When do we need the gospel? Is it a one-time thing? Does it have anything to do with our ongoing walks with God? How could the answers to these questions help us love God more and transform our lives?
Also, read about why we are responsible for our own spiritual growth and for whether or not we are hearing solid biblical teaching. And while the word Trinity doesn’t actually appear in the Bible, why we can trust its reality.
Hypocrites! Jesus rebuked the religious leaders repeatedly with that accusation. But hypocrisy isn’t as obvious as it might seem. Those leaders certainly didn’t see themselves as hypocrites. Worse yet, they taught others to live and see God just as they did.
Even if our intentions are good, could we be guilty of hypocrisy, as well? And could we be in danger of unknowingly teaching our children to be little hypocrites? If our goal is to have well-behaved children, could that foster hypocrisy? How can we avoid hypocrisy ourselves and be better able to point our children to a genuine relationship with Christ?
Learning to trust God as Father makes it possible to rest in Him even in the midst of pain, persecution, trials, and other difficulties. But if we’re going to trust God as Father, we must truly know Him as our Father and not just as God and Judge.
How do you see God? Do you see Him as a harsh judge just waiting to punish you? Do you see Him as a benevolent grandfather who’s not too concerned about whether or not you are holy? Or do you see Him as a Father, the only perfect father, one who cares about your holiness and not just your happiness, but a father who is trustworthy and has your best interests in mind? If not, I hope you will read today’s post and prayerfully think about these things.
Paul implored each of us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice. And while the Old Testament sacrificial system was bloody and messy, being a living sacrifice can be bloody and messy, too. Being one requires allowing God to use the sword of the Spirit on our hearts and minds.
The sacrificial system also required worshipers to give their best as offerings. They weren’t to sacrifice the lame and diseased animals. When it comes to your time, talents, and resources, what do you offer to God? Do you offer Him your best? Or do you feel that you often have nothing left to give? During those times, could your best look different than what you might think?
Have you ever heard someone say, “I love him but I’m just not ‘in love’ with him”? Maybe you have said or, at least, thought the same thing. If so, could your ideas about love be colored more by the world than by God’s Word? So, what is biblical love? Is it what greeting card writers or Hollywood movie producers want us to believe, some irresistible attraction, something we fall into and out of? Or is it something else?
Mirrors, they’re everywhere today. But that would not have been true for most people living in biblical times. Yet, the women we’ll read about today, women with the same desire to be attractive that we experience, gave up their bronze mirrors for the glory of God. What would you and I be willing to give up for God’s glory? And does the focus of our care and attention line up with what we say?
We are all counseling. If you’re like most people, friends and family members talk to you all the time. They share struggles and hurts and they are looking to you for input. “How did you handle a similar situation?” or “What would you do?” are the questions that they’re often asking.
And if you’re a parent, you are constantly advising your children. You may find yourself talking to your daughter about that mean girl at school, the pain of not being invited to the party, or to your son about the first love who broke his heart.
The question is, “What is the source of your answers?”
What does God say about counseling? If we’re all counseling all the time, how can we be better equipped to do it well? We’ll look at those and other questions today.
We’ll, also, talk about the seasons of ministry, our priorities in ministry and how God is not surprised by our failures.
Many people have attended church for years. They’ve gone to Bible studies and heard the Bible preached, but they reject the wisdom of God and live in foolish ways. It’s as if they view God’s Word as merely divine suggestions.
Others reject God’s truth altogether claiming they can decide what is right and wrong and wise for themselves. They have decided they can’t worship the God of the Bible so, if they claim a belief in God at all, create a god of their own making, one who is more tolerant and simply loves everyone.
But what about those who actually want God’s wisdom? Does God only give it to a select few or is it there for everyone to hear and apply? And is there a way to grow in wisdom?
We will all spend eternity somewhere. Some will spend eternity with God. But sadly, others will spend eternity suffering and eternally separated from Him.
Jesus compared that time of judgment to a shepherd separating sheep and goats. Both sheep and goats sit in our churches every Sunday. On the outside, we look much the same, but one day, the “Great Shepherd” will separate the two. The sheep to everlasting glory. The goats to everlasting punishment. Do you know for certain where you will spend eternity? Don’t leave it to chance!
And what about the people who sit around you on Sundays? Are there those who come in and go out without ever really being involved in the life of the church? Or whose lives don’t reflect a relationship with Christ? Could God be calling you to get involved?
Today we’ll talk about how many of us are still trying to pay for all the wrongs we have done … kind of like making minimum payments on sin. We’ll also look at the need to be faithful in whatever we do and the importance of being ready for eternity.