Peter: The Reluctant Sufferer I was talking to a group of about a hundred experienced pastors and church-growth leaders in a training seminar. The topic for the day was how to help people grow spiritually in ways that affect real life. I began by giving them a hypothetical problem to solve. “If you had to…
Prayer
The God of All Comfort
O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord…. Search…
Bible
Simply Resistible
Modern Bible readers see Jesus as an extension of the Jewish Scriptures, our Old Testament. Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day didn’t see Him as an extension or fulfillment of anything… From their vantage point, Jesus was introducing something new. On this, they were correct. ~ Andy Stanley BEFORE YOU BEGIN A quick reading reminder before…
Women
Learning from the Master Teacher (Capernaum)
With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when He was alone with His own disciples, He explained everything. — Mark 4:33-34 Although Jesus grew up in the town of Nazareth, the Bible tells us…
Men
Relinquishing Control
When you can’t sleep, don’t count sheep — read Scripture. Distinguish between God’s voice and the voice of fear. Worry takes a look at catastrophes and groans, “It’s all coming unraveled.” God says, Every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. — Romans 8:28 MSG Worry claims, “The world…
Family
Prayer and Marriage: Putting God First
On our wedding night, Nancy and I knelt by the side of the bed in our bridal suite and prayed. We didn’t know it then, but that night we began to lay a foundation of regular prayer together that has made an indescribable difference in our marriage. I wish I could tell you that I…
