Have you ever listened to yourself pray? You should try it sometime. It’s amazing how self-absorbed we are as we lecture God about all we need and want, as if God doesn’t already know. We use so many common Christian phrases that if we ever addressed another human being in the same fashion, we may just get a blank stare.
Stop Just Reading Your Bible; Start Praying It!
I recently grabbed one of my newer Bibles off my desk and started thumbing through the pages out of pure curiosity. I found something that I had written in the fly-leaf...
Flee from Idolatry – I Corinthians 10:14
Let’s be frank—When we think of idolatry, we don’t usually think of ourselves, do we? We think, “Idols are those things that pagans and sinners worship!” Or we think of the absolute worst sins such as adultery, murder, abuse, drug addictions, etc… But sin is just the product of an idolatrous heart. Idolatry can even be found in the hearts of God’s children.
How to Fight Three Common Enemies of the Soul – Paul Chappell
We easily name the world, the flesh, and the devil as the three primary enemies of the Christian life—and rightly so. Ephesians 2:2–3, 1 John 2:15–16, and dozens of other passages deal with these three enemies of the soul. But rarely do these present themselves unveiled in the heart of a Christian. Satan doesn’t show … Continue reading How to Fight Three Common Enemies of the Soul – Paul Chappell
How Can I Bless the God Who Has It All?
How could I as a feeble man benefit a God who has it all? He owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” and holds the sea in the palms of his hands.
Seven Tools to Pursue Excellence in Ministry – Pastor Paul Chappell
Of course, it’s easy to say, “We care about excellence.” But do we actually practice excellence? Do we strive for it? Here are seven ways we work to strive for excellence in ministry:
The Fear of Being Empty
As we have learned in the last article being empty of our selfish ways is not at all fun. But the end of us is the very beginning of all God is. Why is it so hard to put our dreams and aspirations aside? Why do we struggle with the thought of throwing our opinions and plans out the window?
Running on Empty? Good.
Oh no. That sound. You know it can’t be good. The engine ‘putters’ louder and louder as you firmly grasp the stirring wheel. You try not to panic as the car vibrates abruptly.
The Path of Peter
Being bashed because of your faith is not fun, is it? No Christian likes to be teased for their seemingly weird convictions or standards. It is uncomfortable, awkward, and uncertain. But there is a way to escape this gruesome conflict and persecution as a Believer. There is a way to never have to suffer for being a follower of Christ.
Finding Your Way – Evangelist Scott Pauley
Frequently I hear it said of someone that he is still trying to “find his way” in life. Our world is full of aimless drifters and empty souls. Another toy. Another trip. Another lover. Everyone just trying to find their way – but, to where? Many people have traveled all of life on a certain path only to discover that it did not lead to the destination they had hoped. How do you find your way, the Lord’s way, for life? God has given us a guidebook for the journey. Only Scripture can show us the plain and right path.
