Seven Bible studies from the book of Ecclesiastes.
It’s easy to be someone who merely gets up and says what is happening next, who picks regular popular songs instead of spending the time reflecting on what songs would fit best.
Passports are really important. You can’t enter the kingdom of heaven with the wrong one. You can’t use anybody else’s passport. You have to have your own. It must be current. It must not be a fake or forgery. It must be recognised by the government. Without the right passport there is no entry into God’s kingdom.
Catch up on the Christian news and thought of the week. This week: the revelation of the sale of body parts from aborted infants; church planting that distracts from evangelism; prayers for the tempted and wayward; points for protecting a marriage.
Listen to John Rinehart, author of Gospel Patrons, explain the untold stories of godly men and women who were the behind-the-scenes but essential backers of fruitful ministries. Interview by Tony Payne.
Romans 12:1 is often used as the go-to verse to back-up the challenge to be fully committed as a Christian. To give up my ambitions, and really make sacrifices for the sake of God. But as I was reading Romans 6 it struck me that reading 12:1 this way is probably misreading it and unhelpful.
If the human-centered approach to serving in church doesn’t happen to be the one you want to foster, then perhaps you could try these tips for encouraging a cross-shaped mindset for ministry.
Most pastors at one time or another have had a conversation with someone engaged in ministry, when they tell us things aren’t going so well. It can be hard to diagnose the problem in the moment. Maybe the person is over it or burnt out, too busy elsewhere, or wanting to try something new.
A collection of things worth reading from around the web in the last week.
Bible reading with ready ears and an open heart is engaging and fruitful. There’s something fresh about letting God speak for himself, especially when you search the Bible yourself, making the effort to hear.