Trust Matters
The Bible repeatedly admonishes us to trust in the Lord. For example, we are told to trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5, NASB). However, because of our fallen and selfish nature, we are inclined to put our trust in anything or anyone but the Lord.
The Numbing Effect
Have you ever been reading a passage in the Bible about the depravity of unbelievers, when suddenly your own face appeared on the page? It is a fact of human nature that whatever becomes common becomes “invisible.” Our culture offers an abundance of things and experiences that can and will numb our spiritual sensitivities.
Judas in Me
As you read the Bible, do you ever find yourself identifying with the life or behavior of a specific Bible character? Sometimes you may identify with their good qualities and sometimes with their bad ones. It is likely that of all the Bible characters you have identified with, Judas has never been one of them. Yet, it may be that there is more of Judas in us than we would ever like to admit.
If Anyone Wishes to Come After Me
Jesus was a master of hard sayings. While they are not hard to understand, they are hard to obey. Each one of them strikes at the very core of our self-centered human nature. Jesus’ hard sayings demand one of two outcomes: either we make radical changes in how we live, or we choose to ignore them — justifying our choice by convincing ourselves that they don’t really apply to us.
How Does the Love of God Abide in Him?
First John 3:17 says, …whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Ouch! Does this mean that unless we use our material possessions to meet people’s needs, John is calling our love of God into question?
Getting Directions from the Owner (Part 3)
In this final part of the series, we will examine what is no doubt the most subtle and the most subjective of the three ways God communicates His will to us—through our thoughts.
Getting Directions from the Owner (Part 2)
In this second article, we are going to unpack how God gets His directions to us through other people: from those who are over us (spiritual mentor), beside us (spiritual peer), and under us (a mentee).
Getting Directions from the Owner (Part 1)
How do we get directions from the Owner? First, by continuously reading His Word. Second, through studying His Word. And third, by memorizing His Word. Most importantly, we need to be equally committed to obeying His Word.
Fear and Uncertainty: The Great Planning Paralyzers
When wealthy families are fearful and/or uncertain about what to do in regard to stewardship planning, they ultimately end up doing NOTHING. When nothing happens, the families miss the opportunity to experience the indescribable joy of seeing God use them in meaningful and mighty ways with what He has entrusted to them.
Do You Love the World?
The Bible gives us four flashing “caution lights” that warn us we might have gotten into a love affair with the world: when we are never quite satisfied with what we have; when the things we own end up owning us; when worry about losing “things” disrupts our inner peace; and when our longing to be there is diminished by our affection for what we have here.