Posts Tagged ‘Christian Growth’
The New You Puts on Truth
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Paul moves from doctrine to application, beginning in chapter four. After an exquisite detailing of our position in Christ in the first three chapters the focus shifts to how those who are in Christ are to demonstrate the reality of their new life in Him, having put off the…
Read MoreYou Don’t Have to Choose a Word for the Year
We’re almost at the time of year when bloggers start considering their word for the next year. For many, choosing a word for the year replaces a list of resolutions. That one word gives them focus for the year. Christians who do this usually pray about it leading up to the new year and feel…
Read MoreWhy Study Doctrine?
Why should you study Bible doctrine? Maybe you’re a student, stay-at-home mom, or professional in the business world. Why take time out of your busy schedule to learn the major teachings of the Christian faith? Some dismiss doctrine as uninteresting, irrelevant, or just plain boring. “Don’t give me doctrine. Just give me Jesus! Doctrine may…
Read MoreThe Fundamentals of Sanctification
Why is it that conservative, Bible-believing churches will have similar stands on cultural expressions and social behaviour? No two churches are exactly alike, but if churches hold a high view of the Bible, emphasize obeying the Scriptures, seek to preach what the Bible says, and so on, they will tend to hold to similar “standards,”…
Read MoreDisciplined by Faith: Part 2
In Part 1, I described two inadequate responses to spiritual dryness and practical crisis. First, many turn to worldly methods of addressing their problems or of drowning their sorrows. Second and more importantly for my purposes, many submit to the tyranny of the urgent. Their Christian life is defined by urgent concerns and finding answers…
Read MoreA Concern about the Doldrums
In the days when ocean vessels were driven by wind and sail, nothing was so feared by seamen as the doldrums. The “doldrums” is a popular nautical term that refers to the belt around the Earth near the equator where sailing ships sometimes get stuck on windless waters. Known to sailors around the world as…
Read MoreDisciplined by Faith: Part 1
Most Christians know the feeling. You sit down to read the Bible and pray, wanting to enjoy a passionate experience of God, but … crickets. You struggle to focus on the text, and what you grasp seems irrelevant to your pressing concerns. Your prayer time is dry, and your burdens don’t feel any lighter afterwards.…
Read MoreThe Lord’s Prayer: For All God’s Children
A Book Review Award-winning author Harold Senkbeil has written an excellent children’s book in Lexham’s FatCat series called The Lord’s Prayer: For All God’s Children. Other books in this series include The Apostles’ Creed: For All God’s Children and The King of Christmas. The talented Natasha Kennedy has drawn the artwork for each of these…
Read MoreAnger Management (from Proverbs)
If a parent constantly criticizes you, a co-worker gossips about you, a spouse commits adultery against you, an employee steals from you, or a friend hurts you by their actions or words, it is difficult to manage the anger, bitterness, and desire for revenge that you may feel. Anger can take over your life and…
Read MoreHealing the Wounded Spirit (2)
Prov.15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. This headline exploded on my computer screen as I sat down to write this blog: “New York City school kids are losing their minds over the zonked-out drug addicts and raving vagrants they encounter every day –…
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