Kim Gentry Meyer
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5Please Pray:Dear Jesus, In a world where we can get caught up in every relationship except our relationship with...
Kim Gentry Meyer
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5Even though you usually hear the first part of John 15:5 quoted the most, I’m really drawn to the...
Laura Maser
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. -- Colossians 3:15 (NKJV)Lately, I have been reflecting on my life, my faith journey, and the decisions that brought us to this small coastal town in North Carolina....
We are all likely familiar with Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Even if you haven’t read the Robert Louis Stevenson book, you’re familiar with the premise. Dr. Jekyll, a respected scientis…
Revive Our Hearts
Could complacency be putting your spiritual growth at risk?
As Christian parents, we want to lead our kids to Jesus, but we often feel overwhelmed. Find out what REALLY matters when it comes to family discipleship.
Lilka Finley Raphael
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but...
Stacey Barkley
“… train yourself in godliness, for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” -- 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (HCSB)When my children were little, I was disciplined in...
Isaiah 28:16: “Therefore thus says / The Lord Jehovah: / Indeed I lay a stone in Zion as a foundation, / A tested stone, / A precious cornerstone as a foundation firmly established; / He who …
Sheryl H. Boldt
In my last column, I mentioned how important an accountability partner or group can be in leaving our old life behind so we can grow spiritually. Going it alone is so much more difficult. We need someone in our corner who’s praying and encouraging us to choose God-honoring behavior.
This is the third and final article in this short series titled “Growth in God.” In the first article, we explored what it means to come to the end of ourselves and how that fosters dependency on Christ. We said that following Christ’s command to deny ourselves means coming to the end of ourselves – putting our desires to rest and living a life of serving others and, ultimately, the kingdom of God. This process is painful and is referred to as sanctification. In the second article, we explored h
Eliezer Gonzalez
Unlimited: Affirmations of Loyalty Jul 21, 2024 1372 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same (Mark 14:29–31, NIV).When Jesus told his disciples that they will all fall away, his disciples can’t understand what he is talking about, and they are thrown into sadness and confusion. Jesus told Peter the details of his imminent betrayal, so that as Peter reflected on it in the days to come, he would realise two important things. – Eliezer Gonzalez Eli’s Reflection: Surely, you too, like Peter, have had to hear the rooster crow twice at least once in your life?
Pastor Greg Laurie shares some principles that will help you to grow spiritually and be successful in your walk with Jesus Christ.
Ever felt stuck in your spiritual journey? Join this week as we uncover powerful tips for spiritual growth and getting deeper in your walk with God
Eliezer Gonzalez
Jesus entered Jerusalem with his disciples late on the previous day. Because of the late hour, he only had time to look around, and then he returned to Bethany, where he was staying, probably with his friend Lazarus. Early the next morning, Jesus left Bethany for Jerusalem, a walk of perhaps 45 minutes. Jesus was hungry. Maybe he left Bethany early and skipped breakfast. We don’t know. But what Mark says here might sound a bit strange. Why should Jesus expect to find figs on the tree, if, as Mark says, “it was not the season for figs.” Before the main crop of figs – the season for figs – fig trees in Palestine put out their leaves and bear a first, smaller crop of figs amongst the leaves. This fig tree had all the signs of bearing figs – the leaves – but it had no figs.
Exploring kingdom fuel with Lisa Mahan on Two for Tuesday: How direct revelation over milk fuels spiritual growth and transformation.
Following the past article in this short series (Growth in God: The End of Us), this article will focus on the holy pursuit of “nothing but Christ.” Spiritual sensitivity means we pursue Christ. Him alone. As we focus on Christ, the things of this world diminish in our estimation because, as Paul says, “of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). These two ideas—1) dying to self and 2) seeking Christ, connect beautifully. When we come to the end of ourselves, we t
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he famously lists the essential offices that leaders carry in churches under his care – people who serve as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Their purpose? “To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Revive Our Hearts
As a woman launching her only child into adulthood, I am in a season of reflection and anticipation. I often reflect on the past 19 years and remember a flood of memories of my son’s childhood. There are memories of vacations spent exploring God’s creation, the first and last days of school, and birthdays and celebrations. There are also memories of sleepless nights and illnesses, hospital stays and numerous prayers uttered from a mother’s troubled heart. But this season of reflection runs paral