Christian Living

If there was ever a man who knew the hand of God’s power on his life and ministry, it was Elijah. And if there was ever a time in which he saw God’s power mightily displayed, it was when he called down fire from Heaven on Mount Carmel.

We cannot give approval to everyone we meet. We meet people who wear clothing of which we cannot in good conscience approve, use language of which we cannot approve, and live lifestyles of which we cannot approve if we wish to be consistent with Scripture. Unfortunately, a desire to disapprove that of which God disapproves has caused us to be perceived as rejecting the individual whose behavior we cannot condone.

Before transferring a caller to her boss, a secretary will often say, “May I ask, who’s calling?” The importance of a message is often determined not only by the content of the message, but the communicator of that message. In Acts chapter nine and verse four, Saul, the persecutor of Christians, hears a voice as he travels to Damascus.

The Bible declares that God made the world out of nothing—He created! He did not make something out of something—He created something out of nothing. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

Let him know if his preaching is a help to you. Point out something specific God spoke to you about.

Most of us are not interested in spending money on something that is broken. We are reluctant to buy a used car until we have done a thorough check with Carfax to ensure ourselves that we are not getting stuck with someone else’s junk.

A few summers ago my family and I visited Destin, Florida for vacation. We rented a house right on the beach and had an amazing time. As I recall that trip, we did a little bit of everything.

Most of you can remember what life was like in America before what has simply come to be called 9/11. And while we have become accustomed to living under a constant threat of terrorism, our lives are different since that infamous day. Nowhere is this more evident than at an airport.

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.

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.

“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!

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:

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.