Power for Patience. Joy in Struggle. — We are called to have staying-power in simple trust in Who God is. He is the Vine, and we are the branches that produce fruit through Him. Not only are we meant to experience joy in answered prayer and also in the character development that happens through challenges,…
Christianity 104: Worship Lifestyle — Worship, the expression of reverence and awe, is not a lukewarm, token response borne out of religious duty or traditional, repetitive response. It is unquestionably intentional and counter to the flesh and pressures of societal thought patterns. Worship displaces worry at the center of our life. It helps us to…
Christianity 103: Holiness in Wholehearted Love — Scripture reminds us that holiness is the key to SEEING the Lord. How often do we miss Him or fail to see what He is doing around us? There is provision in this life to know the Father, to see Him rightly, and to live in close relationship…
Christianity 102: Watch and Work — The Holy Spirit can speak to us through our conscience, convicting us when we sin and comforting us when we doubt. In 1 Timothy, Paul encourages Timothy to focus on what matters, Godliness or Christlikeness. He counceled that Timothy should avoid issues that really don’t matter. He should not…
Refinement in Forgiveness and Persecution – Persecution is a historical pattern. It takes on many forms, and it revisits society in various socially-acceptable ways. Persecution caused the Church of Acts to grow. It separated those who sought only blessing from those willing to deny self and minister life at their own personal expense. Part of…
Freely Receive, Freely Give — Disagreements can bring division or solutions. The end-result most often depends upon our commitment to each other and our love for Jesus over proving the winning and losing sides or the disagreement. Currently, the world is shouting various viewpoints very loudly. It is time for the Church to realize that…
God’s Building, Our Response — The Lord has the sovereignty in all things and can step into broken places to make a way whenever He desires. He knows how to make things work together for good. Christians were born for the day of adversity, not for luxary. We were designed to deploy into the hostility…
Resistance and Pressing Through — God deeply desires to impact communities through those willing to partner with Him. However, there will typically be resistance to those willing to seek such an impact. In fact, the church itself may at times resist a move of God. Understand that the pursuit God’s Kingdom is messy and offers…
Chris continiues the discusion on wholehearted prayer and fasting with a look into the lifestyle of fasting that Daniel exhibited throughout key moments of his life. Daniel recognized that God alone is the source of all power and wisdom. In a wonderful way, God, in his grace, will not only reveal things to us, but…
Wholehearted Prayer and Fasting — The Holy Spirit teaches us to pray and is in-sync with the Father’s will. The Holy Spirit shows us where the Bible should shape our prayers, just as the Bible has the power to shape our thoughts and perspectives. He leads us into fasting so that we can affect lasting…
