Christians who have faced adversity often speak of it as a time of deep growth in their lives, a time where they learn truths that they believe they would have missed in the ease of life. Rich shares four ways that God's people can face hardship well, reminding us that suffering is sanctifying in the hands of our Redeemer. [... more]

Christians who have faced adversity often speak of it as a time of deep growth in their lives, where they learn truths they believe they would have missed in the ease of life. Suffering is not strange, but rather a part of the fallen, created order, and it is shared by followers of Jesus Christ. Through suffering, God ordains a refining process to purify his people, stripping away years of accumulated indifference and neglect, allowing God to fill us up with himself. [... more]

The early church's reliance on the Holy Spirit's power is a model for modern-day believers, emphasizing the need for spiritual growth and development to fulfill God's promise. Without the Spirit's dynamic power, even the most well-intentioned efforts are futile, and true impact is impossible. The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force, but a person who empowers believers to be witnesses and advertise the Son's redemptive ministry to the world. [... more]

A good Christian marriage is a powerful witness to the world, modeling the love that Christ has for the church. A husband's love is to be sacrificial, sanctifying, secure, and stable, demonstrating unconditional and irrevocable love for his wife, just as Christ loves the church. [... more]

A husband's love is a crucial aspect of a healthy marriage, as it involves being a leader, a lover, and a servant. According to Ephesians 5, a husband is called to love his wife as Christ loved the church, which means being sacrificial and sanctifying. This love is not just a feeling, but a choice to prioritize and care for one's partner, even in difficult times. [... more]

The Pentecostalization of Christian worship has led to a shift in the purpose and objective of worship services, with a focus on experiential intensification and a climactic moment of overwhelming encounter with God. This approach is in contrast to historic Christian worship, which emphasizes a rational response to God's word and a conscious response of the mind and will. [... more]

Jonah's encounter with a whale and God reminds us of the sweetness of the gospel and provides practical helps for Christians today. Despite his rebellion, God's providence is evident in Jonah's life, and he learns valuable lessons about himself, prayer, and the rediscovery of God's steadfast love. [... more]

The Apostle Paul's passion to proclaim Jesus Christ was born out of his conversion experience and strengthened by his convictions about Christ. He knew that God's grace was the same for all people, regardless of their past, and that it was never too late to accept Christ. Paul's passion was to share the truth of Jesus Christ with everyone, and he wrote letters to the churches to spread the gospel. A true saint of God is marked by a passion to share Christ with the world, and it's not enough to just know about him, but to tell others about his love and redemption. [... more]

Jesus' example of washing his disciples' feet demonstrates selfless, steadfast, serving, and sanctifying love. He laid aside his reputation and humbled himself to show love to those who needed it, including Judas who would betray him. This act of love is a lesson for Christians to follow, and it is a reminder that real love knows no job too lowly to do and that we need daily cleansing and forgiveness. [... more]

David's prayer in Psalm 51 reveals the intensity of his cry for forgiveness, his acknowledgment of sin, and his desire for cleansing and renewal. He understands that his sin is crushing and that he needs God's mercy and grace to break free from self-righteousness and dependence on himself. David's prayer is a model for believers to follow, as he seeks to understand his heart condition and to surrender to God's will, trusting in His covenant-keeping nature and His promise to forgive and restore. [... more]

David's sin of adultery and murder is a manifestation of a deeper problem - a hardened heart. God's desire is for a broken and contrite heart, not sacrifices or burnt offerings. Through the story of David and Psalm 51, Pastor Will Galkin explores the seven manifestations of a hardened heart and the need for God's grace to break us of self-righteousness and crush our self-dependence. [... more]

God desires moral purity in His children, emphasizing the importance of sanctification through the washing of the word. Ephesians 5 highlights the need for husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, and for all believers to walk in love and avoid sexual immorality. The Bible teaches that God is a jealous lover who desires a holy and pure relationship with His people, and that spiritual growth and discernment are essential for living a life that honors Him. [... more]

God's jealousy is a good thing, as it shows His opposition to idolatry and His desire for a whole heart. He pursues us, offering greater grace than our sin, and demands a response. We must submit to God, resist the devil, and draw near to Him, dealing with our sin completely and determined to have true repentance. [... more]

The problem of a divided heart is a rebellious heart opposed to God's will, but God's grace is enough to give us wholeheartedness. We must identify our idols and desires, which lead to frustration, conflict, and silence. God is hostile to our divided heart, jealous for our whole heart, and gracious to work in us a whole heart. [... more]

Sanctification means to be set apart under God, an attitude of treating or regarding something as holy. The Bible teaches that our spiritual growth and maturity are the work of all three persons of the Trinity, and sanctification is incredibly important in our lives. [... more]

A true friend is of great value and worth the find. The Bible places a great emphasis upon friends, but it also encourages us not to have too many of them. Rather, we are to consider friendships as an investment, investing time, energy, prayer, and emotions into people. A true friend is one who loves at all times, is steadfast, and has a sacrificial love, making us a better person. [... more]

The apostle Paul's benediction in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 is a prayer for the sanctifying work of God's Spirit, invoking the blessings of sanctification and explaining that it is a work of God, not just human efforts. The text teaches that sanctification includes not just the soul, but also the body, and that it is a process that will be completed at the coming of Jesus Christ. The faithful God who calls believers is also faithful to complete the sanctifying work in their lives, and believers are encouraged to participate in this process through their desires and efforts, but ultimately, it is God's guarantee that they will be saved and experience full and final salvation. [... more]

Anne Graham Lotz reflects on the four things that helped Peter maintain his fire as he reflected on the grace of God in his life, the gifts of God in his life, the glory of God in his life, and the gospel of God in his life. [... more]

The Trinity, consisting of God the Father, Son, and Spirit, plays a crucial role in the salvation of every member of God's family. The believer is saved and scattered by God the Father, sanctified and set apart by God the Spirit, and surrendered to and sprinkled clean by God the Son. This divine plan is beyond human comprehension, yet it brings hope and encouragement to believers scattered throughout the world. [... more]

The importance of differentiating between truth and facts, and the need to prize, purchase, and live by the truth in order to achieve true freedom and liberation. [... more]

Creating a strong marriage is a lot like weaving an intricate tapestry. Masterpieces cannot be rushed. A healthy marriage requires sacrifice, sanctification, forgiveness, honor, and nourishment, with the husband's role being to show his wife honor and love her as his own body. [... more]

Chuck Swindoll explains the power of light when it breaks through the night, using the metaphor of a cave to describe the darkness of the world and the importance of shining a light to expose the truth and bring hope to others. [... more]

God's love is an everlasting, unbreakable, and sanctifying love that demonstrates itself in eternal kindness and goodness. It is a love that lavishes, corrects, and disciplines, leading to eternal holiness and perfection. This love is incomprehensible and unknowable by human reason, but it can be experienced and comprehended through faith in Christ and a life of devotion and obedience. [... more]

Jesus' act of washing his disciples' feet symbolizes spiritual cleansing, provided by the blood of the cross, and emphasizes the importance of humility and selfless service in the Christian life. [... more]

The repetition of a single message highlights the importance of clear communication and effective advertising strategies. [... more]

Greg Kochel, the president of Stand to Reason, joins the Christian Worldview Radio Program to discuss his book, Tactics, a game plan for discussing Christian convictions. He shares his insights on how to navigate conversations with non-believers, emphasizing the importance of listening, asking questions, and being a 'gardener' rather than a 'harvester'. [... more]