Topic > Christian Beliefs
When I Realized Working Hard Isn’t Everything
A colleague of mine recently retired after working for the same organization for 35 years. He was one of those who worked 24/7 and gave his heart and soul to the job at hand.
From the Heart
In many cultures, loud weeping, wailing, and the tearing of clothing are accepted ways of lamenting personal sorrow or a great national calamity. For the people of Old Testament Israel, similar outward actions expressed deep mourning and repentance for turning away from the Lord.
An outward demonstration of repentance can be a powerful process when it comes from our heart. But without a sincere inward response to God, we may simply be going through the motions, even in our communities of faith.
After a plague of locusts devastated the land of Judah, God, through the prophet Joel, called the people…
The joy of God’s correction
Nobody likes being corrected. The reality is, most people would choose just about anything over being disciplined! But today on Discover the Word, the group begins a study in Psalm 32—where King David talks about the joy of God’s correction. Really? The joy of correction? Is this an oxymoron? Find out today on Discover the […]
A Fan for Life
Cade Pope, a 12-year-old boy from Oklahoma, mailed out 32 handwritten letters—one to each executive in charge of a National Football League (NFL) team in the US. Cade wrote, “My family and I love football. We play fantasy football and watch [the] games every weekend. . . . I am ready to pick an NFL team to cheer on for a lifetime!”
Jerry Richardson, owner of the Carolina Panthers football team, responded with a handwritten note of his own. The first line read: “We would be honored if our [team] became your team. We would make you proud.” Richardson went on…
Joining the conversation
Are you a loyal listener who’s always wanted to join the conversation asking, “Why doesn’t somebody say this?” Well, today on Discover the Word, we give 4th chair contest winner Greg Brown the chance to be that “somebody.” He’s in the studio and part of the conclusion of their series about “Carrying Our Friends to Christ”! […]
POEM: This Grace (Disgraced)
When sermons start to sound like soothing lullabies,
When my mind starts to slip away under distraction’s cries,
When the world outside drowns out your loving chastise
My heart from the true God flies.
“Carrying Our Friends to Christ”
Today on Discover the Word, we welcome one of our 4th chair contest winners to the table. Michelle is our guest and the topic is “Carrying Our Friends to Christ.” Michelle talks about the people in her life who carried her to Christ, and continued speaking into her life as her mentors, including the team here […]
Stop Choosing “Dirty Thoughts”
“Why are you so stu . . . ” Even though my math tuition teacher failed to finish her sentence, the small class of six pupils knew what she was about to say (stupid) and whom she had aimed it at (me).
All Welcome!
The much-prayed-for film night at the church youth club had finally arrived. Posters had been displayed all around the village and pizzas were warming in the oven. Steve, the youth pastor, hoped that the film—about gang members in New York who were brought face-to-face with the claims of Jesus by a young pastor—would bring new recruits to the club.
But he hadn’t realized that a key football match was being shown on television that evening, so attendance was much smaller than he had hoped for. Sighing inwardly, he was about to dim the lights and begin the film when five leather-clad…
Overcoming the barriers to knowing Jesus
We all know someone who we would really like to see come to Christ. Today on Discover the Word, we address the three most common barriers that people erect against accepting Jesus. Whether it’s emotional, intellectual, or volitional, people have their reasons. Overcoming barriers that keep us from “Carrying Our Friends to Christ.” Join the group […]
Falling in Love . . . And Out of it
I was 13 when I first fell in love. It was also the first time that I truly experienced God. You might think that this is going to be a story about “puppy-love”, since I mentioned that I was only 13. But bear with me.
Warning!
The following warnings have been found on consumer products:
“Remove child before folding.” (baby stroller)
“Does not supply oxygen.” (dust mask)
“Never operate your speakerphone while driving.” (hands-free cell phone product called the “Drive ‘n’ Talk”)
“This product moves when used.” (scooter)
An appropriate warning label that Nabal could have worn would have been: “Expect folly from a fool” (see 1 Sam. 25). He certainly displayed foolishness as he addressed David. On the run from Saul, David had provided security detail for the sheep of a wealthy man named Nabal. When David learned that Nabal was shearing those sheep, he politely asked for food as remuneration…
There’s only one path to God, but there are many paths to Jesus
“There’s only one path to God, and that’s Jesus. But there are many paths to Jesus.” Today on Discover the Word, we will discuss how “Carrying Our Friends to Christ” involves coming alongside them in ways that are meaningful to them. And as we’ll see in the story of a paralyzed man in Mark chapter […]
Bringing others to Christ is a team effort
Have you ever felt that a loved one’s faith in Christ was all up to you? And then felt guilty when you grew weary of praying about it day after day? Today on Discover the Word, we begin a new series in Mark chapter 2. Just as the paralyzed man had to be physically carried […]
When Serving Brought Out the Worst in Me
Growing up in church, I was actively involved in church activities at a young age. As a youth, I served as a Sunday school teacher as well as a musician in the worship team. From a young age, I knew that God had blessed me with gifts so that I could bless others.
