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Fame and Humility
Many of us are obsessed with fame—either with being famous ourselves or with following every detail of famous people’s lives. International book or film tours. Late-night show appearances. Millions of followers on Twitter.
In a recent study in the US, researchers ranked the names of famous individuals using a specially developed algorithm that scoured the Internet. Jesus topped the list as the most famous person in history.
Yet Jesus was never concerned about obtaining celebrity status. When He was here on earth, He never sought fame (Matt. 9:30; John 6:15)—although fame found Him all the same as news about Him quickly traveled…
5 Facts that Helped Me Choose Forgiveness
We all react differently when people hurt us. Some of us lash back, some of us brood quietly, and some turn to other sources of comfort for solace. Sometimes, we can become bitter after being hurt, and it eventually destroys our relationships.
It Never Runs Out
When I asked a friend who is about to retire what she feared about her next stage of life, she said, “I want to make sure I don’t run out of money.” The next day as I was talking to my financial counselor he gave me advice on how I might avoid running out of money. Indeed, we all want the security of knowing we’ll have the resources we need for the rest of our lives.
No financial plan can provide an absolute guarantee of earthly security. But there is a plan that extends far beyond this life and indefinitely into…
Anger is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as you don’t stay there
Have you ever felt angry with God? Well, that’s not necessarily a bad thing as long as you don’t stay angry! Today on Discover the Word, the group and guest Torrey Robinson examine the life of the Old Testament woman Naomi and why she returned to Israel so sorrowful and bitter. Naomi sounded like she […]
Wisdom is the fruit of repentance
Hiding our sin leads to inner turmoil, but wisdom is the fruit of repentance. Today on Discover the Word, we will talk about the profound wisdom David learned when he finally came clean about his hidden sins. Find out why we can have joy when we are corrected and taught by God! Listen today to Discover […]
We Are Not the Sum of Our Bad Choices
You might have encountered them on the streets. The lonely, the homeless, and the addicted. They started off just like the rest of us, but somewhere along the line, one wrong choice after another led them on a downward spiral.
Trading guilt and shame for rescue and relief
Have you ever practiced “self-protection,” where you hide your failures and try to control how people perceive you? Today on Discover the Word, the group talks about how King David’s attempt to hide his sins put him in a precarious place with God. That is, until he confessed and was able to trade his songs […]
Is God’s Will My Will?
This is the will of God, your sanctification… —1 Thessalonians 4:3
Sanctification is not a question of whether God is willing to sanctify me— is it my will? Am I willing to let God do in me everything that has been made possible through the atonement of the Cross of Christ? Am I willing to let Jesus become sanctification to me, and…
David’s “year of hiding and denial”
“I’ll lose control, I’ll lose credibility, I’ll lose face.” That’s what we often fear will happen if we “come clean” about our sins. But we lose a whole lot more when we’re too stubborn to “fess up,” and continue to try and hide things—from God and from others. Today on Discover the Word, we’ll discuss […]
Forgiveness and correction go hand in hand
Most of us wince a little when someone corrects us. It’s awkward, and sometimes painful. But we love it when someone extends forgiveness! Today on Discover the Word, we will take a look at Psalm 32. It’s a poem that shows how forgiveness and correction go hand in hand . . . and both are a […]
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 […]
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…
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…
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.
