I'll Be Honest

What does it mean to be filled with all the fullness of God? This isn’t a made up phrase by religious mystics who don’t know the Bible. This is a God-breathed prayer recorded for us in Scripture. Is this something that we would pray? Is this something that we know experientially? What does this mean?

It's a very unpopular thought to consider that God hates sinners. But this is how a holy God feels about those who live in rebellion against Him. And we must remember this: if God hates a person, it's precisely because that person is hate-worthy.

Our lives can't be marked by our sorrows or our joys. They have to be marked by living for eternity despite our sorrows and our joys.

Sadly, one of the vices that plagues young people is pride. It’s often overlooked if a young person has a quiet and humble disposition. But this is an exemplary characteristic that all young people should cultivate in their lives.

Someone asked, “Instead of the Cross, should our focus rather be on the resurrection of Christ?” Original question: My pastor in my local church taught us in one of our bible studies to focus not on the cross but on the resurrection of Christ. The reason he gave is that the cross is a picture of suffering and punishment while resurrection is the victory of Jesus over death… I somehow feel wrong ab...

Single Christians who want to be married should not be expecting perfection in a potential spouse and setting unreasonable standards. The best Christian couples will acknowledge that they and their spouses are not perfect and need grace. If you are looking for perfection, you'll be sadly disappointed.

What would be some helpful counsel to men who are considering entering into the ministry?

Our Christian life must consist of both going up to the mountaintop to behold the glory of Jesus Christ, and we also need to come down and reflect that glory in this dark world. Both of these are vital and essential for us as Christians.

Your doctrine may be sound and right, but how is your fellowship with God? Can you boldly say that your life is one of true fellowship with the Father and the Son? Or do you have to hesitate when asked if your fellowship with God is real and true?

The devil has many devices to use against the Christian and one primary device is to attack our assurance. In this study, Tim considers some of the methods the devil uses to attack our assurance and what some of the weapons are that we can use to overcome them. 1. Satan tries to convince you that believers cannot truly have assurance. 2. Satan tries to push you to excess. 3. Satan tries to convinc...

Does the Bible tell us we should memorize Scripture? Is it profitable for Christians to memorize the Bible? Tim shares some practical advice on memorizing the Bible and storing it up in your heart.

If a man is in a leadership position over youth in a church and the youth do not seem to be growing under his ministry, what does this indicate? Should the man ask himself if he's unqualified? Or should the man ask himself if the youth may be lost?

The kingdom of God is not about position and power. Yet to our amazement the disciples asked Jesus, the King, “Who is the greatest?” Christ’s kingdom is not about that, we should not even ask that question. Are you more concerned about protecting your position than exalting Christ?

Jesus doesn't want us to wait until we get to heaven for His prayer for our unity to be answered. This prayer of Jesus for our unity should be the direction of our lives here and now.

It's no small matter when we don't deal with the sins we commit against one another in the church. We can't afford to disrupt our unity by harboring bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness toward one another.

There are practical things to consider when seeking to overcome sexual sin. But if love for Christ is lacking, all other means and methods won't last. Love for Christ is the only permanent remedy for putting to death sexual sin.

May God help us to not give off an impression of superiority to other Christians who may not agree with us on secondary matters. It won't be dwelling on our differences, but dwelling on the Christ that will unite us and demolish the petty differences that have such a tendency to create disunity amongst us.

The spirit of our age is telling us that we need to trust and believe in ourselves. But this mindset will severely divide and damage a church; nothing hurts a church like people who think highly of themselves.

There are many different groups and denominations that fall under the umbrella of "Christianity." Is this a sign of division? Is someone divisive (a work of the flesh) if they go to or identify with a church that has a denominational title? Or must there be factions among us in order that those who are genuine may be recognized (1 Cor. 11:19)?

If we suspect that someone we know who claims to be a Christian may actually be a false convert, how should we address them? What are some realities that we should be mindful of?

Pastors can have a tendency to expect attacks to come on the church from the outside. But Paul warns the Ephesian elders that wolves are going to attack the church from within. Excerpt from, "What Are the Pastors’ Roles in the Church?"

One of the biggest battles Christians face in their church is with selfishness. Christians should not be consumed with themselves and their own interests. We need to resist this inward pull to be focused on our own needs and not the needs of others.

The Bible clearly commands us to give. But is it ever okay to save our money or to invest it? Should we give our money away whenever we earn it and not have any savings?

As Christians, we're called to unity, but not unity at any price. Our unity is centered around Jesus Christ. What makes us a body is that we're connected to the Head; Christ.

One of the worst things a church can have is people who are thin-skinned and easily offended. May God keep us from ever manifesting such un-Christ-like characteristics.