Posts Tagged ‘Discipleship’
Growth: Potential vs. Actual
Two years ago, we harvested two small shoots from a mature fig tree. We planted them in pots and kept them side by side in the sun. The following spring, they both budded and put out leaves, but neither grew much at all. This spring, we had room to plant one fig tree in the…
Read MoreDelivered From This Present Evil World
Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia that Christ “hath delivered us from this present evil world” (Galatians 1:4). He was not speaking to them of a future salvation, a home in heaven though that awaits every believer. Rather, the emphasis is on a deliverance that is both here and now. How are we to…
Read MoreContinue…
On June 25, 1876, Officer George Armstrong Custer found himself surrounded by over 2,000 Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors. Needless to say, this put Custer in a terrible spot. He was not one to sit and wait, but the odds were greatly stacked against him. The only chance he had to win this battle…
Read MoreFollow Me
The scandals and secrets that are coming out about ministries and denominations are very scary. Witnessing sexual accusations and claims of abuse against pastors and ministry leaders is extremely disheartening and sickening. One can’t help but ponder and ask how did they get to this point? What drove one of my friends in ministry to…
Read MoreWhat It Means to Follow Christ
Following Christ is a joyful life, but it is not an easy life. It requires personal discipline to study his word, learn his ways, and walk in them. The Lord challenged his audience on one occasion, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow…
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 MoreGod Made Boys and Girls, a review
“Mommy, let’s get this book!” My three-year-old daughter exclaimed as she pulled a sparkly pink book about drag queens off the library shelf. Visit the library these days, and you’ll quickly find that the children’s section is unashamedly promoting the youngest readers to accept an unbiblical worldview concerning gender and sexuality. Marty Machowski’s book, God…
Read MoreFace to Face
And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend (Exodus 33:11). And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face (Deuteronomy 34:10). Coram Deo are two Latin words. The word coram means, before or in the presence of,…
Read MoreDon’t Follow Your Heart!
A man is not a murderer because he kills; he kills because he is a murderer. For out of the heart come murders (Matthew 15:19). A man is not an adulterer because he cheats on his wife; he cheats on his wife because he is an adulterer. For out of the heart comes adultery (Matthew…
Read MoreThe Christian Mission
Our Twofold Task for the Ages Productivity apps, gurus, journals, and training courses are in high demand because we live in a busy, distracted age. Our task lists are long, and even super-organized, but how many of our tasks are important or necessary? How many prevent us from doing what may be the most important…
Read More