Topic > Spiritual Growth
“John Mark . . . and Company”
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We’ve heard these names so many times and it’s easy to forget that they were real people. Today on Discover the Word, we invite you to get to know John Mark, the man God used to write the second gospel. What can we learn about him from the company he kept? […]
Who are your friends?
If you want to know more about a person, it’s often a good idea to look at who their friends are. So today on Discover the Word, we will ask the questions, who wrote the gospel of Mark and what was he like? The answer to the first question is fairly obvious. To answer the […]
Take a Number
We have an ancient cherry tree in our backyard that had seen better days and looked like it was dying so I called in an arborist. He checked it out and declared that it was “unduly stressed” and needed immediate attention. “Take a number,” my wife, Carolyn, muttered to the tree as she walked away. It had been one of those weeks.
Indeed, we all have anxious weeks—filled with worries over the direction our culture is drifting or concerns for our children, our marriages, our businesses, our finances, our personal health and well-being. Nevertheless, Jesus has assured us that despite disturbing…
Are We Just Having Coffee Dates with God?
Sometimes, after a good, long time of Bible study, I go right into sinning. When I am alone at home, those sins that prey on solitude can easily sneak in. For me, it is often lust. And sometimes I don’t stop it.
Serve and Be Served
Marilyn had been ill for many weeks, and many people had encouraged her through this difficult time. How will I ever repay all their kindnesses? she worried. Then one day she read the words of a written prayer: “Pray that [others] will develop humility, allowing them not only to serve, but also to be served.” Marilyn suddenly realized there was no need to balance any scale, but just to be thankful and allow others to experience the joy of serving.
In Philippians 4, the apostle Paul expressed his gratitude for all those who shared “in [his] troubles” (v. 14). He depended…
In His Presence
The seventeenth-century monk Brother Lawrence, before a day’s work as cook in his community, would pray, “O my God . . . grant me your grace to stay in your presence. Help me in my labors. Possess all my affections.” As he worked, he kept talking to God, listening for His leading and dedicating his work to Him. Even when he was busiest, he would use intervals of relative calm to ask for His grace. No matter what was happening, he sought for and found a sense of his Maker’s love.
As Psalm 89 confesses, the fitting response to the Creator…
Living Anonymously
My well-worn and often-read copy of Jane Yolen’s essay “Working Up to Anon” (Anonymous) was clipped from The Writer magazine many years ago. “The best writers,” she says, “are the ones who really, in their heart of hearts, aspire to the byline Anon. The story told is important, not the storyteller.” The story we tell […]
Ruth’s Story
Ruth cannot tell her story without tears. In her mid-eighties and unable to get around much anymore, Ruth may not appear to be a central figure in our church’s life. She depends on others for rides, and because she lives alone she doesn’t have a huge circle of influence.
But when she tells us her story of salvation—as she does often—Ruth stands out as a remarkable example of God’s grace. Back when she was in her thirties, a friend invited her to go to a meeting one night. Ruth didn’t know she was going to hear a preacher. “I wouldn’t have…
Martin Luther: And So He Died As He Lived
“And so he died as he lived.” That’s how Martin Luther was eulogized after his death on February 18, 1546, some 470 years ago.
Our tone is a key part to effectively engaging others
Have you ever put your foot in your mouth? Of course, you have. We’ve all felt the pain of speaking with the wrong tone or motive. And today on Discover the Word, Darrell Bock warns us that when we trip over our reckless words, we’re actually falling into the trap of the devil. Discover how […]
How do we effectively represent God to our culture?
What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ? And how do we effectively represent God to our culture? Today on Discover the Word, we continue the two-week series with Darrell Bock titled, “Engagement.” It’s a paradigm shift in our understanding of the “culture war” in which we find ourselves. Be part of the […]
How do we best engage the culture around us?
Does it sometimes feel that, as Christians, we’re at war with the culture around us? Well, today the Discover the Word team sits down with seminary professor and New Testament scholar Darrell Bock to explore how to best engage with the culture around us. Darrell shifts the paradigm of who the enemy really is and […]
Loving others well . . . even our enemies
Today on Discover the Word, the team wraps up another installment in their series, “Falling into Love” with a powerful discussion on loving others well, even our enemies. It’s something that requires a true change of heart that comes from God alone. Join us as we seek God’s heart today on Discover the Word!
Surrendering our need for control and trusting God
You’ve probably met someone who you might call a “control freak.” Maybe you look at one in the mirror every morning! Well, today on Discover the Word, we’ll discuss how we can surrender our need for control and trust God more. Join the team and learn how to truly fall in love with God when […]
