The true measure of a person is not what they have acquired or achieved but what they have had to endure, suffer, and struggle to overcome. This is particularly true of a follower of Jesus in fulfilling God’s purposes and assignment for their lives. John Piper writes in The Roots of Endurance, I have found …
Read MoreTHE CRITICAL REASON THAT EVIL NEEDS TO BE EXPOSED
Nearly forty years ago one of the spiritual leaders in our church family attended a two-day event sponsored by a group that challenged the validity of his freedom and faith in Christ. He was told that he was not experiencing the totality of the gospel and needed to do certain things in order for that …
Read MoreTHE CRITICAL REASON THAT EVIL NEEDS TO BE EXPOSED
Nearly forty years ago one of the spiritual leaders in our church family attended a two-day event sponsored by a group that challenged the validity of his freedom and faith in Christ. He was told that he was not experiencing the totality of the gospel and needed to do certain things in order for that …
Read MoreHOW TO HANDLE CRITICISM DIRECTED TO UNDERMINE OUR EFFECTIVENESS
How often do we take a text of Scripture and apply that truth in a personal manner in our lives but once understood in its biblical context we discover an even greater reality? That’s exactly what happened to me this week. Since I had never studied 2 Corinthians before in my undergraduate, graduate nor post …
Read MoreHOW CHEERFUL GIVERS EXPERIENCE THE MOST OUT OF LIFE
To earn money is easy compared to spending it well. …I suppose we all find the money goes quite fast enough, but after all it was made to circulate, and there’s no use in hoarding it. It is bad to see our money become a runaway servant and leave us, but it would be worse …
Read MoreHOW TO EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTED LIFE
In his book God Is Closer Than You Think, John Ortberg includes this story about the power of prayer. When Kim was a young girl, her dad pulled the car off the road one day to help a woman change a flat tire. While he was lying under her car, another vehicle accidentally swerved to …
Read MoreLEARNING HOW TO MANAGE WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US
Life is all about stewardship or management. This speaks of both privilege and responsibility. God blesses us but we are then accountable for all that God entrusts to us. How do we manage what God has given us? There are several areas that we are tested in. How do we handle our time? One of …
Read MoreHOW TO DEAL WITH BEING TRAPPED IN A LOVELESS MARRIAGE
Each of us lives out our lives within the framework of a greater story. From the very beginning of time, God’s plan is to reveal His amazing love to us, despite our sin. Our sin not only affects our lives but also affects the lives of others. So, many people today are experiencing pain from …
Read MoreLEARNING HOW TO IMPACT AND LEAD OTHERS LIKE JESUS
The trophy that is presented to the winners of the Super Bowl in the National Football League is called the Lombardi trophy, named after the legendary Vince Lombardi of the Green Bay Packers. He transformed his team, helping them win five NFL championships—including the first two super bowls and ten winning seasons. What made him …
Read MoreHOW TO DEVELOP A HEART OF GENEROSITY
During the 18th century, John Thornton was converted to Christ through the ministry of George Whitfield. Widely known as one of the wealthiest men in Europe, Thornton adopted a ‘simple manner of life [which] left a large surplus of his income, the chief part of which constantly flowed into the channel[s] of his beneficence. Thornton …
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