Posts Tagged ‘Christian Growth’
Healing the Wounded Spirit (2)
Prov.15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. This headline exploded on my computer screen as I sat down to write this blog: “New York City school kids are losing their minds over the zonked-out drug addicts and raving vagrants they encounter every day –…
Read MoreThree Battles to Fight for Personal Bible Study
We often see products — toothpaste, bandages, vitamins — labeled for “double” or “triple protection.” This claim, even if it seems gimmicky, is founded on the truth that damage can come from multiple sources. In fact, the most deceptive forms of decay come from multiple sources, incrementally and simultaneously engaged. Spiritual disciplines similarly suffer when…
Read MoreMore than Doing: Categories for Applying God’s Word
What am I Supposed to Do with This? “Why is our time in God’s Word not as life-transformative as it should be?” After a few moments of silence, a couple of folks in my Bible study class replied. “I’m too easily distracted… My mind wanders… I’m not consistent… My kids wake up early and they…
Read MoreIs Waiting on God Worth the Wait?
Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. During some seasons of life, the path ahead seems to disappear into a mist. The illusion of certainty that often calms our days falls away. Visibility reduces to a step-by-step distance. Longstanding questions remain unanswered. Our prayers seem unheard. Which way do I go? Why has this happened? When will the obstacles…
Read MoreAre You Humble?
The question is impossible. If you answer, “Yes,” you are most likely lying or else deceived. If you answer, “No,” you are under conviction, even if your answer is honest… which it would be. Pride is one of the fundamental sins, if not the fundamental sin. Fundamental in that it is involved in the first…
Read MoreAre You Teachable?
One of the many admirable traits of President Abraham Lincoln was his willingness to hear opposing sides of an argument. In words that are the title of a book about Lincoln’s leadership, he intentionally gathered a “Team of Rivals” (see here) around him in the White House. “Lincoln chose to surround himself with the strongest…
Read MoreIs Your Bible Bitter or Sweet?
Do you see the message of the Bible as bitter or sweet? In Revelation chapter 10, the Apostle John was not merely a recipient of the message; he was also a participant in the message. “And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my…
Read MoreParenting Toward Maturity
Parenting cannot be delegated. God is clear in both the Old and New Testaments that parents are responsible to raise their children in such a way that points their attentions and affections towards the one true and living God (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Ephesians 6:4). This truth cannot be denied, nor can it lawfully be ignored. This…
Read MoreGrowing Toward Maturity
Many elements helped contribute to the immaturity that is evident in the American church today. The accommodation with pop culture, an infatuation with self, an overemphasis on “reaching the youth,” and the adoption of a consumeristic mindset when it comes to the local church are just a few key aspects that have led to where…
Read MoreWhy the Immaturity?
Much of modern America’s Christianity is filled with immaturity. In Ephesians 4:11–17, Paul highlights several aspects of what spiritual maturity would look like: a measure of unity, growth in Christlikeness, spiritual discernment, loving discipleship, and selfless service. Unfortunately, personal, and spiritual immaturity are keeping these kinds of things from happening in many American churches, leading…
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