Elders across the country are seeing an increase in the number of Christians who are dealing with depression/anxiety and the very negative effect on the spiritual lives of their members. There is a dipropionate increase in the number of young people whose lives are interrupted by anxiety/depression to the point that their ability to worship and serve God becomes difficult for them. At this point parent and elders are faced with a more difficult challenge to prevent spiritual malnutrition.

There is a growing body of research in the mental health world that suggests…

1. Homosexuality is "conduct". We do not deny that someone may have homosexual thoughts or temptations. But what makes someone homosexual is committing homosexual acts. Most people confuse a "tendency" or a "temptation" with the act. I may be tempted…

They start by clearing up misunderstandings and reference a direct act of God's power (2:15-20; 3:16-18).

They show how the miracles attest to Jesus (2:22; 3:16).

They speak to "the name of the Lord" (2:21, 38; 3:16).

They reference the guilt of killing Jesus (2:23; 3:14-15).

They affirm the resurrection of Jesus (2:24, 32; 3:15).

They show how it all happened according to…

Indeed, concerning man's entire relationship to God, Jeremiah could cry in all truth, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to…

Calling worship boring is more a revelation and judgment of our inner spiritual drought than of those who are sincerely striving to glorify God regardless of outward show. To call it boring is to lay the blame on others for not making it exciting for "me," as if worship is all about me in the first place. "But…

Of course, we understand that some people aren't asking questions like, "What must I do to be saved?" as people did in Bible days (Acts 16:30). However, not everyone raised…

Why You Should…

Sometimes we have the tendency to complain about little things in life. It is those little things which ought to prepare us for the more difficult things. Paul saw persecutions as hurdles one may jump. You won't jump those high hurdles if you can't jump the low ones. Use those low hurdles in life to be more successful as a Christian in the future. Jeremiah 12:5, "If you have raced with foot-runners and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you fall down, how will you fare in the thickets of…

For years it has been stated that "honesty is the best policy." Nonetheless, there have been and continue to be those who act otherwise - Those who want to lie, cheat, over exaggerate, and deal dishonestly with others.

No matter how far from right this world may go, God's word must be respected. From it, we learn that honesty is commanded. Paul told the church at Rome to "…provide things honest in the sight of all men" (Rom. 12:17). For the Corinthians he prayed that they might "do that which is honest…" (2 Cor. 13:7). Is any less expected of God's…

My first thought is "How long have you cared - when did you catch fire?" The newly enthused likely fall into three groups: (1) new converts (perhaps starry-eyed, but we need their freshness as much as they need our experience); (2) new preachers, elders, deacons, teachers, etc., where new responsibility has awakened eyes to see brethren in a different light; and, (3) brethren shaken out of complacency by the influence…

Invariably, at the end of every year, we pause to remember loved ones who are no longer with us, and maybe we remember that we will soon join them—which can be a disquieting thought, unless it's quieted by hope.

In George MacDonald's book, At the Back of the North Wind, Diamond is a poor, young boy who sleeps in a hayloft.…

The little story reminds us of a passage in 1 Corinthians 15:33 which says, "Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.'" (NKJV). A person may feel like he can associate with wicked people and not be hurt. He…