November 10, 2025
Through the Open Door
This is the sixth in a series of weekly articles based on Christ’s letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation. This week’s church is Philadelphia.
Articles for tag: Faithfulness
August 19, 2024
AUGUST 25 APPLICATION | THE VITAL VIRTUE OF RELIABILITY
The prophet Malachi rebuked God’s people because they had become unfaithful. Are you reliable and faithful?
June 3, 2024
June 9 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Deep and Hidden Things” (Daniel 2:1-3, 17-23, 26-30, 47-49), by Mark Scott.
February 20, 2023
February 26 | Application (‘Pay Attention to What Matters Most’)
Jesus warned about the folly of neglecting “the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23). Do we pay attention to the things that matter most?
November 21, 2022
November 27 | Discovery
What would you need to change in your life to give more glory and praise to God?
October 3, 2022
October 9 | Discovery
Think about the music you’ve listened to this week. (Ignore musical styles or genres for a moment.) What types of emotions are typically expressed in the music you hear?
September 19, 2022
September 25 | Discovery
How do we defile what is holy by bringing what is detestable and worldly into our temples?
Brown Called as President of DCHS
Dr. Joel Brown has been called to serve as president of the Disciples of Christ Historical Society. He will begin his new role with DCHS on Sept. 1. He is replacing Rick Lowery, who is retiring.
November 22, 2021
Nov. 28 | Application
Ministry is every Christian’s responsibility. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).
November 9, 2021
Virginia Church Transforms Horse Farm into First Permanent Home
LifePointe Christian Church in Toano, Va., which started in 2006, is finally moving into its first permanent home—a horse farm on 10 acres it purchased in 2018.
November 1, 2021
Nov. 7 | Application
The book of Hebrews urges us to stick with our faith. Hebrews 3:14 says, “We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.”
July 17, 2018
No More Avoiding
By Jon Wren In his later years, the playwright and poet Oscar Wilde lived in Paris, France. Wilde enjoyed life in Paris with one major exception . . . the recently constructed Eiffel Tower. Wilde considered the tower an eyesore and tried to avoid it at all costs. And yet, due to the tower’s height and central location, no matter where Wilde went, the tower was always in view. This especially annoyed him at lunchtime: He would constantly find himself sitting outside and having to look at the tower while he ate. Finally, after months of unsuccessful searching for a
June 16, 2018
Cam Huxford: A Portrait of Faithfulness
By Jerry Harris What is faithfulness? Where does it come from? What builds and strengthens it? What sustains it over time? While all church leaders would like to be described as faithful, for many it’s an elusive target. That’s why it’s important to know the story of Thomas Campbell Huxford—or just Cam—and his wife, Sarah. Their life and ministry together have been an incredible living illustration of faithfulness. Faithfulness Begets Faithfulness Cam grew up in a small Christian church in a town of less than 500 in coastal South Carolina. His father, also named Thomas Campbell Huxford as was his
November 9, 2016
Do It Again
By Jim Tune The hardest part of life, one preacher said, is that it”s so daily. Every day the bed needs to be made. Breakfast needs to be cooked. Dishes, dusting, work, and sleep demand our attention every single day. The same with ministry. Many of our churches need hundreds of volunteers to operate every week. The numbers vary depending on the size of the church, but every church needs people to show up and do their job. There”s not much glory in showing up faithfully, but without it we”re sunk. We get tired, though. The thousandth time a husband
October 3, 2016
Clamped Down
By Roger Palms One day I toured the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, and was invited on board a training version of a craft that had been sent into space. I was shown clamps on the floor that anchor the feet of the astronauts. Out in space, there is no orientation of up or down. So when an astronaut wants to be stable, or to sleep, he or she is fixed in place by those clamps. Whatever seems like up to the astronaut, is up. Whatever feels like down, is down. I came away from that visit thinking that”s
July 23, 2015
Sean Palmer’s Thought Leaders
We asked 35 Christian leaders, “Who is the influencer with the biggest impact on your life and ministry?” Most of these leaders listed several influential thinkers, writers, innovators, and leaders more of us should get to know. This response is from Sean Palmer, lead minister of The Vine Church, Temple, Texas. ________ If N.T. Wright isn”t the world”s greatest living theologian, he”s certainly the one influencing my life and work the most. In fact, among my pastor and theologian friends, I”ve begun to call Wright “Q” because he is the source of a great deal of what is now being preached and
August 14, 2014
The Apostle Paul’s Top 21 Leadership Character Traits
By Michael C. Mack Acts 20 contains 21 character traits of the apostle Paul. Look over this list, and then take time to assess yourself as a leader. Which three to five of these are you doing well? Now, identify three to five traits missing or in short supply with you. Huddle up with a few other leaders and share what you’ve discovered. Paul’s character traits: 1. Humility (v. 19). 2. Possessing a Servant’s heart (v. 19). 3. Integrity. Never hesitated to preach the Word, no matter what the consequences (v. 20). 4. Committed. Devoted to teaching God’s Word regardless
June 3, 2014
A Question of Legacy
By Mark A. Taylor As I grow older I become more nostalgic, which is why I wasn”t surprised to get a bit misty-eyed at a memorial service I attended last month. The occasion was to remember retired Cincinnati Christian University professor Tom Friskney who had died January 29. But my tears were not for his faithful remaining family or for a personal sense of loss. Instead, a flood of memories washed over me when the congregation sang Friskney”s favorite hymn, “I Know Whom I Have Believed.” When we got to each chorus, I was transported back to my childhood. It
May 19, 2014
Just Hold On
By Tim Harlow I tried to teach my friend how to water-ski. As with most sports, a novice needs to understand some basic things if he is to stand any chance of early success. For example, I”ve been golfing for more than 40 years and I still sometimes forget to keep my head down. There is just no way to hit a golf ball well if you”re trying to watch where it”s going while you”re swinging the club””just no way. With water-skiing there are two mistakes a novice typically makes: (1) trying to pull himself up as he is coming
April 1, 2014
Hearing God”s Call
By Mark A. Taylor Most Thursdays I attend, and usually lead, a men”s small-group Bible study. These are good men, men committed to Christ, churchgoing men, and I couldn”t help thinking about them when I came across a newsletter from the Barna Group earlier this year. According to Barna”s research, 75 percent of American adults say they are looking for ways to live a more meaningful life. But “only 40 percent of practicing Christians say they have a clear sense of God”s calling on their lives.” I”m wondering how the guys in my group feel a sense of calling at
