The Loss of Civility
With growing political animosity, authorities and citizens alike have discarded common civility. As tempers flare, insults fly, and resistance increases, Christians must stand out as people who can disagree respectably.
Make Way for the Coming King
Daniel’s frightening vision of future kings alarmed him until he beheld the coming King who would reign forever. Amid polarizing politicians and combative kingdoms, our great hope is in the true King who is on His way.
What Is the Bible?
Maybe someone has encouraged you to read the Bible. You might even have wanted to at some point in your life but unsure where to begin. Before you start, maybe this short video could help you understand what is the Bible in the first place.
What Causes Disagreeing Christians to Unite
What causes disagreeing Christians to unite is when we can agree upon a prioritized issue. While we often get sidetracked in inconsequential debates, a serious rallying cry often wakes us up. Maybe we need to keep that.
Protecting Commissioned Objectives
Every day we draw nearer to the most contentious election of our lifetimes, and every moment we come closer to living in the aftermath of half of a country who is infuriated by the results. How do we, as Christians, keep the main thing the main thing? It’s time to go the second mile in protecting commissioned objectives.
The Pressure of Popularity
With increasing pressure to fall into particular political camps, how are Christians supposed to navigate faithfully? We cannot give in to any cultural system, no matter how widely accepted, if it contradicts the truths of Scripture.
Muzzling Lions
Daniel refused to pray to the king and was cast into the lion’s den because of his devotion. Not only did his bold stance make a statement about his faith, but it successfully witnessed to others as well.
The Mundane Among the Miraculous
Have you ever felt like you are stuck in a rut? It just feels like the same thing day after day. When you read the pages of Scripture, their stories may seem very different than yours. Or are they?
Avoiding Political Extremes
No matter how hard we try, we cannot escape from the increasing political tension. While we are one month from the presidential election, we are in the middle of numerous controversies. As a disciple of Jesus, don’t get caught into traps laid out for us. It’s time to go the second mile in avoiding political extremes.
Only You Decide What Is Essential
Our culture has debated what is essential and what is not since the emergence of COVID. In reality, no one determines what is essential other than yourself. What have your actions revealed?
The State of Disunity
As we navigate this contentious election season, how are Christians supposed to respond? In light of the state of disunity within the United States of America, disciples of Jesus must prove themselves to be different from society.
When God Has Had Enough
When King Belshazzar took the vessels from the temple and used them for idolatrous purposes, God sent a frightening message to the people. The writing on the wall seeks to remind us that when God has had enough, He puts an abrupt end to sin.
When God Delays
Have you ever struggled when God appears to delay what you feel like needs to be done? You want to trust His plan, but the situation makes you question His timing.
The Most Helpful Presidential Candidate Comparison Format
How does America go forward in a contentious election season? We need clarity and civility more than ever, and this format could help us get there.
Be Slow to Speak
People have always maintained different opinions on world issues, but, due to the rise of social media, everyone has an opportunity to broadcast and amplify their voices more than ever before. How can we endure the next few weeks in a tense election season? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in learning to be slow when speaking.
Church – It’s Time to Dream Again
What if COVID-19 has provided you the opportunity to prioritize all the things you have dreamed about for your church? Church – it’s time to dream again.
How the Haughty Are Humbled
Through King Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation and restoration, he learns an important truth: God can do whatever He wants to do whenever He wants to do it. None of us can block God’s will from coming to pass.
Honor, Dishonor, and When She-Bears Get Involved
When the mantle of leadership passed from Elijah to Elisha, we read of two extremes related to honoring those who go before us. In humility, we must not dismiss God’s ability to influence our lives through the mentors he has given us.
Political Pressure & the Consistent Christian
When a prophet was provoked by political pressure and a popular position, he resolved to stay faithful to God above anything else. In our lives, we must beware of adapting our beliefs to align with the culture.
Bring a Friend Along
As disciples of Jesus, we have the good news that this world needs to hear, but are we sharing it? Instead of waiting for people to come to you in need, have you ever considered inviting them to walk with you as you follow Jesus? I promise that it’s not as difficult as you think it is. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in bringing friends along.
How to Frustrate Your Child’s Spiritual Growth
While parents should be the supportive catalysts for a child’s spiritual growth, sometimes just the opposite is experienced. Have you ever thought that your words, expressions, and actions might be discouraging your child’s personal discipleship?
God Is in Control of Who Is in Control
Daniel interpreted the king’s disturbing dream and showed him that all of his power had been given by the one with all authority. No matter who is in charge, God remains sovereign.
What’s Wrong With You People?
Was God too severe with his punishment to Adam? Listen to this powerful 2-minute clip of R.C. Sproul addressing that lingering question.
No One Is Ever “Ready” for Ministry
I have struggled with feelings of inadequacy like you. If I would have waited till I felt ready before I engaged in ministry, I would have never taken one single opportunity. What are you waiting for?
Seek the City’s Welfare
As our world continues to polarize its citizens into different camps, how should Christians respond? Instead of retreating from this world, we need to be blessing this world. Your city should be a blessed place because of your church’s involvement in it.
Learning to Be a Better Dad
If you want to learn how to be a better dad, look to the perfect one who cares for you, and learn from him.
When God Meets You in the Fire
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego risked their lives when they refused to worship the golden image. When it seemed that God abandoned them in their suffering, He actually met them within the fire.
10 Bible Verses About the Bible
Here are 10 pivotal verses to study, meditate, and memorize regarding the nature and function of the Bible.
5 Tangible Goals for Your Small Group
Whether you are starting a group or continuing a group, we often need to be reminded of tangible goals so that we won’t get stagnate.
Strive for Personal Holiness
When times are difficult, it makes it easier for us to justify sin. As the pressures of 2020 rise, do you find it easy to excuse yourself for wayward behavior? Now is not the time to give in to sin, but to push towards obedience.
Why Your Prayers Need Variety
Something that makes our prayers ineffective is praying repetitive, empty words. Jesus shows us another way.
That Platform Isn’t Meant for You
God gave Daniel the ability to interpret the king’s troubling dream, but instead of taking credit at an opportune time, Daniel unashamedly gave God the glory. Our goal should be to use any platform to represent God rather than present ourselves.
10 Bible Verses for Combatting Greed
Greed is a dangerous sin. Since it sometimes lacks external evidences, we tend to allow it in our lives unchecked and unchallenged. We must fight against the dangers of greed through the power of Scripture.
The Greatest Leaders Are the Sincerest Servants
Everyone wants to be considered a leader, but few are willing to be a servant once they are viewed as a leader. Jesus never got too big to live as a servant.
Commit to Intentional Checkups
For anyone who has committed to a local church but never felt connected, I want to help you. The reason some never experience deep relationships is because interaction is never pursued outside the weekly gathering. You can’t connect through 1 hour a week. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in committing to intentional checkups.
It’s Not Fair (To Compare)
We look at what others have and we say, “It’s not fair.” Let’s clarify: it’s not fair to compare. Pride tells us we deserve more, and that we should have it better than other people. So if we deserve more, we will get more at whatever it costs.
Convictional Courage in a Compromising Culture
Daniel and his friends had to decide whether they would be transformed by the culture or transformers of the culture. Just like them, we must resolve to show convictional courage in a nation increasingly hostile to biblical values.
Why Successful Ministry Leaders Are Rarely Challenged
Due to past successes, supporters often give leaders a free pass for any current suspicious direction. Allowing past successes to overlook present mistakes will lead to future calamities.
Prioritize Your Weekly Group
When social distancing hit, most churches went to groups online. While we were all thankful for apps like Zoom, we also feel the fatigue from it all. As we navigate the upcoming months, you need to commit to yours and others’ spiritual growth. It’s time to go the 2nd mile in prioritizing your weekly group.
Leading Your Church Through the Rest of 2020
2020 has been challenging, but we still have a ways to go. Instead of losing a critical opportunity by pacing through another intermediate stage as a church, what if you created a strategy for the next three months of which your entire church could get behind?