Posts by Christian Worker (Page 10)
A Word of Advice for Grandparents – Dave Rogers
“Grandparent.” Whether applied to an aged and enfeebled nursing home resident or a marathon-running, mountain-biking, adventure-seeking 45-year-old, in many ears this word conveys only one image—old. My own grandparents seemed “ancient” during my own childhood, though they were all about the age I have now attained. Two were faithful Christians and two were not, yet all are precious to me, and their examples are a large part of who I am now. Solomon wrote, “The memory of the just is…
A Word of Advice for Parents – Allen Webster
In Proverbs, Solomon invites us into the intimacy of his family circle. Twenty-three times in the book he addresses “my son.” Forty times he mentions mothers and fathers. Five times he mentions a wife (5:18; 6:29; 18:22; 19:13-14) and five additional times he mentions a wise, virtuous, or gracious woman (possibly referring to his wife or a future daughter-in-law). Let’s allow the world’s wise man to give us the verbs we need to successfully prepare our children for heaven. Observe…
A Word of Advice for Elders and Deacons – Ken Hope
As a former elder and deacon, I’m excited about this opportunity to share some much-needed advice to others serving in these areas. Before the advice, let me first sound a word of appreciation. “Thank you” to all the men who have served in the past or are presently serving as an elder or deacon in the Lord’s church. As you have found out, this work is “the toughest job you’ll ever love” (to borrow a catchphrase from the Peace Corps). …
A Word of Advice for Preachers – Kevin Rhodes
Preaching is a personal profession. For those who put their heart and soul into it, their work and identity intertwine so extensively that they sometimes have trouble distinguishing the two. This reality makes offering advice to preachers a task fraught with challenges lest any recommendation come across as criticism or, worse, an attack. Nevertheless, advice—even unsolicited—provides an opportunity for personal evaluation and potential improvement. And while I am well aware that I do not possess perfect answers for a work…
The Effective Ministry – Rick Brumback
No person has ever affected human affairs at their most radical level more than Jesus, the “Word become flesh” (John 1:14). But upon what did His power of influence depend? Extraordinary earthly prerogative? Wealth? Education? Social standing? No; in fact in these areas He was largely unremarkable. Nevertheless, He changed the world. 1. Looks With the emphasis on beauty and looks so prevalent today, some may suppose that we could have greater influence, and greater respect, among others if we…
Is this not? – Mike Riley
When Jesus revealed His divinity to the Jews residing in Nazareth, they questioned His authority (Matt. 13:53-58). This was not unexpected, considering they only knew Him as “the carpenter’s son” (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3). After all, Jesus’ teaching was quite different from that of the Jewish religious teachers of the day (Matt. 7:28-29; John 7:46). By and large, the Galileans could not believe that “the carpenter’s son” was the Son of God. Because they had known him from boyhood, they…
Confessing or Denying? – Bill Jackson
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt 10:32-33). Among the several ways in the New Testament by which proper response to God, and improper response, are pictured, this is one of the most striking. We either confess him or deny him. It has to mean, of course, far…
Micaiah, one who Spoke Truth – B.J. Clarke
The Alliance During a visit with Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, Ahab, king of Israel, requested that they form an alliance in going to battle to reclaim Ramoth-Gilead from the Syrians. Jehoshaphat expressed to Ahab his desire to unite to fight—if Ahab would inquire whether it was God’s will (1 Kings 22:4-5). The “A-lie-ance” With about 400 of his prophets assembled, Ahab asked, “Shall I go against Ramoth-Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the…
Fortress of Solitude – Andy Baker
What a mistake in that spring day of so long ago! What began as one man staying home alone ended with adultery, an illegitimate child’s death, the death of an innocent man, and the heartbreak and ruin of a family! How sin so easily ensnares us and our righteous judgment can be skewed and distorted by being alone in the wrong place! David could have gone with Joab. All the kings were going out to battle, why not David (2…
We Submit to Christ Because… (Part 1)
The world is full of carnal pleasures seeking our allegiance. The “god of this age” (2 Cor. 4:4) blinds us with the “pleasure of sin for a season” (Heb. 11:25) that we may find ourselves enslaved to the Father of lies (John 8:44). This was one of the many problems in the Colossian congregation. In addition to Gnosticism convincing many that Christ was not truly the Son of God, carnality and sin of every kind gained entrance into the body…
Mark 8:22-26: The Two-fold Miracle – Steven Lloyd
Among the miracles of healing, the account of the blind man receiving his sight in Mark 8:22-26 is unique. Other miracles of healing were immediate and complete, whereas this one occurred in two phases. Jesus and His disciples were in Bethsaida. A blind man was brought to Him for healing. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. He spit on the blind man’s eyes, laid His hands on him, and asked if…
Six Tools to Improve Your Prayer Life – Andy Baker
Tool #1: Practice It is comforting to know that prayer is a learned behavior (Luke 11:1). It is also comforting to know that nobody, save Jesus, is an expert at prayer (Luke 11:2-13). However, scripture is clear that God expects people to pray (cf. Matt. 6:5; Col. 4:2; Luke 18:1; I Thess. 5:17). Thus, if it is something Christians are expected to do, getting in and actually doing it is important! A prayer does not have to be long or…