Reconciliation

Article: Active Engagement

Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/dyet One of the reasons we're unsuccessful against temptation and sin is we don't take an active stance against it. 1 Peter 5:8-10 (KJV) - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen,...

Article: Don't Exclude

Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/rmimick John 3:16 (KJV) - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God loved THE WORLD so much that He gave His ONLY begotten Son! The world = all people, regardless of their status, race, beliefs, or conduct. We are mistaken to think God will only save certain types of people. We can go so far as to believe certain people don't deserve God's forgiveness, but are fully deserving of His judgment!

Article: Rehab of the Holy Spirit

Photo courtesy of istockphoto.com/tipografico Why do I always have to go through trials and temptation? I don't want to continue facing the same things over and over and over AND OVER again! I just want to be free. Have you ever felt like that? Have you ever felt like the Apostle Paul when he said that when he wants to do right, sin is right there (Romans 7:21)? OR the things you want to do you don't do, but the things you don't want to do, THAT you find yourself doing (Romans 7:15)? Many of us can relate to Paul's statements of temptation and sin, but we often stop there...

Article: Striving Toward Love

Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/lusi Even though we are called to love others as ourselves (part of the GREATEST commandment - Matthew 22:37-40); be identified as Jesus' disciples through our love for one another (John 13:35); and preach a Gospel of love, there are situations where there is little unity shown among Christians. As we carry the torch of light into a world of darkness, we must be the example for others to follow...as we follow Christ. We must strive to be peacemakers for we will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9).

Article: Turning Away

Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/FabioMedda Many people around the world have left the church and have no desire to ever enter one again. There may be many reasons why they don't attend, but months and years have past since their last visit, returning to a life in the world. Matthew 18:11-14 (KJV) - For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it,...