December 30, 2024
We Have Been There Before
God has helped us in ages past, and he won’t forsake us in the new year ahead.
Articles for tag: Philippians 1:2
January 23, 2023
January 29 | Application (‘What Makes You Different?’)
The Israelites were supposed to be a holy people, distinct from others who lived around them. No work on the Sabbath day. No graven images. . . . God wanted more than surface obedience, though. He said, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts” (Deuteronomy 6:6). . . .
September 1, 2022
What’s the Problem with Politics in the Church?
By Ben Cachiaras Over the last two years I have listened to pastors and witnessed churches across the country share sad stories. They tell of congregations splitting, longtime members leaving, and pastors getting fired. I’ve seen tight-knit small groups blow apart, families feud, and longtime friendships abruptly end. Has this happened primarily because of major scandal in the church or moral failure? Or was it false doctrine—a refusal to recognize the divinity of Christ? Or perhaps a mishandling of Scripture? No. It was politics. We can barely even discuss politics anymore. We polarize over every issue, demonize those with differing
June 14, 2021
JUNE 20 | APPLICATION
Death is a persistent intruder. It casts a dark shadow. . . . At times, it looks like death has the final word. But if you read the Gospels, you’ll see that God has other ideas.
March 1, 2021
How to Preach with Biblical Authority
I grew up in a small church on the west side of Tulsa, Oklahoma. My mother, who loved to sing, was part of the church choir. This was during the days when there was a midweek service followed by choir practice. One Wednesday when I was about 10, I was in the sanctuary (there’s a word you don’t hear much anymore) waiting for choir practice to end so we could go home. While I was waiting, the preacher, Delmar Debault, came in and walked over to where I was standing. As he talked to me, he took my face into
November 22, 2020
‘Let Faith Do Its Work’ (A Study of James 1:1-12)
The Battle between What We Want and What Our Faith Wants At the start of his Epistle, James, the brother of Jesus, shared his curious idea about faith. A war is going on within us between what we want and what our faith wants. And so, he said, we have to let faith do its work. As individuals, we want things that get in the way of what our faith wants. We want convenience, familiarity, and the good life—but these things are at war with faith . . . and faith has its own goal. Religious leaders (like me) have
February 1, 2015
Gagology and the Gospel
By Eddie Lowen Not long ago, Drew Dyck read this inspirational quote from Oprah Winfrey on the java jacket of his Starbucks coffee cup: “The only courage you ever need is the courage to live the life you want.” The Leadership Journal editor instinctively analyzed this Oprahism. It”s exactly what you”d expect from Oprah. Or Joel Osteen. Having an eye for theological truth””more simply known as truth“”Dyck realized what was intended as inspiration was actually a giant dose of what I call gagology. He was so troubled by the misleading potential of Oprah”s message that he literally crossed-out the word
April 30, 2013
Defining Normal
By Mark A. Taylor It”s been two weeks since the Boston Marathon bombings, April 15. The cable news channels and major web portals continue to report on the aftermath with any shred of related content they can muster. But most of us have turned away from the horror of that day and are concentrating, instead, on the demands of this one. What other choice do we have? We must be about our jobs, our families, our churches””our kids, our spouses, our parents, our neighbors. And besides the press of our own responsibilities, there”s another factor that pushes us to
November 16, 2011
What Do You Want?
By Mark A. Taylor All of us know people who never stop wanting. They”re always after the next trend, the newest gadget, the latest fashion, the next promotion. They”re like a dog chasing a porcupine. The hunt is exciting, but the catch doesn”t satisfy. And so they”re perpetually pursuing another challenge, a goal or a goodie they want even more than the last one they grabbed. It”s easy to criticize people who want the wrong things. But some Christians are burdened by an unexpressed fear that it may be wrong to want anything. After all, the Bible lessons and sermons
February 25, 2007
Lucky to Be Alive?
By Doyle Roth Remember as a child how we looked forward to the summer break from school? Then there was the anticipation of waiting for the family vacation. Whether it was a trip to the beach, the mountains, or Disneyland, the excitement would build as the date approached. As adults we still mesmerize ourselves with expectations of grand and glorious places and events. Dreams and hope for the future are a part of many facets of our lives. There is anticipation when we leave home to go to college. There is excitement as the graduation date finally approaches. We can”t
