Evangelism Grows Out of the ChurchJesus told the disciples to follow him and he would make them fishers of men (Mark 1:17), and then he sent them out two by two to preach to people to repent, turn from their sinful ways, and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. When we follow Jesus, we become part of his disciples, his body—his church. And in that church we learn about the gospel so that we can live it and share it with others, letting them know the good news about God and his redemptive plan for all peoples.As disciples, we are called to grow and multiply; the good news is given to us like the talents were given to those servants in Jesus’s parable (Matt. 25:14–30). Consider: Every time you hear the Word of God preached in your local church you are given a coin, a talent, which God calls you to multiply according to your ability. We are responsible and accountable to God for what he has given us.Photo Courtesy: Thinkstock
Two classic novels were banned from a school district recently, but should they have been? Are these stories that touch on painful and hurtful things our past actually meaningful and helpful in the education of our rising generations?
Lovers of the sky, get ready. God has a special treat in store. On January 31, 2018, a celestial event dubbed the ‘Super Blue Blood Moon’ will treat stargazers to a supermoon, a blue moon, and a total lunar eclipse — all in one night!
Denhollander’s powerful testimony reminds all of us of the need for both justice and forgiveness. Though evil is strong, forgiveness is truly stronger and more compelling.
God is constantly speaking to people. But too often, they miss out on hearing God’s messages because they seek His guidance only occasionally – usually when they’re going through a crisis or facing a major decision. Then, with a dire need to hear from God, people become confused and frustrated when they don’t clearly hear what they should do. They start to wonder how to hear from God and why they aren't.It doesn’t have to be that way. God wants everyone to hear His messages clearly, and it’s possible to do so. The key is to forget about formulas and gimmicks for hearing from God, and to focus instead on developing the kind of relationship with God that will empower you to hear God speaking regularly. The closer you get to God, the more you can enjoy ongoing conversations with Him, both listening and hearing from Him, and the more God will use those conversations to transform you into the person He wants you to become.Here are 10 ways how you can hear from God and recognize his voice regularly:
This Sunday, Christians around the world will mourn the innocent lives lost since Roe v. Wade was decided. It’s Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, and it’s an opportunity for us to act on our beliefs in new and bold ways.
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day – a time we celebrate the life and faith of a man who shaped the Civil Rights movement through his inspiring words and deeds.
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. - Proverbs 22:6My children are adults now and several have children of their own. We had lots of fun as a family, and I have lots of great memories of raising our kids. But in retrospect, I think I would have done a number of things differently. So, I share them in hopes that younger parents might benefit and not make some of the mistakes I did. Some things I would do differently:
After you have been married a few years, you will encounter other young women who are scared to death about marrying a minister. Or, they’re already married and find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of the life of a minister’s spouse. You will be able to help them. Even though you will feel you’ve not done this very well, and will question whether someone else is more capable than you, you are the right one to help them.
I suggest you invite two or three or four young wives for tea at your home (if your home is humble and things are cluttered, so much the better!) just to get acquainted. Do not dive in to talk about how tough this work is. Just visit and get acquainted, and the Holy Spirit will take it from there. Once you’re all settled, take a moment to consider these 10 realities of marrying a pastor.
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Now that's something you don't get asked often—not even in the most spiritually-minded Christian circles. But according to John Piper, this might be a question well worth examining.
Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone. - Charles M. Schulz
I'm a 47-year-old American Christian male with two kids in "the sweet spot," a lovely wife, and a major crush on Christmas. So I don't know much anymore, but I do know what's awesome about this holiday, and what regulations I've placed on myself and my family to ensure we, like the reborn Scrooge, know how to keep Christmas. In no particular order, here are my 10 Christmas Rules:
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Sometimes praying feels like throwing darts - with your eyes closed. You hurl some words heavenward and wonder if you've hit the bulls-eye of progress. You hope something sticks.What would happen if we prayed like Paul? God got me asking this question. So, I searched every prayer Paul prayed (below) to find the essence of God's power held within his words. What I found were 12 categories of prayer. I hope they bless you as much as they did me!Read these prayers from the words of Apostle Paul inspired by God to bring peace, hope, and courage.
This debate will likely continue until--and beyond--the Alabama Senate election on December 12, but our duty now as Christians is to seriously grapple with how our faith impacts what we believe and how we vote.
