I served as a youth pastor for many years. One of my former students wrote an article titled, "I Don't Enjoy Reading the Bible." He was hoping to encourage people who feel defeated over not getting around to their devotional time. Here is my response to his comments. I thought my comments could not [...]
The true “church” refers to the regular and intentional meeting of believers to worship God, to study His Word, and to serve one another as part of the body of Christ under a Biblical leadership structure. Let’s unpack those pieces one at a time. Basic distinctions of a true church: #1 A true church [...]
The church could be thought of not as an outpost, but an embassy. The building in the picture is the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, a little sliver of land belonging to the U.S. within a foreign country. It is there to represent the U.S. and its interests. In a similar way, the church is [...]
The church is more than a club. It is more than a group of people who agree on a certain political issue. It goes beyond a shared interest in same style of music. The church is a group of people who have been brought together through the reconciling work of Jesus. They are a [...]
Even if you don’t show up for yourself, you should show up for the benefit of others. In 1 Corinthains 12:15, Paul writes, “15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.” A [...]
Your relationship with Jesus has dramatic effects and implications on your relationships with other people – especially people within the church. Consider what Paul says in Galatians 3:26-28: “In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there [...]
By: Lara Stafford Lately I have been struggling to understand the concept of fellowship. Our church leaders have put together Koinonia groups. In practice, these look a lot like the small groups most churches have. We meet together once a week to discuss the Word. We share meals together. We pray for each other. We talk [...]
Becoming vital at church begins with walking through the door on a regular basis. People who place a high value on their spiritual lives also place a high value on gathering with God’s family. They are determined to show up. Partners in the gospel don’t just come when they feel like it or when [...]
Prayer prompts God to do things in the lives of His people that He may not have otherwise done. The whole of Scripture tells us that God hears and answers the cries of his people. The Bible stresses the great importance of asking Him what we need both in this life and for eternity. [...]
“8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.” - Luke 2:8-9 A single angel appeared to a group of shepherds out [...]
