'faith' Tagged Posts (Page 3)
Making a Lasting Impact: Why Discipling Others is Crucial for Every Christian
As a follower of Jesus Christ, I firmly believe that one of the most critical pursuits we can undertake is discipling others. Discipling is all about pouring into people’s lives, aiding them in their spiritual growth, and empowering them to positively impact the world for the Kingdom of God. It is not merely a suggestion but a royal summons that Jesus has extended to each of us. The Apostle Paul’s message to Timothy offers a clear example of the importance…
Book Review – The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul
It’s been a while since I’ve done a book review, so why don’t we dip back into one of the all-time greats of the past 50 years. Here is The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul. The Holiness of God, first published in 1985, is a masterpiece of protestant theological writing that provides readers with a deep understanding of the nature of God’s holiness. Sproul’s insight, biblical knowledge, and ability to articulate complex ideas in a simple way make this book…
John Ankerberg – Favorite Pastors Series
This week’s entry in my Favorite Pastors Series is one on a man who hasn’t made much of an impact for the Kingdom of God from preaching weekly sermons from a pulpit, but instead, has done most of his work in front of a television camera and through the printed page. And through these mediums, John Ankerberg has been a tremendous influence on me and helped in solidifying my Christian beliefs and spiritual discernment. Who is he? Well, Dr. John…
How to Handle Unwelcomed Events
“If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited.” – Proverbs 24:10 [CSB] Many people talk a good game, and I’ll confess even I’ve been guilty of hyping up what I would do in certain situations. It’s easy to evaluate someone else’s life and offer commentary on what measures should or shouldn’t be taken and yet neglect to take action or make decisions on your own. For instance, we watch horror movies or dramatic television and say,…
Before Starting A Men’s Ministry, Make Sure You Do These 5 Things
Men’s ministry can be a potent tool for building a strong community of Christian men, helping each other to grow as disciples of Christ and as leaders in their homes and communities. The building process of an effective men’s ministry can be a challenging task. Many different elements need to be taken into consideration, from choosing the right leadership team to planning engaging events. However, several things must happen during the initial startup, particularly getting permission from your church or pastor.…
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones – Favorite Pastors Series
As you may have read in my introductory post about creating this Favorite Pastors Series, one of the criteria for being considered to be listed among the hallowed was that the preacher had to have been alive during my lifetime. Since the late D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, who went to be with the Lord in 1981, barely squeaks by, I was elated to be able to include him! Dr. David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was truly one of the Lord’s greats at…
Trust God, But Prepare Your Horse
I can only imagine what God feels as we place our burdens and cares upon Him. Regardless of the load, He invites us to put our concerns upon Him according to 1 Peter 5:7, which says, “casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.” However, depending upon the Almighty, we must not forfeit our human responsibility in casting our burdens or, in this case, preparing our horses. Trusting in God is a sweet refrain, but we mustn’t…
Steven Lawson – Favorite Pastors Series
Dr. Steven J. Lawson is a Christian pastor, author, and speaker known for his expository preaching and teaching. He was born in 1951 in Texas and grew up in a Christian family. Lawson earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University, his Master of Divinity from The Master’s Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry from Reformed Theological Seminary. Lawson has served as a pastor for several churches throughout his career, including as the senior pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church…
77 Relevant (and Biblical) Topics for Men’s Ministry Discussions
Are you a men’s ministry leader looking for fresh and engaging topics to discuss with the men in your church or community? Look no further! I’ve compiled a list of 77 relevant and timely men’s ministry topics that will inspire and challenge men to grow in their faith, relationships, and impact on the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. From leadership and fatherhood to addiction recovery and technology, these topics are designed to meet men where they are and help…
Spiritual Amnesia
“When the Lord your God brings you into the land He swore to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that He would give you–a land with large and beautiful cities that you did not build, houses full of every good thing that you did not fill them with, wells dug that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant–and when you eat and are satisfied, be careful not to forget the Lord who brought…
Suffering for Doing Good
Why do we struggle? Does it mean we did something wrong? Not exactly! 1 Peter 3:13-14 says, “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed” [NIV]. We struggle to be like Christ, carrying our own cross. Matthew 16:24-25 says, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.…
Charles Stanley – Favorite Pastors Series
While coming up with a list of favorite pastors for this series, there was always one who was a “shoo-in,” one who I never had to debate on whether or not I would include on this list. The man to whom I’m referring passed away today at the age of 90 to be in the presence of Jesus. Of course, I’m talking about none other than the legendary Charles Stanley. Dr. Charles Frazier Stanley was a renowned pastor, theologian, and…
Wisdom & Folly – The Need for Discernment
“‘Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!’ To him who lacks sense, she says,” – Proverbs 9:4 [ESV] In this chapter of Proverbs, the wise man provides us believers with a beautiful contrast to aid us in our life’s journey. Here he depicts Wisdom at the city’s highest point, beckoning to the passersby, mainly the simple saying, “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!” To the one who lacks sense, she invites into her chambers to receive knowledge and instruction. At…
Don’t Overthink What Could Go Wrong
I just finished watching the 1997 movie “Good Will Hunting,” where a young math genius is a troubled man with a history of criminal activities and abuse from his foster families. Matt Damon’s title character (Will) meets a psychologist named Sean (played by the late great Robin Williams) to help Will find direction in his life. The plan was made to help Will find a career that can showcase his mathematical ability, but Will doesn’t go that route. Sean was…
Larry Rice – Favorite Pastors Series
PHOTO BY NICK SCHNELLE Next in my series of favorite and influential pastors might be a surprising one for many: Larry Rice. The Reverend Larry Rice is a well-known figure in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, where he has put his faith into practice by spending over four decades advocating for the homeless and marginalized. As the founder and director of the New Life Evangelistic Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing shelter, food, and other services to those…
Voddie Baucham – Favorite Pastors Series
This begins my series on my favorite pastors, where I will feature important, influential, and trustworthy Bible teachers and preachers who have lived in my lifetime. To kick things off, here is a bit about Voddie Baucham. Dr. Voddie T. Baucham, Jr. is a prominent pastor, theologian, and author who has gained a reputation for his uncompromising stance on biblical truth and his ability to communicate complex theological concepts in a clear and understandable way. He was born on October…
For the Joy That Lay Before Him
“Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.” – Hebrews 12:2 [HCSB] I believe many within Christendom are owed an apology. Somebody, somewhere at a certain time, drastically transformed the glorious Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and gave it a makeover, removing all its unwanted experiences. Somehow, they got…
It’s Okay to Doubt and Wonder About God. But Don’t Dwell In It.
Doubting the existence or power of God is a natural occurrence that many individuals experience at some point in their lives. Some people may find themselves questioning the validity of their beliefs due to personal experiences or events happening around them. Doubt can be a healthy part of spiritual growth, but it is important not to remain in doubt indefinitely. The Bible encourages believers to seek answers and reassurance rather than letting doubt have a tight control of their faith.…
Favorite Pastors Series
I’m really excited about an upcoming blog series that will showcase, post by post, who many of my favorite pastors and Bible teachers are. This collection of articles aims to tell you about many men of God who have not only been encouraging and edifying to me personally but ones whom just about all Christians should take a strong listen to. Of course, I want everyone reading this who is a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ to be…
Why Aren’t More Men Involved in Men’s Ministry?
In the 5+ years that I’ve been directly involved with men’s ministry leadership, it’s often disheartening to see a general lack of interest from Christian men in any type of spiritual focus on them. Books have been written on it (Pastoring Men by Patrick Morley is an excellent read), and men’s ministry proponents are regularly confounded about why men aren’t engaged more. Often, the average Christian man sees that attending a Sunday service is adequate…that is if he even makes…