Topic > Spiritual Growth
Choosing faith over fear
As the Christmas carol tells us, Christmas brings “tidings of comfort and joy”! But it’s safe to say that not everyone buys into the Savior in the manger. Today on Discover the Word, we turn our attention to one person in the Christmas story who saw Christmas as a threat. Yes, “Christmas Changes Everything,” but […]
A closer look at the shepherds
Most nativity scenes are pretty similar. You’ve got Mary, Joseph, and Jesus of course, usually some sheep, a donkey, an angel, and a couple shepherds. Today on Discover the Word, we’ll take a little closer look at those shepherds, who discovered that “Christmas Changes Everything.” Be listening today to Discover the Word!
So what made Joseph stay?
Today on Discover the Word, you’re invited to put yourself in Joseph’s shoes. Your fiancée comes to you and says, “I’m pregnant.” How would you react? Like Joseph, you’d probably consider the option of backing out of that marriage. So what made Joseph stay? Learn how “Christmas Changes Everything” when you join us today for […]
How Christmas changed everything
Every generation has its heroes—valiant soldiers, daring inventors, and medical geniuses. But the most earth-shattering event in history had at its center, a teenage girl. Today on Discover the Word, the team will lead a discussion on how Christmas changed everything for Mary and how it continues to change everything for us. It’s a powerful […]
Gentleness
The troubles of life can make us cranky and out of sorts, but we should never excuse these bouts of bad behavior, for they can wither the hearts of those we love and spread misery all around us. We have not fulfilled our duty to others until we have learned to be pleasant.
The New Testament has a word for the virtue that corrects our unpleasantness—gentleness, a term that suggests a kind and gracious soul. Ephesians 4:2 reminds us, “Be completely humble and gentle.”
Gentleness is a willingness to accept limitations and ailments without taking out our aggravation on others. It shows gratitude…
Outside In?
“Change: From the Inside Out or the Outside In?” the headline read, reflecting a popular trend today—the idea that outward changes like a makeover or better posture can be an easy way to change how we feel on the inside—and even change our lives.
It’s an appealing concept—who wouldn’t want improving our lives to be as easy as a new look? Many of us have learned the hard way that changing deep-rooted habits can seem nearly impossible. Focusing on simple external changes offers hope that there is a quicker path toward improving our lives.
But although such changes can improve our lives,…
First Things First
When you travel by air, before the flight takes off an airline employee presents a safety briefing, which explains what to do if there is a loss of cabin pressure. Passengers are told that oxygen masks will drop from the compartment above and they are to put one on themselves before helping others. Why? Because before you can help anyone else, you need to be physically alert yourself.
When Paul wrote to Timothy, he stressed the importance of maintaining his own spiritual health before helping and serving others. He reminded Timothy of his many responsibilities as a pastor: There were false…
Ham and Eggs
In the fable of the chicken and the pig, the two animals discuss opening a restaurant together. As they plan their menu, the chicken suggests they serve ham and eggs. The pig swiftly objects saying, “No thanks. I’d be committed, but you would only be involved.”
Although the pig didn’t care to put himself on the platter, his understanding of commitment is instructive to me as I learn to better follow God with my whole heart.
To protect his kingdom, Asa, king of Judah, sought to break up a treaty between the kings of Israel and Aram. To accomplish this, he sent…
The Last Will Be First
Recently I was among the last in line to board a large passenger jet with unassigned seating. I located a middle seat beside the wing, but the only spot for my bag was the overhead compartment by the very last row. This meant I had to wait for everyone to leave before I could go back and retrieve it.
I laughed as I settled into my seat and a thought occurred that seemed to be from the Lord: “It really won’t hurt you to wait. It will actually do you good.” So I resolved to enjoy the extra time, helping other…
Knowing Better
When we brought our adoptive son home from overseas, I was eager to shower him with love and provide what he had lacked over the preceding months, especially quality food, since he had a nutritional deficit. But despite our best efforts, including consulting specialists, he grew very little. After nearly three years, we learned he had some severe food intolerances. After removing those items from his diet, he grew five inches in just a few months. While I grieved at how long I’d unwittingly fed him foods that impaired his growth, I rejoiced at this surge in his health!
I suspect…
Being Human Beings
When asked to define his role in a community sometimes uncooperative with law enforcement, a sheriff didn’t flash his badge or respond with the rank of his office. Rather he offered, “We are human beings who work with human beings in crisis.”
His humility—his stated equality with his fellow human beings—reminds me of Peter’s words when writing to first century Christians suffering under Roman persecution. Peter directs: “All of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” Perhaps Peter was saying that the best response to humans in crisis is to be human, to be aware that…
How did Peter influence the author of Mark
Forensic detectives might search a crime scene for fingerprints. But today on Discover the Word, when the team searches the gospel of Mark, they find a set of fingerprints that don’t belong to the author, the fingerprints belong to the apostle Peter. Find how the author of Mark was influenced by Peter when you tune […]
The messy, imperfect life of John Mark
Besides death and taxes, the only thing we can count on for sure is that life is going to get messy! Today on Discover the Word, we invite you to join the group at the table, as they dig into the imperfect life of John Mark, the author of the gospel of Mark. Find out how […]
I Was Wrong About Thanksgiving
I used to think Thanksgiving was cute, like little handprint turkey art projects from third graders. Thanksgiving was mildly entertaining, like whatever football game is on TV when you fall asleep after too much turkey.
Who would you say has been your greatest mentor in life?
Who would you say has been your greatest mentor in life? If you were the author of the gospel of Mark, you’d probably have said the apostle Peter. Today on Discover the Word, the team will examine how the special relationship between John Mark and Simon Peter gives us insight into what the writer of the gospel […]
