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Ask different people what they think about pastors and you’ll hear everything from, “I love my pastor” to, “They’re all a bunch of phonies!” How is it that church leaders have earned such a wide range of responses from people, and what standards can you use to determine whether you are being led by the right kind of leaders?
It is often hard to see beyond the struggles and heartaches of this life to imagine that anything good could actually be at work in them behind the scenes. Why would God allow these things to happen if I’m honestly trying to follow Him, and how can I find any hope in the midst of such deep sorrow? Take heart, God is in control, and you truly can find hope when life hurts!
As we face the trials and hardships of life, we must not face them alone. Some Christians think they can separate themselves from the Body of Christ and still survive, but the notion of individual Christianity is not found anywhere in the Bible. Peter gives us vital instructions on how to stick together when life tries to tear us apart, and when we do, our lives will bring glory to God. Make sure you are not trying to do life alone!
What do you do when the trials and temptations of life feel overwhelming? Is there someone you can turn to or some place you can go to find hope and help that will get you through those moments? Today’s message teaches us an important biblical principle that will not only help us be prepared before those battles come, but will give us hope long after those battles are over.
Human reasoning would have us believe that if God really loved us, He would protect us from all pain, heartache and suffering. It is vital, then, that we do not face the hardships of life with human reasoning, but rather, with the mind of Christ. What attitude did Christ have when He endured all the physical and emotional suffering that came His way, and what can we learn by having that same attitude?
Some people say that if a Christian is not baptized, he will not go to heaven, but is that really what the Bible teaches? Did Christ’s death on the cross provide everything necessary to wash away our sins, or are the waters of baptism necessary to wash away the rest? Today we tackle a controversial verse in 1 Peter and discover that it really isn’t that difficult to understand after all.
When we were little kids, there were certain stories we loved hearing again and again. They never got old, no matter how many times the book was read to us. What about the Gospel story? Have you grown tired of it yet, or does it become more wonderful each time you hear it? Once we come to understand and appreciate exactly what Christ has done for us, this is one story that will become our favorite of them all.
If Jesus is Lord of your life, people around you will begin asking questions about why you live the way you do. In those moments, you don’t have to know every answer about Christianity. You don’t need a seminary degree. You just need to tell them your story — how Jesus has changed your life and given you hope. Yes, it’s true, your simple story can bring hope to others and help point them to Jesus!
It is human nature to strike back when someone hurts us, but Christ calls us as His followers to respond with love and blessing instead. This kind of love startles people; it pierces them and affects them deeply because it allows them to experience a first-hand encounter with Christ. But responding this way not only blesses others, it also brings promised blessings to us! Is your life showing this kind of love?
It is a common joke in our society that men don’t understand women, but the Bible commands husbands to live with their wives in an understanding way. Men, how hard are you working to really know your wife and treat her with the honor God says she deserves? And are you aware of the consequences that await if you fail to do so?
The Bible instructs wives to submit to their husbands, but surely that’s an outdated idea in our modern, enlightened society! Is this still God’s plan? If so, why is it so difficult to carry out, are there limits to submission, and how will God bless a marriage when a wife chooses to trust Him in this area?
The resurrection of Jesus Christ not only provides hope for us beyond this life, but it also provides peace and strength for our lives right here and now. We can face each day with the certainty of knowing that the risen Christ is Lord of all, and that every moment is under His conquering care.
