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
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.
What Are You Waiting For?
Whatever it is that we are expecting, or anticipating in the future determines our attitude, motivations, priorities and actions in the present. Furthermore, whatever it is we believe the future holds, determines how me cope with the fears, disappointments and struggles of this life.
A Teacher Worth Following Handles the Word with Gravity
We, like Titus, are to understand the weightiness of preaching the word of God. There is gravity to the occasion. For this reason, we like Titus, are to be careful to keep a close watch on how we present and represent the word of God.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?”
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.
Church Life is Essential to the Christian Life
The Bible knows nothing of an isolated believer who worships God “in his own way” and on his own terms, because the Christian life is a community life.
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.
Covid - What an Opportunity
Covid, what an opportunity for the church to be a model of faith and good works.
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August 2023
- Aug 30, 2023 Seasons of Mercy Aug 30, 2023
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May 2022
- May 23, 2022 The Biblical Basis for a Member Care Ministry May 23, 2022
- May 16, 2022 What Are You Waiting For? May 16, 2022
- May 9, 2022 A Teacher Worth Following Handles the Word with Gravity May 9, 2022
- May 6, 2022 The Holy Spirit in the New Testament May 6, 2022
- May 2, 2022 Stop Grumbling Through Your Trials May 2, 2022
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April 2022
- Apr 25, 2022 Young Man - Let No One Despise You for Your Youth Apr 25, 2022
- Apr 18, 2022 A Teacher Worth Following Teaches the Word with Integrity Apr 18, 2022
- Apr 12, 2022 How to Pray for One Another Apr 12, 2022
- Apr 12, 2022 The Blessing of Mentors in the Church Apr 12, 2022
- Apr 12, 2022 Christian Rest in Covid Times Apr 12, 2022
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October 2021
- Oct 3, 2021 Church Life is Essential to the Christian Life Oct 3, 2021
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September 2021
- Sep 5, 2021 The Blessings of Suffering Sep 5, 2021
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January 2021
- Jan 4, 2021 Covid - What an Opportunity Jan 4, 2021