The ways of the world consist of human effort leading to the broad road of destruction. God’s kingdom consists of obedience leading to narrow road of life. The currency of the world is money, but for God’s kingdom, it’s obedience to God.
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 church is God’s plan for building healthy cities. Instead of taking personal responsibility, God’s people often rely on government and non-profit organizations to solve problems in the city whether it is housing, jobs, violence or social opportunities. Jeremiah encouraged an expanded role for the church in the city by speaking the whole truth of…
True worship can be summarized as acknowledging God’s holiness and greatness to gain understanding and learn instruction. It begins with repentance of sin and trusts in the Holy Spirit for strength. Personal impact: Waits on Him in prayer and meditates on God’s word to heal wounds. Corporate impact: Praises God to defeat evil in the…
“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,…
We should not ask, “What is wrong with the world?” for that diagnosis has already been given. Rather, we should ask, “What has happened to the salt and light?” (John R. W. Stott). Paul asked that prayer for unity in Christ and hope in the Holy Spirit empowered the proclamation of the gospel so people…
“Satan’s arsenal consists of such things as fear, worry, doubt, and self-pity. Every one of these weapons robs us of peace and leaves us troubled inside. Do you want to discern where the enemy is coming against you? In the network of your relationships, wherever you do not have peace, you have war. Conversely, wherever…
Thomas Merton wrote, “Man is not at peace with his fellow man because he is not at peace with himself; he is not at peace with himself, because he is not at peace with God.” Peace comes as men pray, live pure lives, help and encourage others, confess and not hide from sin, bless and…
Author Howard Snyder wrote, “Kingdom people seek first the Kingdom of God and its justice; church people often put church work above concerns of justice, mercy and truth. Church people think about how to get people into the church; Kingdom people think about how to get the church into the world. Church people worry that…
Media and the world wants to squeeze you in a certain mold. God offers the valuable possession of wisdom. When Solomon asked for wisdom, he received many tremendous benefits. Solomon formed a marriage alliance with the daughter of Pharaoh king of Egypt and brought her to the city of David until he finished building his…
Many people think Bible reading and prayer is boring. They think it’s a waste of time. They question the value of abiding in His word and asking God for things. John 15-16 lists the following fruits in studying God’s word and prayer: spiritual character, multiply disciples, bear witness, persecution or martyrdom, know truth, see Christ,…
Many Christians sacrifice for Christ in their own strength. As a result, they betray Him through disobedience. Fear and anxiety and fear become the fruit. The Christian life is impossible to live. That is why divine resources are required. Christ’s relationship with His Father models the dependent relationship we should have with Him through the…