Demonstrating love through deferenceWhen you see a yield sign, the traffic laws dictate that you must defer to oncoming cars from another lane or those merging. It is the natural order, and if you choose to disregard this warning, there could be severe consequences or destruction.In certain connotations, the term to yield could also be rephrased as to submit. Much like the yield sign, God's law commands us to be "submitting to one another in the fear of God," in Ephesians 5:21. If we discount this command, similarly to ignoring a traffic sign, the results could be catastrophic, causing pain and even the destruction of our relationships.Submission is an unpopular topic, because this action requires a great deal of selflessness and putting aside of our own desires. This is an extremely counterculture principle, even for Bible-believing Christians. Join the GR8 Relationships ministry in The S-Word to learn what biblical, holy submission looks like in a godly relationship.
Just the way you areThe American Reformed theologian and radio broadcast host R.C. Sproul once said, "The heart of a relationship is to know others for who they are and still value, accept, and love them."It's very easy to focus on one another's faults and flaws when it comes to our relationships. Similar to the verse in Matthew 7:3, where it alludes to us seeing the speck in someone else's eye and ignoring the plank in our own, we often point the finger and demand the other person change in order to achieve harmony in the relationship.However, in a Christ-centered relationship, believers are to practice humility with one another. Instead of judging and condemning, we are to forgive, show grace, and reconcile-just as Christ did for us.Join the GR8 Relationships ministry in The Solution, as the author illustrates what true love looks like in a Christ-centered relationship.
Authentic faith requires courageIn today's fast-paced, fast-changing world when yesterday's truths are declared to be today's folly, one can easily become confused and overwhelmed and disheartened.Personal problems, national turmoil, global conflicts, and cultural changes may seem like giants too big to conquer.The challenges of day-to-day living can seem like walls closing in.Whatever the conflict, the change, or the challenge, Christians are called to be brave, have courage, and live victoriously-not by their own strength but because "we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Rom. 8:37).Join author Roy G.Miller as he guides readers through 123 days of interactive devotions to help and encourage them to put their faith in action and live bold, victorious, and joyful lives. Each day's devotion in this book is concise and can be completed in less than fifteen minutes.Roy G. Miller is a retired International Mission Board missionary. He planted and pastored English-speaking International Baptist churches in St. Paul de Vence and Nice, France, as well as in Sofia, Bulgaria. For more than 50 years, he has served the Lord by teaching the Word of God to others as a pastor and Christian counselor. As an author, he has contributed to Open Windows Magazine and a devotional book, The Chosen Path. A widower, Roy lives with his daughter, Michelle, and his son-in-law, Jon Shearer in Tampa, Florida.
Who do you resemble?As kids, we may remember people telling us that we looked like or acted like one of our parents. Since we spent so much time with them in our formative years, it would make logical sense for us to then emulate their behaviors, attitudes, and mannerisms.As children of God, we spend enough time with Him to naturally replicate the behaviors and attitudes, also known as the fruits of the Spirit. These are supposed to set us apart from the world and signify who we belong to and who our spiritual father is.In Genesis 1:26, God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness . . ." From the beginning, our purpose was to reflect Christ in all we say and do-not only to glorify God, but to bring others to saving knowledge of Him through our emulation of Christ.Join the GR8 Relationships ministry in Made in God's Image Really? to examine the design of men and women and how each design reflects God's image.
Which way do I go?The poet Robert Frost said it best in one of his most famous poems, The Road Less Traveled. He muses, "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both . . ." We often wonder if we made the right decision when it pertains to things such as marrying the right person, choosing the right place to raise a family, or accepting a new job offer.Many of us even live with the pain of regret or find ourselves replaying the scenario in our minds, imagining an entirely different outcome. The question we must ask ourselves is, "Where was God in this process?"Proverbs 16:3 tells us "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." We must seek to glorify God and not ourselves. If we do this, we need not worry about selecting the right route-God will guide our steps.Join the GR8 Relationships ministry in Did you Choose the Right Path to examine how we can properly make those difficult life decisions.
Creating a spiritual legacy In the Old Testament, the priests served as the liaison between the people and God. In order to atone for their sins and communicate with God, the people sacrificed burnt offerings.Once Jesus paid our debt on the cross, everything changed. We now have complete access to God through the blood of Christ. It's so simple-yet we take it for granted. The apostle Paul understood the power of prayer, as he implored the believers in Thessalonica to "Pray without ceasing," in Thessalonians 5:17.But how often do we practice this? Do we take time to petition and record our requests to God in writing, along with meditating and recounting all He has done for us? Join author Mindy Bunting O'Connor as she reveals the secret to deeper intimacy with Christ: prayer journaling. Readers will learn the importance of recording their prayers, so they can see just how God continues to work in their lives-even amid the difficult seasons.
How to create and sustain godly relationshipsSin nature is natural. You don't need to teach babies to be selfish; they are born that way by default. This self-centered attitude isn't something that wanes with age-the world encourages and even lauds those who focus on themselves and what's best for them.However, bringing our selfishness into relationships causes serious consequences. It is the exact opposite of God's description of love.1 Corinthians 13:4-5 says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs."Esteeming others instead of self-esteem (Philippians 2:3), showing grace and mercy, and not keeping track of the other person's mistakes are pillars of true love.Join GR8 Relationships in The Problem that Destroys Relationships to examine God's perfect design for healthy relationships.We explore how we can change our behaviors from selfish to selfless to glorify God and strengthen our relationships.
Recognizing Our Own FaultsEveryone loves to play the blame game. We point at the other person in the relationship as the problem. They must change their behavior and attitude-it's not our fault there are relational wounds and scars.However, Romans 2:1 would disagree. It says, "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."What if, instead of looking across the table at the other person to find fault, we looked in the mirror? What if we turned off the flashing "ME" light and sought reconciliation rather than casting judgment?Join the GR8 Relationships ministry in What Damages Relationships to examine how to understand the battle between designs and judgments in our relationships and how it contrasts with God's perfect solution for healthy and fulfilling relationships.
Reaching the lostDeep within the heart of every human being is a desperate yearning for belonging. Many stumble through life, simply finding superficial happiness in money, things, or relationships. They don't understand that there is someone who can satisfy that deeper longing-in part because no one has been bold enough to share the gospel with them.Evangelism is not a choice; it is a divine calling to share the good news to the ends of the earth with every tribe and nation. One such group in the United States is Filipino immigrants, whose population totals 3.4 million. This particular people group has specific needs and questions pertaining to Christianity that must be understood if they are to be reached for Christ.Join author Jake Bolotano as he walks the reader through his experience as a pastor to the Filipino people. This book details what he learned and how Christ used him as a light to the Filipino community in order to further the kingdom of God.
I Am Called His BelovedAs humans, we automatically assign value to everything. Take diamonds or other precious gemstones, for example. We price them at a certain worth based on their characteristics and overall purity. An expert carefully examines it, detailing its flaws and assigning it a specific rate.In our own lives, we too often let others determine our worth. However, only one person can accurately assess and evaluate our worth: Jesus Christ. He sees the imperfections and flaws, yet he still deems us worthy and of great value. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."Join author Jessica Clancy as she walks the reader through her journey of self-actualization and spiritual renewal, which allowed her to see herself as God sees her-His prized possession and cherished daughter.
Living in exileLeprosy. It was a disease that plagued the ancient world but has long been forgotten by most in the 21st century. That is unless you live in places such as India, where leprosy has not been eradicated.Latika was just 13 years old when her father was diagnosed with leprosy. Being thrown out of the only home her family had ever known, they wander from village to village seeking a new place to live. Finally, they find a one-room home in the village of Jaipur-in a leper colony of 250 families.Living in a rat-infested village and being forced into prostitution, Latika yearns to escape the darkness that threatens to smother her. The puppet-man, Joshua, talks about love in a way she has never experienced. Will she ever experience this love Joshua talks about?Based on true stories, join author Fern Reynolds in Outcast: A Leper's Daughter's Story, to learn how leprosy affects the people of India and experience the plight of a young girl and her journey to joy and fulfillment.
Are you frustrated with how boring or distracted your times are with God? Do you long for more intimacy with God? Is there something in your heart telling you there must be more of God to experience than inspiring moments in a devotional book? If you''re saying, "God, I want to go deeper!" but don''t know how to get there, this book is for you. Very few discipleship books go deep on the topic of friendship with God in prayer, but in this book, you will focus entirely on going deeper in prayer, experiencing God, and discovering what it feels like to live from a spiritual overflow. Going Deeper is a 40-week discipleship workbook that will take you on a slow, step-by-step journey into a deeper experience of God through prayer and the Bible with the help of a mentor. Complete with weekly readings, practical prayer assignments, and detailed guidance for mentors (and optional video course), you will be inspired and equipped to encounter God through one to two hours of daily prayer. With more than eighteen years of experience in full-time prayer ministry, pastoring, and discipleship, author Jeff Mootz offers a wealth of experience, tools, and biblical understanding that will help you cultivate a deep friendship with God. Whether you use this for one-on-one discipleship, a small group, a church discipleship program, or individual use, you will: 1. Experience personal testimonies of intimacy with God consistently2. Grow in longing for God3. Learn how to design a weekly Bible and prayer schedule that''s led by the Spirit4. Experience rhythm and depth in core prayer expressions5. Learn biblical methods of pursuing freedom from sins and lies6. Develop clear plans to grow in your giftings7. Be equipped to confidently disciple others into an encounter lifestyle8. Experience an accountability model you can use with future small groupsGoing Deeper is structured around eight different prayer expressions, each lasting four to eight weeks in duration. With this structure, there is enough time to learn about each prayer expression, practice them, and get a rhythm in them before moving onto the next module focus.
The Trumpet Call to God's People In the messages to the seven churches in Revelation, John records the Holy Spirit's counsel to each respective church. In Revelation 3:3 he writes, "So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you." While this was written as a warning for the church in Sardis, we must also regard it as a warning for the Church today. The Lord's return is imminent-are we as God's people prepared and ready for His return? We must allow the Holy Spirit's messages to create a sense of urgency in our hearts as Christ's return draws near. Join author Marjorie Merz Fennell as she examines these seven critical messages and helps the reader understand what the Lord expects of His leaders and His Church.
Remaining Faithful Through Trials and TribulationsMaking up your mind is an action, not a reaction. When faced with adversity or challenges, you have two choices: subscribe to what the culture says is the solution or find the truth in God''s Word.In Joshua 24:15, Joshua declares: "...Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."The prophet Daniel exhibited this same attitude, even as he dwelled in a land of many foreign gods. He never wavered nor pandered to the culture around him-even when faced with the punishment of death.Join author Erik Konsmo as he guides the reader through 30 days of issues many Christians face and offers principles for how to live like Daniel, who made up his mind to follow God, no matter the cost.
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