Following Christ English

Every year I make a long list of New Year's resolutions, and every year I forget every one of them. Is it just a waste of time to make a list of New Year's resolutions? A: No, it’s not a waste of time to examine our lives and admit that we need to make some changes—if we’re honest about actually doing it. Unfortunately, most lists of resolutions aren’t really resolutions at all; they’re only a series of wishes, without any plan for making them happen. But let me suggest you ask yourself two questions as you think about your list. First, what is God’s goal for you during the coming year? What does He want to see happen in your life in the new year? In other words, don’t just write down anything that happens to come to mind; seek instead God’s priority for your life. Perhaps you have never given your life to Jesus Christ—and if not, make this your first step. And if you do know Christ, make it your goal to draw closer to Him during the coming year. Jesus said, “But se

Question   I am trying to teach my children about the true meaning of Christmas and it’s hard to do when the holiday has been turned into a commercial event about all the wrong things. Shouldn’t it be more about the infant Jesus and the sweet story of that first Christmas night? Answer  From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham In the midst of all upheaval, crisis, difficulty, problems, and fear comes the true message of Christmas with all of its hope, goodwill, and cheer. The message of Christmas has been terribly misapplied and misunderstood for many years. Some think of business profits, shopping, gifts, tinsel, toys, and celebration. Others think only of Bethlehem, of the star in the sky, shepherds in the field, and angels singing. Still others cynically ask, “Where is this Prince of Peace in a world filled with so much trouble?” The real Christmas message goes far deeper. It heralds the entrance of God into human history. It is Heaven descending to Earth. It is as though a trumpe

We moved last year and got involved in a new church that's more formal in its worship than our old church. Now they are preparing for what they call the "advent" season, and I'm too embarrassed to admit my ignorance and ask someone what it is. Maybe you can explain it to me. The “Advent season” consists of the weeks leading up to Christmas (in most churches the four Sundays before Christmas). The word “advent” comes from an old word that means the coming or arrival of something—in this case, the coming of Jesus into the world. Even churches that don’t use this term usually begin focusing on the meaning of Christmas during these weeks—and this is what I hope you and your family will do also. After all, for Christians no event in all history was more significant (along with Jesus’ death and resurrection). Christ is the center and foundation of our faith, and there is no better time of the year to renew our faith and remember all He has done for us. Why was J

“See how good the Lord is. Happy is the person who trusts him.” Psalms 34:8    What you believe about God is crucial to the quality of your life, especially in difficult times. So, starting today, tell yourself, “God is good—all the time,” and keep saying it until it gets down into your spirit. What does it mean to be “good?” It means living up to the best and highest one knows. And since God always knows what’s best and highest, His goodness is beyond question. If God is good—genuinely, practically, consistently good—then your cup of well-being, security, peace, confidence, and joy should be overflowing! A good God can’t break His promise, abandon His children, or fail to love and provide for them. In every trial and circumstance, you can be sure He will treat you in the best possible way. When things seem to be falling apart, when you stumble confused in the dark, it’s hard to see God’s goodness or feel that things will get better. That’s when you must draw on the faith G

  To be “right” with God, we must first understand what is “wrong.” The answer is sin. “There is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:3). We have rebelled against God's commands; We “like sheep have gone astray” (Isaiah 53:6). The bad news is that the penalty for sin is death. "The soul that sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4). The good news is that a loving God has inspired us to bring us to salvation. Jesus declared His purpose to be that He “came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10), and He declared that His purpose had been achieved when He was “finished” on the cross. !” Died with words (John 19:30). Having a right relationship with God begins with confessing your sins. Next comes a humble confession of one's sins before God (Isaiah 57:15) and a determination to give up sins. "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:10). This repentance must be accompanied by faith –

“I have chosen Bezalel.” Exodus 31:2    The first person in the Bible who was said to be “filled with the Spirit of God” was Bezalel. And if his name doesn’t ring a bell, it’s because he wasn’t a prophet, priest, king, or apostle. He was a craftsman, skilled in design. He had an eye for color and a flair for management, and when it came time for building the tabernacle, he oversaw the job. Here is what God said about him: “I have chosen Bezalel…and…filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts” (Exodus 31:2-5 ). Imagine being Bezalel. From your youth you loved to work with your hands. You don’t know God is involved in this—but He is! He actually placed these desires within you. When you’re working, the joy you feel is actually the presence of God. You have certain strength

  “Those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” 1Co 4:2    Most adults spend about half their waking lives at work. Your work is a huge part of God’s plan for your life. He designed a specific vocation just for you in which you should find personal fulfillment, meet the needs of your family, and help to perpetuate His purposes in the earth. The fourth commandment covers all seven days of the week, not just the Sabbath. “Six days you shall labor and do all your work…for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth” (Ex 20: 9,11 NIV). Sometimes you hear sermons designed to make you feel guilty about not keeping the Sabbath, but have you ever heard a sermon designed to make you feel guilty about not honoring the six-day workweek? The point is that just as God made and loves the Sabbath, He also made and loves work. The Bible says, “The kingdom of God is in your midst” (Lk 17:21 NIV). Whether you’re a butcher, baker, or candlestick maker, you’re required to demonstrate in