The Church has always dealt with those who do something that causes them and the Church to lose credibility. Jude faced it with leaders using Scripture out of context and bullying people with intellect. We face it too with those who attempt to manipulate people, sell out, and desire the spotlight.
Is there a right way to handle differences of opinion and resolve conflict? Even with a deep connection, Solomon and his bride found themselves looking at the same thing differently. One way to settle differences of opinion is to act and not react...to talk and not walk.
How many of us have prayed for something we wanted? Then we waited and nothing. Then we prayed some more and then we just stopped. It felt like a “no” from God. When we stopped, perhaps we’ve asked whether or not God loves us or what can we do to change His mind. We’ll learn that the cross was a result of a “no” and what happened to Jesus after the “no.”
When you make a financial donation to Be Rich, every penny supports the needs and efforts of these organizations. Your contribution will fund projects that are game changers for our nonprofits and life changers for the people they serve. Together, we can make a difference! It all starts with asking the right questions.
"Bottom Line: Jesus’ disciples wanted to know when the end would happen. He explains to them that the end would happen when certain signs would occur. Decades later, John echos that the same signs have continued and will continue. Even with the uncertainty, we have no reason to fear."
Life is unpredictable. There are days that are mundane and we’re wondering if anyone will notice we emptied the dishwasher for the second time. Other days are memorable and we’re taking mental notes. Then there are tragic days and we’re wanting a redo. The unexpected ways Jesus helps us navigate the unpredictability is worth telling others!
Healthy effective communication is complicated. Our words are powerful as they carry the power of life and death. We’ll dissect a verse that will help us with life-giving communication. The words you use are the words you choose. Why do you choose the words you use?
If you have a hard time believing that God wants anything for you, remember that it’s not fair to transfer any jadedness to God. God is God. You get what you get with Him…He doesn’t change. Who wouldn’t want someone who empathizes, offers grace, slow to get fired up, committed, and trustworthy? We’ve settled for less than that in other important relationships.
If we allow self-discovery to lead to self-focus, we begin a happiness chase that will never end. But if we allow self-discovery to lead us to our part in God’s common purpose, we will discover lasting fulfillment and joy.
Something that has stuck out about Jesus in His biographies has been the lessons He taught and the community He built while at the table with His students/disciples. In all of these situations with Jesus, it was less about what was on the table and more about who they were becoming at the table. When we’re pursuing Christ and each other, the Holy Spirit is using that community to change us into being more like Jesus.
Burnout is a syndrome caused by stress that was not successfully managed. It’s believed that burnout leads to cynicism, health problems, isolation, depression, and spiritual melancholy. We’ve seen people over the last twenty years of ministry burnout—pastors, seminary students, and volunteers. It’s impossible to provide peace in the local church when the leader isn’t at peace.
Since we easily falter when left to our own devices, we need somewhere to turn for genuine wisdom. The Bible serves that purpose in every area of life, including with our money. The Bible does talk about money and finances. It contains hundreds of references to money and our possessions. Some of them relate to a proper view of money, while others deal with spiritual warning signs that we are letting our “stuff” get out of perspective. Many verses teach us about practical, tactical things we can ...
Getting out of debt, getting on a budget, living on less than you make, saving, and giving allow you to start building some wealth. God’s plan works! When you handle money God’s ways and follow His principles, you get to experience His work in your life! Again, it’s not magic or prosperity theology. It’s a matter of God using people who are open to handling His resources for His glory.
Debt is one product in our society that has been marketed so aggressively, so thoroughly, that many folks in our North American culture can’t imagine life without it. People actually get angry when you suggest that it’s possible to live without debt. Debt has dug its claws into our lives. It has warped our thinking to the point where we are willing to fight for the lie.
Prosperity can lead us down the wrong road. If we aren’t careful, we can find ourselves in a whole lot of trouble in a short amount of time. That’s why we need a biblical pattern for how wealth is supposed to work in our lives. We need guidance so that the wealth God provides becomes a blessing for our families—not a curse.
Do you have a bad habit, something you wished you didn’t do and you’ve tried to break that habit, but you can’t seem to break it? Have you been to a counselor or prayed and it didn’t work? Are you still asking why can’t I stop?
Jesus talked about Hell more than anybody else, which is confusing because Jesus was the most loving, and yet he talked about Hell. Why would a loving God send good people to Hell? Why did God create Hell?
Have you seen God answer some prayers where you say—Wow, God, You showed up and you showed off? And then other times when you pray in a similar way, with a similar type of faith, believing that God could do it, He didn’t do what you thought He should do and knew He could do?
Have you ever doubted God? Have you ever doubted the goodness of God? Have you ever been told as a Christian that we’re not supposed to ever doubt? Have ever thought: How can I see the goodness of God when my life is falling apart? If God is so good, then why did this happen?
If you repay evil for evil, you will write a pretty predictable story. But there’s a way to write a remarkable one instead.
Hurting someone because they hurt you doesn’t end the cycle. It perpetuates it. And it makes you look like the person you dislike.
Is there a right way to handle differences of opinion and resolve conflict? Even with a deep connection, Solomon and his bride found themselves looking at the same thing differently. One way to settle differences of opinion is to act and not react...to talk and not walk.
Did you know that sex starts before the bedroom? In their song, Solomon and his bride understood that God-honoring sex starts before the bedroom. As we live in a culture that is sexually saturated and misrepresents God’s design for sex, we’ll learn that there’s a rescue waiting for all of us.
Life is unpredictable. There are days that are mundane and we’re wondering if anyone will notice we emptied the dishwasher for the second time. Other days are memorable and we’re taking mental notes. Then there are tragic days and we’re wanting a redo. The unexpected ways Jesus helps us navigate the unpredictability is worth telling others!
Connection is one of the most important factors in any successful relationship. When it comes to marriage, connection to the other person is vital to any success. Without connection, relationships suffer from isolation, which may lead to separation and divorce. Connection to Jesus is the path to success.
Attraction is a powerful thing and it’s designed to be developed. As we look at Solomon’s song, there are four qualities that we need to develop within ourselves that honor to God and the person we are attracted to. The results of getting the development of these qualities right will lead to a lifetime of honor.
We know God is for us because Jesus died for us not because things always work out for us.
How many of us have prayed for something we wanted? Then we waited and nothing. Then we prayed some more and then we just stopped. It felt like a “no” from God. When we stopped, perhaps we’ve asked whether or not God loves us or what can we do to change His mind. We’ll learn that the cross was a result of a “no” and what happened to Jesus after the “no.”
What does it mean to be male and female? How do people know who they are when they don’t believe that they fit? Amazingly enough, Jesus addresses the transgender questions years before that term was coined.
What does it mean when we say we have individual rights? Do we all have the same rights or do we have different rights? In American culture, we are asking whether or not gay marriage is like interracial marriage and whether or not a woman has a right to abortion? Jesus shows us a different set of rights.
