August 11, 2025
How Are You Doing—Really?
In the last two chapters of Philippians the apostle Paul uses panta three times to drive home important points about the Christ-centered life.
Articles for tag: Philippians 4:1
December 31, 2024
A Wheel of Emotions: Finding Balance for Lasting Growth
Emotions are a natural part of marriage for both spouses. True growth and stability in marriage come from recognizing that each emotion has its place.
November 1, 2022
‘You Must Preach the Gospel’
The Testimony of the First-Known Somali Gospel Preacher
March 29, 2020
Application for April 5: The Feeding of the Five
(This “Application“ column goes with the Bible study for April 5, 2020: “Power to Sustain.”) By David Faust The feeding of the 5,000 is one of my favorite biblical miracles. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John were fond of it, too. Other than the Lord’s resurrection, it’s the only miracle described in all four Gospels. The multiplying of the bread and fish simultaneously demonstrates both Jesus’ creativity and his compassion—his amazing power over material objects and his concern for hungry souls. John says of the Living Word, “Without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:3). The all-powerful Lord
September 23, 2012
Gifts that Make God Smile
By Jeff Anderson Autumn Joy toddled across the room and stood at the edge of my laptop-centered view. I was in task mode, typing away in my living room recliner. My 18-month-old daughter looked up at me, her Shirley Temple curls bouncing around her face. Then she handed me a plastic doughnut from her kitchen play set. I looked at the doughnut my toddler had just given me and then back at her again. She was waiting for a response. So I lifted the doughnut to my mouth and said with great animation, “Yummm, ymmm . . . thank you,
August 6, 2012
10 Ways to Encourage Your Minister
By Victor M. Parachin So this is the pastorate? Is this the ministry? To be misunderstood, unappreciated, alone, and misquoted with no hope of correction? This is a painful, lonely business. That lament was a journal entry made by pastor David Fisher shortly after he began ministry. Fortunately, Fisher, author of The 21st Century Pastor, weathered that difficult time. Other ministers, however, are not as fortunate. Recent polls reveal high-level dissatisfaction and discouragement among those in the ministry: “¢ 1,700 ministers leave ministry every month, an annual exodus of more than 20,000 “¢ 50 percent of ministers quit within five years of
August 20, 2011
My Favorite Passage
By Tom Ellsworth My favorite passage of Scripture? I hem and haw and generally fumble trying to find the right answer. What about John 3:16? Naw, everyone picks that one””be more original. All right, how about Philippians 4:13? Overused. OK, let”s try the Old Testament””Psalm 23? Did somebody die? That”s a funeral text. Sorry, I”ll say Revelation 3:20. Are you serious? You”re going to pick prophecy as your favorite? The inner deliberation rages while on the outside I try to appear thoughtful and decisive. How does one choose a favorite passage? That”s like asking me to identify which of my
May 30, 2011
Lesson for June 5, 2011: God Keeps His Promise (Joshua 1:1-6; 11:16-23)
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for June 5) is written by Stephen Bond, senior pastor with Summit Christian Church in Sparks, Nevada. ____________ God Keeps His Promise (Joshua 1:1-6; 11:16-23) By Stephen Bond In Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent, author Ben Patterson tells a story from his personal life. In the summer of 1988, three friends and I climbed Mount Lyell, the highest peak in Yosemite National Park. Two of us were experienced mountaineers; two of us were not. I was not one of the experienced two. . . . The climb to the
August 23, 2010
Lesson for August 29, 2010: Upheld by God (Acts 28:16-25, 28-31)
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for August 29) is written by Jonathan Feathers who serves as senior minister with West Waynesboro Church of Christ in Waynesboro, Virginia. Upheld by God (Acts 28:16-25, 28-31) By Jonathan Feathers (Note: The italicized words in this lesson may be used as discussion questions.) Several years ago, I traveled to Mexico on a short-term mission trip. I had no idea what to expect when I got there. I found myself living in a foreign country where I was unable to read or speak the language, or understand the culture, but I knew I would be there for about
November 21, 2007
Interview with Dawn Prendes
By Brad Dupray On February 1, 2006, Sgt. Henry Prendes of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department responded to a domestic violence call. More than 100 shots were fired in an ensuing shootout and Prendes was ultimately gunned down at point-blank range. His funeral was a major event that shook the city of Las Vegas to its core, with tens of thousands of people hearing his Christian testimony and of his passion for them to respond to the gospel. Since that time Prendes”s widow, Dawn, has carried on his legacy, spreading the message of Christ by any means possible. Their
February 19, 2006
The Making of a Missionary
By Dale Meade An elder recently wrote asking how to rate or qualify people who presented themselves to the church seeking missionary support. His church was using many commonly held ideas about missions and missionaries in making its decisions. Some were quite good, but others were questionable or misguided concepts about what it takes to make a successful missionary. To answer the letter I had to stop and think a bit myself. What does it really take to make a missionary? How should we judge those who ask for our support? What Are the Standards? How we evaluate demonstrates how
