No Place for Dummies or Psychos | James 1:19b-21

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James presented to his readers an essay on how God works in a believer’s life when facing the onslaught of hardships, difficulties, persecutions, weaknesses and insults. Yet – what about us? Do we have any responsibility when hardships and difficulties, come upon us? Of course, we do – but what are those responsibilities? What does God expect from us in times of great adversity? Stick around to discover precisely what is under our column. You just may find mental and emotional healing for your psyche.

Seeing the Hand of God | Genesis 40:1-23

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Griffith Thomas wrote: Even the smallest circumstance in life has its meaning, and it may be said, literally, that we do not know the profound significance of many of the simplest details of daily life. Happy is the person whose eyes are open to see the hand of God in everyday events. To that person, life always possesses a marvelous joy and glory. Though a circumstantial case could be made that God had deserted him, Joseph kept himself free from fret, strain, hardness, and despair. Consciousness of God made all the difference.

Put Your Mouth Where Your Faith Is! | Romans 10:9a

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Could you summarize Christianity in one simple sentence, 15 words or less? Here’s my simple sentence: The heart and life of Christianity is confessing Jesus as Lord. Romans 10:9a is usually discussed in an evangelistic context due to the second part of the verse. However, Romans 10:9a impacts, not just the moment of conversion, but all of life. Confessing Jesus as Lord is a daily exercise for the believer, an exercise that keeps us perennially connected to the presence and power of God.

Why Bad Things Become Perfect Gifts | James 1:17b

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Paul had a problem. His tendency toward arrogance could easily get in the way of his kingdom usefulness. So, what did God do? God gave Paul a gift, actually, several gifts. What were those gifts? Here’s the answer: weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions and difficulties. If that seems unacceptable, stop here and go no farther. The weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions and difficulties will not go away. However, if you proceed, what has been a gut-wrenching grind just may be transformed into a life-changing, energy-charged gift.

Freedom Isn’t A Show Car | Romans 6:17-18

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As a ten-year-old child, I loved cars, especially the 1987 Lamborghini Countach. I once saw a Lamborghini Countach in the garage of a neighbor who lived next to my dad’s parents. That car met all the expectations of my heart and mind. However, the man who owned it rarely drove it. For all practical purposes, that car was only for show.
Then it occurred to me that many believers go at Christianity like that Lamborghini Countach. They never get their Christianity out on the road of life, but treat it as a show car only.

Great Expectations | Isaiah 54:1-3a

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What are our expectations for the future, and in particular, what are our expectations for the future of the Countryside Baptist family with God at work among us? Whatever our future may be, if we have great expectations, we cannot accomplish those expectations on our own, but with the involvement of God there is nothing we cannot accomplish. Expect great things from God; Do great things for God.

Escaping the Emotional Junk Heap | Habakkuk 3:17-19

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Though my business fails, though I become unemployed, though I lose my home, though my cancer is incurable, though the stock market crashes, though my marriage ends in divorce, though my friends forsake me, though my dreams die, though my husband is murdered, though my wife runs off with another man, though my health deteriorates – yet will I worship the Lord. What if? How will you survive?

When the Sea Gull Does Not Come | Habakkuk 1:1-2:1

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I love stories with happy endings. Yet, how do we handle life when happy endings don’t come? What happens when no rescue takes place? What happens when the alcoholic does not sober up? What happens when a marriage ends in divorce? What happens when cancer takes the life of its victim? What happens when a teenager does not come home to parents? Such questions not only stand at the heart of Habakkuk’s book, but they also plague our own lives. What then?