WHAT DOES IT REALLY TAKE TO BE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?
Simple obedience? The word “obey” is one of the least used and understood words in American culture today. It seems antiquated, irrelevant and
YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU DO
You’ve just been introduced to someone for the first time. There are a couple of niceties exchanged and then without fail, almost
WHY YOU WILL WANT TO BE PHYSICALLY FIT
There are so many challenges you face every day, that if you don’t get in shape and toughen up, you will not
THE FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF A MAN’S LIFE
There are four areas of Life that every man faces every day. And the way they are handled will bring either joy
LEARN GOD’S TAKE ON MONEY
The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, fewer than 500 verses on faith, and more than 2,000 verses about money!In fact, 15
GOD’S POWER TO LOVE YOUR SPOUSE
If you are a married man or plan on getting married you will expect to be happily married to the woman you
DEFINING SUCCESS FOR YOURSELF
"Show Me The Money!" That line out of the Tom Cruise movie, Jerry Maguire, pretty much tells the story for most American men.
8 STEPS TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE
Knowing what it takes to consistently love your wife in such a way that it guarantees that you will have a happy
7 STEPS TO CREATING INTIMACY WITH GOD
God made you. God loves you. God has a purpose for your life. The classic definition from the Westminster Catechism sums up our
WHO’S GOT YOUR BACK?
I’m a guy who, probably like you, prefers action movies. My favorites almost always seem to be battles of war based on
HOW TO HANDLE BULLIES!
There isn’t a single human on earth who at some point doesn’t have to deal with a bully. Define bully any way
MAYBE FOLLOWING JESUS ISN’T SUCH A GOOD IDEA?
“They left everything and followed him.” Lk 5:11After meeting Jesus the apostles made a radical decision that would change their lives forever. But
WHY IS THE “GOSPEL” CALLED GOOD NEWS?
Our men’s Bible study was looking to get a better grip on the meaning of the “Gospel. ”So we asked, “What exactly is
TAKING THINGS FOR GRANTED?
On occasion I’m able to walk the beach and catch a sunrise. The beauty and magnificence of God’s artwork can take anyone’s
HOW COME YOUR FAITH ISN’T GETTING YOU WHAT YOU WANT?
Okay so maybe you have been standing firm in your faith believing God for something you truly believe is His will. Could be
YOU CAN’T STOP GOD’S BLESSINGS!
Does it ever seem to you that sometimes God’s blessings are unstoppable?Unstoppable for others that is! Why does God do that? You peer
HOW COME YOUR FAITH ISN’T GETTING YOU WHAT YOU WANT?
Okay so maybe you have been standing firm in your faith believing God for something you truly believe is His will. Could be something like a healing for you. Or for someone you know. Maybe it’s for a breakthrough with your finances or for a relationship or your work. Or for a loved one to abandon a life of sin and come to Christ.
Why is it taking so long or not happening at all? Is it really because you just don’t have enough faith?
Reading through the New Testament book of Acts and all the letters of Paul, it is not hard to conclude that no one had more faith than this chosen Apostle. He had visions and dreams, an appearance of the Lord Jesus, cast out demons, visits from Angels, paid a brief visit to Heaven and did all kinds of miracles healing the sick and even raising a dead boy.
Paul had such intimacy in his walk with the Lord that he could believe God for anything and should have expected to get it.
So with all this faith, why in the world could he not pray and believe his way out of trouble?
He asked God to heal him from an affliction and God said no. Instead Jesus promised Paul he would have sufficient grace to endure it. Throughout his lifetime AFTER coming to faith in Christ, Paul suffered numerous hardships physically and even emotionally. He was in constant danger of persecution and death.
You would think that if anyone knew how to claim health, safety and prosperity, it would be the Apostle Paul. But he didn’t get any of that. In fact the opposite.
Maybe in part it was because his faith was in what Jesus did for Him through His death, resurrection and empowerment of the Holy Spirit ... and not in what He could get from Jesus to make his life easier.
The Bible says faith is: “The assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen.” Heb 11:1
Put in its context, that means faith is for:
Patient endurance so you can persevere under trial and continue to do God’s will
Not turning away from God when following Him means sacrifice and loss.
Believing that by grace you have been saved and will spend eternity in Heaven.
Believing that God is working all things together for good.
Trusting Him no matter what happens contrary to what you want.
Put in its Biblical context that means faith is NOT for:
Entitlement to a life of ease.
The assurance of health and wealth for you or anyone you ask it for.
Getting what you want by constantly proclaiming it.
Freedom from all troubles, trials and unacceptable circumstances of life.
So if your faith is not getting you what you want, check to make sure that your faith is placed in Jesus for the right reasons.
Quit pressuring yourself in trying to muster up more faith to get the things you want.
Instead trust in God and who He is, as the Almighty sovereign creator and designer of your life. He loves you. He knows what you want and what you need and will carry out His purposes for your life.
HOW COME YOUR FAITH ISN’T GETTING YOU WHAT YOU WANT?
Okay so maybe you have been standing firm in your faith believing God for something you truly believe is His will. Could be something like a healing for you. Or for someone you know. Maybe it’s for a breakthrough with your finances or for a relationship or your work. Or for a loved one to abandon a life of sin and come to Christ.
Why is it taking so long or not happening at all? Is it really because you just don’t have enough faith?
Reading through the New Testament book of Acts and all the letters of Paul, it is not hard to conclude that no one had more faith than this chosen Apostle. He had visions and dreams, an appearance of the Lord Jesus, cast out demons, visits from Angels, paid a brief visit to Heaven and did all kinds of miracles healing the sick and even raising a dead boy.
Paul had such intimacy in his walk with the Lord that he could believe God for anything and should have expected to get it.
So with all this faith, why in the world could he not pray and believe his way out of trouble?
He asked God to heal him from an affliction and God said no. Instead Jesus promised Paul he would have sufficient grace to endure it. Throughout his lifetime AFTER coming to faith in Christ, Paul suffered numerous hardships physically and even emotionally. He was in constant danger of persecution and death.
You would think that if anyone knew how to claim health, safety and prosperity, it would be the Apostle Paul. But he didn’t get any of that. In fact the opposite.
Maybe in part it was because his faith was in what Jesus did for Him through His death, resurrection and empowerment of the Holy Spirit ... and not in what He could get from Jesus to make his life easier.
The Bible says faith is: “The assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen.” Heb 11:1
Put in its context, that means faith is for:
Patient endurance so you can persevere under trial and continue to do God’s will
Not turning away from God when following Him means sacrifice and loss.
Believing that by grace you have been saved and will spend eternity in Heaven.
Believing that God is working all things together for good.
Trusting Him no matter what happens contrary to what you want.
Put in its Biblical context that means faith is NOT for:
Entitlement to a life of ease.
The assurance of health and wealth for you or anyone you ask it for.
Getting what you want by constantly proclaiming it.
Freedom from all troubles, trials and unacceptable circumstances of life.
So if your faith is not getting you what you want, check to make sure that your faith is placed in Jesus for the right reasons.
Quit pressuring yourself in trying to muster up more faith to get the things you want.
Instead trust in God and who He is, as the Almighty sovereign creator and designer of your life. He loves you. He knows what you want and what you need and will carry out His purposes for your life.