Understanding Obedience as Christ Does
Obedience to the word of God is a fundamental duty of the Christian life – one that is forsaken at great personal cost, and one that is ultimately rewarded with lasting benefits.
Christianity in Real Life
The Importance of Admitting the Obvious
A saving encounter with Christ changes one’s heart from “evil” to “good” and the evidence of a changed life will necessarily flow from that miraculous work of God.
The Practical Value of Integrity
As we consider Christ’s hatred of hypocrisy, we should at the same time consider the explicit and implicit benefits that are derived from living a Christlike life of integrity.
Seeing My Growth for the Good of Others
Not only must we choose our Christian leaders and spiritual mentors wisely, but we all have to accept the responsibility to lead in the spiritual growth of others with our words and by our example.
Godly Perspectives in a Godless World
God rewards us as we mercifully relate to others, mindful of his kindness and mercy toward us – that may not preclude all forms of judgment, but it does rule out the petty and hypocritical kind.
Exceptional Love with Exceptional Motives
Jesus calls us to decide to sacrificially love others (as God himself does) without thought of what we might get or not get in return.
Dealing with Mean & Demanding People
We need to consider the relative unimportance of our pain and loss associated with standing for Christ, and focus instead on the conversion of our opponents.
When You’re Ridiculed for Christ
We must allow the benefits of standing with Christ and his people to overshadow the painful relational consequences that will inevitably come from doing so.
When Life Really Hurts
Though the next life will be characterized by happiness and joy, for now, because of sin in our world and in our lives Christians will have plenty of grief and a lot for which to mourn.
When You’re Not Satisfied
We must discern that there is no true or lasting satisfaction in any temptation to sin, knowing that every feeling of deprivation in doing what is right is always an investment that God rewards.
When the Checkbook is Empty
God has called us to love, trust, and pursue him not earthly wealth; in doing so we will find what real life is intended to be whether we have a little or a lot.
Learning from the Lord of Life
The Creator and Sustainer of life has inscribed his will in the Bible which should be diligently pursued as the source of truth, direction, and counsel for our lives.