Christian Living

While some preachers are well cared-for by their congregations and live with very few financial difficulties, many others struggle financially. Often, this is unavoidable. The offerings are modest, and there is no way for the church to do more for the pastor than it does. I hope the following suggestions will encourage you, and be of some practical value in the matter of handling your personal income.

“Agony, torture, psychological abuse, mentally stressful, complete exhaustion, physically excruciating, and cruel and unusual punishment” are just a few of the descriptions that Navy Seals who have experienced the fourth week of Seal training in San Diego, California use to describe it. The week begins on Sunday evening at Midnight and ends on Friday around midday. For five and a half days these Seals go through some of the most physical, emotional, and psychological pressure that most of us will never have to endure.

In the midst of difficult circumstances or trials God can seem distant. We wonder if He hears our prayers or cares about our heartache. The prophet Isaiah was no doubt at that point in his life when King Uzziah died in chapter six.

I cannot help but think it would have been a terrifying experience to have the Lord “depart” from you especially when at one time, the Lord was with you mightily.

How do you thank those who willingly place themselves “between their loved home and the war’s desolation”?

In my last article concerning the Christian & Civil Government, I wrote about seven basic principles that God’s Word teaches Christians about their responsibility to human government. Today I want to examine these principals in light of our position as citizens of the United State of America.

The Bible perseveres throughout the course of history. Everything else comes and goes. People, cultures, and nations are like grass and flowers—slowly dying and eventually withering away; but God’s Word abides forever.

How are we to respond to those in authority and those who govern us? In this series, I want to take a closer look at our responsibilities as Christian’s and the role civil government plays in our lives.

Jesus said more than once that His hour had not yet come. However, just a few hours before He was to be crucified, He proclaimed in John 12:23, “The hour is come that the Son of man should be glorified.”

Recently, I read an article that used an ancient metaphor of a man that asked God to make him stronger in order to be more useful.

Jesus Christ is alive and His resurrection is paramount to our faith in Him. Every truth seeker must come face to face with the fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Resurrection validated the claims of Jesus and provided ultimate credibility to His person. Because the Resurrection offers such proof, we can believe His message; moreover, we can belong to the Master (i.e. we can take Him at His simple word and be saved!).

By now, preparations for Spiritual Leadership Conference in June are underway at a weekly—even daily—level. But even as we prepare the conference details and logistics, I’m asking the Lord to work in this conference this year in three very specific ways:

Lot had made his greedy choice. He and his flocks and family would move to the plain of Jordan. There was a nice spot that overlooked the city of Sodom. It was a bad choice—one of many. But it left his uncle Abram with some moving of his own to do. Where would he go? Were there any good spots left?

I will admit that eighth grade General Science was not my favorite subject in school. But one day, as I took my seat in what was normally a boring, lifeless class, the teacher announced that we would look at the topic of metamorphosis. Immediately, I came to attention as I tried to imagine the monstrous dinosaur we would be studying that day.

The words that come out of our mouth say a lot about us. Solomon said, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” James said that the tongue is, “A fire, a world of iniquity.” He also said that although the tongue is a small member, it is very hard to control. Let us consider some ways our speech can be a blessing.

Would you consider yourself a consecrated Christian? One who is wholly given to God, seeking to honor Him in body and spirit in every way possible? Or, is there an area of your life that still belongs to yourself; some area that you “sort of” honor God in, but do not want to go “too far” in or “miss out” because of?

I asked the Lord to come into my heart at the age of fifteen in the fall of 1975. My family had been attending church for about four months, and the Holy Spirit had been convicting me of my sin.

Someone has said, “Pits have no easy exits.” Discouragement, depression, hopelessness, inadequacy, and fear are just a few of the pits where each of us can find ourselves. Although these pits “have no easy exits” they certainly can be exited!

Do you ever feel ineffective in prayer? True prayer is really a foundation of true ministry. Without regular, fervent prayer, we may produce much activity, but we won’t see lasting spiritual fruit.