There is something about the title that sounds counterintuitive to our self-reliant and self-protective lives. Even so, doesn’t it have a biblical ring to it? You die to live (Matthew 16:24-26). You humble yourself to be exalted (Matthew 23:12). You give up something to gain… Continue Reading …
Everybody suffers. It does not matter who you are. It doesn’t matter who you belong to—the world or God’s family. Suffering is suffering, and nobody is exempt from it. The difference between Christian and non-Christian suffering is how we view and respond to it. When… Continue Reading …
Moving forward in faith is one of the hardest things to do, especially when the decisions are difficult. The main thing when moving forward is to make sure you have God’s perspective. To do that, you want to follow three sequential steps. Listen to the… Continue Reading …
There is a unique place where good and evil intersect in a Christian’s life. That place is personal suffering. What the world, flesh, and the devil mean for evil, the Lord God Almighty intends for our good (Romans 8:28). Listen to the podcast Our podcasts… Continue Reading …
“God is a God of second chances.” Have you ever heard that expression? It is one of those things we say about God. It is a Christian cliché, and it is a good one. If you are a Christian, you have received a second chance.… Continue Reading …
Salvation is a gift that we must steward. Managing it is not a matter of losing it, but a matter of sharing it with others. And God will go to great and mighty lengths for your good, so you can be His ambassador for Christ.… Continue Reading …
What do you think about when a storm comes into your life? When things are dreadful for you, how do you reflect on what’s happening? Where does your mind go? This article deals with those questions. Listen to the podcast Our podcasts are on iTunes,… Continue Reading …
How do you think about the trouble in your life? I counsel a lot of Christians who have a lot of trouble in their lives. In a way, they are modern-day representations of Jonah–they are being swallowed up by their difficulties. Listen to Rick read… Continue Reading …
Many times, in suffering, it’s easy to focus on the wrong question. You can be more concerned about whether God is safe than whether He is good. Sometimes your genuine desire and expectation for self-protection can outweigh the Lord’s good work in your life (Romans… Continue Reading …
To be discomforted in life is as assured as death and taxes. There are some things you can count on, and personal suffering is one of those things. It is part of the package that comes with the gift of life (Philippians 1:29). Because suffering… Continue Reading …