Next to worship and evangelism, helping each other to grow in our walk with God is one of the main purposes of the church. An outwardly focused Christian is one who will declare: ‘I will grow together with others.’ Thom Rainer points out the importance of small groups in the local church when he says,…
Mohandas K. Gandhi was the leader of the Indian nationalist movement against British rule and considered the father of his country. He is internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolence to achieve political and social progress. Gandhi says in his autobiography that in his student days he was truly interested in the Bible. Deeply touched…
The first of Thom Rainer’s nine traits of an outward focused Christian. The first trait was: I will move from an ‘I am’ to an ‘I will’ church member. The second trait is ‘I will worship with others.’ There should be a certain level of excitement when it comes to gathering with God’s people…
In James 1:19-27, the writer builds upon his discussion on enduring trials by focusing on what we can do to avoid unnecessary trials in our lives. Most of the trials we face in life come about simply because we live in a sin cursed world. Many trials are simply unavoidable. However, there are those trials…
From the Pastor’s Heart Thom Rainer (President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources) recently wrote a book entitled, “I could, I might, I can, I should, I will!” The book focuses on 9 traits of the outwardly focused Christian life. It actually focuses on the attitudes that every church member should have. Too many…
The book of James is written by the half-brother of Jesus to the Jewish believers that were scattered throughout the world. Basically, the book is written to all believers in all places. The content of the book is very practical. We find in it some very basic instructions for the Christian life. These are instructions…
Numbers 20:3-5 says, “The people quarreled with Moses and said, if only we had perished when our brothers perished before the Lord. Why have you brought the Lord’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? Why have you led us up from Egypt to bring us to this evil…
As you read through the final chapters in the book of Nehemiah you find that even though the work of rebuilding the city was complete, there was still more work to be done. There was the registry of the people, the reading of the law, the repopulating the city, and so on. When it comes…
Anytime you set out to do great things for God, there will be opposition to the work. Satan will do everything he can to deter you from what God has called you to do. He is in the business of constantly attacking churches and trying to destroy its influence in the community and around the…
Now that we have addressed the questions: ‘where do we begin?’ and what does it take?’ we will now examine Nehemiah chapter three and consider the question, ‘how do we do the work?’ Nehemiah chapter three is a fascinating testimony of the leadership and organizational skills of Nehemiah. As you read through the chapter you…
Pastor Chris Noland 