Creating connection and experiencing real joy in marriage requires intentional effort and practical tools. Chip Ingram shares biblical principles and communication exercises to help couples build a stronger relationship and deepen their love for each other. [... more]

Jesus teaches his disciples how to stay connected to him and each other through abiding in him, serving one another, and planning for the future. He uses the metaphor of a vine and branches to illustrate the importance of staying connected to him and receiving his love to give to others. This connection results in access to vivid answers to prayer, fruitfulness, heartfelt obedience, intimacy, and supernatural joy. [... more]

Great marriages have four common practices: serving your mate, planning together, connecting, and abiding in Christ. Jesus teaches that we are the branches and he is the vine, and that we must stay connected to him to bear fruit and experience joy. Practicing communication, faithfulness, and obedience can help us stay connected to our mates and to God, resulting in a deeper and more meaningful relationship. [... more]

Adoniram Judson, a pioneering American missionary, spent his life serving in Burma, facing numerous challenges, and ultimately achieving remarkable success in spreading Christianity. His journey, marked by periods of suffering and self-doubt, ultimately led to the translation of the Bible into Burmese and the establishment of a thriving Baptist church in the region. [... more]

Adam Aram Judson, America's first foreign missionary, faced incredible hardships and suffering as he served in Burma, but his unwavering faith and commitment to the gospel ultimately led to the translation of the Bible into the Burmese language and the conversion of many to Christianity. [... more]

Jesus teaches his disciples and us the secret to a fruitful life, which is found in abiding in Him. He is the true vine, and we are the branches, and our life is contingent upon Him. To abide in Christ is to have Christ's words abiding in us, to abide in His love, and to allow His love to become our identity and self-definition. The secret to a fruitful life is to dependently welcome Christ's life into ourselves, so that His word, love, obedience, peace, and joy become our very own. [... more]

Navigating the youth sports world as Christian parents requires a shift in focus from earthly metrics to spiritual gains. By recognizing the influence of sports culture and the need for self-awareness, parents can learn to celebrate their children's spiritual growth and development, rather than just their physical achievements. [... more]

Jesus teaches that true and lasting joy comes from Him, and that it's the source of our power and spiritual vitality. He uses the metaphor of the vineyard to explain how we can increase the fruit of the Spirit called joy by abiding in Him and staying connected to the source of Christ. [... more]

When parenting, it's easy to get caught up in comparing our children to others and seeking validation through their accomplishments. However, this can lead to feelings of insecurity and anxiety. Instead, parents can find freedom by focusing on their relationship with God and seeking to be secure in His love. This means recognizing that our identity and worth come from being beloved children of God, not from our children's achievements. By walking alongside God and seeking to be like Him, parents can develop the fruit of the Spirit, including patience, kindness, and love. This requires a daily encounter with God, saturating our hearts and minds with His truth, and being willing to surrender our fears and insecurities to Him. [... more]

Knowing your mission in life is to know Christ and make Him known, you can start by clarifying your purpose, embracing your mission field, and engaging in the harvesting process. Your spheres of influence include your home, work, and network, and by being a witness, building relationships, and sharing your story, you can make a significant impact in the lives of others. [... more]

The difference between a life of futility and a life of fruitfulness is rooted in the distinction between success and significance. Success is about productivity, fame, and material wealth, but it often leads to emptiness and dissatisfaction. Significance, on the other hand, is about living a life that truly matters, one that is guided by God's Word and focused on building meaningful relationships and serving others. [... more]

To avoid a life of futility, one must refuse to confuse success with significance, and instead focus on building a life that truly matters. This involves clarifying one's mission, embracing one's mission field, and engaging in the harvesting process to share the love of Christ with others. [... more]

Joy is found in supporting the mission of God, and giving is a positive thing that brings eternal investment and rewards. When we give, we become partners in the kingdom of God, and our generosity pleases God, spreads the gospel, and brings fruit to our account. True joy is not found in accumulating stuff, but in recognizing God's generosity and responding with generosity to support the mission of God. [... more]

Believers have taken the identity of Jesus Christ, giving them access to His benefits and inheritance. They have the completed revelation of God's word, allowing them to understand the plan of redemption and the glory of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the dynamic behind the church, and believers are the recipients of His work. Angels are fascinated by the believer's salvation and long to comprehend the glories of Christ unfolding through them. [... more]

Choosing contentment is a daily path that comes from a surrendered heart, cultivated through walking with Christ. It's not found in having everything, but in knowing the one who is everything. A biblical approach to financial decisions and stewardship can help individuals navigate their finances and make wise investment choices, especially in retirement. Additionally, seeking help with debt and credit counseling can provide freedom and peace of mind. [... more]

Paul's letter to the Philippians highlights the importance of mature friendship, emphasizing qualities such as reliability, compatibility, and thoughtfulness. He uses Timothy as an example of a faithful friend who shares the same goal and genuinely cares for others, demonstrating the value of having like-minded individuals in our lives. [... more]

A 75-year-old Peter, a former fisherman and church statesman, writes to encourage believers in the face of persecution, urging them to entrust their lives to their Creator God, who will always do what is right in a world gone wrong. [... more]

The power of the tongue is a double-edged sword, capable of bringing either blessing or cursing. God's control over our tongues is essential for speaking words that bring life and healing, rather than harm and pain. The gift of tongues, demonstrated on the day of Pentecost, was a miracle of God, allowing people to speak in languages they had not learned, and was a sign of the gospel going out to all nations. [... more]

Dr. David Jeremiah begins the series Investing for Eternity with biblical principles for managing time and money to give God his rightful place. He shares a story from the book of 1 Kings about a widow who put God first and was blessed, illustrating the importance of tithing and trusting God's promises. [... more]

John the Baptist's message of repentance and baptism is crucial for receiving the coming Savior. True repentance involves confession, a change of heart, and fruits of repentance, such as generosity, honesty, and humility. Without genuine repentance, judgment is coming, and God's wrath will be poured out. [... more]

One of the most important passages in the New Testament is Jesus' teaching on the Vine and branches in John - How do we Christ's branches stay close to Him our Vine There is no surer or more direct way to maintain vital connection to our Vine than by simply giving Him thanks in the morning through the day and when we lay down to sleep The result A dynamic prayer life If you abide in remain in close touch with me and my words including the biblical call to 'give thanks' abide in you you shall ask what you [... more]

Discovering the heart of God and the will of God through the Holy Spirit enables a confident prayer life, revealing the fatherhood of God and our sonship, leading to an intimate and powerful prayer experience. [... more]

Lasting change doesn't start with what you want to achieve, but with who you're becoming in Christ. Taylor Standritz joins Rob West to explore why resolutions rooted in identity, not just effort, are the ones that endure. They discuss how to shift from behavior change to identity transformation, and how this approach can lead to lasting financial resolutions and spiritual growth. [... more]

Moses' final words to the people of Israel are full of blessings and encouragement, categorized into five types: the blessing of service, the blessing of support and strength, the blessing of fruitfulness, the blessing of security, and the blessing of obedience. These blessings are rooted in the New Testament and offer guidance on how to live a life pleasing to God. [... more]

Paul's desire to depart and be with Christ is weighed against his willingness to remain on earth for the progress and joy of others. He sees his life as a campground, a temporary tent that will be broken down and replaced with a permanent home in heaven. Paul's focus is on being fruitful and helping others grow in their faith, knowing that his effectiveness will end when he dies. [... more]

The Bible teaches that Jesus is our great high priest, who has passed through the heavens and understands our weaknesses. He offered himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, providing eternal redemption and sanctification. Through his sacrifice, we have access to the presence of God, and we can come to him with confidence, knowing that he sympathizes with us and is always ready to meet our needs. [... more]

Jesus Christ came to give us an abundant life, characterized by victory, liberty, and fruitfulness. This life is not just a future promise, but a present reality that can be experienced by faith. It is a life of rest, peace, and joy, where Christ lives within us and flows through us to bless others. By yielding our lives to Him, we can experience this abundant life and make a difference in the world around us. [... more]

The story of St. Nicholas, a man of selfless love and generosity, inspires reflection on the true meaning of Christmas. His life embodied the gospel message of love and generosity, and his acts of kindness pointed others to the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ. As people exchange presents and celebrate with loved ones, they're reminded that the greatest gift has already been given, and that sharing that gift with others is what truly makes this season special. [... more]

The fruit of the Holy Land holds a special significance in Jewish tradition, symbolizing the presence of God and the fulfillment of prophecy. The concept of sacrifice and consecration is explored, highlighting the importance of drawing near to God and the value of every life. The discussion touches on the idea of utilitarianism and its limitations, emphasizing the need to approach life with a sense of consecration and reverence. [... more]

Christian do you know you can deeply please God today right now just where you are How Simply by giving Him thanks from your heart irrespective of your circumstances In Psalm - David revealed this great secret that was a part of His daily life and God wants to be part of ours I will praise the name of God with a song and magnify him with thanksgiving This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs And when deeply pleased God is more inclined to readily release His delivering power for [... more]

God's sovereignty and the power of the Holy Spirit are not mutually exclusive with human responsibility and action. In fact, the Bible teaches that our actions and decisions have consequences, and that we reap what we sow. This message explores the idea that our lives are a garden, and that we have the power to choose what we sow, whether it's the sinful nature or the Spirit. By choosing to sow into the Spirit, we can reap a harvest of love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit, leading to spiritual maturity and a deeper relationship with God. [... more]

The Bible teaches that our actions have consequences, and that we reap what we sow. Pastor Alan Wright explains that this principle applies to our spiritual lives, and that we must choose to sow into the Spirit in order to reap the fruit of love, joy, peace, and other virtues. He emphasizes that this is not about trying to manage our behavior, but rather about participating in God's work and living by the principles of the gospel. [... more]

Teaching your family to manage wealth with wisdom involves recognizing the three purposes of money: giving, saving, and spending. Encourage them to honor God with the first fruits of their paycheck and make time with God their number one priority, so they know how to invest their time, talent, and treasure. By passing on these values, you can help your loved ones develop a heart for generosity and a strong foundation for their financial future. [... more]

God owns everything, and we're entrusted to manage it for him. The deceitfulness of wealth can lead us to think we're doing okay when we're not. Passing on financial wisdom to our children and grandchildren is crucial for their spiritual maturity and our legacy. [... more]

Grieving the Holy Spirit can have devastating effects on a Christian's life, including damaging their prayer life, diminishing their discernment, defeating their spiritual fruit, denying their spiritual power, decreasing their assurance, and destroying their boldness. Negative speech, complaining, and other behaviors can grieve the Holy Spirit, leading to a lack of spiritual growth and a weakened relationship with God. [... more]

Staying focused on what God has called you to do is crucial in Christian ministry. When faced with discouragement, it's easy to jump into new ideas, but this can divert from the main thing. Dr. Abadan Shah shares his experience of being a pastor and how he learned to stay focused on the word of God and prayer, even when things got tough. [... more]

Exploring the love of God as taught by Jesus in John 15, and how it manifests in our lives through abiding in Christ and bearing fruit. Jesus' teachings emphasize the importance of loving one another as he has loved us, and the Holy Spirit's role in convicting us of sin and guiding us towards repentance and a deeper relationship with God. [... more]

Jesus teaches his disciples about the importance of abiding in him, just as branches abide in a vine, and how this abiding relationship leads to bearing fruit, particularly love, which is the primary fruit of the Spirit. He explains that this abiding relationship is not about imitating him, but rather about allowing his life and love to flow through them, making them conduits of his love and purpose. [... more]

Faith shapes every part of our lives, including how we spend, save, invest, and give. Every financial decision is ultimately a spiritual one, revealing what we value, trust, and treasure most. A new devotional, Our Ultimate Treasure, explores how faith transforms the way we manage money, emphasizing the importance of living with margin, seeking wise counsel, and understanding God's grace and generosity. [... more]

In the midst of revival, God's people learn to give their first and best to Him, including their time, talents, and treasures. They commit to living under God's law and wisdom, not just stopping their sinful ways but also turning to Him with commitment and obedience. The people of God want to do marriage their way, rest their way, and give their way, demonstrating their desire to live under God's lordship in every area of their lives. [... more]