christianity

Frankly, God makes us nervous when he gets too close. We don’t want a physical dependence on him. It feels hokey, like we are controlling God. Deep down we just don’t like grace. We don’t want to risk our prayer not being answered. We prefer the safety of isolation to engaging the living God. To embrace the Father and thus prayer is to accept what

God made us for himself as his images in the Garden-temple in Eden (Gen 1–2). God’s presence gives life and purpose in Eden, so we should not wonder that “our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Him.”

A preacher who asks the following basic questions takes no inappropriate liberties with a text: What does this text reveal of God’s nature that provides redemption? What does this text reflect of human nature that requires redemption?

Prayer is unfortunately widely undervalued in the Christian life. If we are to train spiritually, it is imperative we devote time to prayer. And just like with studying the Word, we don’t spend time in prayer for it’s own sake, but for ours. People frequently ask, “Does prayer change things?” Yes, in a way. Most importantly, it changes us .

Notice again verse 11, which says that your giving reflects your spiritual trustworthiness: “If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?” If we are not faithful with the money God entrusts to us—and certainly that includes the giving of our money for Christ’s kingdom—the Bible says God will

Later that month I realized God wanted to teach me how to listen to those who had a problem with me. Here’s what I wrote in my journal about what I was learning: Be sensitive to how hard it is for the other person to share. Ask, “Do you want me to respond or to just think about it?” Even if it doesn’t seem true, try to find something I’ve done

More than almost any other Discipline, journaling has a fascinating appeal for nearly all who hear about it. One reason is the way journaling blends the Bible and daily living, like the confluence of two great rivers into one. And since each believer’s adventure down life’s river involves bends and hazards previously unexplored by him or her on the

The authority of the leader does not “originate” or “arise” with the people but with the Lord. It is on that basis, and on that basis alone, that leaders can act with confidence.