By Paul Barker “And on the next day, when they had departed from Bethany, He became hungry. And seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And He answered and said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again!’ And His disciples were listening.” At first glance, this event might look a little strange. Why would Jesus curse a fig ….
By Steve Murrell As I type these words on my iPad, I am 35,000 feet in the air somewhere between Nashville and Detroit, heading to Manila, reading Acts and thinking about church growth. Too many of us (pastors & church planters) find our value in how many people show up at church functions. The more time I spend in the West, the more I have to shake off that sad obsession with size and remind myself that I am called to make disciples, not to build churches. Jesus said he would build his church – ….
By Steve Murrell I write a column for Evangelicals Today magazine. My assigned topic this month is “Pastor Appreciation.” Here’s what I submitted to my editor. ——————– Even though lots of people call me “Pastor Steve” I don’t think I’m really a pastor. I do not have the title “pastor” on my business card, and every time I take one of those spiritual gift surveys I score almost zero on the pastor part. So, I guess it is only natural that none of the “pastors” who have been major contributors to my spiritual development are ….
by Jim Laffoon | Posted onTuesday, October 11th, 2011| Tags: calling, character, family, hope and encouragement, humility, leadership, Obedience, Parenting, Power of God |one response by Jim Laffoon Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided. She sent for Barak, son of Abinoam, from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor. I will lure Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, ….
by Stephen Mansfield | Posted onSaturday, September 17th, 2011| Tags: character, Discipleship, faith, family, leadership, Lordship, love, making disciples, Parenting, Power of God, prayer, reaching the lost, Relationship, service, Will of God |no responses by Stephen MansfieldI received an email this week. It asked that I offer again a piece I wrote nearly two decades ago. I’m happy to do so. May it be an encouragement to those who serve in unnoticed roles.________________________________________Her name was Elizabeth Anne Everest. Few today will remember her. In fact, few would have known of her even during her lifetime, which ended in near obscurity in 1895. She was, after all, only a nannyone of thousands in Victorian Englandwho quietly spent their days caring for the children of other people. Strolling in a park ….
by Bruce Fidler I’VE JUST BEGUN a new series of teachings entitled, “The Attributes of God,” which will consist of approximately twelve messages, and is being taught at Bethel World Outreach Church, an Every Nation member church, in Brentwood, Tennessee. The series will focus on many of the attributes traditionally covered in Christian systematic theology textbooks. The objective of the series is to magnify the greatness and goodness of God so that believing listeners will be transformed in the way they think about God and how they live for him. Audio and notes are accessible here. ….
by LA Mumar GROWING UP in an exclusive boys school, I always had classmates from prominent families. These guys were really rich, they always traveled and had the latest GI Joes and RC cars (remote controlled cars, for the young ones). They literally could go, eat, and get whatever they want. I always envied these people (don’t you at times?) thinking that these guys never had problems and the lives they lived were fairy tales that always had great endings. The older I got the more I realized that this was not true. All those ….
by Steve Murrell | Posted onSaturday, August 13th, 2011| Tags: Blogroll, Discipleship, faith, humility, knowing the truth, Lordship, Obedience, Power of God, prayer, priorities |one response by Steve MurrellI READ SOMETHING in Jeremiah 37 this morning that sounded eerily contemporary. It also explained what is wrong with many church people today.2 Neither he (King Zedekiah) nor his attendants nor the people of the land paid any attention to the words the LORD had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet.None of these guys paid any attention to what the prophet preached. Not the king. Not his attendants. Not the average people. No one. They all ignored God’s word. But… 3 King Zedekiah, however, sent Jehukal son of Shelemiah with the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah to Jeremiah the prophet with ….
By Ron Miller (Note: This blog was written by Ron Miller April 24, 2011.) Every once in a while a person makes a prediction that comes true. When this happens, the moment becomes an event that is never forgotten. After brashly guaranteeing a New York Jets victory over the Baltimore Colts, prior to Super Bowl III, Jets quarterback Joe Namath completed 17 out of 28 passes for 206 yards, and was named the Super Bowl’s Most Valuable Player. The victory is considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history. Babe Ruth‘s called shot was ….
By Lynette Lewis (note: This blog was written by Lynette Lewis on Jan 1, 2011) When do you hold on to a dream and when is it time to let go? For five years I’ve wanted to get pregnant. I was pregnant once, but had a miscarriage. My heart was broken yet hopeful it would happen again, right away. Three years later, two surgeries, countless doctor visits and hundreds of prayers….still no pregnancy. What’s a heart to do? Part of me remains full of faith…faith to believe and stand…faith stronger having been tested. I’ve also ….
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