THE VALUE OF SPIRITUAL TRAINING We are born with a body, yet physical training is necessary to build it up. Similarly, when we are born again, we are made alive spiritually, yet we are called to “work out” what God is “working in” us (see Phil. 2:12-13). Both the physical life and this new spiritual
HOW NOT TO ENCOURAGE THE HEAVY OF HEART There are those who have never experienced loss that think the way to cheer up the one who has is by distraction. However, this response is not only inappropriate but inconsiderate. The one who would encourage will first seek to understand the feelings of the hurting and
JEREMIAH’S SWEET DREAM While Jeremiah slept, the Lord spoke to him in a prophetic dream of the coming Messiah and of a future time of joy and peace for Jerusalem. When he awoke, he remembered every word the Lord had said and he regarded his sleep as being so very sweet that he no doubt
THE LAW IS GOOD WHEN USED CORRECTLY Paul taught Timothy the importance of guarding the gospel against those who would misuse the law, claiming its necessity for salvation. Human effort at law-keeping does not save, only believing the gospel saves. Those that teach law-keeping as a means of salvation are not using the law “correctly.”
PREACHING THE WORD WHOLE God told the prophet Jeremiah to preach the “entire message” that He had gave him. God’s purpose was to warn His people of their sins, so that they might repent, not to tickle their ears. God’s instruction to Jeremiah is the same to those who would preach God’s Word today. We
GET A GRIP ON GOD’S WORD Paul told the Thessalonian believers to “stand firm” and to keep a “strong grip” on the Word of God that he had taught them. Standing firm on God’s Word we build our life on its gospel truth and instruction. Keeping a strong grip on the Word, we cling to
DO YOU HAVE A PASTOR WHO SPENDS TIME IN GOD’S PRESENCE BEFORE HE PREACHES? The prophet Jeremiah spoke on the Lord’s behalf against those prophets in Judah who were promising peace and safety when the Lord was warning against coming judgment. Here it took the form of a rhetorical question that begs a negative response:
EVERY MONTH SHOULD BE PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH The apostle Paul instructed the Thessalonian believers to honor those who are leaders in the Lord’s work. The word “honor” means to show appropriate respect, recognizing their worth and giving them what they are worth. The word “honor” also implies financial support, as Paul instructed Timothy, “Elders who
WORSHIP IS WAR! The apostle Paul commended the Thessalonian believers for turning from idolatry to the worship of the true and living God. They did this by receiving the message of the Gospel with joy, so that they gladly placed their faith in Christ as Lord and Savior. We think that we are too
ARE YOU TRYING TO BE THE OWNER AND CONTROLLER OF YOUR LIFE? British poet, William Ernest Henley, concluded his poem “Invictus” with these words: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” His words capture the essence of what sin is. For sin, at its core, is an attitude