“You adulterers! Don’t’ you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4-6 NLT) What would you say is the basis of a strong relationship? Think of your fiveContinue reading “Friendship”
Tag Archives: discipleship
The Value of a Church
“Then He asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘You are blessed, Simon son of John, because My Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.” (Matthew 16:15-17 NLT)Continue reading “The Value of a Church”
What Is a Disciple?
“Jesus came and told His disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples all the commands I have given you. And be sureContinue reading “What Is a Disciple?”
The Pain of the Empty Seat
“As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation – a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.” 2Continue reading “The Pain of the Empty Seat”
Listener or Doer? (Part 2)
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT) *Please note: If you haven’t read yesterday’s post, please do that before you continue. Life, even apart fromContinue reading “Listener or Doer? (Part 2)”
The Path of Blessing
“And if you do not carry your own cross and follow Me, you cannot be My disciple. But don’t begin until you count the cost.” (Luke 14:27-28a NLT) The path of blessing at times may seem elusive, yet over and over in Scripture it is clearly outlined. For example, in His sermon on the MountContinue reading “The Path of Blessing”
What Will Unite A Struggling Church?
“So the crowd was divided about Him.” (John 7:43 NLT) Having pastored mostly small churches, I understand disagreement and division. It’s hard to keep a “ship” on course when you can’t agree on its destination. Whatever measure of success I had in helping churches to grow was rooted in two things. First, keeping their attentionContinue reading “What Will Unite A Struggling Church?”
Head Knowledge Isn’t Discipleship
“Then He (Jesus) added, ‘Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old.’” (Matthew 13:52 NLT) There is, in the teaching of the Christian Faith, a delicate balance between what we know toContinue reading “Head Knowledge Isn’t Discipleship”
Walking With Jesus 