“It is my hearts desire that I must be NO more, that He be KNOWN more” (Saheed B. Olalekan, Christian converted from Islam). God brings troubles and hardships into your life so you can experience Christ’s death and His resurrection power as His ambassador so others can be reconciled to God. Imagine if everyone in the…
“We tend to give an unbeliever just enough of the gospel to get him or her to pray a prayer to receive Christ. Then we immediately put the gospel on the shelf, so to speak, and go on to the duties of discipleship. The grace that brought salvation to you is the same grace that…
We wonder why people don’t obey God’s word after hearing it. Certain things must be in place for people to be doers of the word. For disciples to receive God’s word, they must consider His holiness, experience forgiveness of sin, trust God’s protection and presence and reject faith in humankind and their strategies. Consider God’s HolinessIn…
In Luke 14, we learned that those who minister to sinners come alive. He who turns a sinner from the error of way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins (James 5:20). God continually searches and shows compassion for those who go astray, whether a person is immoral or self-righteous….
God is more interested in reconciling broken relationships than you are. He sovereignly arranges circumstances to bring people together. God provides resources to facilitate harmonious relationships. Even forgiveness is a gift of God. God moves heaven to promote reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers, which should be encouragement when you face unreconciled relationships. Joseph…
The biggest obstacle for reconciliation of fractured relationships is selfishness. A husband and wife let bitterness build a wall between them so they won’t talk or allow anger to drive them apart. Hardened hearts cause selfishness and becomes the wedge to break up relationships, including marriages, families and churches. A peacemaker takes advantage of timing, integrity,…
Returning from a vision tour of Costa Rica, I reflected a great deal on what I saw and how it impacts my life in Lincoln. A short-term mission trip allows one to be an eyewitness of God’s supernatural working to deepen your appreciation and study of the Scriptures. As a result, you have a greater…
Nothing hurts more than fractured relationships with family members or close friends. A ministry partner went behind my back to undermine my ministry. I was devastated. God used similar principles in reconciling my relationship with this individual as He used in reconciling Joseph with his brothers who had sold him into slavery. God sovereignly arranged…
Fractured relationships occur in families, churches and businesses. Husband and wives selfishly try to get their own way or become self-sufficient, which if not checked, leads to emotional or physical divorce. A parent shows favoritism to a son or daughter and the less favored sibling experiences deep hurt and isolation. A pastor and his church…
What is the greatest power that allows the unsaved to make a decision for Jesus Christ? It isn’t prayer, though this is important. It isn’t good deeds, though deeds indicate a fruitful relationship with God. It isn’t good behavior, though Christ commands us to be obedient as sons. The greatest power God’s children have over darkness is…