Heaven's Hope

When we can begin to comprehend or realize the glorious future that awaits us in heaven, we will find the strength to face and endure our present difficulties and challenges. Said differently, there is no hope in what's ahead unless you believe in what's ahead. And that hope is where present strength comes from.

Placing Trust

As Americans we must never trust our leaders, resources, intelligence or power more than we trust God. to do so only sets us up for failure and even punishment by God. (He opposes the proud.)

Why We Cry

The reasons why a man or woman might cry say much about that man or woman. Does he or she weep for their own losses or suffering? Or do they weep for the losses and suffering of others? Do they weep for their own frustrations - or for sin and rebellion against God? A truly righteous person will be moved to tears by the very same things that move God to tears.

Satisfied Christians

The pleasures of this world can be very dangerous for Christians. Their temporary satisfaction can be deceiving and making us indifferent to God's eternal satisfaction. In other words, we won't be satisfied with what God offers - and we'll think we need something else.

Place of Worship

Our place of worship is not as important to God as our priorities in worship. A church building may be beautiful, but if the people don't sincerely follow and diligently obey God, the church will decay from within.

Punished People

Most Christians know that immoral living - sin - rebellion against God - and even simply ignoring God - will lead to eternal punishment in hell. what we may overlook is that we don't have to wait for hell to get that punishment. God punishes His chosen people - often severely - in order to bring them back to Himself before it is too late.

Disgusting Christian

There is nothing more disgusting than a half-hearted, in-name-only Christian who is self-sufficient. They don't really take a stand for anything and are generally indifferent to everything. they are self satisfied and content to be idle - pursuing only more self satisfaction in leisure, entertainment, etc.

Measure of Success

Success must never be measured by popularity, fortune (wealth) or fame. rather the best measures of success are obedience, faithfulness and righteousness. Look for these qualities and you will find truly successful people.

Sound Virtue

In a church's effort to maintain sound teaching, as well as moral and doctrinal purity, it is easy to lose a loving attitude and a charitable spirit.

Conflict Detroys

Prolonged and unresolved conflict will destroy both our patience and affection. Do you love someone? Don't leave conflicts with them unresolved.

Celebrities

If any religious personality or celebrity draws attention only to his or her self, their work is not from God.

Bad Behavior

People who are totally without God can act no better than vicious animals. But although we may be horrified by criminal acts --- we have yet to see the real horror of complete lawlessness. Civilization still has a veneer of decency through law enforcement, education, science and reason. (These will all fail in the Biblical end times.)

Joy of Serving

It is easy to lose the joy of serving God - when we take our eyes of off Him. the more we look away from God and His purposes, the more we are looking at our own actions. In other words we'll focus on what we're doing instead of why we're doing it. that's a sure way to become frustrated.

Beware of focusing on your own service or your own sacrifice. Instead, focus your attention on the privilege of serving God, however He has called you.

Fear Evil?

We should fear no evil when we see evil or see it increase in the world around us. god is in control, no matter how evil the world becomes or how menacing evil appears to be. (Psalm 23)

Ministry Motives

People become involved in ministry for a variety of reasons. Not all of them are good and pure. Not all of them are obvious or apparent. And not all of them are the reasons that some people might think.

Consistent Faith

Our joy, prayers and thankfulness should not fluctuate with our circumstances or feelings. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) So being joyful, praying through every circumstances and giving thanks in all situations are matters of true obedience. and it is this obedience which gets tested by our own feelings and changing circumstances.

Demons & Asking

Jesus said that some demons can only be gotten rid of through prayer. God said that we often have not because we ask not. What demons do you need to ask God to deal with today?

Sexuality

God created human sexuality for the purposes of procreation and the deep celebration of our committed marriage relationships. (Pleasure was added to ensure that we were drawn to procreation and celebration of marriage relationships.) Therefore, our sexual experience must be limited to the marriage relationship in order to avoid hurting ourselves, our relationship with God and our relationship with others. For our sexuality, when expressed outside of committed marriage relationships is perverse and dangerous.

Dealing With Sin

If we rebel against God and refuse to repent when He has identified some sin in our lives, He may use guilt, crisis, pain or other bad experiences to bring us back to Him. Do you know that?

Job Satisfaction

God does not condemn our taking satisfaction in what we do. (Ecclesiastes 3:22) But He stands against over estimating our own importance. God cannot tolerate pride.

Living Circumstances

There is a problem in that even the most devout Christians may choose to live under their circumstances instead of above their circumstances. When this occurs, they are not living the life that Christ died to give them.

Responding To Temptation

Sometimes merely trying to resist or avoid temptation is simply not enough. We must take physical action --- making deliberate choices --- to distance ourselves from the temptation. We must turn and run from it ... toward righteousness.

When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce in us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fruitfulness, gentleness and self control. Do you lack self control? Don't look to yourself. Rather look to the Holy Spirit.

Accountable Intelligence

God doesn't hold people accountable for things they don't know ... unless their ignorance was of their own doing.

God Speaking

Those who wonder if God still speaks don't know who God is.

Abortion Realities

People who aren't sure that abortion is murder (or are sure that it isn't) haven't watched one.

Guaranteed Ignorance

If you want to ensure your future ignorance, be satisfied with your own opinions and content with your level of knowledge.

Wrong Thinking

The farther we get from God, the more confused our thinking becomes. We often don't recognize that the true source of our problems is our failure to follow God's leading. When calamity forces you to examine your life and your ways, take a close look at God's instructions for you and be willing to humbly apply what you find there.

Satan is Real

Satan is real, whether we like it or not. He is "the god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4) and "the ruler of the air" (Ephesians 2:2). So what does his existence and his role mean to you life?

Flattery

Christians should not be flatterers. Compliments paid to others must come from a sincere heart - or they are sin.

Boldness

Boldness is not reckless impulsiveness. Nor is it stubbornness or personal strength. Rather boldness is the courage - given by God - to press on through fears to do what is right.