Staff/Lifeway Christian Resources

 "The heart wants what the heart wants." This is a saying in our culture, reflected in movies and music, and is at the core of humanity’s downfall since Adam and Eve.

God’s goal for us is Christlikeness. You can anticipate God’s persistent and faithful activity in your life and church causing you to act, talk, love and think like Christ. But without the example of a church family, you may miss much of what Christ offers.

Many new cars contain such safety features as lane departure systems, lane-change assist technology and automatic braking technology, providing valuable information that can prevent dangerous situations. In the same way, Christians need to be aware of hazardous teachings that can pull our focus from Jesus.

When we consider ourselves blessed, we’re apt to bless others. But approached differently – maybe we’re short on time, perhaps no one will want our help, onlookers might give our efforts the stink-eye – we might never get around to helping others.

The idea of redemption has multiple meanings. We might redeem a gift card for payment. We might want to redeem ourselves after a failure. To redeem means to buy back or exchange, to deliver, or to make amends, depending on the context.

The Spirit of God is absolutely committed to producing fruit in your life. The more fruit produced, the more like Christ you become.

There’s nothing as difficult as the sudden, tragic loss of a family member. For two sisters in Bethany in biblical times, a family friend was life for their brother who had already died.

Ask any student and they would say, “I hate tests.” No one likes tests, but they’re needed for school and for life. Tests reveal what we know and if we have learned what we have been taught.

Home ownership is a blessing that carries with it responsibility. People can feel a sense of pride when they sign the paperwork and receive the keys to their new home. That sense of pride can turn to dread when the air conditioning breaks or the roof needs replacing.

Some of us are willing to experience personal pain before asking for help. But when someone else is involved like a spouse, child, parent or friend, we’re willing to get whatever help we can to see someone we love receive the help and care they need.