And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

1 Thessalonians 4:18

The Biblical Basis for a Member Care Ministry
Spiritual Gifts, Mercy Ministry Rick Cowan Spiritual Gifts, Mercy Ministry Rick Cowan

The Biblical Basis for a Member Care Ministry

The fact that God has gifted some believers for the specific purpose of serving others through service, mercy and giving, drives home the point that a well-functioning church not only must have a thriving word ministry carried out by those who are gifted for the task, but also a robust mercy ministry which has equally gifted believers working within it.

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Stop Grumbling Through Your Trials
Rick Cowan Rick Cowan

Stop Grumbling Through Your Trials

Stop your grumbling and complaining about the difficult circumstances that God, in his providence, has brought into your life. Even those that you can directly tie to the incompetence or evil of other people. Your continual grumbling and negative criticisms have dimmed the light which was meant to create a stark contrast between you and the culture around you.

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Young Man - Let No One Despise You for Your Youth
Young Men Rick Cowan Young Men Rick Cowan

Young Man - Let No One Despise You for Your Youth

There was potential for some to despise young Timothy as he pastored in Ephesus and potential for some to despise young Titus as he set the churches in order in Crete. The way to counter this, Paul says, is for these young men to make themselves, in all respects, examples of good works.

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A Teacher Worth Following Teaches the Word with Integrity
Titus, preaching, integrity Rick Cowan Titus, preaching, integrity Rick Cowan

A Teacher Worth Following Teaches the Word with Integrity

The teacher worth following holds the personal conviction that the word of God is sufficient and so he teaches it with integrity. The word integrity brings with it the idea of soundness, wholeness and without admixture. That is, purity. The teacher worth following teaches the word in its purity. He teaches the unadulterated word.

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How to Pray for One Another
Rick Cowan Rick Cowan

How to Pray for One Another

“Pray for one another”, James says (James 5:16). That is, speak to God on behalf of your fellow believers. Intercede for others; advocate for others; bear the burdens of others. This is our responsibility as a “royal priesthood” as Peter puts it (1 Peter 2:9). We all have access to God in prayer, and we all have a responsibility, not just to pray for ourselves, but to bring the needs of others before the throne of grace.

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The Blessing of Mentors in the Church
Jessica Deveault Jessica Deveault

The Blessing of Mentors in the Church

Recently I was asked the question, “What does it look like for me to be an example to a younger woman in my church? How can I be of help of in a meaningful way?”

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Christian Rest in Covid Times
Rick Cowan Rick Cowan

Christian Rest in Covid Times

Christians, you may have unknowingly been led to embrace a theology which falsely teaches that our calling as followers of Jesus is to disrupt secular society in hopes of the opportunity to remake it in Christ's image.

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The Blessings of Suffering
Rick Cowan Rick Cowan

The Blessings of Suffering

If the church were to be confident in what it believed, with a determination not to waver, coupled with a zeal to evangelize the world and an ability to defend the faith against all attackers, and to do so alongside one another in unity – then they would have little susceptibility to fear.

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