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Growing Closer to God with James
Introduction - Growing Closer to God with James
Through the years I have often heard (and sometimes thought) statements like this a lot, "I feel like I am so far from God," or "I feel so alone in my spiritual life." These are a scary thoughts but it is also comforting to know people recognize there is opportunity to make improvements in their lives and grow closer to God. More>>
Lesson 1 - Growing Closer to God through Trials
Introduction
Let's face it. Life is hard sometimes. I don't mean the superficial hard, I mean REALLY hard. Maybe you are like me and it seems when things go wrong, they ALL go wrong. As the saying goes, "when it rains, it pours. More>>
Lesson 2 - Growing Closer to God Through Labor
Introduction
Sometimes we might think like this, "I'm all for growing closer to God if...
...it doesn't cost too much"
...it doesn't take too much time"
...it doesn't cause me to sacrifice anything"
. More>>
Lesson 3 - Growing Closer to God Through Being a Friend
Introduction
The longer I have been a part of the Lord's church the more I have come to realize that often times people visit church needing a savior but don't fully understand that. Many times they come just wanting a friend. More>>
Lesson 4 - Growing Closer to God Through an Active Faith
Introduction Having faith is the foundation of the Christian life. However faith is just the beginning of that life. Without faith we can not be pleasing to God (Hebrews 6:11). Before we begin let's look at the word "faith" a little more deeply. More>>
Lesson 5 - Growing Closer to God Through Watching Your Mouth
Introduction
What are the strongest muscles in your body? Science says the heart is, followed by the Masseter (jaw), then the Soleus (calf), and the Gluteus Maximus (behind end). Each of these muscles contain great strength for a specific purpose. More>>
Lesson 6 - Growing Closer to God Through Humility
Introduction
Being humble is a way to acknowledge God's preeminence in our lives. As His creation we understand that He is over us, so being humble toward God may not be difficult. However we may stumble when we compare ourselves to those around us. More>>
Lesson 7 - Growing Closer to God Through Minding Your Business
Why is it we all love to talk about other people? Many of our conservations have the statement, "have you heard...." followed by some bit of juicy information. The more juicy the story, the better. Of course none us reading this would ever involve ourselves in gossip like this. More>>
Lesson 8 - Growing Closer to God Through Focusing on Spiritual Matters
Introduction
Christians have a high calling in life. This high calling allows us to focus on things of an eternal nature. Since we are children of God, we are in the position to have a positive impact in the world. More>>
Lesson 9 - Growing Closer to God Through Patience
Introduction
There is an old joke where a man prays, "God give me patience, and give it to me RIGHT NOW!" When something exciting is coming it is hard to wait for it. Think about how much you look forward to Christmas Day, your birthday, and the last day of the school year. More>>
All Growing Closer to God with James >>
Common Questions with Uncommon Answers
Introduction - Common Questions with Uncommon Answers
Don't let Satan fool you! You can learn the truth exactly as God has
delivered it. Not only that, you can teach it to others! Too often
Christians think, "I just don't know enough to share my faith.
More>>
Lesson 1 - You people in the Church of Christ think you're the only ones going to Heaven
Most individuals who are a part of denominationalism will use this statement and it will be used as a weapon to derail you and get you flustered and angry (sounds like the work of Satan to me). Whole religious groups are TAUGHT how to use this argument to combat a member of the church of Christ and their teachings. More>>
Lesson 2 - Why must a person be baptized?
If you understand the thought process behind this argument and know the book, chapter and verse where they are "based," you will be prepared to rightly divide the word of God with them (2 Timothy 2:15). More>>
Lesson 3 - Why do you not use pianos and organs in church?
The topic of what is acceptable to God in the realm of music in the worship service is a hotly debated topic. We should be truly concerned about what God wants from His children and not what we want. More>>
Lesson 4 - Why do we take the Lord's Supper every week?
Partaking of the Lord's Supper is a commandment and privilege for all Christians. Most every Christian religion sets aside time to break bread and drink the fruit of the vine. There is disagreement, however, on the "who," "what," "how," "why" and especially the "when" as to the conduct of the Supper.
More>>
Lesson 5 - Once my God saves me, I'm always saved
This belief is rooted in the teaching that a person cannot fall from grace once they are truly saved. Of course if a "saved" person does "fall" then the assertion is they were never truly saved to begin with. More>>
Lesson 6 - I am divorced and remarried. Is that ok?
Introduction
One of the biggest challenges faced by the church today is the erosion of the family. God has ordained only three institutions; the church, government and the family. Each of these institutions is extremely important but all are built on the foundation of the family. More>>
Lesson 6 - I Am Divorced and Remarried
Introduction
One of the biggest challenges faced by the church today is the erosion of the family. God has ordained only three institutions; the church, government and the family. Each of these institutions is extremely important but all are built on the foundation of the family. More>>
Lesson 7 - Why don't you believe in the rapture?
In this lesson we will take a close look at the Bible's teaching related to the rapture. As with any comprehensive study on a topic we will look at a tremendous amount of scriptures related to the subject. More>>
Lesson 8 - Why Don't You Believe in the Old Testament?
Introduction
The history of time has included three distinct periods. These periods of time are defined by how God has dealt with man and how He delivered His will at that time. The first two of these periods are contained in the Old Testament. More>>
All Common Questions with Uncommon Answers >>
Building a Stronger Church, One Member at a Time
Introduction
Brush Stokes of the MasterIntroduction
Every great work of art is composed of many small parts. A sculptor uses a hammer to strike a chisel countless times to create a grand statue. More>>
Lesson 1 - A Loving People
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ. More>>
Lesson 2 - A Righteous People
Philippians 1:11
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
What does it mean to be righteous? The definition of that word is acting in accord with divine or moral code. More>>
Lesson 3 - A Unified People
Philippians 1:27-28
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 in no way alarmed by your opponents which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. More>>
Lesson 4 - An Obedient People
Philippians 2:12-13
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. More>>
Lesson 5 - A Growing People
Philippians 3:12
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Introduction
Luke 12:27
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. More>>
Lesson 6 - A Prayful People
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. More>>
Lesson 7 - A Sharing People
Philippians 4:14-16
Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. More>>
Lesson 8 - A Pure People
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. More>>
Lesson 9 - A Looking People
Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ
Introduction
Since this life on earth is all we can fully understand there may be the tendency to become comfortable in this world. More>>
All Building a Stronger Church, One Member at a Time >>
Questions from a teen
Lesson 1 - What Does the Bible Say...
Introduction
Most times that I hear a question about the Bible it starts with, "Where in the Bible does it say.....?" Of course that is the right way to start a serious question since the Bible is indeed the only way we have to understand God's will and instructions for us. More>>
Lesson 2 - How do I Talk to My Friends
2 Timothy 4:1-5 1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. More>>
Commitment
Commitment to Ourselves
Being a Christian entails practicing a great deal of humility. We should be careful, however, to not let our humility to cause us to neglect our commitment to ourselves. You are important! God has a plan and reward for you! More>>
