Lifeway

We don’t always know why God allows problems, but we know He intends to use them to heighten our maturity and deepen our faith. Trials and troubles are dumbbells and treadmills for the soul. They develop strength and stamina. Faith has a cumulative quality to it. We amass and garner it. We grow it and lay it in store for future times. Our faith grows stronger through the seasons of life.

While we don’t understand the reasons for the storms, we must learn how to navigate through these storms in our lives, even when the purpose or end is unclear. We certainly don’t want to have to do it without Jesus.

As believers, our worship is a gift to God. In our private and corporate times of worship we offer the gift of our lives. Paul urged us to give up our lives as an act of worship that is holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1).

Many may feel a deep interest in wars, battles and fighting. But there is another warfare of far greater importance than any war that was ever waged by man. It is a warfare which concerns not two or three nations only, but every Christian man and woman in the world. I speak of spiritual warfare, the fight which everyone who would be saved must fight regarding his soul.

Paul faced many challenges during his ministry but he was often helped by friends. The Christian life can be difficult. One of God's great gifts is ministry partner who help us along the way.

What is the most volatile subject in modern society? Many would say politics. Perhaps the greatest dividing line in history has been the nature of Jesus. Was He merely a healer and teacher, or is He indeed the Son of God and only Savior? Jesus warned His disciples that even families would be divided by their faith or lack of faith in Him (Matthew 10:21-22).

Paul told believers in Philippi that knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection was the most valuable treasure in life. The same is true for us today.

We cannot discipline ourselves into spirituality. We cannot will ourselves into spirituality. Regardless of what might seem the brightest place to search for spirituality, we must look for it where it can be found -- in the Spirit’s power.

God has established the rainbow as a sign of His covenant with creation, a visible reminder that He will never again destroy the earth by a flood.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (BP) – Lifeway Christian Resources has teamed up with filmmakers Alex and Stephen Kendrick to provide a suite of new resources toaccompany their latest project, “THE FORGE,” which is scheduled to hit theaters August 23.