The average person reads over 265 social media posts, emails, and text messages everyday on their phones/tablets. Proof-positive that we really do have time to read our Bibles everyday. We just choose to use our time for lesser things.
I don’t think the number one reason people (especially younger people) are leaving the church is we’re too cynical and mean. I think we’ve been terrible at discipling people in the Word for decades.
The culture out discipled the church. The culture out catechized the church.
When you get up in the morning, don’t start your day with social media. Don’t start your day with checking your emails or texts or the news—especially these days.
Instead, start your day with the Word of God and with prayer. That will equip you to deal with what is ahead.
You cannot serve God and popular opinion.
You cannot serve God and people-pleasing.
You cannot serve God and immorality.
You cannot serve God and pride.
You cannot serve God and bitterness.
You cannot serve God and yourself.
Choose this day who you will serve.
We can forgive because we’ve been forgiven.
We can extend grace because we’ve been given grace.
We can love because we’ve been loved.
We can only do this because it is what Jesus offers us!
It all points back to Jesus!
When you’re living in a society where it seems like everything is falling apart—comfort has everything to do with concentration—do you concentrate on the crumbling foundations? Or do you concentrate on the sovereign rule of God who is never unsettled and will never be unseated?
One of the lessons I’ve learned during this season is that “Crazy Busy” will not be a badge of honor for me in the days ahead.
Workaholism, in my life and the lives of others, will no longer be something I champion.
What are things you’re learning?
Unbelievers may not understand our theology, but they can see our hope. Our gospel hope not only sustains us in suffering — enabling perseverance (Rom 8), but it also shines in suffering — provoking questions (1 Pet 3:13-17). So let’s get hopeful for our sake & the world’s.
Form us, O God...
RT @eraysaunders: I've often wondered why the evangelical church seems to be so unbothered by racism in our land. So many reasons are possible but here's one: with all our biblical literacy, we have not been truly formed by the Scriptures.
I can brag on this because I had nothing to do with it, but this may be one of the most moving things our worship and multimedia teams have ever done. Check out what happens about 2:30 in