Christian Living

I have been reading 1 Samuel lately and meditating on the story of David. His life was certainly one filled with “ups and downs.” And, frankly, many of them were brought on by his own sin and mistakes.

For years the Israelites had observed fasts for special days in their history that God had not commanded them to observe. Though commendable, they were to be willing to adjust their disciplines to make sure they were doing what God had commanded with the right heart attitude.

One of the side effects of growth is discomfort. I’m challenging our church this year to be “Rooted in Christ” to experience growth in Him. But I’m also challenging myself. I want 2012 to be a year of growth in every area of my life.

Have you ever read letters written back and forth between great Christian leaders who disagree? In those letters you’ll find well-articulated arguments, interesting theological positions and fascinating insights. You will also almost invariably find something else—you will find the flesh.

The scene is a sad one. Jesus, the Messiah of Israel, comes near the city of Jerusalem, and weeps over it. Jerusalem, the holy city, was built on Abraham’s Mount Moriah and David’s Mount Zion.

Esau “despised” his birthright! The word means to disdain or hold in contempt. He held in contempt what his fathers held dear. He saw his birthright as just a worthless piece of parchment that could be used for bartering. He was willing to trade it away for mere morsels to feed his own desires.

Is there a preacher anywhere who has not struggled to keep his heart warm and right with God? Don’t all of us have to deal with discouragement, irritation, disappointment, and just plain cold-heartedness from time to time? Here are some suggestions that have helped me warm my own heart.

Many Christians know little about the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and particularly about His ministry in their own lives. The Spirit of God is an important theme in Scripture, all the way from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, but the ignorance of even Bible-readers concerning Him is stunning.

Sermon outline: This is an abbreviated outline with the complete sermon downloadable at the bottom of the post.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

Are you frustrated with the Christmas holiday? The commercialization, the restrictions on religious terminology, and the frantic pace of the season can leave us worn out and dreaming about a vacation from the time off!

Most Contemporary Christian Music proponents say music is neutral and therefore all music is acceptable for the Christian. They say it is only the lyrics that make music good or evil. Through the years, I’ve questioned different people regarding the neutrality of music.

Would anyone wish to live in a world without Christ? The change Christ made in and through the lives of believers everywhere is incalculable. Thank God that Christ did come, He died yet still lives, and one day, He is coming again.

Proverbs 12:25 says, “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” Over and over in the Bible we see examples and read exhortations about how words can be used for righteous and relevance or for ruin and rebellion. In Proverbs 12, we read about what words can be:

Sermon outline: This is an abbreviated outline with the complete sermon downloadable at the bottom of the post. Introduction: Do you know anybody who needs Jesus? Perhaps the question should better be phrased, “Do you know anybody who doesn’t need Jesus?” Everyone needs Jesus. But not everyone is aware of their need, or even if they are aware, is capable of getting to Him themselves.

The Jews and the Samaritans had a long history of animosity and hatred toward each other. That is why it was not a strange thing that Jesus was treated rudely and refused when He sought accommodations in Samaria.

How will you be remembered? Perhaps that is not the correct first question—will you be remembered? I suppose each of us would like to think that our lives will have meaning and influence beyond our own days. Just what will we leave behind: money, debt, or both a physical and a spiritual inheritance?

Remember when your mother taught you to “think before you speak”? It’s good advice for when you speak electronically, too. God commands us, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

The Bible is the basis and foundation of everything I believe. This is why I reference so much Scripture when I write about music. There are at least 500 verses in the Bible that refer to music. The Bible instructs believers to praise God, “In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19).

How do you say “thank you” for God’s goodness? Really, it’s impossible to fully express our thanks. But when your heart is overflowing with gratitude, it will find an outlet.