I’m sure there have been times when you have come across a situation where you must make a decision, and you’ve wondered which way God would have you choose. Sometimes these are major decisions: Should I take this job? Should I marry this person? It would be nice if God would give an audible answer every time you asked for His direction, but God does not work that way. Much of God’s will remains hidden even when you ask. How can you know what God’s will is for you in various situations? The truth is, sometimes you can’t, and in those situations you have to trust to God’s ability to guide you without your knowledge (Proverbs 16:9). But many times …Continue reading →
How does the Bible describe the church? Mention the word “church” today and the first thing that pops into most people’s minds is a building with a steeple and stained-glass windows. Church is a place to sit in uncomfortable pews for a couple of hours once a week, sing traditional songs and hear a preacher speak for a half hour or forty-five minutes against the evils of sin. Or, another view of church is a non-profit charity organization that helps those in need. But neither of these concepts describes the early church depicted in the New Testament. Yes, the early church helped the needy. Yes, there was preaching (although probably not in the style we are familiar with today). Maybe …Continue reading →
Witnessing Just before Jesus ascended to heaven after His resurrection, He told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. They would be witnesses to Him beginning there and going out into the whole world. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 These disciples were called “apostles”, ones Jesus sent out into the world with the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. It was these men who were used to build the church. Their job was not to save the lost, but to point the lost …Continue reading →
The secret to spiritual growth is in your focus. C. S. Lewis, in his book Surprised By Joy, told of his search for joy. Every once in a while joy came to him. Sometimes it would come when he listened to a particular piece of music. But joy never came when he intentionally looked for it or tried to bring it about deliberately. The joy always came from outside of himself. The same holds true in your spiritual growth. You cannot grow spiritually through self-effort. Maybe you can live a cleaner, more moral life for a time, but spiritual growth is not about that. It is about becoming one with Christ (John 17:20-23), reflecting Him and building your relationship with …Continue reading →
