VIDEO: Plastic Donuts Endorsement – Pastor David Steele
A Never-Changing Word
“Political and economic systems change, but God and His Word never change
The Bible presents the truth about ourselves, life, the world, and God. These claims occasionally overlap with other world philosophies and religions, but more often than not they stand apart. They present a unique, countercultural vision and worldview that challenges every other value system
The message of the gospel contradicts both the moralist view of the religiously devoted and the immorality of the pagan. It challenges the hopelessness of naturalism while inviting the agnostic to come and see. It humbles the religious adherent who has found comfort in self-righteousness while offering a way to exalt the outcast. It unveils a mind-blowing kaleidoscope into the nature of God. He is revealed to be more loving, wise, just, beautiful, holy, accepting, approachable, and powerful than anyone would imagine.”
Excerpted [ … ]
Pleasing God in Heaven
“The Christians living in Philippi had given gifts of money, which Paul described as ‘a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God’ (Philippians 4:18). Another translation gives us this perspective on the gifts: ‘[They are the] fragrant odor of an offering and sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights’ (amp).
Our gifts today can do a lot of good. They can feed the hungry, heal the sick, encourage the brokenhearted, and spread the good news. But most importantly, they can please God in heaven, connecting His children to Him.
Think about that.”
Excerpted from Plastic Donuts by Jeff Anderson
Daily Reflection: Are you giving to simply do good or do you give to offer a pleasing sacrifice to God as well?
The Promise of Suffering
There are many promises for the believer given by God in the scriptures, but there’s one promise we’re often hesitant to claim, or even acknowledge as part and parcel of our fellowship with Jesus Christ. It’s the promise of suffering.
Which of us, left to ourselves, would choose suffering over joy? And yet when suffering comes, haven’t we experienced God’s grace in its midst?
For there is also a promise in suffering. The loss of a dream, a loved one, a job, good health or independence, all these temporal experiences for the believer bring about eternal gainin a realization of the need for Christ’s sustaining strength, for His peace that is deeper than our understanding, and for the sweetness of intimacy in our trust in and fellowship with Him, tested through the fires of disappointment, setback, or grief.
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NEWS: Historical Novel Society Recommends “Burning Sky”
The Historical Novel Society recommends Burning Sky by Lori Benton stating, “This story is well written and researched. Even those who do not read Christian fiction will find Willas story compelling. Recommended to anyone who enjoys the frontier and Revolutionary War period.”
To read more of the review, click here.
Beauty in the Tension
“The kingdom of God is the kingdom of life, health, beauty, salvation, and freedom (to name just a few of its qualities). The enemy of the kingdom, whom the Bible refers to as Satan, is always attacking that life, that health, that beauty. He attacks spiritual freedom. He wants us to be paralyzed. His relentless attacks are why things are not the way they are supposed to beyet. But in the midst of all the tensions of life, the kingdom of God comes crashing in. It usually crashes in quietly, though.
God has this amazing judo move that He uses to attack the kingdom of darkness. He causes all things to work for good to those who love Him, the Bible says. God takes what is meant for evil and turns it for good, if we trust Him at those [ … ]
NEWS: Interview with Forgiveness Expert Who Learned to Forgive Himself
Virginia Commonwealth University interviews Moving Forward: Six Steps to Forgiving Yourself and Breaking Free from the Past author Everett Worthington, on how he moved past feelings of regret and self-condemnation, to find forgiveness. Click here to read.