Losing joy is a common experience for many Christians, but it's not a sign of a lost salvation. Sin, selfishness, sorrow, satanic oppression, separation from God, strain from service, and stagnation can all contribute to a loss of joy. However, through repentance, confession of sin, coming to God humbly, and continuing in faith, joy can be restored. [... more]

Pastor Paul Shepard discusses the importance of living a life of spiritual growth, discipline, and partnership with God. He emphasizes the need to stay focused on the right things, protect one's attitude, and learn to yield to God's wisdom. He also highlights the significance of partnership in ministry and how it is essential for spreading the gospel. [... more]

Honoring your parents is a lifelong commitment, and it's a commandment with a promise. Jesus taught that honoring your father and mother is essential, even in difficult circumstances. Christian men have a responsibility to raise their children and not provoke them to wrath. Employers and employees should work as unto the Lord, and the workplace can be a staging area for the gospel. Believers must be strong in the Lord and put on the whole armor of God to withstand spiritual warfare and the enemy's attacks. [... more]

Discovering, developing, and deploying your spiritual gift is not an optional exercise, but a serious responsibility. Chip Ingram warns against spiritual gift abuse, highlighting common abuses and providing a spiritual gift action plan to help believers discover and deploy their gifts. He emphasizes the importance of commitment, prayer, studying God's Word, seeking quality counsel, testing the waters, examining the fulfillment factor, and recognizing God's evident blessing. By following this plan, believers can avoid spiritual gift abuse and fulfill their purpose in the body of Christ. [... more]

God gives Jonah a second chance to preach in Nineveh, where he faces his own stubbornness and nationalism, but ultimately sees the people repent and turn to God, demonstrating the power of God's compassion and revival. [... more]

Counting trials as joy is a biblical command that allows God's people to experience the sweet fruit of maturity. Through perseverance, we can develop patience and trust in God, leading to a deeper understanding of His ways and a stronger faith. This process is not automatic, but rather requires time and effort, as seen in the story of the Scottish discus player who trained under a great burden to achieve great things. By shaking off the dirt and stepping up, we can find joy in the midst of trials and trust God to help us through the difficult times. [... more]

Christ's words to the little flock emphasize quality over quantity, warning against covetousness and boasting, while promising greater blessings to the faithful. The Lord Jesus contrasts the faithful church at Philadelphia with the lukewarm church at Laodicea, highlighting the importance of keeping His word. [... more]

Dave Harvey shares his personal experiences with weakness and loss, and how he came to understand that God uses these experiences to bring about good. He discusses the importance of recognizing God's sovereignty and providence, even in difficult circumstances, and how this understanding can help individuals navigate the challenges of ministry and relationships. [... more]

Beware of spiritual gift abuse, which can manifest as manipulation, control, or ego-driven behavior. Gifts are meant to serve others, not feed personal desires. True spiritual maturity is measured by Christ-likeness, not by the development or impact of one's gifts. Understanding God's purpose for your life requires discernment and wisdom, and recognizing the warning signs of spiritual gift abuse is crucial for building on solid ground. [... more]

God arranges conditions to get us to obey him, often through desperate circumstances. Jonah's story in the belly of a fish is a prime example, where he learned to let go of self-reliance and trust in God's sovereignty. Only desperate people pray, and it's through this desperation that we come to understand our true condition before God. [... more]

Jesus knows we will fail, but he prays for our faith not to fail. He reassures us that when we mess up, he is not surprised and that there is always forgiveness available. Through the story of Peter's failure and restoration, we learn about the importance of Jesus' private meetings with us, personal mercy, and powerful grace, ultimately leading to the fellowship of restoration. [... more]

The Reformation's third pillar, Sola Gratia, emphasizes that salvation is by grace alone, not through human cooperation or works. This concept is rooted in the Bible's teaching that God's grace is a person, Jesus Christ, who redeems us from our sins. The Reformers rejected the medieval view of salvation as a combination of God's grace and human effort, instead affirming that God's demerited favor is the sole cause of our salvation. This understanding of grace is seen in the lives of biblical figures such as Abraham and Adam, who received God's unilateral covenant promise despite their sinfulness. Ultimately, the purpose of God's grace is to bring glory to Himself, as He saves sinners through Jesus Christ and attributes all glory to Him alone. [... more]

Matt Slick discusses various Bible doctrines, including the nature of God, salvation, and the return of Christ. He also examines the teachings of Mormonism and the concept of apostasy, highlighting the importance of following scripture and the dangers of false gospels. [... more]

Cody Hobelman shares his personal journey of moving from accumulation to impact, setting a financial finish line, and experiencing transformation in his life and finances. He discusses how this shift in perspective has allowed him to live with greater purpose, clarity, and generosity, and how others can start their own journey by defining what is enough and taking the first step towards setting a financial finish line. [... more]

Dave Harvey shares his personal experiences of suffering and weakness as a Christian leader, and how it has shaped his perspective on resilience, ministry, and marriage. He discusses how God's power is displayed through human weakness, and how leaders can embody the gospel by embracing their own sinfulness and vulnerability. [... more]

Jonah's experience in the belly of a great fish teaches him that God is listening, controlling, and purifying, and that brokenness is a necessary step towards obedience and faith. [... more]

A spiritual awakening is needed in America, with a focus on prayer, fatherhood, and masculinity. Gen Z is seeking authenticity and community, but is often disillusioned with traditional church structures. A revival of men in America could make a huge difference, and a true spiritual awakening requires repentance, brokenness, and a willingness to share the gospel with others. [... more]

Church leaders can effectively engage with their local community by meeting with senior church leadership, understanding the church's mission and values, and participating in community events such as the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. By doing so, they can identify and meet real needs in their community, leading to spiritual growth and a deeper sense of purpose. [... more]

The Bible talks about heart, it's not talking about the organ that the cardiologist looks at when something doesn't seem in rhythm. It's talking about your mind, your intellectual center, your emotions, your emotional center, your will, your volitional center. It's talking about where your morality takes place, where your mind thinks, where you feel. It's talking about the place where God works. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. [... more]

Baptist Children's Homes of North Carolina is stepping into the gap to care for over 10,000 children in foster care by equipping churches to provide trauma-informed care and support vulnerable populations through their Every Child Every Church initiative. [... more]