A church culture has dominated a mission culture in many of our churches. Too many “Christians” are busy playing church instead of seeking the heart of Jesus. As a result, the church is declining in the US. Jesus’ example and teaching in Luke 5 helps us
A person reigns with Christ and shepherds the nations by:1. Walk in Christ’s love doing first works2. Endure suffering, poverty and persecution3. Obey teaching from whole counsel of God4. Be pure without compromise or idolatry 5. Walk in Christ’s victory to overcome busyness and over-confidence6. Embrace evangelistic opportunities relying on God7. Listen to Jesus’ voice for zealous…
Proclaiming God’s truth to extend the gospel is seen by testing the spirits to distinguish truth from falsehood, love God and others through the Holy Spirit, pray for sinning brothers to be kept safe from the evil one and idols, walk in Christ’s teaching without welcoming false teachers, and support gospel workers with hospitality and…
How does a person seek God and exercise faith for eternal reward? Hebrews 11-13 answer that question. Obey God in impossible situations requiring supernatural intervention. Bless others by choosing mistreatment and disgrace. Fight spiritual battles without knowing the results. Fix your eyes on Jesus submitting to His discipline. Worship God by living in peace and…
The steps to make God’s word primary in rebuilding lives begin with forgiving sin and studying His word as preparation to obey it, speak truth, not cheat the poor and nourish young people to deal harshly with evil. Then you can plant His word to restore and rebuild lives. Ask God to Forgive Sin and Study…
The ingredients in building up the body of Christ include purity (confession of sin), unity (worship and fellowship), service (seeking and obeying God), prayer (victory), humility (restoration and deliverance), study (full counsel of God) and obedience (light burden). Purify Body of Christ By Confessing SinHezekiah repaired the temple doors, told the Levites to consecrate themselves…
“All God’s revelations are sealed to us until they are opened to us by obedience. You will never get them open by philosophy or thinking. Immediately you obey, a flash of light comes. Let God’s truth work in you by soaking in it, not by worrying into it. Obey God in the thing He is…
“In the upshot there is only one answer for the preacher who wonders whether he is worthy to preach the sermon he has composed or for the writer who wonders whether he is worthy to write the religious book he is working on. The answer is: Of course not. To ask yourself: Am I worthy…
Give up your friendships, your possessions, your comforts, your ambitions, your reputation, your health and even your life, and you’ll find that God will give it all back to you, “pressed down, shaken together and running over” (Luke 6:38) (A. W. Tozer). God waits for our obedience before He acts. Israel took the first step…
“This is the secret of joy. We shall no longer strive for our own way; but commit ourselves, easily and simply, to God’s way, acquiesce in His will, and in so doing find our peace” (Evelyn Underhill) Blessings, abundance and significance come as you are obedient to God. Suffering, disease, isolation, poverty and insignificance come…
“When I find myself racing around, trying to fill a day with mindless tasks or petty entertainment, this is usually the time that God whispers to my heart to draw away with Him and to silence my heart as He wishes to speak” (Katherine Walden). Slow down your life as you trust, long, pray, feed,…
“One of the most subtle burdens God ever puts on us as saints is this burden of discernment concerning other souls. He reveals things in order that we may take the burden of these souls before Him and form the mind of Christ about them. It is not that we bring God into touch with…