ground than most newspaper op-ed articles. Some readers may focus on one thing I say in the post without taking the entirety of what I said here in context. I pray you won't. But I resign myself to the likelihood some will. What I saw this past week I saw a young...

by Bart Denny Have you ever noticed how persistence changes outcomes? Parents know this all too well. A child wants a cookie before dinner, or a toy at the store, and the answer is “no.” But the request doesn’t stop there. They ask again. And again. Eventually—sometimes just for the sake of peace—we give in. Persistence works. But here’s the question: if persistence can move us—imperfect parents and imperfect people—what happens when persistence is brought before our perfect, loving, just heavenly Father? That’s the point Jesus drives home in Luke 18:1–8. He tells a parable “to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” The story contrasts two characters: a corrupt judge with no fear of God, and a powerless widow who had no advocate but one weapon—persistence. And persistence won. If a widow could win justice from an unjust judge simply by refusing to quit, how much more can God’s children expect from the most just Judge of all when we persist in prayer? Let’s expl...

  by Bart Denny Have you ever noticed how the Lord’s Prayer shifts gears? It begins with God — Our Father… hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. It’s all about His holiness, His priorities, His will. But then, without skipping a beat, Jesus invites us to pray something incredibly down-to-earth: “Give us today our daily bread.” — Matthew 6:11 That’s not just a request for food. It’s an invitation to trust. 1. Trust God Daily — He Knows What You Need Jesus could have said, “Give us a year’s worth of provisions,” or “Fill my retirement account now.” But He didn’t. He taught us to ask for daily bread. It’s a reminder of how God fed Israel with manna in the wilderness — just enough for each day, no stockpiling. Why? Because God was teaching them to depend on Him one day at a time. We like to plan ahead. We want the five-year blueprint. But Jesus says, “Live in the now. Trust Me for today.” Practical step: Each morning this week, pause before you check your pho...

Praying, "Your kingdom come" realigns everything! by Bart Denny When was the last time you had a moment that silenced the noise and clarified what really matters? Maybe it came during a health scare, a late-night heart-to-heart, or a snowy Michigan road. In those moments, the trivial fades and the essential stands tall. And if we’re honest, we need those moments—not just in life but in our prayer life too. Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6 to begin prayer not with ourselves, but with God: “Our Father… hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done.” Let’s focus on just those three powerful words: “Your kingdom come.” It’s more than a phrase. It’s a spiritual posture. It’s a dangerous prayer. Praying “Your Kingdom Come” Means Yielding to God’s Rule In Us We often pray for the world to change, but Jesus starts by calling for change within. Luke 17:21 reminds us: “The kingdom of God is in your midst.” That means the kingdom begins when we surrender our hearts t...

By Bart L. Denny, Ph.D., Th.M. How does your community view your church? Do you even know? Here’s how to find out: go to the nearest grocery store and ask the cashier. Visit a local coffee shop, gas station, or hardware store and strike up a conversation. Ask, “What do you know about [your church’s name]?” You’ll get answers—maybe not what you were hoping for, but honest ones. Chances are, your church has either a good reputation, a bad one… or none at all. Let me be blunt: whatever your church’s reputation—good, bad, or nonexistent—you’ve earned it. You might think some of it is unfair, and you may even be right. But the community has formed a perception, and that’s what you’ve got to work with. I remember talking with the chairman of the deacons at a church that had a poor reputation in town. He seemed to think the community had judged them unfairly. But here’s the reality: fair or not, perception is reality in terms of community witness. That’s the soil you’re planting ...