How to Stop Praying the Same Old Things about the Same Old Things
“Empty phrases” are ruinous in any area of spirituality, but especially in prayer.
Articles
5421 results found
“She Is Different”: Reflections on Peace
Peace describes the heart that knows it is safe in God. The third virtue of the fruit of the Spirit is all about what God’s love and joy have accomplished for his people—“peace with God” (Rom. 5:10).
Identifying Devotional Gems in Unexpected Places
In compiling my anthology, I worked hard to find devotional riches in unexpected places. Many of the authors would doubtless be surprised by what I chose for devotional purposes.
How Sharing a Meal Can Show Grace
Tim Chester shares how sharing a meal can show grace.
The Doctrine of Christ's Return in the Bible
What does the Bible say about Christ's return? Learn more from this look into the ESV Systematic Theology Study Bible.
7 Ways to Use ‘Unfolding Grace’ in Your Church
Many Christians know key doctrines or various texts within the Bible, but they often miss the sweep of the Bible’s big story and how it connects to Christ.
Introducing ‘Be Thou My Vision’
This 31-day liturgical guide is designed to provide structure to the daily worship of individuals and families.
3 Questions Leaders Should Ask Themselves about Equipping the Church for Ministry
Here are three questions for church leaders to ask themselves before trying to help their people love each other better.
Don’t Neglect Worship to Enjoy the Earth
Our lives ought to be structured by regular rhythms of direct and indirect godwardness, moving back and forth between direct interaction with God himself and active engagement with the world.
How Does the Gospel Shape Our Goals for Children’s Ministry?
There are four ways that the gospel shapes our goals for children's ministry. I read those four ways in the way that Paul ministered to the church in Corinth.
‘Charlie and the Preschool Prodigal’ Read-Aloud Video
Watch a video and enjoy hearing this retelling of the parable of the prodigal son through the eyes of wild-child Eddie and his rule-following brother, Charlie.
Do You Idolize a Picture-Perfect Home?
Christian, everything God has for you is grace upon grace because of what Jesus has done for you.
Dear Pastor, in a Celebrity Culture, Your Call Is Contentment
Our desire is to do well in ministry so that God is glorified. We want our work to be great so that people will see God’s greatness, not to show off our talents or to be greater than others.
Lacking Assurance of Salvation? Join a Church
You don’t join a church in order to be saved, but you may want to join the church to help you in making certain that you are saved.
When Ministry Becomes a Mistress (by Dave Kraft)
Ministry idolatry is becoming increasingly widespread, reaching epidemic proportions.
A Devotional for Talking with Your Kids About Jesus Being the Only Way to Salvation
True salvation does not depend on how well you obey but on what Jesus has already accomplished. All these other roads are about “doing.” Christianity is about “done.” Jesus is the only road to God.
Podcast: Why Your Church Needs Plural Leadership (Dave Harvey)
Dave Harvey discusses why plural leadership—a team of elders—is so crucial for the health of a local church.
What Is Our True Comfort in Life and Death?
If you want both comfort in life and death, start by recognizing the truth about the world and about yourself.
Talking about Heaven with a Grieving Person
What do you do when that’s the way everyone is talking about someone who has died, but you’re not sure that you ever saw any genuine relationship with Christ?
How Lament Can Help with Racial Reconciliation
When we don't know what to say, lament can become a really helpful language to use.
This new beautifully illustrated children's book introduces the biblical imagery of sowing seeds and planting gardens to young readers to help them understand the story of redemptive history.
Culture is more than just what we believe and what we do; it is also our whole framework for comprehending the world, for making sense, or trying to make sense, out of life.
Podcast: God’s Work in the African Church (Conrad Mbewe)
Conrad Mbewe discusses what American Christians should know about the church in Africa, dispelling common misconceptions and sharing some of the big issues facing local congregations.
Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians is a letter of comfort to those eagerly awaiting the promised return of Jesus Christ.
Podcast: Mind Your Own Conscience and Love Your Neighbor (Andy Naselli and J. D. Crowley)
Should always obey our conscience? What should we do when our conscience disagrees with another Christian’s, and how the conscience relates to objective right and wrong?
Podcast: The Good News About Not Being a Perfect Mom (Katie Faris)
Katie Faris discusses the false expectations put on moms and the true grace they can experience.
Why You'll Never Be Content without God
Since God is able to be completely content in himself, we are able to find contentment in him as well. We will never find true contentment with God.
Your Words Will Change the World Today
Do you ever consciously and deliberately set your words to work, sending them off into the world and into someone else’s life to do them good?
What Are the Essential Elements of In-Depth Bible Study?
Bible study begins with reading, and there is so much that we can gain simply by reading in context. Portia Collins describes steps to follow in our in-depth Bible study.
Podcast: The Life and Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Stephen Nichols)
Stephen Nichols discusses the remarkable life, tragic death, and enduring legacy of the German theologian and pastor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer.