• Topic > Christian Beliefs > Humanity >

    The Mystery of Believing

    Through the miracle of redemption, Saul of Tarsus was instantly changed from a strong-willed and forceful Pharisee into a humble and devoted bondservant of the Lord Jesus.

    There is nothing miraculous or mysterious about the things we can explain.

    The Inevitable Penalty

    There is no heaven that has a little corner of hell in it. God is determined to make you pure, holy, and right, and He will not allow you to escape from the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit for even one moment. He urged you to come to judgment immediately when He convicted you, but you did not obey. Then the inevitable process began to work, bringing its inevitable penalty. Now you have been “thrown into prison, [and] . . . you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny” (5:25-26).

    The Strictest Discipline

    Jesus did not say that everyone must cut off his right hand, but that “if your right hand causes you to sin” in your walk with Him, then it is better to “cut it off.” There are many things that are perfectly legitimate, but if you are going to concentrate on God you cannot do them. Your right hand is one of the best things you have, but Jesus says that if it hinders you in following His precepts, then “cut it off.” The principle taught here is the strictest discipline or lesson that ever hit humankind.

    Judgment and Obedience

    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him it is right.”

    Reconciling Yourself to the Fact of Sin

    Not being reconciled to the fact of sin— not recognizing it and refusing to deal with it— produces all the disasters in life. You may talk about the lofty virtues of human nature, but there is something in human nature that will mockingly laugh in the face of every principle you have. If you refuse to agree with the fact that there is wickedness and selfishness, something downright hateful and wrong, in human beings, when it attacks your life, instead of reconciling yourself to it, you will compromise with it and say that it is of no use to battle against it.

    Why I Said No to Clubbing

    Growing up in a Christian family, I was the typical good girl. I was obedient and submissive. When I was younger, I made all my choices and decisions based on the nodding (or shaking) of my parents’ heads. So, as you would imagine, even my fashion choices were wholly based on my mother’s style.

    “Standing at the Crossroads”

    We all have to make decisions. But when you find yourself “Standing at the Crossroads” of a decision, how do you determine which way to go? Today on Discover the Word, we kick off a new series about the prophet Jeremiah and explore ancient wisdom that helped him make godly decisions. Listen to Discover the Word, today!

    "Work Out" What God "Works in" You

    Your will agrees with God, but in your flesh there is a nature that renders you powerless to do what you know you ought to do. When the Lord initially comes in contact with our conscience, the first thing our conscience does is awaken our will, and our will always agrees with God. Yet you say, “But I don’t know if my will is in agreement with God.” Look to Jesus and you will find that your will and your conscience are in agreement with Him every time. What causes you to say “I will not obey” is something less deep and penetrating than your will.

    You Have a Choice

    You mean, I can choose to believe in Jesus?” my young Nepali friend asked in surprise as I was giving her a ride to the grocery store. She was an international student at the same university I was attending and had been coming for several months to a weekly Bible study. As we were discussing her thoughts regarding the study, she suddenly became shocked by the realization that she could choose what to believe. She had grown up in a culture where faith was something she was born into, with no choice given to her.

    The Good or The Best?

    As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating and physically gratifying possibilities will open up before you. These things are yours by right, but if you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God make your choice for you. God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your own welfare would be the appropriate thing to consider, if you were not living the life of faith.

    Doing the right thing

    Have you ever wondered, “What do I do next?” Well, today on Discover the Word, we end the weeklong discussion with John Townsend by talking about doing the next right thing. It’s part of the series called “The Entitlement Cure.” Join the team today on Discover the Word!

    Keeping your promises

    “Sure, I can make it to lunch with you today . . . unless something better comes along.” Ever been tempted to respond to an invitation that way? Have you ever had to make a choice in a situation like that? Today on Discover the Word, the team is joined by best-selling author John Townsend to […]

    Words matter

    Words affect actions! Would you agree with that? Well, today on Discover the Word, team members are joined by author John Townsend to discuss how we can change our entitlement mentality by changing the words we use to describe ourselves. Don’t miss it! It’s a fascinating part of the series titled, “The Entitlement Cure.” Listen […]

    The Habit of Recognizing God’s Provision

    . . . you may be partakers of the divine nature . . . —2 Peter 1:4

    We are made “partakers of the divine nature,” receiving and sharing God’s own nature through His promises. Then we have to work that divine nature …

    Doing what’s best

    Today on Discover the Word we’re not taking any shortcuts! Author John Townsend joins us to uncover how to do what is best and not just what is comfortable. It’s part of a series called “The Entitlement Cure.” Listen today to Discover the Word!

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