Samba Jean loved going into the forest near their mountain home in central Madagascar to collect herbs for his magic. Although his family calls themselves Christians, his father sees no problem mixing Christian beliefs with witchcraft. He uses sticks and bones to determine who has cursed someone, and he uses magic and traditional herbs to … Continue reading –>
Have you ever been homesick? It’s a terrible feeling, isn’t it? Do you remember the first time you spent a night away from home on your own? The first few weeks of college were really hard for me. I know I must have called home so many times, just to hear the voices of my … Continue reading –>
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:6, 7, NKJV). [Thought questions for Reformation: The Willingness to Grow and Change September 4, 2013] 1. The gift of grace. Without grace, … Continue reading –>
Jesus revealed the Father’s compassion and love through the miracles that He performed. He healed palsied bodies in order to reveal an even greater ability to heal palsied souls. He restored twisted arms and legs in order to demonstrate His greater desire to restore twisted hearts and minds. Jesus’ miracles teach us something about how … Continue reading –>
Since this is my 20th year of being a Bible Worker Lay Pastor, in keeping with the theme of “20”, here is my list of 20 things your Bible Worker will never tell you. While I have put the list together mostly myself from my own experiences, it is not entirely my own. Other Bible Workers … Continue reading –>
Read Luke 15:11-21. What specific attitudes and actions led the prodigal to decide to return home? What principles of revival and reformation do we discover in this passage? Revival can be defined in different ways. However it may be defined, one factor ought not be missed: Revival is coming home. It is a heart hunger to … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : Change does not occur without a spiritual battle. Reformation occurs by faith as we choose to surrender our habits and attitudes to Him. [Teaching plan for Willingness to Grow and Change September 2, 2013] 1. Have a volunteer read James 4:6,7 a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the … Continue reading –>
What was wrong with Peter’s attitude before the Cross? Matt. 26:31-35. Peter was no match for the wiles of the evil one. He attempted to face Satan’s temptations in His own strength. Filled with a sense of self-inflated confidence, he had little idea of the crisis that was coming. In the courtyard of the high priest and … Continue reading –>
Change comes at the point of choice. Reformation occurs as we chose to yield to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and surrender our will to God’s will. God will never force or manipulate our will. He respects our freedom. His Spirit impresses our minds, convicts our hearts, and prompts us to do right, … Continue reading –>
The lives of the disciples show constant spiritual growth as they walked with Jesus. When Christ called His disciples, their attitudes and actions certainly did not reflect the loveliness of His character. Read Luke 9:51-56 and Matthew 20:20-28. How do these passages reveal James’ and John’s thinking? James and John had some serious character flaws. They were … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 John 2:1-9, Phil. 2:12-14, Matt. 26:31-35, John 20:24-29,Luke 15:11-21, John 5:1-14. Memory Text: “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:6, 7, NKJV). Before Pentecost, the disciples had significant spiritual … Continue reading –>
“A revival and a reformation must take place under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and … Continue reading –>
