Some of the most beautiful words in Scripture are found in Romans 12:10. There Paul writes that we are to love one another like members of our own family. The picture he is describing here is that we should “warmly welcome” one another when we see each other (it’s not a polite, but awkward one arm hug), and then we should “make plans for the family feast in heaven” where we will all be together forever....
Is it My Responsibility to Help the Widows and Orphans?
The scriptures are clear. The responsibility for the well-being of widows, fatherless children, and the indigent is on the shoulders of all who call themselves Christians, or believers. Many people are blinded by racism, lack of finances, and a lack ofeducation to its role in social reform. It is understood that no Christian can rescue a community from the ravages of poverty as they did two thousand years ago when Jesus walked the land, but still today the Christian can point others towards Christ through love and action, which is a reflection of Christ’s divine Love (Rom 5:1)....
One Key Reason Why Church Consultations Fail
Church consultations have been an institution since the mid-1980s. They are a significant revenue stream for church consultants. However, these paid consulting assignments tend to be more profitable if they are short and provide only a few pages of recommendations; so consultants are under enormous pressure to sell their clients the shortest possible engagement in order to maximize revenues. The most cost-effective project that provides limited (or no) assistance is not one that many churches can afford....
Why Are There So Many Ideas about Heaven That Are Not Biblical?
A person's ideas about heaven are usually rooted in their understanding of who Jesus is. The Bible tells us that He is the way to the Father (John 14:6), and He is also our salvation (Hebrews 7:25). Understanding how He saved us gives us the right perspective on heaven; but it also allows us to understand why the Bible is so clear about how it gets into heaven, that is, we get there through Jesus Christ alone (Romans 6:23), by faith....
Why Pastors Struggle to Ask for Help (And How to Get Past It)
Many pastors are reluctant to ask for help. They often feel they need to do it all. Or, as if the problem isn’t a big deal. Or, that it will somehow appear too vulnerable or weak to even ask. But in order for you to thrive as a leader–and fulfill your calling–you must learn how and when to ask for help. Why? The success of an organization depends on more than just the skills of its leader; it also relies upon the people and resources around them who can take some of the load off so that they can focus on doing what they’re supposed to be doing in the first place....
Why Do Christians Emphasize Hell Instead of Not Being with God in Heaven?
Many people believe that some people will go to a place called "Hell" after they die. They believe that the ones who will be tormented there are those who did not accept Jesus as their Savior. Many people wonder about this and why God would send anyone somewhere so horrible! I want to show you what the Bible actually says, because many people have been told wrong information on this topic....
Guilt and the Great Deception in the Christian Life
Guilt. It’s a part of the human condition, a reminder of our imperfection that we can never seem to get rid of or escape from no matter how hard we try. We have all experienced the debilitating effect that guilt can have on the soul that sins but is also longing for redemption. Whether it’s a matter of life and death, faiulre and accomplishment, sickness or health; in every realm of human existence we are reminded that there has been an exalted standard set forth by God Himself which was borne out in the life of His son Jesus Christ....
Why the Church Should Take Responsibility for Its Liberties and Freedoms
The church is one of the most important institutions in society. It plays a vital role in promoting and protecting the rights of people. The church has a long history of defending freedom and liberties, which makes it an essential ally to democracy. In this article, we will explore why the church should take responsibility for its freedoms. We will look at some of the specific ways that the church can help defend freedom and discuss how it can contribute to creating a more just and equitable society....
Why People Are Losing Their Religion (and How the Church Can Respond)
The Gallup organization, which has been polling Americans about their views on a wide variety of issues every year for more than forty years, reveals that the trend in religious belief and practice over the last generation is unmistakable. The decline is real and has nothing to do with socio-economic factors or other such variables. In fact, this pattern is present across all demographic profiles. According to the study: The current drop in U....
Why Should Christians Evaluate What Their Lives Are Built On?
Many Christians are living the Christian life with a desire to be obedient and faithful. As they go about their daily activities, there is often little evaluation of what type of foundation they have been building their lives on. Although we may not be actively involved in a building project, every person is building their lives with various materials from which they hope to gain security. Many of our lifestyles are lived as though there are no consequences....