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The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Will Strengthen Your Church! by Rick Renner

September 8, 2018 in /by

There are three very important words in First Corinthians 1:8 regarding the impact of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the life of an individual or a congregation. The words “confirm,” “end,” and “blameless” are vital to understanding the long-term effect of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. Let’s see what these words meant when Paul wrote them and how they should be applied in our lives now as they pertain to the gifts of the Holy Spirit… … read more

Transitions by Steve Roll

September 8, 2018 in /by

A transition is a change from one thing to another. One life season ends, another begins. A chapter in our life’s book ends. A new chapter waits to be written. What was is no longer. What is going to be is on life’s radar screen. When seasons change, life is not the same. Transitions can be welcome, or unwelcome. Expected or unexpected. Planned or unplanned. By choice or forced. Pleasant or unpleasant. … read more

Outnumbered: When the Odds Are Not in Your Favor

September 8, 2018 in /by

Often in life, it seems that we face situations where the numbers are not in our favor. Circumstances, people, statistics, time, etc. can all seem to be working against us. Feeling outnumbered, alone, and isolated can breed all kinds of misery, including hopelessness, self-pity, and despair. In these cases, it is vital to remember that God is the Supreme Difference Maker! Never forget that God + One = A Majority! David wrote Psalm 142 from a cave, not from a palace. He felt trapped and was overwhelmed. … read more

Seis Vezes em que Jesus Treinou Seu Time

August 6, 2018 in /by

Quando John Wooden treinou o time masculino de basquete da Universidade da Califórnia em Los Angeles (UCLA) – ele liderou o time em dez campeonatos nacionais – ele era um defensor de detalhes e um proponente do trabalho em equipe. Ele até ensinou seus jogadores o preciso modo de colocar as meias e de amarrar os sapatos, para prevenir a formação de bolhas. Wooden insistia que isso ajudaria a manter os jogadores saudáveis e em forma no campo. … read more

Iniquity Will Abound, and the Love of Many Will Grow Cold — How Should We Respond? by Rick Renner

August 5, 2018 in /by

Jesus said, “…Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12). In Greek, the word “iniquity” actually describes lawlessness. This verse could literally read: “…Because lawlessness shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” The word “lawlessness” is plural in the Greek text, which tells us Jesus was foretelling a time when lawlessness would escalate around the world. In this verse, “lawlessness” refers to the actions of an individual … read more

Bible Study Software

August 4, 2018 in /by

What computer software do you use to assist you in your Bible study and sermon preparation? In addition to software that you might pay for, are there free websites that are helpful to you also?

New Testament Love by Vidar Ligard

August 4, 2018 in /by

In the world and even in the church today, there are different thoughts on what real love is. The world usually thinks of love as a strong feeling of affection. Many dictionaries will also agree that love is a warm or strong feeling of affection. Biblical love is quite different. Jesus did not tell the disciples to go and live according to the old Mosaic commandment, but rather he gave them a new commandment. In other words, we will not find the model for this love in the Old Testament. … read more

A Duty to Warn?

August 4, 2018 in /by

If a bridge is out, and someone puts up a sign informing me of that, is that a negative thing? Does a person really love me if they see me heading toward catastrophe and neglects to warn me? Jesus said more about hell than any other person in the Bible, and yet he was (and is) the greatest expression of love ever known or revealed to man. Vance Havner relates, “When I pastored a country church, a farmer didn’t like the sermons I preached on hell. He said, ‘Preach about the meek and lowly Jesus.’ I said, ‘That’s where I got my information about hell.’” Was Jesus just “selling fire insurance?” … read more

Pregação, Popularidade e Ira de Deus

July 3, 2018 in /by

Vance Havner afirma, “Popularidade matou mais profetas de Deus do que a perseguição jamais fez”. Eu acho que a isso também pode ser aplicado a busca por popularidade. Richard Niebuhr observou que os temas essenciais da fé cristã estavam sendo arrancados do cristianismo, por meio da teologia liberal. Ele resumiu (em 1937) um anêmico e neutralizado “Evangelho” nas seguintes palavras … read more

Teaching Kids to Trust In God In an Uncertain World by Steve and Denise Olsen

July 3, 2018 in /by

In the eyes of our children, this world can be a scary place. They see and hear news about earthquakes, volcano eruptions, floods and school shootings. They have friends whose parents are getting divorced or are dying of cancer. In the rural area of the Rocky Mountains where we live, every summer brings the threat of wildland fires. But our family’s perspective is markedly different than that of our neighbors. … read more

Joseph: A Visionary Leader by Marvin Yoder

July 3, 2018 in /by

Reading the story of Joseph beginning in Genesis 37 stirs our soul to rise to new possibilities in life! Rising from the humble life of a shepherd’s son to becoming second in command over all of Egypt is something that makes for a “too-good-to-be-true” story! The mention of Joseph’s name lifts our thoughts to new levels and stirs our imagination to see what may be possible for us to attain in our lives. There are a lot of things about Joseph that are very appealing to many of us. When we think of Joseph, we think of him as a dreamer, highly favored, an interpreter of dreams … read more

Six Times Jesus Coached His Team

July 2, 2018 in /by

When John Wooden coached men’s basketball at UCLA (he led the team to ten national championships), he was a stickler for details, and he was a very strong proponent of teamwork. He even taught his players the precise way to put on their socks and to tie their shoes to help prevent the formation of blisters. Wooden insisted that this would help keep the players healthy and on the court. Even when it came to putting on their socks and tying their shoes, Wooden was essentially saying, “We don’t do it that way; we do it this way.” … read more

What You Wish People Knew

July 1, 2018 in /by

Is there something you wish people understood about pastors and pastoring? This doesn’t have to be about you personally, but something that would help people better understand, relate to, and receive from their pastor.

Cinco Nações: Fotos e Notícias

June 7, 2018 in /by

Durante esse mês de abril, 2018, tive o privilégio de viajar e ministrar em cinco nações – Inglaterra, Suíça, Líbano, Alemanha e Chipre. Durante esse tempo, lecionei 33 vezes e ministrei para líderes de aproximadamente 45 congregações diferentes. Abaixo, seguem algumas fotos e pequenas descrições do que ocorreu em cada país. … read more

Preaching, Popularity, and the Wrath of God

June 7, 2018 in /by

Vance Havner asserts, “Popularity has slain more prophets of God than persecution ever did.” I think that could also be applied to the pursuit of popularity as well. Richard Niebuhr noted that essential themes of the Christian faith were being stripped from Christianity through liberal theology. He summarizes (in 1937) an anemic, neutralized “gospel” with these words: “A God without wrath brought men without sin into a Kingdom without judgment through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross.” I think that Niebuhr encapsulates the four areas … read more

Mid-Week Small Groups

June 7, 2018 in /by

We are considering dropping our mid-week “sanctuary service” and offering small groups instead. I would be very interested in hearing from other pastors who have done this type of thing. Did it work well or not? What is the best way to do it? What potential pitfalls should I be aware of?

Reflexões sobre o Filme: Paulo, Apóstolo de Cristo

May 5, 2018 in /by

Recentemente, eu e Lisa celebramos o meu aniversário de 59 anos em Warner Robins, Geórgia. Estávamos na companhia de bons amigos, Pastor Dave e Kendall Watrous. Posso dizer que foi um dia muito bom. Na parte da manhã, eu lecionei em um seminário sobre Timóteo (nunca me canso de tais seminários); tive uma celebração com cupcakes após o almoço, e, em seguida, fomos assistir ao novo filme Paulo, Apóstolo de Cristo. Certamente, em todo filme bíblico, os diretores tomam certa liberdade artística e criativa – o que é esperado. … read more

Outro Olhar sobre o “Chamado”

April 10, 2018 in /by

Somos chamados! Quer tenhamos sido chamados para sermos pregadores e estarmos atrás do púlpito ou tenhamos sido chamados para cumprir outra tarefa, esses e outros versos indicam que o chamado de todo crente é ser sal, luz, embaixador, testemunha, servo e uma benção. Isso não é somente para aqueles que possuem a “profissão” de ministros, mas todo cristão foi chamado em tempo integral! Um cristão nunca deve falar “eu não sou chamado” como desculpa para evitar responsabilidades que são compatíveis com o chamado de todo crente. … read more

Falling in Love with Inadequacy by Jim Cobrae

April 10, 2018 in /by

When we are weak, He is strong! The following article is an excerpt from Jim Cobrae’s upcoming book, Followship: Pastoring in His Presence. This book will be released at the Pastors Gathering, hosted by the Rock Church in San Bernardino, CA (May 15-17, 2018). Click here to learn more about the Pastors Gathering, an outstanding conference that will greatly benefit pastors and their staff members. … read more

Love – God Touching Others through You by Melva Henderson

April 10, 2018 in /by

We can’t hide God! If we walk with Him, eventually who He is will flow out from within us. There’s a word in the English language many are not acquainted with, wafting, which means to carry lightly and smoothly through the air or over water. When we walk with God, He smoothly releases Himself through us and over circumstances in people’s lives. God longs to be released. … read more

Reflections from the Movie: Paul, Apostle of Christ

April 10, 2018 in /by

In every biblical movie I’ve seen, the directors have taken certain artistic creativity and liberties, and that is to be expected. There are always some things I would have presented a bit differently, or statements that I would have re-worded, but that is not what I want to focus on in this review. The great value of this movie is that it graphically presents the intense persecution faced by early believers in the Roman Empire. To be honest, it’s not the most comfortable or cheery movie that you will see. One reviewer refers to it as “gritty,” and that is an honest assessment. … read more

Relationships With Other Ministers

April 10, 2018 in /by

How important is it for me to have relationships with other ministers in my community? What about relationships with other ministers who are not in my community, but are friends? Honestly, I stay busy enough with my own staff and my own church that it’s not easy to find time for meaningful relationships with peers in ministry. What is the value, and how much effort do other pastors put into their relationships with other ministers?

Another Look at “The Calling”

March 5, 2018 in /by

We are called! Whether we have been called to be a preacher and stand behind a pulpit, or something else entirely, many Scriptures indicate the calling of every believer to be salt, to be light, to be ambassadors, to be witnesses, to serve, and to be a blessing. I don’t say this relative to being a “paid” minister, but every Christian has full-time calling! A Christian should never use “I’m not called” as an excuse to avoid accepting responsibilities that are consistent with the calling of every believer. … read more

Você É um Salva-Vidas Espiritual?

March 5, 2018 in /by

Durante minha adolescência, eu passei três verões como salva-vidas em uma piscina pública. Refletindo sobre tal experiência, percebi que há diversas similaridades entre o exercício de salvar vidas e o serviço ministerial. Acredito que tais semelhanças possam fornecer percepções importantes. A seguir, seguem algumas lições a serem consideradas… … read more