Can you measure a person’s faith? Probably not. But you can see it when it is put into action. Believers participating in the research noted they knew the importance of living by faith as opposed to living by personal strength. Transformation is seen in believers when risk aversion is set aside and lives are characterized by faithful obedience to G

1. A New Outlook on Life “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5: 16-17)When I first became a Christian, I didn’t feel differently, but I remember s

But as the new year begins, many of us face difficult and life-changing decisions. I’m so grateful for God’s incredible promise in Psalms 32:8:I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.This is the one of Scripture’s most encouraging promises. I regularly pray “Thank you Father, that you have

Who were the Three Wise Men? “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem…” Matthew 2:1They’ve been called magi, kings, and wise men. But who were they, really? They were most likely the King’s personal advisors. Their responsibilities included reading the stars, and a host of wisd

but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of power;partly by making use of solid proofs out of the writings of the Old Testament, indited by the Spirit of God, and which amounted to a demonstration of the truths he delivered. He also conveyed this partly by signs, and wonders, and miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, those extraordinary instances o

1. Sex and marriage are a creation of God.Sex is not the result of a blind, evolutionary process that lacks meaning and merely exists to propagate the species. Rather, God is the one who created sex with a purpose for how it is to be expressed and experienced. The first explicit attribute we learn about God in the Bible is that He is the Creator (G

People are responsible for their spiritual growth. I am responsible to lead a church that shepherds them, encourages them, instructs and teaches them, but ultimately the believer holds the responsibility of their own growth. That’s a freeing principle, because it keeps me responsible for what I can do, but releases me of the burden of what I can’t

People were even bringing babies to Jesus for him to touch them. When the disciples saw this, they spoke harshly to the people. But Jesus called the little ones to himself and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not prevent them, for of such is the kingdom of God. I tell you the truth, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God as

1. Call a Family Member or Friend If you’re alone on Christmas because distance is keeping you away from family or friends, go ahead and give them a call! I was in Thailand in the middle of a year-long mission trip the first time I spent Christmas away from my family. Because of limited internet access, a phone call with my family was rare. Getting

"He is the strength of my life, not only the protector of my exposed life, who keeps me from being slain, but the strength of my frail weak life, who keeps me from fainting, sinking, and dying away.’’ God, who is a believer’s light, is the strength of his life, not only by whom, but in whom, he lives and moves.In God therefore let us strengthen our

On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on the harp,With harmonious [or resounding] sound (Psalms 92:3).It is used also in Psalms 9:16. The LORD is known by the judgment He executes;The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.Meditation. Selah (Psalms 9:16).It is not entirely clear if t

8. The Wise Woman of Abel-BethmaachJoab was prepared to destroy an entire city because of one guilty man, but the wise woman of Abel-Bethmaach entreatedto find a peaceful solution, saving many lives.Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you…They used to say in former times, ‘Let them but

Another criticism about theology is that dogma is divisive. When I say “dogma,” I’m using the word in the same way that Dorothy Sayers did in her essay. Dogma is merely an English word based on the Greek word for teaching. So the teachings that flow from the theological system that is revealed in the Word of God or of prime importance in faith and

Well, TAKE OFF YOUR GRAVE CLOTHES! Quit “living” among the dead. Look alive! Jesus saved you by grace, through faith, not unto death, but unto life! Shouldn’t that make a noticeable difference in your life today? SO LIVE! Don’t let this world steal your joy. Don’t let Satan rob you of your peace. Stop worrying over tomorrow. Start living!Take off

1. Jael's Story I arrived home to find a mess of kids battling on my front lawn, a kid named Jimmy being the ringleader. Words I’d never heard splintered the quiet afternoon. I called the police when Jimmy turned his anger on me. And when the officer arrived, he shook his head. “Been to his house many times, ma’am. There’s no one to help him.”In Ju

I will be like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:13-14)In addressing past sins, Jude wanted to mention this incident because God did not spare even the angels when they fell short of His standards (2 Peter 2:4). C.S. Lewis writes in his book Mere Christianity, “It was through pride that the devil became the devil: pride leads to every other vice; it is th

The life in the Branch is essentially and entirely the same as that in the Vine. If we are to bear fruit, it can only come as the life and the power that work in the Vine work in us. This alone is the secret of effective service.In Christian work a great mistake is often made. The difference between work and fruit is overlooked. Under a sense of du

7. The likeness to Christ consists chiefly in two things: the likeness of His death and resurrection (Romans 6:5). The death of Christ was the consummation of His humility and obedience, the entire giving up of His life to God. In Him we are dead to sin. As we sink down in humility and dependence and entire surrender to God, the power of His death

Look closely at Acts 13:1-3. Their fasting became the occasion for the Spirit's guidance to be communicated to them. Don't miss the obvious causal link that Luke draws. It was while/when or even because they were ministering to the Lord and fasting that the Holy Spirit spoke. I’m not suggesting that fasting puts God in our debt, as if it compels hi

There is a mountain in Cape Town, South Africa called Table Mountain. It is one of the most beautiful sites that I have ever seen. There are “tables,” as it were, on the mountains; places where shepherds can pause for nourishment. These wilderness tables form a setting amongst the jagged rocks where a shepherd can feed his sheep. The savage predato