The entire Bible talks about the glory of God, but if a new Christian asked you what “glory” means, could you answer them? In the Greek, three words are used for “glory”: doxa, doxazo, and kleos.
Doxa refers to honor and praise that commands respect, excellence, and magnificence. It describes God’s nature and actions. It’s who He is and is shown through what He does and how He chooses to reveal Himself to us.
Doxazo is the verb that means to magnify, extol or praise. This is when we ascribe honor to God as we acknowledge His greatness, His being, His attributes and His actions.
kleos refers to one’s reputation good report, fame, and renown.
Giving God Glory?
God is the sum of all these. So when we give God glory, it means we honor and respect Him because He chooses to show us lovingkindness, He is righteous, and He exercises judgment. As children of God, we need to pay attention to what delights Him and then order our priorities around those.
Our Goal: Knowing and Enjoying God
Our supreme goal is to know and enjoy God. In Jeremiah 9:24, we see that the person who understands and knows the Lord has the highest values that are dependent on the fact that God alone is Lord. 1 Timothy 6:15 says, “He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.” We give God glory whenever we acknowledge His greatness, praising Him, worshiping Him or honor him simply because He, and He alone, deserve to be praised, honored, and worshiped. His glory is the very essence of His nature. It is who He is. He is holy, faithful, merciful, grace, love, mighty, sovereign, powerful, forgiving, loving, omnipotent and omniscience. He is worthy of all our praise.
If we’re not giving God glory, we give it to ourselves
On the other hand, in Jeremiah 9:23, we see that wisdom, might, and riches are the values that the wise, mighty, and rich aspire to. Theses people glory in themselves and what they acquire or accomplish. They glory in their wisdom, might, and wealth. They give none of the credit to God. It is foolish to glory in these things that are fleeting. Wisdom can be gone with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Might gives way to old age and ailing health. Riches disappear with just one bad investment. But when we glory in God, then we glory in the eternal wisdom, righteousness, and judgment of God.
Giving God the glory sounds like this:
And if you you weren’t done glorifying God and need to spend a little longer glorifying Him:
What is it that you glory in?
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Known Loved Worthy Enough Chosen Child of God
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Walk by Faith
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This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
Scripture to memorize and meditate on
Conversation Starters
Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
Romance Builders
Relationship Builders
Personal reflections
Date ideas
Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples
Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.
Join the community of couples on Facebook who are committed to intentionally growing their marriage and learning how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.
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Students in one Sunday School class were asked to write down what they liked best about Sunday school. One little boy, who also happened to be the pastor’s son, thought for a moment and remembered all the songs the class had sung during the year. His spelling was not as good as his memory, for he wrote, “The thing I like best about Sunday School is the sinning.” Hopefully this little boy understood that when we backslide, God stands ready to forgive those who have a contrite heart means.
We might chuckle, but the sad part is too many people actually enjoy sinning. They do not have a contrite heart. Rather they have a heart of pride and arrogance.
Only Christians can Backslide
A person who has never placed their faith in Christ and become a child of God cannot backslide. Christians, however, can be guilty of backsliding and returning to their old sinful ways and habits. To backslide is basically to slide backwards into a previous pattern or behavior. They might at least for time enjoy the sin while they ignore the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit convicting them. But as a child of God, they will eventually become miserable in their sin because God will seek out His wayward child.
An old preacher used to say that if you are not moving toward Jesus, you are moving away from Him. There is no middle ground. No drifting or coasting along. No foot on this side of Christianity and the other foot planted in the world. When we backslide, we either choose to continue down the slippery slope of sin or we humble ourselves with a broken and contrite heart and come to Jesus for grace and forgiveness.
What is “backsliding”?
As a Christian, we begin to “backslide” the moment we begin to move away from God. Most often, the word is used when Christians begin making sinful choices such as excessive drinking, sexual immorality, dropping out of church, cussing, gambling, setting up idols, or other sinful behaviors that were part of our life before we were saved. It is a backwards motion that takes us back to lifestyles we had before we became a Christian.
Backsliding doesn’t mean we lose our salvation
It’s important to understand that a person who is backsliding has not lost their salvation. We know this based on several scriptures:
John 10:28-29
John 10:28-29 tells us that once we’ve placed our faith in Christ, no one can snatch us out of His Father’s hand.
Romans 8:1
This verse says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Romans 8:35-39
In these verses, Paul wrote: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
To sum up, absolutely nothing can separate us from God. Through our faith and acceptance of Christ as Savior, our place in the family of God is secure even when we backslide. And because nothing can separate us from God, He stands ready to forgive the one who has a contrite heart.
Is the word “Backslide” in the Bible?
While you will not find the word, “backslide” in the Bible, you will see the phrase “fall away” or the Bible will tell us about people who moved away from their faith in Christ and returned to what they knew before. Both Paul and James write about Christians that went back to their familiar sins and wandered away from their faith (See Galatians 6:1 and James 5:19-20).
What causes us to backslide?
What causes a Christian to backslide? While sometimes, it’s simply giving in to temptation, life circumstances can also lead one to wander away from their faith. If we experience difficult circumstances, hurtful relationships, unfair treatment, or trauma, we might begin to question God’s goodness and wonder if He is still in control. We might question His love for us if He would allow us to go through these circumstances. We might wonder if He’s forgotten us. But it isn’t God that’s forgotten us. We forget God’s promises to us like the one found in Isaiah 43:2 that says, “I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you.”
Overcoming Backsliding
When bad things happen, we become angry, depressed, bitter, confused, and overwhelmed. Instead of claiming His promises, we revert back to the sinful nature to try to soothe what we are feeling and lessen the pain of what we experience. Our Bibles stay closed. We drop out of church. We give God the silent treatment. However, it is in these moments that we need more than any other to stay grounded in His Word and our knees should be raw from kneeling in prayer. This is how we overcome backsliding.
God is waiting for the contrite heart
We all end up backsliding at some point. Remember that if you are not moving towards God, you’re moving away from Him and that is was it means to backslide. Thankfully, Jesus said He is our Good Shepherd and He seeks out His “lost sheep” (John 10). He doesn’t want us to backslide. He wants us trust Him. But as His children, He will call us back and pursue us with an everlasting love. When we come back to Him with a repentant and contrite heart, God will be there waiting. Waiting to revive our heart and spirit (Isaiah 57:15).
Peter is an example
The greatest example of backslide in the Bible is Peter. Each one of could be Peter. It’s a story of Peter’s pride and his failure. But it is also a story of grace, love and renewal. Let’s look at his story:
Peter’s Pride before Jesus’ Arrest and Crucifixion
Before Jesus’ arrest, Peter had declared that Jesus was the Christ – the Messiah – the one they had been waiting for. Then Peter tells Jesus that he would die for him to which Jesus responded, “Before the crock crows you will deny me three times.” Just as Jesus said, in His trial, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times… and then Peter heard the rooster. Jesus turned to look at Peter. In that moment, something changed in Peter. Something died. The pride and arrogance, his confidence that he would die for Jesus were killed. Peter, which means “rock”, was more like the shifting sand under the crashing waves washing in and out of the shore. As realization sunk in, tears began to fall down the his face. He ran away no longer bold and confident, but a broken sinner in need of forgiveness.
Peter hears of the empty tomb
Three days later, Peter receives the news of an empty tomb. He runs to the tomb. He had to know and see that Jesus had risen from the dead. It was his hope of restoration. If Jesus was alive, just maybe – Jesus would forgive him and he could be renewed. The weight of his guilt was more than he could stand. If only, he could be forgiven.
Peter grew tired of waiting for Jesus to show up
After the resurrection, Jesus sent a message to the disciples through the women that had come to the tomb. He told them to go to Galilee and wait for him. So they did, but they had to wait…and wait….and wait. Perhaps disappointed and losing hope, Peter grew tired of waiting for Jesus to show up (don’t we do that too?). Maybe Peter thought, “I knew he wouldn’t come for the likes of me.” Maybe Peter thinks that if he leaves the group, Jesus would come to the rest of the disciples. Whatever was going on in Peter’s mind, he decides to return to his old ways and instead of waiting on Jesus, he goes fishing.
Peter stopped fishing for men and went back to fishing for fish
Some of the other disciples followed him. (How often when we choose to backslide, do we take others with us?) He goes back to what he knows and trusts. In the boat, the fish doesn’t know of his shame and failure. They don’t point a fin at him and laugh about how he boldly proclaimed he’d die for Jesus and then turned around and denied knowing Him. His failure plagues him. Maybe it keeps him awake at night. Perhaps every time he sees the reflection of his face in water he sees shame, guilt, failure, and brokenness. Maybe he thinks, “I’m just a fisherman. Who am I to think that Jesus would choose me to build His church on? I’m no rock!” Maybe he stops going by Peter, the name Jesus gave him and started using his old name of Simon.
So, he goes back to fishing. He fished the entire night, but caught nothing. Not even one tiny, little fish. A failure at being a disciple. A failure at fishing. He’d let Jesus down. Maybe as Peter was exhausted from fishing all night, he collapses down on a bench in the boat and with his face in his hands and tears begin to flow once more, he wonders how he can go on.
The voice of a Friend
Peter hears something and looks up towards the shore and a man is there. He listens again and the voice says, “Friends! Have you caught any fish? Throw your net on the other side. You’ll find some over there.” Peter has a deja vu moment as he wonders “Where have I head that before?” He shakes his head as the memory of his last fishing trip before Jesus had said, “Come follow me” had a similar ring to it.
He’d fished all night and caught nothing on that night too and Jesus had been the one to tell him to cast his net on the other side. When he did, he and his companions brought in so many fish the nets began to tear and they were so heavy the boat was close to sinking.
He looks at the man on the shore again. Squints his eyes. Who was this? Was he just trying to pour salt into the huge, gaping wound in his heart? Still, Peter doesn’t talk back. Perhaps he thought, “What if it’s Him?”
He wearily stands and picks up the net. Tosses it on the other side of the boat with a splash into the sea. Just like before – there were so many fish, he couldn’t haul the net in. Perhaps Peter couldn’t bring himself to hope what His heart wanted to hope – that Jesus was the man on the shore because in the Bible, it’s John who figures it out. He cries, “It’s the Lord!”
Peter swims to Jesus
That’s all Peter had to hear. He jumps out of the boat. His only intention is to get to Jesus just as fast as he could and rowing back to shore with so many fish would just take too long – even if it was just 100 yards or so off shore. But when he gets to shore, he stand there with his clothes dripping water, looking at Jesus, and he has no words. It’s as if there are no right words to say to the one he had hurt and disappointed – the one whom he had failed.
Breakfast with the Savior
Jesus fixes breakfast for them and they eat in silence. Peter needed for Jesus to say something. He didn’t need for Jesus to remind him of how he had failed. He didn’t need a sermon. And he didn’t need, “I told you so.” Peter was constantly and vividly aware of his failure. He was already at a place of having a contrite heart. What he needed was Jesus’ words of love, grace, and forgiveness. He needed to be made new – again. Peter didn’t need to be “saved” again. He had already placed his faith in Christ – he just needed for Jesus to forgive him.
“Simon, do you love me?”
Jesus turns to Peter and says, “Simon, do you love me?” Peter replies, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus tells him, “Feed my lambs.” Then, Jesus asks it again. Peter answers again and Jesus tells him to feed his lambs. Jesus asks a third time and Peter, feeling frustrated, answers for a third time and Jesus once again says, “Feed my lambs.”
Peter re-commissioned
Peter is hurt. The man he had offended, denied, and rejected was asking him if he loved him. But, Jesus was tenderly reaching out to this wounded, hurt man who had made the biggest mistake of his life. Peter had denied Jesus three times, and three times Jesus asked Peter if he loves him, followed by “Feed my lambs.” Jesus then invites Peter to once again, “Follow me.”
For Peter to become the rock the Jesus said he would, Jesus had to re-commission him and invite him back to ministry by saying “feed my lambs.”
Although Peter had been the one in the wrong, Jesus went to and sought out Peter. The weight of Peter’s guilt was so heavy, that it kept him from being able to seek Jesus out to make things right. The same is true for us. We stay in our state of shame and guilt rather than seeking Christ’s grace and forgiveness.But, just like with Peter, our good shepherd will seek us out to heal us, restore us, renew us, and forgive us.
God is always with the one who has a broken and contrite heart. Like Peter, He tenderly seeks us out, longing to revive our hearts and call us back into serving Him. Don’t stay in the boat with your failures and sin. Jump in the water and get to Jesus as quick as you can. Can you hear him say, “[Your name], do you love me?”
New in the shop this week:
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Thankful plaid pumpkin
Pumpkin Spice Season-Hello Fall – Happy Fall Yall
Cutest ‘lil Pumpkin
Here are some of our favorite designs:
Known Loved Worthy Enough Chosen Child of God
Revive us again, Lord
Walk by faith
Grace wins
2021 Trailer – All things possible – Be still – It’s fine
Large view 2021 Trailer – All things possible – Be still – It’s fine
Way Maker
Walk by Faith
Script Unstoppable God
Print Unstoppable God
Unstoppable Force
Steps of a Good Man
Something New
Seek and Find
Revive Us Again
Resist the Devil
Raise a Hallelujah
Prayer Warrior
Beloved- Mr and Mrs
Mr and Mrs – God’s Plan
Man of God
He Left 99 for Me
Cast All Your Cares
Giants
Faith over Fear
Faith Can Move Mountains
Don’t Worry
Don’t Quit
Created to Praise
All things are Possible
Air Force
What the Lord Requires
Test positive for faith
Test positive for faith
Living for the world to see Jesus
Holly Jolly Christmas
Joy to the World
Sleigh Bells Ring
Merry Christmas
God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars
What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
Scripture to memorize and meditate on
Conversation Starters
Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
Romance Builders
Relationship Builders
Personal reflections
Date ideas
Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples
Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.
Join the community of couples on Facebook who are committed to intentionally growing their marriage and learning how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.
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Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.
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There is something beautiful about every season. They each bring glory and joy in their own way. In the Spring everything is new and the first buds of flowers begin to bloom. In the Summer, there is long days, vacations, beaches and lots of warm sunshine. Many experience snow in the winter or at least all the beautiful Christmas lights. But Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons with the leaves changing colors.
If you don’t live in Florida like we do, then you’re probably seeing some cooler temperatures and changing leaves. We are too, its only in the 80s for a high rather upper 90s. Then there is all the pumpkins spice flavored everything that comes out. Last year, I even saw Pumpkin Spice Special K cereal in the store. I’m not a fan of anything pumpkin flavored personally, but I love the smell of a good fall pumpkin scented candle.
Fall means the holidays are just around the corner
Fall also ushers in the excitement of the upcoming holidays. I love the holidays. There is so much glory and joy in them. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the glory and joy we have in Christ and all that God does for us. Christmas is all about celebrating the glory and joy of the birth of our Savior. To me Christmas is the best of all the holidays.
Family, Friends, and Holidays
I have always lived closed to my family and family is a big part of our holidays. Thanksgiving includes a pot-luck dinner with aunts, uncles, cousins and whoever they bring with them – it’s usually a big crowd. Christmas includes my sisters, mom, kids, nieces and nephews, and one grandkid. One of the biggest joys of the holidays for me is being with family. But we also have family that live out of state and we only see them once every few years. My sister-in-law has become my best friend and I love her kids as if they were my own. But in 15 years of being part of Brian’s family, we’ve yet to coordinate everyone together so that we can do the holidays together — one day we will!
Who are you missing?
Not only do Brian and I miss Shari and her kids at the holidays, this year my our family, we will be missing two from around our dinner table. My nephew joined the Air Force last year and is now stationed overseas. His youngest brother, Kelly, is currently at boot camp for the Marines. He will graduate in less than a month but then he’s headed out for training. And with COVID restrictions, my sister doesn’t know yet if she will get to attend his graduation. She may not get to see him at all before he is shipped off to the other side of the country.
So, we added something new to our holidays last year – Facetime with Blake. Hopefully, we will get to Facetime with Kelly too this year. I think about my younger sister (Blake and Kelly’s mom) who is experiencing the holidays with two of her four children not at home. For her, holidays are now mixed with joy, but also missing these two sons who we are all so very proud of.
Paul also missed people
Paul understood missing people he cared about. In 1 Thessalonians 2:20, Paul had a great desire to see the Thessalonicans again. In Acts 17:8-10, we learn that the Thessalonicans had to send Paul and Silas away quickly at night due to persecution that broke out. Since that time, Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2, that he wanted to come back to them time and time again, but Satan hindered him. To Paul, this group of Christians represented his hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing.
Even though they had been able to help Paul and Silas secretly escape the persecution, they remained in the midst of it and continued to suffer after Paul and Silas were gone. Yet they remained fast to their faith and served God out love.
Do you ever wondered if Paul felt guilty to be away from the persecution while his friends were still there experiencing it? Paul may have escaped it from there, but pretty much wherever he went Paul experienced persecution for the Gospel. He understood what they were going through.
Paul wrote a letter to his friends
For this reason, Paul longed to see them again – to encourage them. Instead, he had to settle for sending a letter. Simply put, Paul missed them, just as we miss our loved one when we are separated from them. In his letter to them, he wrote: “For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy!”
Are you Jesus’ Glory and joy?
Today, Jesus is sitting in heaven watching His church. Some take the religious freedoms we have lightly while others live daily in fear of being discovered. We know that Jesus is coming again, but even Jesus does not know the time that His Father will say, “Son, go get my children.” Do you ever stop to wonder if Jesus longs to be with us? Just as Paul sent a letter to the Thessalonicans, Jesus left us with a letter. It’s called the Bible. Do you ever wonder if as Jesus is talking with His father does He say of us, “Look father! [Insert your name] is my glory and joy!” Would He be able to say that how we live for Him represents His hope, joy, and crown of boasting?
What about us? Do we say the same thing about Jesus? Could we look our a friends and family and say, “Jesus is my glory and joy?” How would you be able to tell someone about the joy and glory that Jesus brings to your life?
New in the shop this week:
Thankful Plaid Pumpkin
Other Fall Designs
Fall for Jesus – He never leaves
Thankful plaid pumpkin
Pumpkin Spice Season-Hello Fall – Happy Fall Yall
Cutest ‘lil Pumpkin
Here are some of our favorite designs:
Known Loved Worthy Enough Chosen Child of God
Revive us again, Lord
Walk by faith
Grace wins
2021 Trailer – All things possible – Be still – It’s fine
Large view 2021 Trailer – All things possible – Be still – It’s fine
Way Maker
Walk by Faith
Script Unstoppable God
Print Unstoppable God
Unstoppable Force
Steps of a Good Man
Something New
Seek and Find
Revive Us Again
Resist the Devil
Raise a Hallelujah
Prayer Warrior
Beloved- Mr and Mrs
Mr and Mrs – God’s Plan
Man of God
He Left 99 for Me
Cast All Your Cares
Giants
Faith over Fear
Faith Can Move Mountains
Don’t Worry
Don’t Quit
Created to Praise
All things are Possible
Air Force
What the Lord Requires
Test positive for faith
Test positive for faith
Living for the world to see Jesus
Holly Jolly Christmas
Joy to the World
Sleigh Bells Ring
Merry Christmas
God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars
What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
Scripture to memorize and meditate on
Conversation Starters
Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
Romance Builders
Relationship Builders
Personal reflections
Date ideas
Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples
Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.
Join the community of couples on Facebook who are committed to intentionally growing their marriage and learning how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.
Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More
Everything Christian for less!
Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.
Get a head start on your Christmas Shopping at Christian Book Distributors
Wellspring Christian Ministries receives an 8% commission on any purchased made from Christian Book Distributors through any affiliate link on this site. Your price for any item is the same as purchasing from CBD directly.
When someone we care about has an illness or health crisis, it’s very difficult to watch them suffer. We hurt, because they hurt. We are concerned over whether they will get well or not. We pray for healing, but sometimes it isn’t God’s will to heal.
Lazarus, Mary, and Martha were friends of Jesus. In fact, the Bible records that it was this Mary that anointed Jesus with oil and wiped His feet with her hair. When Lazarus became sick, his sisters did the only thing they knew to do – they sent for Jesus. They had complete faith that Jesus could heal him. We don’t find Jesus dropping everything and heading on over to Bethany as quickly as he can. He already knew what He was going to do and why, and in order to fulfill His will, it meant that Lazarus must die first. So Jesus hangs out where He was for another two days. Then He says to His disciples, “Let’s go to Judea.”
For the disciples, there was great concern for Jesus heading back to Judea. The last time Jesus was there, the Jews sought to stone him. They try to remind Jesus of that and they say, “And you want to go back there?! Really?”
So Jesus tells them that Lazarus has fallen asleep and that He must go wake Him up. Still worried for Jesus’ safety, the disciples reply, “That’s a good thing. Let’s let him sleep. If he is sleeping he will get well.” So Jesus bluntly informs them that Lazarus is dead. He then tells them that it was a good thing that He did not go to Lazarus and that he had died so that the disciples would believe.
The miracle of raising Lazarus from dead anticipated Jesus’ own resurrection. In John 11:25, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” By raising Lazarus from the dead, rather than just healing him, Jesus gave proof to His words. So as puzzling as it may seem for Jesus to linger where He was for two days before coming to Bethany, it served to reveal God’s glory and to show the people an even harder miracle. One that would prepare them for the day when Jesus would be resurrected from the dead after the cross.
I am sure Mary and Martha were confused and maybe even hurt that Jesus didn’t come when they asked Him to. In fact in verse 21, Martha says to Jesus, “If you had come, he would not have died.” But then in faith, she followed the accusation with, “But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” The simple fact is that with Jesus, hopelessness turns into hope and the moment that Jesus arrived, Martha had hope again.
We may not understand why God chooses to heal some people and others are not healed. But we can trust that God is always in control and if He chooses not to heal, then He has a reason and a purpose – one that will bring Him glory. Sometimes, that means our loved ones step out of this world and enter eternity – but what a glorious eternity when spent in the presence of God. Can you imagine Lazarus’ disappointment to leave the glory of heaven and the presence of God to return to this broken world and to have to face death all over again? The Bible doesn’t really tell us Lazarus’ reaction to finding himself back in his mortal body and living again. In fact, because Jesus raised him from the dead, the chief priests began plotting how to kill him – again. But just as His death served a purpose, so did his being raised from the dead.
Put Martha’s words to Jesus in your mouth. If Jesus came to you today and you said, “Jesus, if you had just been here two days ago….” how would that sentence be finished for you? Do you have the same faith that Martha did to then say, “But now that you’re here, I know whatever you ask of God, He will give it to you?” Would your hope return the moment Jesus arrived? Are you able to trust God that even if you don’t understand why that prayer wasn’t answered that God is working all things out for your good and His glory?
And she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. — 1 Samuel 4:21
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Memorize and hide in your heart one memory verse each week in 2020. If you didn’t start the challenge at the beginning of the year, just jump in now and be sure to sign up to get our weekly Memory verse in your email so you don’t miss a week.
In 2020 our emphasis is on revival for America with three key words: revive, renew, and redeem. You will begin to see the elements of our website and posts reflect this emphasis. We hope you’ll join us in praying for God to pour out the Holy Spirit with a mighty rushing wind of revival for our nation and around the world.
Our key verse for revival is 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. For the past few weeks, we have been focusing on repentance. This week, we look at the spiritual transformation that takes place when we surrender our heart to God.
This week’s memory verse:
Judges 17:6
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did whatever he wanted.”
This week’s featured proclaims Christ as the overcomer. Satan is like a lion roaming to and fro seeking whom he may devour, but Jesus is the Lion of Judah that overcame Satan.
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Every day the headlines announce more violence and evil. Our hearts groan as we wonder what life will be like for the next generation. It all seems hopeless, which is probably how Jeremiah felt as he lived among the people of the nation of Judah.
Jeremiah was a reluctant but faithful prophet who spent forty-two years serving God and warning the people to repent. His heart was saddened and angered by the people’s indifference to God and the moral decay that surrounded him. Everything was falling apart–yet Jeremiah continued to seek the Lord.
As we face personal trauma and national crisis, we can learn from the prophet’s example. Ray Stedman walks us through the book of Jeremiah, revealing that repentance was the only answer then–and it’s the only answer today. When people repent, God is faithful to His Word, planting the seeds of new life and giving us hope.
Are we watching our nation commit suicide? Is America, like a modern-day Roman Empire, doomed to moral decay and demise?In his new book, Awakening: How America Can Turn from Economic and Moral Destruction to God’s Blessing, Ralph Reed, reveals how the United States has abandoned its founding principles and spiritual heritage. Yet Reed, adviser to the Bush-Cheney campaigns and former executive director of the Christian Coalition, believes better days are ahead for our nation. This book, featuring practical action points and a bold pro-family plan, provides a road map we can follow to restore America back to God’s blessing.
Find out how to reenergize our call to effective citizenship and revive America’s core values of faith, personal responsibility, and liberty. As the 2014 election cycle approaches, Awakening, is a timely plea for people of faith to spark a spiritual and moral awakening that will reverse the cycle of destruction, renew our country, and see God heal our land.
Never have the headlines been this jarring, the cultural changes this rapid, or the moral decay this pronounced. What on earth is happening? After each new occurrence, the most oft-heard questions are, “Will the world ever be the same again?” and “Where is God in all of this?”Over the last few decades, Dr. David Jeremiah has become one of the world’s most sought-after Christian leaders on topics that deal with biblical application and modern culture. And few would dispute that the pace at which things are currently changing is unprecedented. The time has come to accept this new normal, Jeremiah says, and understand how God’s hand is still at work on His eternal plan for mankind.
No one can afford to ignore these warnings, but all can better understand the greater story and the role we each play in this changing world. From prophetic clues in Scripture to an understanding of the power of Christ in all believers, this book directs us on a clear path forward.
Where is God in times of disaster? How can God allow suffering? What are God’s people to do about moral decay in society? While people throughout the ages have long pondered these questions, three of the Minor Prophets–Joel, Micah, and Habbakuk–provide insights to these perennial problems.The Bible Speaks Today is a series of both Old Testament and New Testament expositions, which are characterized by a threefold ideal: to expound the biblical text with accuracy, to relate it to contemporary life, and to be readable.
David Prior has pastured churches in Cape Town, South Africa, and Oxford, England. He now travels widely, lecturing on the local church around the world. He is the author of The Message of 1 Corinthians in the Bible Speaks series.
Society’s widening gap between technological achievement and moral decay compels men of courage, integrity and true manhood to stand strong.In a quest for satisfaction, many men have lost the meaning of manhood, surrendering ideals to things immoral, illegal, unethical or irresponsible. Today’s tough times require men to overcome dangerous philosophies and bring hope, dignity and order back to a world in desperate need – men who are willing to be heroes.”
Newly edited edition with foreward by Brian Houston.
With Society Crumbling Around Us, It’s Time to Rebuild
We live in a post-Christian age marked by moral and spiritual decay. We have watched our comfortable walls collapse as our faith has been attacked on every side.
But take heart! God can raise up leaders dedicated to defending His truth and following His blueprints for holy living. One of those leaders might be you – because no matter where you live and what you do, you have a circle of influence.
And your influence is desperately needed.
How does a believer construct secure barriers to hold back the discouragement and moral danger of this world? Respected ministry leader Michael Youssef takes you through the book of Nehemiah to help you learn the keys to godly leadership and restoration.
Discover what it takes to rebuild walls in this highly relevant study of a people who traded their rubble for rejoicing.
By Ravi Zacharias / Ravi Zacharias International Ministries
“Strangers are devouring you and you know it.” That is Hosea’s challenge to a nation in unconscious decay. The slide to spiritual self-destruction is studied with practical application on how to avoid those pitfalls.
Come Down, Lord! is a succinct, readable and biblically-based treatment of the vital theme of revival. Its seven short chapters go directly to the heart of the matter, as their headings indicate: We miss You; We need you; We wait for You; We will meet You; We have wronged You; We belong to You; We beseech You.Taking as his starting place the widespread absence of the sense of God’s holy presence and our need of his grace, Roger Ellsworth traces the profound analysis of the church’s spiritual decay outlined in Isaiah 63:3-64:12, and applies its message to our times.
There is an answer to the cultural decay in our nation. The Spirit and Power of Elijah deals with the root cause of these issues and how to turn our nation back to God. In this volume, Pastor Reyes will share insights that challenge, encourage, convict and empower. God has equipped His people in the Spirit and Power of Elijah as an end-time solution to reach and restore a generation.
In a world that can feel overwhelming, it is easy to see loss as the overriding theme of our existence. From the stress of finances to the pain of aging, we see decay all around us. We see the corrupt nature of a fallen world.
Despite the seeming chaos, God’s loving song of redemption echoes through every fiber of creation. Sometimes we hear the melody loud and clear, but more often it is like the refrain of a musical score that is background to a film-present but so subtle we may be unaware of it.
In Nothing Is Wasted: How God Redeems What is Broken Joseph Bentz explores how God clues us in to the big picture of redemption and eternity amid the most difficult and unlovely things in our lives. He helps us remember how a faithful and all-powerful God desires to transform our pain into beauty.
Rustic look wall plaque 29″ x 15.25″, bestselling design in distressed finish wood look plaque, ready to hang. Family gift favorite features Family Scriptures. Our family will… love and accept one another, pray for one another, tell the truth to each other, be kind to one another, bring joy to each other, serve one another, be patient with each other, comfort one another, forgive one another, be generous with each other, honor each other. In a variety of artful typography styles, with Scripture references under each; mounted paper on laser cut MDF wood product. Faux distressed finish.
Moments of Faith sculpture of a man kneeling by a chair in prayer is an encouragement to pray and to rely on God’s help. In realistic detail, set on felt-lined black, rectangle base; it’s finished with bronzetone Scripture plaque of Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Approximately 7″ x 6″, for desktop or table display. A gift for the man of prayer in your life.Resin sculpture.
Moments of Faith sculpture portrays a woman, seated on a chair with hands clasped in earnest prayer. Bronze tone finish on smooth black wooden base with felt lining; bronze tone plaque is inscribed with Scripture from Psalm 17:6 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.” Approximately 7″ x 6″ resin sculpture.
Majestic eagle figurine in lifelike detail is displayed on polished black satin base with felt lining. In bronze tone finish with round medallion engraved They shall soar on wings like eagles. Isaiah 40:31. Forming a border around the medallion: Those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength…. They will not grow weary… 21.5″ x 15″ resin figurine.
Durasoft fabric is extremely durable; Indoor or outdoor use
Readable from both sidesPlease note: We have displayed this flag on a stand so our customers can see how it will look. Please order a flag stand separately since it is not included with the flag.
Patriotic rustic appeal for shelf or desktop display; wooden house shaped photo clip with star trim and primitive accents. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalm 33:12Weathered clip is designed to hold your latest and most favorite snapshot or family photo. Picture clip house is 10″ x 6″ x 3″; red, white and blue.
Trending words of inspiration on glass soap dispenser for kitchen, bath, or powder room; clear glass with typography design screened on; pump top. Fill with your favorite detergent, soap, or lotion. 8 ounce capacity.Wash your hands and say your prayers because Jesus and germs are everywhere.
Handy tissue basket holds a box of boutique tissues, God bless you is embroidered on fabric liner, with wood lid. 6″ x 6″ x 6″; adds style to your room decor. Black with white lettering; button closure.Personalization is available! To order with embroidered personalization, just add to your cart and follow the prompts. All personalization is done on the premises at Christianbook.com. Personalized with one line of your choice consisting of 20 characters. Please Note: Font and thread colors cannot be changed.
When God is for us, no person, and no challenge, can stop us in our tracks. Because of our faith, we don’t have to give in to fear — it’s that simple. Wear this stylish Christian cap from Kerusso’s grace & truth® collection to share this brave message with those who don’t yet know the Lord.
Cool baseball cap in blue denim with embroidered Scripture reference from Psalm 56:4 in tan.
Front: Faith Over Fear Visor: Psalm 56:4 Side: grace & truth
By Julia M. Bruce / WestBow Press There’s no doubt that marriage is hard work. Yet it can also be one of the most fulfilling relationships you can experience, outside of your relationship with God. However, many marriages leave God outside of the relationship. Godly marriages do not happen without cultivating it, investing in it, and putting God first in your individual lives and in your marriage. This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
• Scripture to memorize and meditate on • Conversation Starters • Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages • Romance Builders • Relationship Builders • Personal reflections • Date ideas • Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples
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In 2020 our emphasis is on revival for America with three key words: revive, renew, and redeem. You will begin to see the elements of our website and posts reflect this emphasis. We hope you’ll join us in praying for God to pour out the Holy Spirit with a mighty rushing wind of revival for our nation and around the world.
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